The famous El Yunque - rainforest! Great place for people of all hiking experiences and ones with…read morefamilies. A guided hike for sights and scenes with options to create your own adventure. Here was our experience. EXPERIENCE: Parking: As usually advised, come early. This is no hidden gem so this picks up fast. Other alternatives is carpooling or arrange a tour. Depends on where you stop, but parking fills up FAST. Come early if you want the better trail access and less stress. Visitor access is managed largely because of parking limitations Vibes: The feelings from the temperature and energy changes. One night we were partying the streets of Santurce, next we we're in this chill and calm quiet area. There are paved scenic stops, short walking trails, and engaging areas such as waterfalls and river areas. You really can make it as adventurous as you want. OVERALL: 5 Stars. What's there to hate about this place? Maybe it can get super crowded but aside from that, it's a beautiful Puerto Rico experience. Whether you want waterfalls, hikes, scenic drives, or just to disconnect for a few hours, this place delivers. After that, you're not too far away from Luquillo Beach! Tips: * Go EARLY for parking and lighter crowds * Bring water shoes or shoes you don't mind getting muddy

Review #1,050 Posted on 5.1.26…read more We came to hike the Mt Britton trail at El Yunque on Friday the 24th of April. This was one of the better experiences of our trip, it was awesome up there. The parking is a bit tricky, honestly if I had to do it over again, I probably would've just parked a tad sooner then walked up more, but if you do that, it's a lot more time & walking/energy spent. The drive to those areas to park/hike is super scenic. You've got tons of green, and sounds of birds all around you, we rolled our windows down and soaked it all in. We parked pretty close to where the trail to hike Mt Britton begins, and it took us about 40 minutes to get to the castle, when you make it to the castle for sure go inside and walk the staircase to the top/roof. The views are awesome up there and you get some good photo opps. I would 100% make sure to do this again next time we visit.

Other reviews have said plenty already! The only thing I can add is to recommend doing a night hike…read moretour (we did ours with El Yunque Tours Inc). Seeing all the coqui frogs alone was worth 5 stars! On top of that, we saw stick bugs, a tarantula, blue-green lightning bugs, and tiny scorpions that glow in the dark if you shine a UV flashlight on them! The best part of this forest is undoubtedly all the cool animals!

The last time I visited El Yunque was 10 years ago, so we thought it was a good idea to start with…read moreEl Portal de El Yunque Visitor Center, which has educational exhibits, a Café, Gift Shop and a Theater. There is also an information desk where you can get all of the information needed to plan your day. We made the mistake of not eating before coming here, so we ate at the Cafê. We had the Chicken Sandwhich and fries and although they were pretty good, they were pricey, so I recommend you don't make the same mistake we made. We really enjoyed the short film in the theater and after visiting the exhibits and the gift shop, we were ready to explore. One of my favorite hikes is to La Mina Waterfall, but it was closed for repairs during our visit, so instead we hiked the Mt. Britton trail and really enjoyed it. It's considered a Moderate hike with a paved path almost the whole way. At the top, there is a Tower, where you can enjoy views in all directions. I recommend you take your time as you hike, to enjoy the sounds and suprise wildlife sightings as well as the vegetation and the damp rainforest air. A truly unique and beautiful experience. Make sure you have water with you. It was cool when we started, but it quickly warmed up, so I was glad that I didn't get complacent and had plenty of water. A visit to El Yunque is definitely a 5/5 experience.

Want to experience a hidden gem that is one of the best waterfalls and swimming experiences in the…read moreNaguabo area? You can google Charco El Hippie in Naguabo. This spot is definitely worth it to go swimming and cliff jumping. This spot is not over run with tourists and tourist companies. Upon arrival there is a small house that provides parking for $5.00. A small walk up the hill and a climb down to the waterfalls becomes a great swimming experience. Just be aware there are deep spots and does have a slight current. Otherwise the cliff jumping and swimming is awesome. Best to go early to get a nice spot to sit at. You can also climb to a higher location and see another waterfall and other smaller swimming holes. You can bring food and drinks and your own music if so desired. I highly recommend this location if you desire a smaller crowd and privacy. This is my go to spot and my family loves the location. It's a hidden gem.

