el yunque

We made it and liked it :) Trip to El Yunque is a little bit muddy, but it is worth it. You can see some polymitas and milpies during the hike and in the middle is la casa de frutas - refreshment. You can eat everything for 1 CUC. Our guide Andrej was funny and very nice.

a trip to El Yunque is a definite must do. The changes in the flora and fauna are interesting. Good walking trails, a great interpretive center and a beautiful ride to the top. His old lady climbed the tower, all 98 steps and the view from the top was worth every step. I would not recommend doing it if you are a flat lander from Florida and have breathing problems. The humidity was very high, but those negatives aside one should definitely plan a half day trip to the tropical rainforest if you are a nature lover.

Baracoa has a lot to offer nature lovers, hikers and others who simply like to get away from the high volume tourist destinations and experience Cuba’s beautiful unspoiled countryside…Perhaps the number one scenic nature like in the Baracoa area is the ascent of “El Yunke”. This trip can be booked via any one of the few tour agencies located in the middle of the town.. In practice the various tours are subject to demand and they tend to pool their clients together anyway.What they don’t tell you in detail is that this hike can be quite physically demanding. First you have to ford the river Duaba, next the hike proceeds up a very poorly established trail. On the day I ascended, there had been a downpour the night before and the trail was slick with mud. We could only proceed slowly, while constantly slipping. The view from the top is impressive.At the end of the tour, I emerged at the bottom virtually covered in mud and took a dip in the river fully clothed in order to wash it all off.The heat and humidity can impose a considerable strain upon the body, so it is good idea to be in reasonable physical shape if you are going to do this tour. Do not expect much in the way of first-aid...

Direction:You go direction Moa and turn left behind the Chocolate factory. Thats how you get to El Campismo. Start early so that you have enough time in the afternoon for the river cascades!!!Price:Thats the place where you get the guide for El Yunque (13 CUC/person) and river cascades (8 CUC/ person). We were 6 so we got a price 16 CUC/person for both trips. El Yunque is a tricky mountain. Footwear:Be sure to wear good boots, because when its wet there, the hiking sandals are a best way to get injured. I had to turn around at the fruit refreshment stand (for 1 CUC/person you eat tons of fruit) its on the 1/2 way and the real problems only started on the way back. The mud is very slippery! CASCADES:The trip to the sweet water cascades under the mountain is dull, but the natural jacuzzi in the cascades is worth the trip. It is not too far and its such a reward to spend a few hours in sweet water jacuzzi and jump into the small nature pools. Dont be shy, go up the stream from one cascade to another. Its such a beauty and refreshing swimming in the sweet water. You have to cross the big river to get there, but there is a steel rope that helps you to get there. You wont regret this. It was a bliss!!!! I did not miss the top of El Yunque at all ;)Summary:The cascades are a must! And Baracoa is a hidden pearl of Cuba. Go there to see how changing the country can be.

Really enjoyed this hike. The river crossings were great ... by bamboo raft on the way out & wading through the water on the way back. The scenery, flora & fauna are all stunning & our guide was very knowledgeable on these. The views from the top are breathtaking & the fruit tasting ... as much as you like for 1 CUC ... which is half way up, is tastily refreshing.

Great hiking but you need to be fit and can be dangerous. We have bad weather and means crossing a river up to your chest and muddy/very slippery. Great views but it's harder than locals say. Overall around 3-4 hours to reach the top and come back

The view is amazing. After the have of the hike there is this absolutly fantastic fruit-place (maintained from a farmer). You can eat as much fruits as you like for 1 Cuc. If it was raining a day before or even 2 days before be prepared to get wet and moody. But it was fun and we loved it!

I was the only one of our group to attempt this. I took a taxi from Baracoa (a 1954 Plymouth!) Entry including guide is 13 CUC - have the correct money + change for the fruit stall 1 CUC. First you need to wade across the river - it is quite wide and was mid-thigh deep when I was there but no currents. The stones are a little hard on tender feet so flip-flops would have been handy.It is a 570 metre climb, mostly shaded. Rocky with some muddy stretches where there are bamboo rails. I would describe it as moderate difficulty, manageable by anyone with reasonable fitness. (I am in my 60s. I'd recommend decent walking shoes and a stick or pole, water, and a snack if gorging on fruit is not enough for you. The going might be harder in very hot or wet weather.

Baracoa has Cuba,s lushest rain-forests and is well off the beaten track.A trip from Holguin or Santiago to Baracoa is best for several overnight stays in Baracoa to take in the beauty of the nature reserve.The ascent of EL YUNQUE is quite steep and muddy but there are wonderful cascades at Rio Duaba to relax afterwards.A little upstream a small waterfall joins the Duaba river also a nice destination for a hike.Cocoa plantations surround the reserve and tall royal palms shade the cocoa trees from the strong Cuban sun.On top of EL YUNQUE there are bromeliads and cuban endemic coccotrinax palms and a statue of an hero of the 19th century Cuban war of independence,I believe it is venezuelan born Antonio Maceo.A Cuban guide is recommended so is transport to and from Baracoa,only fruit is available to buy at rio Duaba.

Great opportunity for a day trip. Be sure to get a guide with you and get ready for a beatiful natural waterfall and pool :)

I wanted a hike in the jungle and I got it! The highlight was the stop about 2/3rds of the way, where a local farmer had a table of delicious fruit. All I could eat for 1 CUC! I could have stayed the whole afternoon!

The hike is well worth the effort: beautiful views of Baracoa from the summit and the hike is also very enjoyable, getting to see some of the flora and fauna of the region. It took us less than 4 hours to get to the summit and back. The price is very affordable 13 CUC per person with guide and entry fee included. After the hike you can swim in a beautiful crystal clear river (El Toa).

It takes aprox. 2,5 hours of hiking to reach to the top. But it is really worth it. Great views guaranteed!

It was a tremendous effort for our family, as it was extremely hot that day, but the view was worth it, and the dip in the river more than worth it!

El Yungue is the flat topped mountain that lies a few km out of Baracoa off the road to Moa. It is 575m high and you climb from sea level to the top. It is a good hike but can easily be done in three hours (each way) by anybody reasonably fit. We had an excellent guide Fernando Estevez (53211366) who is based near the La Punta restaurant at the West end of the Malecon (Maximo Gomez No 4). You have to pay a few CUC to climb El Yungue and you have to have a Cuban guide. The flora and fauna are spectacular and the views from the rest-point and the top are spectacular. You will see fascinating birds, animal, insects, plants and trees and with a good guide, like Fernando, things will be pointed out that you might well have missed. Don't forget to take water and leave time when you come down to visit some of the local families and taste the 'potato fruit' cakes and home made hot chocolate. Don't forget to take water with you it is very hot and humid walking. You do not need walking boots, you start by having to wade a river.