You are interested in trying our “Lost Machete” trail? Here are some things to keep mind:

Before the Hike:

Read & sign the sheet to be aware of all the potential dangers you may encounter;
Wear thin-soled treaded shoes and long pants, if you have them.
Make sure it has not rained a lot the day before or will rain shortly. (We usually make suggestions on when you can go or not.);
Make sure you start the hike before 2-3pm because the sun sets quickly near the equator. In the rainforest, the thick canopy makes it even darker, earlier, making it harder to see and this could result in wandering off the trail.
You can get a walking stick on the front porch near the beach chairs.
Let us know if you would like a picnic lunch to fuel you!
Read below for hike and swimming safety tips

During the Hike:

Anna - annakatephotography.co describes the Lost Machete Hike trailhead

It is important to know that the hike, though relatively short, can be quite challenging. It is not a conventional hike with a paved trial nor hand railings to make it easier and more accessible. At the beginning, there are some bricks to help you walk through the mud, but after a while there are none. There is a lot of mud, rocks, roots, and branches in the way. You have to cross small streams and rivers by walking on rocks. Some passages are also very steep requiring you to use your hands in a semi-crouch position for more stability. You will cross three small streams, always going a little downhill on the way out. Don’t get the stream beds confused with the trail, you will only need to cross them. The trail will verge slightly left after crossing one stream, but do not walk along its’ rocks!

Example of obstacles you will encounter during your hike. This includes passages of uneven rocks, steep altitude changes that you should prepare for.

Even though you may have great balance, your shoes will get muddy and when you walk onto rocks and roots, you may slip and trip, increasing your chance of hurting yourself. Therefore, it is extremely important to look where you are putting your feet on the trail to avoid any injuries. You can also encounter little crevices between roots and rocks causing you to get your feet stuck; you can easily sprain your ankles if you are not careful enough.

There are also steep parts with a big change in elevation on either side of the trail with a lot of mud on the trail increasing the chance of falling. It is also important to always stay on the trail at all times to avoid getting lost in the jungle.

It might sound a little bit scary, but with enough precautions this real jungle hike is absolutely worth it! There are informative signs throughout the hike on the flora and fauna of the rainforest. You can also encounter many of the animals of Puerto Rico during your hike! Take as many breaks as you feel like to take in the beautiful nature that surrounds you.

Fun notes for the hike:

Be sure to watch your steps, but look up as well! El Yunque is known for its’ amazing species of birds. Some people visit here for the purpose of birding!
To withstand the dynamic nature of the climate here, the roots and trees have adapted in remarkable ways—making them fascinating to observe up close.
Another friendly creature to keep your eye out for- the snails! They come in in all sorts of different shell forms, often decorating pops of color sprinkled throughout the greenery.

““The forest was green, lush and wet. It smelled earthy. Again it was like something from the movie Avatar.””

— Frank Skokoski, Keep Your Eyes Peeled, “Puerto Rico Day Six: El Yunque And The Rainforest Inn

Seventy-foot Waterfall:

Near the end of the hike, you will finally hear the relaxing sound of the waterfall. Congratulations! You have reached your destination! You can enjoy the marvelous view of the surrounding area and also of the ocean in the distance.

In order to be safe at all times during this well deserved break, you need to make sure you do the following:

Your shoes will still be muddy. When walking on rocks, make sure you do not slip near the edge of the waterfall. Even if you remove your shoes, some rocks are wet and will still be slippery. Be careful!
Pay extra attention when jumping into the water as there could be a fallen tree or branches in the deep pools. Check beforehand to avoid serious injuries.
If it starts raining, the water in river increases or the water gets muddy, get out of the water! Flash flooding could occur and the river’s stream will become too dangerous to be in the water or near the rocks.

*Your beautiful reward for making it up the Lost Machete Hike!*

After the Hike:

When you get back from the hike, your shoes will be extremely muddy. There is a washing station to clean off your shoes to keep the floor at The Rainforest Inn clean.