Cumay Cave Park and Rain Forest

[Name game]

Sorry if this has been asked before but what can anyone tell me about Cumay Cave Park? I am having trouble finding a lot of information on it. Can you do Cumay Cave Park and the Rain Forest on the same day? Would one be better than the other? Is it worth doing both? I am staying in PR for four days. Is it highly recommended to do both? Thanks in advance.

[Big Sky Country]

Sorry if this has been asked before but what can anyone tell me about Cumay Cave Park? I am having trouble finding a lot of information on it. Can you do Cumay Cave Park and the Rain Forest on the same day? Would one be better than the other? Is it worth doing both? I am staying in PR for four days. Is it highly recommended to do both? Thanks in advance.

 

Can't do both in a day and enjoy yourself. Both take a bit of time and are far apart from each other. Definitely do the rainforest first. Not knowing what you want to accomplish in your 4 days and what your mobility is makes it difficult to answer your question. If you are beachgoers and young (physically or at heart) then I'd have 1 answer. If not, I'd give you a different answer.

[Name game]

We are young (30's and 40's) and quite mobile. We want to do beach things and explore. We can do the beach by the hotel (Marriott Solaris Resort and Casino). I just feel like I can't go to Puerto Rico and not explore. I've been to San Juan tons of times as a port on a cruise ship but I never got to really explore the anywhere outside of Old San Juan.

[AspiringCindy]

You may want to consider doing Camuy, Arecibo Observatory and Quajataca beach as a little excursion.

 

Otherwise, I would do the rainforest...Camuy Caves are cool, but you can be in an out in an hour!

[Big Sky Country]

Ok. Young and beachgoers...

 

How about this (I've recommended it before to people in your situation)? This sure beats the Caves and you can continue on from the rainforest a little more east...

 

What about a couple of days in Vieques or Culebra? These islands are off the east coast of PR (they are part of Puerto Rico). They are small, pristine, rustic, have some of the world's best beaches, and are fabulous for getting lost in. Great snorkeling. I would recommend 2 of your 4 days there. I would merge my beach experience with something like this rather than doing another San Juan metro beach day in your situation.

 

I go at least once a year. It is what everyone thinks Key West actually should be like, but it is the real deal. Not commercial. Rent scooters or a jeep and roam.

 

The islands are between 6 and 22 miles off the coast (smack between St Thomas and PR). You can fly there from San Juan or Fajardo. Or, you can take a $2 ferry each way (which is an event within itself - very safe though). You'll be out and about around locals and get a good feel of the culture and food.

 

Vieques is the bigger of the 2 and more versatile. You can get a nice hotel room there. Red beach and Sun Bay beach are gorgeous. Culebra is more bohemian (B&B type places only) and has the world renowned Flamenco Beach. You can't go wrong.

[boricua2007]

Sorry if this has been asked before but what can anyone tell me about Cumay Cave Park? I am having trouble finding a lot of information on it. Can you do Cumay Cave Park and the Rain Forest on the same day? Would one be better than the other? Is it worth doing both? I am staying in PR for four days. Is it highly recommended to do both? Thanks in advance.

 

I live in P.R.. Both places are unique but on opposite directions. You'll need two days for doing both. El Yunque (rainforest) is NE of SJ; 1 or 11/2 hour, depending of traffic (and sometimes we do have a lot of traffic!!!). Las cuevas de Camuy (Camuy caverns) are NW of SJ going a little bit to the center of the island and it might take you 11/2 or 2 to get there (once again traffic).

 

Go to this web site www.gotopuertorico.com, which is the offical site for PR Tourism Company. For info on Las Cuevas de Camuy, on the left side click NATURE AND ADVENTURE; then click CAVING; then click CAMUY CAVERN. For info on El Yunque click NATURE AND ADVENTURE; then click HIKING; then click EL YUNQUE.

 

Both places are easy to drive to and on this web site they give you directions, tels, etc.

 

Hope your enjoy your visit to our beautiful island ;)

[#1TravelMom]

We're also pretty active and same age range. We've been to PR lots of times and always do the same thing. Our teen daughter always brings a friend and we love our "routine".

 

We stay at El Conquistador-Spectacular Resort! If you're used to staying in San Juan - the East Coast is like a different world. The rainforest is close. We climb the tower, visit the roadside waterfall, then hike to La Mina falls for a refreshing swim - perfect day! We always plan our vacation to coincide with optimal moon conditions - BIO BAY is not to be missed! We've done it many times and it always amazes us. Bio Bay is also very close to the resort!

[Name game]

First let me apologize for spelling Camuy wrong in my original question.

 

One more question - is it recommended to do a tour to El Yunque and Camuy or is renting a car and doing it on our own a better bet? I of course would never be the driver as I am from New York City and I don't drive, but my friends would drive. How safe is it to drive around when you don't know where you are going? Are the roads through the rain forest hard to navigate, especially when wet?

