Best Hiking In The Caribbean: Top 3 National Park Hiking Excursions
Hiking is an activity that gets you away from people and gives you time to soak in the beauty of your surroundings, making the Caribbean the perfect place for those who seek to immerse themselves in nature. There is no better way to appreciate solitude than a hiking trail that is surrounded by lush tropical vegetation with crisp, fresh air.
Hiking and nature trails in the Caribbean are renowned for their unusual landscapes and hidden waterfalls. The nature tours including the top three listed below, are great with a tour guide who is informative about the unique aspects of the natural environment and the history of the island in relation to the natural habitats.
Top 3 National Park Excursions for Hinking in the Caribbean
Puerto Rico- El Yunque Rainforest & Waterfall Tour
Juan Diego Falls in El Yunque rainforest located in Puerto Rico to the East side of the island.
This breathtaking nature park allows visitors to completely immerse themselves in nature and is one of Puerto Rico's natural gems. El Yunque National Forest’s name is a reference to “Yuke” also known as the "white plains" by the native Tano people who first inhabited Puerto Rico.
The almost 29,000 acres of biodiverse forest are home to hundreds of rare and unusual animal species, including the endangered Puerto Rican parrot and the island's well-known Coqui frog. The El Yunque rainforest, which receives 120 inches of rain on average annually, has thousands of native plant species.
There are more than a dozen well-maintained hiking routes in the El Yunque rainforest. You can expect waterfalls that may have rope swings and some which allow for free diving and others with natural rock waterslides and cliff jumps. As you hike the El Yunque nature trails, learn about the park’s history, wildlife, and plants.
Read More: Top 3 Spa Treatments from Nature in the Caribbean
Dominica- Full Day of Rainforest and Waterfall Excursion
Morne Trois Pitons National Park located on the island of Dominica near the southern half of the island in Saint George Parrish
One of Dominica's most notable features is its rainforest. As most of Dominica is covered with dense rainforest, it is often referred to as the Nature Island. Because of the island's accessibility from the sea, settlement began on its coast in colonial times, and it has continued to this day, leaving most of Dominica’s interior and mountainous rainforest regions uninhabited. As a result, Dominica's rainforests are still untouched by human development.
The island takes pride in safeguarding its rainforests which offer a haven for various plant species, wild animals, and bird species. In Dominica, there are a few rainforest reserves; including the Cabrits National Park, the Morne Trois Pitons National Park, and the Syndicate Forest Reserves.
Discover Dominica’s lush rainforest and visit some of its most stunning waterfalls on hikes which vary from 15 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on the trail, along the east coast communities with a tour guide. You will undoubtedly witness one of the most breathtaking natural wonders on the planet!
Explore and learn about the culture, history, flora, and fauna of the island while viewing Jacko Falls, Spanny Falls, Emerald Pool Falls, Sari Sari Falls, and Victoria Fall to name a few.
St. Lucia – Gros Piton Hike
Gros Piton is located in Soufrière and is easier to hike than Petit Piton located a little way off in Choiseul.
The panoramic vistas of the Caribbean are well worth the early morning hike to the 2,620-foot (798-meter) top of Gros Piton in Saint Lucia. This mountain is part of twin volcano plugs on the west coast of the island.
They are a World Heritage Site and a hike up the Gros Piton is by no means not for the faint of heart but when you get to the top it is worth every step. Gros Piton’s hiking trail takes, on average, 3 hours to finish. The hike is not too challenging for most visitors; however, the ascent might be a little steep in certain places.
The trail is also perfect for birdwatching and the guides for this tour are great for providing information about the famous mountain and its twin, Petit Piton. From the top of the Gros Piton trek, you can see the nearby colorful rooftops of the west and east coast villages of St. Lucia and the neighboring island of Saint Vincent. This hike is one of the very bests in the Caribbean. You may learn more about the Top 3 Caribbean Destinations.
