Is El Yunque Rainforest HAL Hike worth it??

[jumelle]

We can't decide whether to rent a car and do the rainforest on our own or do the hike with HAL. Is the HAL hike really a good hike. Do you see a lot? We are a group fo 3. IF any one has done this tour I would appreciate any feedback.

[Cruisin'Lady]

The rainforest is beautiful and the hike has lots of flower an fawna and a bubbling steam vent too...but its all a matter of taste. I took this tour and it lasted 4 hours. There was lots of crazy driving to get there and lots of info the tourguide gave. I took tons of pictures found HERE. (http://jagcreations.smugmug.com/Caribbean/San-Juan-Puerto-Rico/6645184_jhwHa#424001672_YkuKN) But overall when said and done...they had stops at too many 'tourist vender stands'. We really like just going and hiking ourselves and walking through old San Juan and at least one of the forts. Very lovely little city.

[gregdude]

I did the rain forest myself many years ago and recall it being about a 1 hour drive out of San Juan. The rainforest, in my opinion, is the best thing to see in PR if you only have one day, but I would not do it myself. The reason being that most cruise ships have tight time limitations in San Juan. Getting off the ship, getting a car, driving all the way out there, walking around and getting yourself back and the car back would probably be a real stretch. Also the rain forest is rather large and you are more likely to see it better with a tour group. Be prepared, it is a rain forest and it does rain (very hard) just about every day from mid-day on (bring a light weight rain jacket with hood).

[jumelle]

Thanks for the info. Did you do the rain forest drive or the hike. They offer two different excursions

[BaltimoreChickadee]

i thought is was cool. we did it on our own and did NOT go with a tour group. we rented a jeep and spent the day there ourselves. i personally think it is a must-see in PR!!!!! but i would recommend you doing it on your own. i saw one tour group there, and some of the people walked a bit "slower" than others in the group, and the entire group was constantly forced to stop, slow down, and wait for a few people who really shouldn't have gone on the hike to begin with. it is NOT a strenuous hike at all, but it is long (as long as you want it to be) and there are some tricky areas of terrain. the group behind me was a group of Japanese teens, many of whom wore high heels and it was the most ridiculous thing i've ever seen watching so many twist their ankle! it's a hike in the rainforest ~ wear sneakers or hiking boots!

[SabreSailor]

We did the rain forest drive (all they offered) a few years back and it was really very nice. The driver/guide however spent a lot of time dawdling and then raced (read four wheels not touching the ground simultaneously) back to the ship - fortunately it was a HAL tour and they held the ship - we did get to see a very fast view of San Juan out the windows....

It is a rain forest, so expect dampness and mist....