Chances are if you have come to Fajardo to pilot a kayak through a mangrove forest to experience…read morethe tiny glowing dinoflagellates of Laguna Grande, you will begin your adventure here at Parque Pasivo Las Croabas. Most days around sunset, the place is teeming with tourists who have come in from San Juan or other distant resorts just for the evening's bioluminescent bay (or "bio-bay") tour. Numerous tour operators are stationed all around the dock with huge racks of kayaks, and streets of the park are lined with other vendors taking advantage of the crowds. Another reason you might visit this park would be to catch a water taxi over the Pasaje de San Juan to one of the white sand islands of the Cordillera Keys Nature Reserve. There are a few companies offering the service to Cayo Icacos for around $25 per person, just a quick 20 minute ride over the choppy bay to your own Gilligan's Island fantasy. We used Captain Mingo's yellow boat (search TripAdvisor for more info) and had a great afternoon of snorkeling, swimming, and lounging under the shade of our own palm tree. We actually spent our recent PR vacation based in Las Croabas, so I visited this park every morning during my run through the neighborhood: down the hill to the park, up past Ocean View Condos and the police station and back down to Seven Seas beach, then past the Las Cabezas de San Juan Preserve (which surrounds Laguna Grande) and back home. It's a much different place early in the day, with grizzled old fishermen and their wives sitting in the shade, sipping cafe con leche before a day on their boats or staffing the many restaurants and pubs overlooking the small harbor. On New Year's Day, a meetup of classic car aficionados was in full swing, complete with party music and picnics. Everyone was excited to show off their muscle cars and allowed us to photograph at will before we ventured over to the rocky shore to pick up hands full of polished beach glass. Local families use this park as you would any neighborhood park. The new pirate ship playscapes are enjoyed by small kids and the many colorful pavilions (with a sturdy concrete food prep area) can be reserved for birthday parties and other celebrations. Know before you go: -- No swimming at the adjacent beach. It's choppy & surrounded by boat traffic. -- Restrooms with sinks are available, but bring your own toilet paper; it doesn't seem to be replenished often. -- Parking at evening/night can be a challenge, with the influx of bio-bay goers and diners at the restaurants surrounding the square. -- Do make reservations if you intend to eat dinner nearby. There are no walk-ups, except at the few food trucks.

A nice place to walk and explore that is just off of the beach a short distance. Parking tip, drive…read moreto the end of the park. You can tell you are there because there is a light, if you turn left it's into the beach area and paid parking ($5). Or turn left and you can park on the street for free. We walked across the whole park and explored, took pictures, ran from chickens (well roosters), etc. If you go later in the week there is a restaurant that is open (Wed - Sat or Thurs - Sat). That would have a pretty cool view and is in a pretty old historic building. On the way back we walked across the civilian bridge towards the beach. The second we got on the bridge we got cooled off because the beach breeze made it that far. Walked back along the beach and had some additional photo opps. Keep this in mind, the heat of the day it does get warm. It's easy, relatively flat walking, but hot non the less. Take some water so you don't get over heated. We'd recommend this as part of your stay in San Juan if you like exploring historical type locations.

O-kay... Well,…read morewhether you slip, hit your head and hallucinate because you *chose* to skate during bad weather through a 1/2 inch of rain; OOORR you simply safely stroll around looking for a nice spot to take your kids to, just know this park is one of the oldest in the island, and a nice, old-school way to kill time. But as is the case with beaches in Puerto Rico, avoid it during very late afternoon and night time unless there's a special event of some sort. There's an awesome nearby hamburger joint, creatively called "El Hamburger" :-P where you can have the best cheap burger afterwards. Or perhaps go to Old San Juan or Condado, which are both less than 10 minutes away by car. ---------------------------------------En Puertorro, ahora------------------------------------ Bueno, definitivamente no es muy buena idea escoger patinar cuando está lloviendo a cántaros, en este parque o donde sea... Pero este parque es muy lindo y una buena alternativa para hacer algo activo y fuera de la casa, sea solo, ejercitando acompañado o con niños, ya que hay áreas de recreo específicamente para niños. Por supuesto, como en todo parque y playa en Puerto Rico, no es recomendable estar ahí en la noche, para evitar robos o situaciones lamentables, salvo que hubiera algún evento especial en que haya mucha gente, claro. Cerca de ahí, como a 5 minutos, hay un sitio de hamburguesas que se llama "El Hamburger", y es muy bueno. Otra alternativa después-de es Condado o el Viejo San Juan, ya que quedan como a 10 minutos en carro desde el parque. :-)

