Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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El Yunque
Less than an
hour's drive from San
Juan, the El Yunque
National Forest draws
scores of city folk
on weekends and
holidays to hike well-
maintained trails that
lead through sodden
forests. The lowland
rain forest and upland
cloudforests teem
with birds and
riotously noisy coquís. A splendid
visitors' center sets the scene
for hikes along 36 miles (58 km)
of trails, one of which ascends
to El Yunque's highest point.
Carry along some rain gear
when hiking as clouds can form
without warning and sudden
deluges are common, notably
in the afternoon
(see pp14-15)
.
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Playa Piñones
A hiking trail at the lush El Yunque
!
Vieques
This idyllic island is fringed
by fabulous beaches, the best of
which became accessible to the
public only in the early 2000s,
after 50 years of use by the US
navy. Parts of the island's wildlife
refuge can be accessed by hiking
and mountain-biking trails. In
the island's only town, Isabel
Segunda, locals on horseback
outnumber cars, and there is
a fort, lighthouse, and an art
gallery. Try paddling a kayak at
night at Bahía de Fosforescente
for an experience you'll always
remember. Better yet, take a
nocturnal dip in the waters and
watch yourself glow
(see pp16-17)
.
Join the picnickers from
San Juan at this popular beach
on weekends, and dig into local
favorites, such as
alcapurria (see
p51),
served at the food shacks
here. Traffi c jams can be a night-
mare, but the 7-mile- (11-km-)
long Paseo Piñones Recreational
Trail, running along the shore,
grants access for pedestrians and
cyclists. If you tire of sunning,
trails lead into the wetlands
inland of the beach.
d
Map L2
@
Culebra
Life on this lovely island,
Vieques' smaller twin, revolves
around the sleepy village of
Dewey. US expatriates operate
most businesses in town,
many of which offer world-
class diving and snorkeling
trips. The island's many
white-sand beaches include
Playa Flamenco
(see p39)
,
which is considered to be
Puerto Rico's most
beautiful. A quarter of
Culebra is a wildlife refuge,
and is good for spotting
marine turtles and birds, and
manatees
(see pp18-19)
.
A snorkeling trip off the coast of Culebra
95
