Month Visited: February
Our family can be very adventurous at times, and we will step out of our comfort zone in order to have new experiences if necessary. We also like relaxing, beach vacations, comfortable lodgings, and outdoor activities. Some days we want to see and do as much as we possibly can, but on other days we want a more relaxed pace and we tend to enjoy a schedule that is not as packed. We are an active family, and we try to include educational stops whenever possible. Our children at the time of this itinerary: 2 children- Girl age 15 years, Boy age 10 years.
Address: Río Grande 00745, Puerto Rico
Hours: 7:30am-6pm
Website: www.elyunque.com
Overall Rating:
Description: The El Yunque Rain Forest is a subtropical rain forest with a wide diversity of plants, animals, and organisms. The rainforest itself is situated at the top of the mountain and is inside the El Yunque National Forest Reserve. The serenity and natural beauty found in this rain forest is incredible. Mists rise up the mountain, and there are many waterfalls, streams, and rivers that cascade down towards the sea. Large amounts of rainfall each year and high moisture levels help maintain many plant varieties. Unlike most rain forests El Yunque has no poisonous snakes to worry about. Visitors can camp in the rain forest with a permit, but there are no designated camping areas or amenities offered and it gets very wet here. Camping permits must be received by 3pm, the park gates close at 6pm sharp.
Our Experiences: This was a great stop that everyone really enjoyed, and it was an incredible experience for our entire family. The rain forest was very peaceful and quiet, unlike those with many birds and other loud animals. The mist was a little eerie at first, but this made our exploration more of an adventure. The waterfalls were very nice, and there are some streams and river that we enjoyed as well. We highly recommend the El Yunque Rain Forest to any family that enjoys being outdoors and finding the most beautiful spots in nature.
Description: Camuy River Cave Park is a park in Puerto Rico with numerous limestone caves that are all part of a bigger cave system. Visitors can explore the underground caves, underground streams and waterways, and even waterfalls which are found under the earth in some spots. These caves were first discovered in the year 1958, but evidence in the system suggests that people from long ago were the first to explore these caves. With more than 10 miles of caverns, over 200 individual caves, and entrances in 17 different places in Puerto Rico this system is definitely worth seeing and exploring.
Our Experiences: We had a lot of fun at the Camuy River Cave Park, this stop was very exciting and memorable. The caves were fascinating to go through, and the kids were really excited with the sense of adventure that this stop had. The entire cave system actually includes around 800 additional caves along the length of the system that are not accessible to visitors. The park was created around the cave system, and there are also a number of sinkholes in the park for visitors to see as well. Camuy River Cave Park was a fantastic stop that our family loved, and it was one of the most popular stops on the trip for us.
Description: Bioluminescent Bay is a body of water that contains bioluminescent organisms which create a luminescence in the water. The best time to see this bay is on a very dark night, because that is when the luminescence under the water is most prominently visible. A blue green light can be seen in the water, and it is a spectacular experience. The organisms in the water collect light during the day, and then this collected light is released because of a chemical reaction in the organism. Many visitors to Puerto Rico rate this body of water very highly, and it is a popular attraction with residents on the island as well.
Our Experiences: We visited Bioluminescent Bay at night (we went on kayaks), and the sight was amazing. We could see the light which the underwater creatures were releasing, and it was a magical experience. The kids were awed by the underwater light, and the blue green luminescence was very unusual. We recommend this stop to anyone who likes to see new things or who enjoys nature, the ecosystem in this bay is unique and original while the sight of the light is unforgettable.