A lush and tropical extension of the United States, Puerto Rico is a glorious landscape of palms and cacti. Exploring Puerto Rico offers an especially plentiful wealth of hiking opportunities few other destinations have to offer.
Mona Island is off the western coast of Puerto Rico’s mainland. The island is a popular scuba diving destination as well as a great place to enjoy various sights. Often called the “Galapagos of Puerto Rico,” visitors can find giant iguanas and three species of endangered sea turtles on Mona Island. With hundreds of species of plants and trees, it is a favorite spot for eco-tourists who come to hike along cliffs, and through mangrove forests and complex cave systems. Overnight camping on the island is permitted, and the fee often includes transportation to and from the mainland.
El Yungue National Forest
Did you know exploring Puerto Rico can include hiking through the only rain forest on US soil? East of San Juan you will find the El Yunque National Forest. Take an easy stroll up Big Tree Trail to La Mina Falls and picnic near the beautiful cascading waters. For a more rugged trek, El Toro trail is a winding pathway through four forest systems up to Pico El Toro, the highest peak in El Yunque. While the trail is only 2.2 miles to its peak, it can be an espeically difficult climb. Starting at an altitude of 2,132 feet you will make you way up to the summit at 3,533 feet. Be alert — portions of the trail can be muddy even when there has been only mild amounts of rain.
Guanica State Forest
On the opposite end of the spectrum is Guanica State Forest, an arid desert-like landscape. Comparable to Arizona in climate, this area receives little annual rainfall but is rich in life nonetheless. About half of the many species of birds that call Puerto Rico home live in Guanica, including the rare Puerto Rican nightjar, a bird that was once thought to be extinct. With 36 miles of forest trail, visitors can wander through Tabonuco Forest, Palo Colorado Forest, Sierra Palm Forest, and Dwarf Forest, which offer opportunities to see everything from tall canopy trees to bonsai-like dwarf evergreens. Guanica State Forest also features many varieties of cactus and succulents.
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Featured Image from Wenhao Ryan/Unsplash