This was a pretty cool place. A must see when you are in Loiza. Entrance is $5. The lady, a Loiza…read morelocal, who was on duty was incredibly nice. She spoke English. She gave us a brief history of the cave before we ventured off to the cave for a self guided walk. It won't take you more than 5-7 minutes, but it's pretty cool. The ceiling has a couple of bee hives. Having been raised in the area, the lady was more than happy to give us recommendations for food nearby. The park has a playground and a small amphitheater. Apparently there are lots of family friendly events held here, educational to cultural.

I loved it here. The cave is very cool. Very interesting history. There park has a playground and…read morethey have lots of events here. Perfect family outing.

We were told to wait in a line in a parking lot away from the park. The parking lot was closed for…read moremore than 40 minutes We decided to drive to the park and take a chance to see if there was a spot. We got one!!! I recommend more effective communication and organization regarding the use of the parking lot

Fui a La Marquesa en el municipio de Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Fui con mi abuelita ayer en la tarde!…read moreEl sol estaba que pica, pero todo estaba hermoso! (Fotos incluídas de la naturaleza). Tuvimos una súper linda tarde mi abuelita y yo comiendo y disfrutando de la naturaleza! Vimos las mariposas y aves que tenían bien guardadas y preservadas. Nos montamos en el teleférico para subir y para bajar en su divertido tractor y guagua con aire. El estacionamiento lo están arreglando bien bonito abajo antes de entrar a La Marquesa, en donde te llevan en guaguita con aire hasta allá arriba. Dentro de todo, lo recomiendo mucho para familias o personas como yo queriendo pasar un ratito sano con un ser querido tan grande como una abuelita! ¡Muchas Gracias! - PS. Pregunté si puede traer su propia silla de rueda! _______________________________________________________ As I stated above in Spanish, I went to "La Marquesa" in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico with my grandma yesterday around noon! The sun was shinning and everything looked beautiful (pictures attached from nature!) We had a great evening my grandmother and I! We ate and we soaked up the sun, surrounded by nature! We saw the butterflies and all of the different birds they had! They were super taken care of. Their habitat was beautiful! We then got on the cable car to go up the mountains and the view was amazing! We then went down the mountain on a fun tractor, good for kids, families, and the elderly (if able to walk with minimal assistance). They took us back to the parking lot, which they are fixing very nicely! Overall, the experience was GREAT! Good for adventurous families, single, or couples, wanting to do something nice and spend some time with family! Like I did with my 82 year old grandmother. Thank you! - PS. Ask about wheelchair accessibility!

It's where our driver told us to meet him after the tour for our transportation back to the ship…read more Otherwise, I'm not sure we would have seen it. The park commemorates the day that slavery was abolished in the Danish West Indies. There's an annual Emancipation Day celebration and ringing of the Liberty Bell as a symbol of freedom. The sculpture in the middle of the park is the "Conch Shell Blower" or "Freedom" statue. The artist that sculpted it is Bright Bimpong. The man blowing into the conch shell is General Buddhoe who organized and led the uprising for freedom in 1848. What I didn't know is that this park was built on the land where slaves were once sold. It makes that sculpture even more special & significant. The Liberty Bell that you see in this park is number #51 of 57 replicas ordered by the U.S. Treasury back in 1950 as a "Save for Your Independence" savings bond campaign. The bells were given to each state (Missouri has 2). There are 2 in DC, 1 in Puerto Rico (#53) and 1 in VI. That leaves us with 2 more. One was given to Japan in 1952. It's located in Tokyo's Hibiya Park. The Pacard Foundry in Annecy, France who casted these bells was also given a replica. The bell in Emancipation Gardens is open for all to see and touch it. It's been said that it's there for anyone to ring it, but I don't know if that's still true. It's sitting on a tall base that has a plaque referencing the Jamestown settlers who had stayed in VI for 3 days before founding the Virginia settlement. It's a little confusing at first, but it has nothing to do with the bell. We waited for a short time in the semi-shaded park with the chickens and pigeons. There are plenty of benches and even a large white gazebo. There are plenty of places for picture opportunities. It was a nice place to relax while waiting for our tour ride back to the pier.

