Puerto Rico was always on my list so you can imagine my excitement when I booked my trip and how much that excitement grew when I started to look at the San Juan Marriott website. The pool, the beach, the food, the room, and the view are more than enough reasons to stay on the property and bask in the beauty of Condado area. Sometimes I wish I had it in me to just relax and enjoy all the amenities at the hotel, never leaving the grounds except to return to the airport, but that’s not the type of traveler I am. Besides, there is too much out there to explore and venturing out into it is what my bucket list is all about. Life is worth living, right? I chose three activities that are all doable from the Marriott and made the most of every second in Puerto Rico. Your favorite maybe not be what you’d expect. Rather than trying to cram them all into one post, I’ll share them one by one, leading up to my favorite.
On my first adventure from San Juan Marriott, I headed into the United States’ only tropical rainforest, El Yunque. Covering 28,000 acres, El Yunque Rainforest has more than 200 inches of rain every year and some of the island’s most rare species and wildlife.
At the entrance to El Yunque, we stopped at El Portal Rainforest Center where we explored interactive exhibits and watched a 15-minute video about the history and ecology of El Yunque. Normally, I find this sort of thing boring and I’d suggest skipping it, but this time the video provided insight into the life of the park; a life that I wouldn’t have known about otherwise including the destruction caused by hurricanes. Seeing the before and after gave me an even greater appreciation for the forces of nature.
Our guide made us a creative hat from one of the massive leaves near the center. His free-spirited, child-friendly nature was a welcomed addition to the experience.
From the center, it was a short drive to La Coca Falls. With views of bamboo thickets and gigantic trees, it was like watching a movie from the van window. It was well-worth getting out at La Coca Falls to appreciate the immense rock face and its subtle cascading falls. It’s a popular stopping spot so arriving early was a good call on the part of our driver.
Next up was the Yokahu Observation Tower, a round, stone lookout at 1,575 feet above sea level. The observation tower looks historic from the outside but is a new addition to the park. The walk to the top is easy with a spiral staircase and windows leading to a windswept observation deck. 69 feet up, we were rewarded by commanding views of El Yunque peak and a broad expanse of the island’s northern coastline.
The highlight of the tour was a 30-minute hike along the La Mina River where the photo opportunities were abundant. I wasn’t sure what to expect for the trail so I prepared by wearing runners, dry-fit clothes, and my bathing suit underneath. Even though it’s a 30 minute hike in and out, the runners weren’t a necessity. The entire path is wide and paved with a few staircases and the occasional slippery rock. It was doable in flip-flops or water shoes, although maybe not for children. I was over-prepared but it was a good problem to have.
Arriving at the falls, I was greeted by rushing water cascading over a cliff down to a pool below. After hiking the trails and the tower on the hot, sunny day, I quickly stripped down to my bathing suit and made my way under the falls. Again, arriving early was the ideal situation because we were the first group there. I was able to play under the water and get a few photos before a large group of people arrived. The falls are strong and I wouldn’t suggest going directly under them unless you’re prepared to get hit hard with the water. It’s definitely possible; I just used caution and moved slowly, making sure I had footing the entire time.
It wasn’t until we were about 10 minutes away from the van that it started to rain. It was heavy and fast but I was already wet from the swim and I liked the cool water on my face. I put on my rain jacket, put my camera gear inside for protection and looked skyward. The sound of the rain hitting the trees was better than meditation. I zoned out for the rest of the walk and enjoyed my surroundings. I was at peace in the forest, engulfed by towering life all around me.
I felt refreshed when we were to the van. There are events in our life that take years away and there are events in our life that give years back. Being encircled by natural beauty and wonder at El Yunque Rainforest easily gave me an extra year of life. It’s moments like this that are truly bucketlist worthy.
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Fantastic adventure 🙂 Another place I’ll have to add to my growing list of destinations!
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It’s a great addition, Mike. What is at the top of your list?
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I’ve got many at the top!
Definitely Iceland, Mongolia, North Korea, Egypt, Chile, Easter Island (on and on it goes!) 🙂
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Puerto Rico looks beautiful. We have talked about going, but, have not yet made it. Thanks for sharing and I will look forward to your next excursions there!
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We kept putting it off too then it ended up being one of my favorites in the Caribbean.
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Really? Wow that is great to know! Maybe that will be on our short term list! Happy travels!
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There are rainforests in Hawaii. Parts of Kauai get 400″ per year. http://www.countriesquest.com/north_america/usa/geography/regions_of_the_united_states/regional_breakdowns/hawaii/climatic_regions_of_the_united_states/tropical_rain_forest.htm
Puerto Rico, “of the United States”, true, is an unincorporated territory. Place looks great though!!! 🙂
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If you didn’t stop for the corn cheese fritters and coco frio at the little food stand on the way down the road out of El Yunque, you missed out. Love that place!
