From Boqueron, El Yunque is a 3 hour drive. The only road into the forest is from the north so we were routed through the outskirts of San Juan, which was our first taste of traffic and multi lane highways
great source of info on El Yunque
El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico (2024 Guide) – All You Need To Know
We enjoyed El Portal, the visitor center and the short walk behind it. Lots of tropical flowers.
There no doubt we’re in the rainforest.
Well disguised Green leaf hopper
The park was crowded and all the parking areas were full except the picnic area, from which we began a climb that soon turned too strenuous for us.
The boys decided to hike to the top of Yunque and we chose to stay behind and chill since Steve’s back was giving him trouble after lifting one too many suitcases. We saw an ambulance and a rescue truck heading past us up the mountain and several minutes later got a call from JP saying a hiker had fallen and they were helping him down the mountain and not to expect them right away. That was about 3:30. At 5:30, after the park had officially closed, they finally showed up, telling a story of an older gentleman who had fallen and hit his head with a lot of blood loss. Jordan, who had wilderness first aid training, applied a tourniquet that stopped the bleeding, and they and two other young men helped him down to a service road where the paramedics picked him up and took him to the hospital. This will be their second mountain rescue assist.
We didn’t get to Croabas, where we’re staying at Suenos del Mar in a two bedroom apartment with a balcony overlooking the bay, until almost 6:30. We could see kayakers taking off to paddle out to the bio bay against a strong wind.
After showers, we headed 2 minutes down the street to a fantastic seafood restaurant, Pescatora, for another unbelievable dinner.
The next morning we were woken early by a chorus of roosters. We had about a 20 min drive to the Sea Ventures dive shop in Marina Puerto del Rey. We left from Safe Harbor, the largest marina in the Caribbean. We saw thousands of boats, some of the biggest I’ve ever seen.
This one rents for 200K a week.
We had fewer than 20 people aboard and the crew was wonderful.
One described what he called the apocalypse after Hurricane Maria and Irma. You cold buy a damaged 50 ft boat (that insurance had paid off) for 2K.
After a 25 minute motor out to Palomino Island, we snorkeled in crystal clear water and saw two turtles and lots of tropical fish.
Unfortunately, also a good bit of dead coral. Then it was time for lunch and the bar opened. We motored to Icacos Island where we played on the beach and in the water (with bar service from the boat). We went with this outfit because it advertises itself as a snorkel tour, not a party boat, but there was no shortage of party on Icacos.
That afternoon we drove into old San Juan, found a parking garage recommended but the hotel, and checked into the San Cristobal Suite in Fortaleza Suites where we have two bedrooms, two baths, a living room and full kitchen right on Fortaleza street.
We were so tired after our morning in the sun and water that we opted for showers and a nap before heading out to explore old San Juan.