The Yunque National Forest
is located in the Sierra de Luquillo Mountains, approximately 25 miles
northeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico and encompasses over 28,000 acres of land.
El Yunque National Forest, is one of the most popular
recreation sites in Puerto Rico and the US National Forest System. Almost a
million tourists, from Puerto Rico, the U.S. and abroad visit this rain forest
each year.
Looking for a leisure walk on a
easy walking trail?
Please click to change the page.
Description
of "El Yunque tour":
For the physically fit -
"Hiking Trails"
A licensed tourist guide with a certified driver will pick up the
group in an air-conditioned
vehicle in according to the group's size at the airport, San Juan's pier,
Old San Juan, Condado, Isla Verde or Rio Grande hotel
area. The tour commences when departing from the meeting location.
A knowledgeable guide fluent in English will provide general information
about Puerto Rico and the forest on board the vehicle. A
stop at a deli will be made to buy a sandwich and beverage, so you can
have a brief picnic at the Mina Fall. Food and beverage is not included
in the tour rate.
Our
hiking begins at the Palo Colorado Information Center located at PR
191, km 12.2 about 1 mile (1.8 km) up the road from the Big Tree Trail
parking lot. |
 
Guide
will lead the hikers downward The "La Mina" trail which is 0.7 miles
(1.2 km) long, descending from 2,132 feet (650 meters) to 1,640 feet
(500 meters).
Hiking time is approximately 30 to 45 minutes, one-way.
This trail is rated as challenging in difficulty.
It has several sets of winding concrete stairs.
There are a number of covered picnic shelters (built of native
stone by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930’s). |
The
"La Mina" trail is the most popular,
hence the most heavily traveled trail on the YNF.
The trail follows the course of the La Mina River downward
through lush tropical trees, shrubs and flowers to the La Mina
waterfall.
(Cascada La Mina). |
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Along the way, it crosses and re-crosses the rushing river on many small
bridges, passing tiny cascades and still pools filled with chilled
mountain water, on its way to the falls.
The
mid point of our hiking adventure will be at the end of the La Mina
River Trail.
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 Have
a picnic at "Cascada La Mina" (La Mina Falls),
an exquisite waterfall that drops over 35 feet through a jumble of
huge rocks into a lovely pool where hikers can choose to swim in the
cool refreshing water or merely rest and enjoy the view. (Bring a change of
cloth and towel.) Swimming in the pool at the water fall would
be allowed as long the river's current is NOT STRONG, No exceptions. |
The
fun continues on the Big Tree Trail is 0.8 miles (1.4 km) long,
 ascending from 1,640 feet (500 meters) descending to 1,804 feet (550 meters).
Hiking time is approximately 40 minutes.
The trail is rated as moderate in difficulty, and is steep in
some places. It is asphalt paved throughout and several rain/picnic
shelters are located along the way. |
The
hiking ends at Big Three Trail parking lot located at
PR 191, km 10.4 about 1 mile (1.8 km) down from the Palo Colorado
Visitor Center and
where the group will board the bus to the Yokahu Tower for a change
of clothes, enjoy the view of the northeast coast.
The tour ends at the
location previously agree, for example, hotel, cruise ship or
airport.
The currency that we
use for our transactions is the United States dollar.
 Group
of 7 passengers -
Book on line
Private tour rate
US$539.28, includes 7%
sales tax
Available: 7 days a
week / Schedule: 10AM to 3PM
Reservation, Payment and Cancellation
policies.
Tour voucher -
Your tour voucher is the receipt that you will receive at your E-mail
address. Print and bring with you because it is required to present it to
the tourist guide.
Schedule to be decided by group:
(In case the tour schedule does not suite your availability.
For example, cruise ship schedule in port and flight arrival or
departure. Send us an E-mail and we will response with an
electronic invoice with your requested schedule in which you can send a
fax reservation form with your credit card information.)
Larger groups
Request a proposal at
info@legendsofpr.com
|
 Customers'
review |
Tour
survey comments:
LOVED this tour and would highly recommend to anyone. Was a few minutes
late because he thought we were at the cruise ship rather than the hotel.
No big deal. Appreciated that he dropped us off at Old San Juan so we
could do some shopping before returning to the ship. He made sure to give
us good directions how to get back to the cruise terminal. Thanks so much
for a fabulous day in the rainforest!!