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That was one of the highlights of my entire vacation 🙂
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My wife and I will be making a stop in San Juan in a couple of weeks. We’ll be stopping in port as part of an Eastern Caribbean cruise. I’m just wondering: Did you explore the Old City? If so, any suggestions for places to eat/see/hang out?
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I’ll be posting about the Old City within the next 3 days. Stay tuned 🙂
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Awesome. Talk about perfect timing!! 🙂
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Been to Naval Air Station Roosevelt Roads in PR once for a brief but enjoyable stay, although I’d say yours is better!
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Did you get to do any excursions while you were there?
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Looks like a fabulous hike Lesley…and the hat….well that is just marvelous!
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It was fun; I felt like I was at Disney 😉
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We had a grand time as well at El Yunque.
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Did you hike to the waterfalls?
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Loved El Yunque- we were impressed with what we called a “Jurassic snail”. It was the biggest land snail we had ever seen!
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I can’t believe I forgot to include the photo of the snail. I’ll have to add it in another post. It was crazy looking. Did you hike to the waterfall?
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I’m headed there to celebrate my dirty thirty in a few months!!
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Wonderful, and Happy birthday! I hope you have a marvelous time. Do you have any excursions planned? Where will you be staying?
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We’re staying in an airbnb apartment near ocean beach. Still looking into things to do, but definitely the jungle, some kayaking, etc. I’m so excited. 🙂
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Your photos remind me of the Dominican Republic. I’d love to visit PR.
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I thought about the Dominican when I was there too. They are so close to each other that it’s no surprise that they are similar. When were you in DR? It’s so beautiful there, right? I look forward to going back to both.
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Lush green everywhere… looks pretty similar to Kerala 🙂
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Where is Kerala? I haven’t heard of it before. Maybe I need to add it to the list. 🙂
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Please do add it first and then do a google image search 🙂 you won’t regret it for sure.
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‘There are events in our lives that take years away and there are events in our lives that give years back’ beautifully put Lesley 🙂
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Thank you! I think about that regularly. “Is this an event that is adding to my life?”
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Great way to think. I like that 🙂
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Thank you for taking me to El Yunque Rainforest with your terrific descriptions of it. I enjoyed the visit!
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Your welcome. I hope you experience it for yourself 🙂
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I went to the rain forest years ago and I had forgotten all the sights. It was great to revisit it through your photos.
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Puerto Rico looks amazing! Always on the top of my to-do list!!
http://livinginthefreeworld.com
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I loved Puerto Rico! Can’t wait to find out what your favorite activity was. Thanks for the like on Half Moon Bay!
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Breathtaking view. Another paradise on earth. 😀 Sigh.
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Great post on my favorite location and my wife’s birthplace. I don’t know if you have read this before; if so, my apologies for repeating myself (it is a fault us old folks have).
http://adirondackmountains.wordpress.com/2012/04/01/the-plank/
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It is amazing how we can see God in the world that He has created…if we would just stop and know that He is there !!
Psalm 46:10… Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
Blessings in Christ, bruce
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Such beautiful pictures! It truly looks like paradise!
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So happy you are enjoying Puerto Rico. Did you go to Jayuya or Rincon?
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Have never been to Puerto Rico. Married a man whose family long ago immigrated from there and had two very beautiful daughters. Between my heritage and his we created some beautiful babies..heheh..anyway. I wish we had been able to go see this beautiful country.
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lovely Lesley. When are you coming to Jamaica man?
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Nice hat, Lesley. I loved the view from the observation tower. That would truly be an amazing sight to see! This place looks gorgeous! I could see how it and a walk in the rain can give a person back some life. Truly amazing! Can’t wait to read your other posts about San Juan!
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What a wonderful area to explore!
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It is on my “gonna do” list too.
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Oh good, you did go to El Yunque! You really can’t go to Puerto Rico without planning a day trip to El Yunque.
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LOVE the hat, haha!
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Great beauty there! I’ve been in San Juan but my visit was too short for proper exploration. Need a repeat!
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It looks like you had a great trip. I love the rainforest pictures.
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Gorgeous scenery!! Love the hat.
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Seemed like a fun trip !!!
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“There are events in our life that take years away and there are events in our life that give years back.” So true and so profound. I need to incorporate that in my thought process. 🙂
On our May trip to PR, one of the biggest disappointments was finding out that they had had torrential rains that had washed out an access road in El Yunque and a rainforest tours were cancelled the entire time we were there. Next time!
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Oh and I meant to say that we stayed at El San Juan resort in Carolina, so we passed Condado on the way to Fajardo and Old San Juan, so I recognize the area. I am looking forward to re-reading your take on OSJ as well. Our third adventure was a catamaran snorkeling trip, which, while fun, was hardly adventurous. 😉
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