Hiking In Puerto Rico: Best Trails And Port Adventures

Get Ready For Puerto Rico Peaks, Plains And Playa

Whether you’re visiting Guajataca State Forest, Puerto Rico, or sunbathing on the beach, it’s impossible to ignore the beauty of the commonwealth’s landscapes. The island is home to El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest that’s part of the U.S. National Forest System. Meanwhile, the labyrinth-like caves scattered around the island will remind many of the Yucatan cenotes in Mexico. Plus, the mountain, coastal and waterfall hikes in Puerto Rico offer plenty of wildlife sighting opportunities. And there are plenty of endangered species that call the sunny locale home. Needless to say, hiking in San Juan is scenic. 

As for the climate, warm weather is enjoyed year-round. So, if you’re pulling into the San Juan, Puerto Rico, cruise port, you can expect average temperatures between 70°F and 85°F. The hottest days usually fall between June and October, while the cooler days come from December to March. At that point, the Puerto Rico rainy season begins, lasting from April to November (though it’s the rainiest between August and October). Rather than all-day downpours, this time of the year involves brief showers, but note that hurricane season is from June to November.

And, next time you’re hiking in San Juan, you’ll surely spot noteworthy plant and wildlife species. As for flora, keep your eye out for royal poinciana, African tulip trees and rare orchids. As for fauna, rainbow-hued birds like the small green Puerto Rican parrot, nonvenomous snakes, lizards, coquí frogs and mongooses are all dazzling to see in real life and shouldn’t be missed if you can help it.

● How much time do you have in port? Double-check the cruise schedule to plan around your time window.

● What kind of landscape do you want to hike in? Consider if you’d rather hike through old forts, along the beach, in the jungle or up mountains.

● How difficult a hike do you want to take? Consider your skill and comfort level before picking a hike.

● How long do you want the hike to be? Consider your cruise schedule, the time it would take to get to your trail and the hiking time.

● What are your priorities? Make sure that you keep in mind the things that you want to do the most (such as finding a great view, climbing a mountain, good birdwatching or seeing a Puerto Rico volcano) and pick a hike that includes them.

● How will you get to the hiking trail? Whether you want to rent a car or take an excursion, you’ll want to plan ahead.

Once you know which hike you’re taking, you’ll be able to pack accordingly — for example, if you’re doing one of the waterfall hikes in Puerto Rico, you might consider bringing a waterproof camera. However, there are some nonnegotiables that, regardless of which hike you’ve narrowed down, you should pack:

● Sunscreen.

● Backpack or small bag.

● Snacks.

● Bug spray.

● Outdoor attire.

● Comfortable shoes (I like shoes that can get wet).

● Sunglasses and/or hat.

● Phone or communication device.

● First aid kit.

● Poncho.

● Wallet.

● Map (print it out before you go).

● Watch (or make sure your phone is charged).

● Optional, but a good idea: Camera, plant and/or animal identification guides, Spanish dictionary, binoculars, extra socks, travel journal.

As an avid hiker myself, I highly recommend doing a “warm-up” hike at home if you’ve never been on the trail before or plan to do a more challenging hike as a beginner. You’ll also want to make sure your shoes are broken in before you cruise if they’re new. Believe me, there’s nothing worse than blisters in the wilderness.