[agabbymama]

First let me apologize for spelling Camuy wrong in my original question.

 

One more question - is it recommended to do a tour to El Yunque and Camuy or is renting a car and doing it on our own a better bet? I of course would never be the driver as I am from New York City and I don't drive, but my friends would drive. How safe is it to drive around when you don't know where you are going? Are the roads through the rain forest hard to navigate, especially when wet?

 

NameGame,

Yes indeed they can be muddy and impassable. If it rains a lot, the tour buses cancel the tours because of the muddy roads. If you have a car driving yourself, be sure to check the contract about driving to the rainforest. I was warned not to take the rental car off the paved road.

[Oaktree]

Check into during a tour if you are not sure about driving. Victor at

countrysideprtours.com is highly recommended.:cool: He can help you make

the most of your time.

[texancruzer]

We unfortunately missed our day at El Yunque...... we had a rental car reserved and a picnic planned. When we woke early it was mildly gray in town (we stayed at El Convento in osj) and when we inquired about our picnic (the concierge was helping us with that one) he informed us of bad storms in the mountains even though it was not bad in town.....he warned us to wait until after lunch to even leave but that would not work with our schedule.... we had a 10 pm sailaway and did not want to board that too late.

 

So....point is --- check the weather IN THE MOUNTAINS before leaving.

 

Just have to be next trip :D

[Oaktree]

Check into doing a tour if you are not sure about driving. Victor at

countrysideprtours.com is highly recommended.:cool: He can help you make

the most of your time.

 

Address is countrysidetourspr@yahoo.com.

[Name game]

Thank you everyone for your help and advice. I will most certainly contact Victor and Countrysidetourspr.

[#1TravelMom]

Name game,

 

It's totally up to you, but I would never spend the money for a guide for the rainforest. We've been there many times. The drive to the rainforest is very easy and the roads are all clearly marked. I think it's rained at some point everytime we've been there - Hellooooo - it's a "Rain" forest. Anyway, the roads have never been a problem-I've never seen mud on the roads, they've definately been wet, but not slippery that we've noticed. I'm not sure about the car rental warning not to go off the paved roads??? There is a beautiful large waterfall right along the road-a parking lot next to it. There is a nice tower to climb(great view!)-very big parking lot next to it. There is a fabulous trail with a hike to LaMina Falls(great for a refreshing swim)-parking lot right at the entrance. I've been there many times and I'm not sure where you'd even go off the paved roads. A car rental at Charlie's is less than $50-this is definately an easy place to have a great day very inexpensively.

[javier]

Hi! You can plan to visit the Río Camuy Cave Park first thing in the morning. You have the option to go to Río Abajo State Forest (between Arecibo and Utuado) or Maricao State Forest (1 1/2 hr. from Camuy).

 

For information of other places you might considered visiting, go to www.gotopuertorico.com and www.travelandsports.com.

 

Good luck.

[Name game]

I think we decided on renting a car. Besides the rainforest we will do Camuy Caves and a beach in that area. We are also thinking of taking a day to go to Ponce. I wish we could do Vieques or Culebra but time just does not permit. I won't arrive until Wednesday afternoon and I leave Sunday morning. I guess I will just have to make a return trip. I think next time I won't stay in Condado. The night life doesn't appeal to me but the nature of the country does.

[#1TravelMom]

Just my opinion, I'd skip the cave. It wasn't close to anything else, but somehow thought on one our trips we should visit. None of us liked it. We have caverns in PA, nothing much different. Unless you're really interested in caves, I think most people will think the drive just isn't worth it. Also, the cave tour is very short- it takes longer to watch the mandatory documentary.

[Name game]

Just my opinion, I'd skip the cave. It wasn't close to anything else, but somehow thought on one our trips we should visit. None of us liked it. We have caverns in PA, nothing much different. Unless you're really interested in caves, I think most people will think the drive just isn't worth it. Also, the cave tour is very short- it takes longer to watch the mandatory documentary.

 

Thanks for this advice. This is the one thing that my friends could really care less about doing. Maybe we should skip the caves. Once they read this I'm sure they will agree.

[Maraprince]

boricua2007,

 

Since you live in P.R., what should a taxi cost to go to El Morro from the new cruise ship dock? Do they charge per person or is it a flat rate for the trip -- no luggage just 3 people?

 

Why do none of the tours go into El Morro? Is it due to the accessibility? How much should a thorough walk-thru take?

 

We will be on the Crown Princess leaving NYC on 5/21 and will arrive in San Juan around 8 AM on a Friday. We anticipate getting off around 10 ish since we need to go through Immigration having come from Grand Turk.