Tamara Nix, Texas, Carnival Triumph - June 12, 2008 - Jaime, tour guideTour
survey comments: We
enjoyed the tour very much. Debbie was very friendly and courteous.
Transportation was excellent. John Lucyshyn, CT, Gran Melia July
30, 2007
Tour
survey comments: Debbie did a wonderful job as our tour guide.
Everything was perfect and I really enjoyed the experience.
Rachel Conrad, Texas, Holiday Inn Express July 7, 2007
Tour
survey comments: It was great. Thanks. Leah Conrad,
Texas, Holiday Inn Express July 7, 2007 |
Tour's
Details:
Trails:
Mina Fall and Big Three Trail
Time at the trails: 2 hours (Includes an half hour lunch and
swim at La Mina Falls.)
Total tour time: 5 hours - (Includes traveling
time with sightseeing.)
[Swimming in the pool at the water fall would
be allowed as long the river's current is NOT STRONG, No exceptions.]
Tour days: 7
days a week
Language:
English
Tour
does not operate on
January 1, Good Friday, September 15,Thanksgiving Day (USA),
December 25 and 31st.
Includes:
- Meet
and greet at airport, piers in San Juan or at the hotel
- Transportation with an air-conditioned
6-seats mini-van,
14-seats van or 24- seats mini-bus with a
certified driver from the airport, San Juan's pier, Condado, Isla Verde,
Rio Grande or Conquistador hotels.
- Entrance fee into forest.
- Licensed tourist guide by
the Puerto Rico Tourism Company and certified
by the American Red Cross in First Aid, Adult, Infant and Child CPR
- A bottle of water per
person.
- Food and beverage is not
included in the tour rate.
- Another activity is available, in case the picnic option is not chosen.
Exclusions:
- Luggage
can not be carried in the bus during the tour; the additional weight
can damage the vehicle's transmission.
Ask your hotel to storage your luggage during the tour and prior transferring
to the airport or cruise ship. Some airlines have luggage
check in service at the Pier; consult the cruise ship company or your
travel agent.
-
An option
for the passengers in transit at the airport is
the luggage handler association in the airport. They charge a fee to
storage your luggage. We can help contact them when you make your
reservations.
Airport passengers in
transit must have at least a 7
hours layover.
Note:
1. Have a well-balanced breakfast or lunch.
2. Bring a change of
cloth, towel and wear
hiking shoes. No sandals
3. All children and teens must be
accompanied
by an adult 21 years of age or older.
4. We recommend the children be 10 years of age and older.
Only the parents will know if their children have the stamina for
this type of tour.
5. Not
recommend for elderly and travelers with a heart condition.
How to...
Take
the steps beyond the city limits...
Advance reservations
are required. Spaces are limited!
-
Phone:
+1-787-605-9060 / Fax: +1-787-946-9060 / E-mail:
info@legendsofpr.com
Please provide us with the
following information when contacting us: Date (s) in Puerto
Rico, hotel, cruise ship line and name, schedule in Port, how many in your
party or group and name of tour or location you wish to visit.
Don't waste vacation
time at the concierge desk.
Book
and pay on line now to have fun in Puerto Rico.
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This tour is
ideal for travels that...
1. Enjoys
walking.
2. Wishes to
explore
a rainforest.
3. Have visited Old San Juan.
4. Airport passengers that have 5 to 6-hours in between flights.
5. Cruise ship passengers with flights departing
at or after 7:00 p.m. and have
visited El Yunque, rainforest.
6. Looks for a nature adventure activity for family
reunions, prior or after conventions and pre or post cruise ship traveling
dates.
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Hiking
Tips
-
Use
appropriate hiking shoes (rubber soles).
-
Slippery
and moist conditions exist on all Forest paths and trails.
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Bring
insect repellent.
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Always
carry water.
-
Bring
light food and fruits.
-
A
raincoat is appropriate mainly if you are interested in
climbing up to the peaks . Use rain shelters on the
trail, when available.
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Please
do not leave litter on Forest trails. Leave only footprints.
Leave no trace! Help us to keep our Forest clean.
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Use of
sunscreen is recommended.
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Children
must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
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Use of
Forest trails is at the visitor's own risk.
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To avoid
becoming lost DO NOT leave the trails.
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Do not
pick plants and flowers or disturb animals
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