If you are traveling to Puerto Rico, put El Yunque National Forest on your “must see” list. Nestled within the Luquillo Mountains, El Yunque sustains thousands of tropical plants and hundreds of small wildlife species. El Yunque also is home to a vast array of scientific research projects.
We opted to do a guided tour which included a mild-moderate hike (appropriate for kids and their middle aged parents). Some of the tours can be modified to include visits to the waterfalls and a local beach.
Our walk through El Yunque took us along roads and by facilities constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). From 1935-1943, the CCC employed 2500 laborers who used mostly tools they could carry to construct the trails and roads that now serve over 600,000 visitors a year. If the walk starts to wear on you, just think about those young men, desperate to work – who took these back-breaking jobs that paid $30 a month.
Although we didn’t spot any of the highly endangered Puerto Rican parrots – the lush vegetation was captivating. Enjoy!
Luquillo Mountains
Yokahu Tower
Hiking with the kids
Don't miss the waterfalls
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