 

Any info you can provide will be great!

 

Thanks!

 

 

MARAPRINCE

[Big Sky Country]

NameGame,

Yes indeed they can be muddy and impassable. If it rains a lot, the tour buses cancel the tours because of the muddy roads. If you have a car driving yourself, be sure to check the contract about driving to the rainforest. I was warned not to take the rental car off the paved road.

 

I think this point can be a bit misleading. All of the roads you'd drive on are paved. You won't encounter these conditions unless there is an extraordinary storm. If there is a significant rainstorm, then it would be advisable to alter your plans (but that is not typical - to have to cancel the plans).

 

As far as a tour, I once did a light tour at the Rainforest for $5 (1 hour - just show up) if you want, but you don't need to saddle yourself with a full day tour. The rainforest is best done on your own. The decision to rent a car is a good one. The roads are curvy with a nice climb, but straightforward other than that.

 

The trails in the forest are well marked, but stay on them. Every couple of years someone gets lost because they venture off the paved trails. Don't do it.

 

To each his own (and everyone has their reasons), but Camuy Caves and Ponce would be a huge disappointment compared to the East and the islands off the East coast. Cabo Rojo and Rincon (on the West) might be decent additions or alternatives if you are going through that side of the island anyway. Ponce has a couple of things to see, but it is otherwise a simple second city to San Juan. The caves are nothing special as another person mentioned. It all depends on what your interests are.

[texancruzer]

To clarify my previous post: we cancelled our plans for our "self" tour to El Yunque on the recommendation of our concierge at our hotel (El Convento) due to " some pretty bad storms in the mountains " .

 

We were going to drive ourselves (no big deal as we usually do this) but on the advice of our concierge we decided to be safe not sorry.

 

The only reason I mentioned this is that the weather can be very different at your destination point than at your starting point..... just check before you leave and know for sure :D

[Big Sky Country]

To clarify my previous post: we cancelled our plans for our "self" tour to El Yunque on the recommendation of our concierge at our hotel (El Convento) due to " some pretty bad storms in the mountains " .

 

We were going to drive ourselves (no big deal as we usually do this) but on the advice of our concierge we decided to be safe not sorry.

 

The only reason I mentioned this is that the weather can be very different at your destination point than at your starting point..... just check before you leave and know for sure :D

 

Good point and sound advice. When the hotel notifies you like that, it is an exceptional situation (ie. it must have been pretty bad). While it is common to rain there, your experience is not common. Severe flooding to the point that it is not possible to access the rainforest to enjoy is maybe 3 or 4 times a year. Sounds like you were pretty unlucky.

[Name game]

I think this point can be a bit misleading. All of the roads you'd drive on are paved. You won't encounter these conditions unless there is an extraordinary storm. If there is a significant rainstorm, then it would be advisable to alter your plans (but that is not typical - to have to cancel the plans).

 

As far as a tour, I once did a light tour at the Rainforest for $5 (1 hour - just show up) if you want, but you don't need to saddle yourself with a full day tour. The rainforest is best done on your own. The decision to rent a car is a good one. The roads are curvy with a nice climb, but straightforward other than that.

 

The trails in the forest are well marked, but stay on them. Every couple of years someone gets lost because they venture off the paved trails. Don't do it.

 

To each his own (and everyone has their reasons), but Camuy Caves and Ponce would be a huge disappointment compared to the East and the islands off the East coast. Cabo Rojo and Rincon (on the West) might be decent additions or alternatives if you are going through that side of the island anyway. Ponce has a couple of things to see, but it is otherwise a simple second city to San Juan. The caves are nothing special as another person mentioned. It all depends on what your interests are.

 

I'm getting great advice, thanks. Someone else told me Ponce is just ok. Now we are thinking about going to Vieques instead. Any suggestions or ideas about that? Is that doable in a day? Is it a long drive?

[Name game]

Big Sky Country - you already mentioned Vieques, sorry. You think it would need an overnight stay? How about a day trip to Fajardo? You sound like you know what you are talking about.

[Big Sky Country]

Big Sky Country - you already mentioned Vieques, sorry. You think it would need an overnight stay? How about a day trip to Fajardo? You sound like you know what you are talking about.

 

 

Thanks. I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night.....:D

 

You can squeeze an island in for a day, but I'd recommend flying if you are going to do that. Fajardo is a little like an average harbor town, so don't look at that like an attraction within itself. It is a transport hub to the islands.

 

If you are going to do fly to an island for 1 day, I'd go to Culebra. It is smaller and more digestable on a very short schedule. If you take the ferry you'll be travelling more than laying back and enjoying in 1 day.

 

An idea would be to take the last ferry one day, stay over, and come back on the late ferry back on the next day. There is overnight parking for like $5 per day. That would make a world of difference in your day.