From being here I learned that every state has a replica of the Liberty Bell, and this one is…read moreproudly displayed in a prominent place. It motivated me to find out where my state's bell is located. It's in Melbourne, FL! I also likes the sculpture in the middle of the park of the person blowing a conch shell. This is a pleasant place to sit and contemplate life while waiting for a tour operator!

I highly recommend visiting this park if you're looking for a nice stroll, need time to kill or…read moreneed something to do with a family or children. Beautiful area with nice plants and shrubbery worth exploring.

"Noria" was a "People Usher" at the Dog Park.  She was rude.  We wanted our toddler to be able to…read morewatch the dogs from the vestibule area, and she would not let us.  Even though we don't have a dog, there have been plenty of times where we went into the dog area... to watch them play.  Prior Ushers did not mind.  After all, how is the safety factor changed whether we have a dog or not?  It's illogical.  But in this case, we simply wanted to stand in the vestibule, holding our toddler, and watch the dogs over the fence.  Nope... Noria would not let us, and was quite rude in letting us know that.  When I explained to her that we had in fact been in many times, she has no answer.  She simply cited "the rules."  When I asked to see these rules, she said "They aren't written down."  I then asked for her name, and she was defiant and defensive, then she finally gave it to me, rudely, and said "My boss is right behind you."  An older male and female were there in a golf cart, and the female there politely explained a recent change to the rules to my wife.  This was better, professional at least.  Meanwhile snowflake Noria was so "shaken" that she needed a hug from the male supervisor.  Generation Z... rude, unprofessional, and sensitive.  Was a negative experience for us and for our toddler, thanks to Noria. "Noria" era una "acomodadora de personas" en el parque para perros. Era grosera. Queríamos que nuestro hijo pequeño pudiera vigilar a los perros desde el área del vestíbulo, y no nos lo permitió. Aunque no tenemos perro, muchas veces hemos entrado en el área de perros... para verlos jugar. A los acomodadores anteriores no les importó. Después de todo, ¿cómo cambia el factor de seguridad si tenemos perro o no? Es ilógico. Pero en este caso, simplemente queríamos quedarnos en el vestíbulo, sosteniendo a nuestro hijo pequeño, y mirar a los perros por encima de la cerca. No... Noria no nos lo permitió y fue bastante grosera al hacérnoslo saber. Cuando le expliqué que, de hecho, habíamos estado allí muchas veces, no tuvo respuesta. Simplemente citó "las reglas". Cuando le pedí que me las mostrara, dijo "No están escritas". Luego le pregunté su nombre y se mostró desafiante y a la defensiva, luego finalmente me lo dio, de manera grosera, y dijo "Mi jefe está justo detrás de ti". Había un hombre y una mujer mayores en un carrito de golf, y la mujer que estaba allí le explicó educadamente a mi esposa un cambio reciente en las reglas. Esto fue mejor, al menos profesional. Mientras tanto, Noria, la copo de nieve, estaba tan "conmocionada" que necesitaba un abrazo del supervisor masculino. Generación Z... grosera, poco profesional y sensible. Fue una experiencia negativa para nosotros y para nuestro niño pequeño, gracias a Noria.

A really cool trail in El Yunque, and one of my favorites. To get to this trail, you will turn off…read morethe main road and keep driving for a little bit until reaching it. It's a very short walk down a path and some stairs, before you reach a clearing with some rocky outcroppings and a nice pool. There are some fish swimming in the water. A really nice place to sunbathe, cool off, and relax.

This trail is outside of the gated entrance along a secondary narrow road. This was best for our…read moreparents as it was a steady decline down and incline up, yet a bit lengthy (about 20 minutes one way). At the end of the trail, there's a river where you can take a dip in, so make sure to have your swimsuit.