A Day in El Yunque Rainforest

El Yunque is a rainforest in Puerto Rico. Did you know that it is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System, with over 240 species of trees and thousands of native plants? It's a vital habitat for the critically endangered Puerto Rican Parrot and provides water for 20% of the island's population.     

El Yunque is very easy to reach. It was just a 40 minute drive from our hotel. We picked up a car from the local rental place and were on our way.

We drove the first 30 minutes and stopped at Ekelekua for some breakfast. 

Entry to the rainforest was free.

Our first stop was La Coca Falls - the falls were right across the street from a parking lot. 

Our second stop was Yokahu Tower. 

This 65ft, Moorish-looking stone tower was built as a lookout in 1962. It's an easy 98 steps to the top where you get a 360-degree views of the lush rainforest. The tower is named after Yokahú, a Taíno spirit associated with the protection of the mountains and the bringing of rain, connecting the structure to the island's indigenous history.

Stop number 3 was the Mount Britton Tower Hike.

The observation tower was built in 1937 named in honor of botanist Nathaniel Britton and his wife, bryologist, Elizabeth Britton. It's a 45 minute hike each way. 

Our last stop was Juan Diego Falls.

There was a small parking area and a very easy and short walk to see the falls. 

You could swim up to the falls.. the water was ice cold. I was feeling a little under the weather so refrained.

Now if you are feeling a little adventurous there is a second waterfall you can see in the background. It requires a short but steep and slippery hike riddled with tree roots to get to it. I made a reel.

The second waterfall. Want some more adventure? There is another steeper path on the left.. 

and you find this serene pool of water with a gushing stream that feeds the two waterfalls. We had the whole place to ourselves.

slowly we made our way back down. You can see waterfall number two on the left. 

We dried and changed and then said goodbye to El Yunque National Rainforest. 

Next we headed to Luquillo Beach and it's nearby kiosks (another name for restaurants). There are a total of 60 kiosks at Luquillo. 

We ate at #20 Terruno. Our no seafood eating did limit our choices a bit.

Here we got fried chicken, sweet potato fries, fried cheese, corn fritters and alcapurrias.

Mofongo with steak tips and a some grilled chicken in the picture below. All perfectly fine just really lacking the spice that we love. The waitress did bring us a spicy green sauce that made everything better. 

 We were lucky to score free parking outside the kiosks and once we were done we hit the beach.

A noni plant.. also known as great morinda, Indian mulberry and even vomit fruit.. I have no idea why.

It was a nice clean beach with warm water and soft sand.

M took H on a jet ski while D was content with chilling and reading.. I walked some bit before joining him.

We finished out the day with a crazy pineapple concoction.

We skipped eating out and opted to order in.. we got clean and cozy and ate pizza. I was also starting to get sicker.. a fever creeping in. :( 

                       

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