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El Yunque Sunday was another road trip, this time to the El Yunque rainforest about 25 miles from San Juan. Although it covers more than 25,000 acres, most attractions can be seen from the single road that extends less than 10 miles into the forest. We spent about 5 hours here, including a 1.5 mile hike to a waterfall, climbing 98 steps to the top of an observation tower and lunch at the popular Muralla's. |
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| Susie & I at La Coca Falls | Bamboo trees |
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| Yokahu Observation Tower | El Yunque peak | View to Fajardo & Culebra |
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| She made all 98 steps | Closer view of El Yunque |
| The most popular hike in El Yunque is a 1.5 mile roundtrip down to La Mina falls. It's an easy hike down, but coming up is a different story....Fortunately, there are rain shelters just off the trail to take a breather or enjoy a picnic. |
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| More beautiful bamboo | Picnic area at trailhead | Just down the trail |
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| Rain shelter / picnic area |
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| La Mina falls | Yes, we have no bananas | Break time |
 After
working up an appetite, the most popular place for lunch in El Yunque
(thanks to all the guidebooks) is Muralla's, housed in a building
with lots of local ambiance. (Check out the doghouse and dog on
the roof.)
Good food at reasonable prices. Order and receive your meal at the window where the Coke sign is and then bring inside to less than a dozen tables. Some very special condiments too! |
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| Lunch for about $7 | Mayo Ketchup - no; hot sauce- si! |
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Loquillo Beach After lunch, we made the short drive to Loquillo beach, one of the nicest beaches in that part of Puerto Rico. I realized we had made a mistake by having lunch at Muralla's. Loquillo's real attraction is some 60 food kiosks lined up along a service road in front of the beach. But we were too full to partake.... |
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| I wanted to try Ceviche Hut |
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| Food glorious food | Another food kiosk | That's per liter... |
