While on our family trip to Puerto Rico this summer, we visited El Yunque National Forest. Located in the northeast of the island at an elevation of 3,540 feet, El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the United States National Forest System.
As a warm-up for more strenuous activities, we climbed Yokahú Tower and were rewarded with unparalleled views of the forest and beyond. I was truly blown away by the sight. While there are several trails to choose from, Cascada La Mina is the forest’s main attraction. At the trailhead, lemonade stands offered fresh lemonade and snacks, a sight unfamiliar to me as a resident of the eastern plains of Colorado, where hiking trails rarely come with refreshments.
As soon as we stepped onto the La Mina Trail, the rainforest greeted us with its sensory richness: the humidity emanating from lush foliage, raindrops cooling our skin, and the gentle crackling of trees in the breeze. Birds sang from above, providing a natural soundtrack to our journey. Most of the hike was mild, though a few sections were steep and slippery due to the red clay characteristic of this region.
The waterfall itself was stunning, and the atmosphere around it was incredibly relaxing. The water hole is popular with visitors, but we skipped swimming as it was too cold for our taste. Since we had seen the waterfall, the main highlight we came for, we didn’t continue further along the trail. While it would have been wonderful to spend an entire day exploring other trails, we needed to return to our families.
El Yunque is a must-see when visiting Puerto Rico. While the island offers many attractions, the rainforest provides a unique experience that should not be missed.
