Guaynabo City has created a beautiful forest reserve of approximately 600 acres for the enjoyment of future Puerto Ricans and visitors to the island, called La Marquesa Forest Park (or Parque Forestal La Marquesa in Spanish).

I have been to La Marquesa Forest Park a few times to do the Original Canopy Tour zipline, which is located within this reserve. Over the past few years, I have seen the progress they’ve maide on the Forest Park.

They have finally finished the first phase and opened it to the public at the end of 2008. We went the other afternoon to check it out for ourselves, after we visited the Luis A. Ferre Science Park in Bayamón

Getting Started

Upon arriving at the park, the guard at the gate told us where to park. There are clean bathrooms and water fountains just beyond the parking lot. We then went to the information booth and got an information sheet (all in Spanish) and a map. The employee told us about the park and that there are great views at the observation tower. You can walk or take the free trolley up to the tower.

We got on the trolley, which took us up the hill. It stopped once along the way at a look-out point and a picture spot (a man-made waterfall). Where they let us out at the end of the road, there are bathrooms, a play ground and covered picnic tables. In the future, this road will continue to the aviary, butterfly house, gift shop and cafeteria. They have a large mural up showing the plans and what it will look like when complete — it looks nice!

To the Observation Tower

To get to the observation tower, you need to walk uphill. Just a little ways up, you pass another playground and tables. It then starts to get to be a pretty steep walk for about 1000 feet. Take your time. There are no benches along the way. But at the base of the tower there is another playground and picnic tables.

The views from the tower are very nice. From the top, you could see (in the distance) the Phase 2 building construction, which they are making very good progress on.

The viewing platform up on the tower is at 1066 feet above sea level, so you could see a distant San Juan, the northern shore, a few other towns and all the lovely mountains that run through the middle of Puerto Rico. You are above the tree tops. There was a strong wind the day we went — very refreshing!

Getting Back to Your Car

When you are done looking around up in the tower, you can then either walk back the way you came up (paved sidewalk), go back to where you were dropped off and wait for the next trolley, or walk down following a gravel path through the forest.

We chose to walk back on the path through the forest instead of taking the trolley. It was a gravel road (I hope they pave it in the future!), so it was a bit difficult to walk on it. But it was a nice walk downhill probably less than ½ mile.

Along the way, we passed by the part of the forest where the Original Canopy Tour will be expanding their operation. They were putting up the new zip lines and making the platforms while we were there. There are also a number of gazebos with picnic benches along this route. At gazebo 5, you have to walk up about 100 steeps to get back to the parking area. It was a nice workout!

Before we headed back to our car, we then spent some time talking to the park information guy. He told us about the future plans for the park. Once the new aviary/butterfly house opens, the next phase will be a funicular that will transport visitors between the parking area and the aviary. In the future, they will be renting out the gazebos and playgrounds for family parties.

The city of Guaynabo is really doing a nice job with this park. Go out and see for yourself! It is a great place to enjoy nature and burn off some energy. We are planning on going back once the next phase is complete.

They charge an entrance fee : $3 for adults, $1 for kids under 12. .

The park is open on Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00am until 5:00pm. The park is closed on Mondays.

The trolley is wheelchair accessible. The observation tower and trails in the forest are not.

I would allow an hour or 2, depending on if you plan to walk through the forest.

You can call 787-908-1478 for more information.

Parking fee is $1 per car. The parking lot has space for about 100 cars. This park is popular with locals, especially on the weekend.

Driving directions from the San Juan area: Take Route 2 or 22 to Route 20 south. Follow Route 20 south (pass the Big Kmart) and look for the toll booth on your left, then take the second exit after the toll (it doesn’t have an exit number). This will put you onto Road 834. Then go straight across through the light and continue on Road 834. Road 834 eventually ends on Road 835. Turn left onto Road 835. Go a couple 100 feet and the park entrance will be right in front of you. There are some signs along the road that you can follow to get there.

The drive to the park from the San Juan area takes about 20 minutes.

You can locate the park on our Interactive Island Map