We visited the Zoo in Mayaguez recently and found this little girl "playing" with a lioness. I don’t think the lioness was playing! I guess this is exactly why the safety glass is over 1" thick.  

If you enjoy animals and are in the Mayaguez area, you might consider spending a few hours at the Mayaguez Zoo. Formally, this little zoo is called the "Parque Nacional Zoologico de Puerto Rico Dr. Juan A. Rivero" (or the Dr. Juan A. Rivero National Zoological Park of Puerto Rico). Wow! That’s a long name [...]

On a clear day, the view from the top of El Yunque is breathtaking. Looking out over the lush green tree tops, past the towns, you see the blue water of the northern coastline and the easternmost tip of Puerto Rico. You know you are pretty high when the clouds come rolling up the sides [...]

Take a refreshing dip in clear rain forest water. Swim under a waterfall. It sounds like a dream. But it is actually a very popular and fun thing to do during a trip to El Yunque National Forest. The waterfall is called La Mina Falls, and it can be accessed by either of two trails: [...]

If you have always dreamed about swimming in a waterfall, having the water cascade onto your back, massaging you, then you are in luck. Many people have that experience at La Mina Falls in the El Yunque National Forest. This beautiful 35 foot waterfall is one of the most popular places to visit while in [...]

The Arecibo Observatory is the home of one of the world’s largest radio telescope, which is used to study the ionosphere and nearby planets as they pass overhead. Since it’s opening in 1963, this radio telescope has been in continuous operation and has made many significant scientific discoveries. And during your trip to Puerto Rico, [...]

Personally, I am not really "into" caves. Coming from the north-east of the US, I have seen my share of cold, dark caves. But there is something about the Rio Camuy Caves that is different (I guess because they are not dark and cold!), and I actually enjoyed this trip. On a recent trip to [...]

If you like a little excitement while on your vacation, you can take a trip to Carabali Rainforest Park (formerly Hacienda Carabali). This 600 acre facility, located in the foothills of the El Yunque National Forest, offers a wide range of activities. They have horseback riding, ATV, mountain bikes and go carts to get your [...]

The El Yunque National Forest is a large, lush and interesting place to visit. It easy to see the beauty, but to really know about the rain forest, an educational guided tour is great. The Federal Forest Rangers offer “Rent-a-Ranger” or “Forest Adventure Tours”, that are hour-long educational walks designed to teach you all about [...]

A visit to the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) Botanical Garden (Jardi­n Botanico) is an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours. Here’s a map to help guide you through the gardens.

3/25/13 Mt Britton trailhead is currently accessible. But they are still doing roadwork, so be careful in that area. The Mount Britton Trail is a 0.8 mile, one-way hike. It starts a short walk from Road 191, at an elevation of 2,493 feet and climbs 594 feet in this short distance. The trail is narrow, [...]

The El Yunque National Forest has many trails, streams, rivers and waterfalls that can be enjoyed year-round. Though the forest covers 28,000 acres, when most people (especially tourists) speak of "going to the rain forest" they’re referring to the Recreation Area on the north side of the Sierra de Luquillo Mountains. The "main road" into [...]

If you are a sun worshiper, a beach lover or snorkel fanatic, I don’t think a trip to Puerto Rico would be complete without a trip to Culebra. It can be done as a day trip or stay for longer (there are a few hundred hotel rooms and vacation rentals available). Culebra is an island [...]

The Humacao Wildlife Refuge (now called the Punta Santiago Natural Reserve in Humacao) is located on the east coast of Puerto Rico. Within the reserve you’ll find numerous trails for walking, biking and light hiking, long stretches of beach, spectacular views of the coast, lots of fishing opportunities, an area with picnic pavilions, some ruins [...]

Pinones mangrove forest (Bosque de Pinones) offers a unique experience for tourists and locals alike. We find that almost no matter what we like doing, we can find it and spend an enjoyable day or evening in this area. Even though this area is located just east of the airport and Isla Verde, it seems [...]