Other notable surf spots along this short strip of beach include: Tres Palmas, Dogmans, Maria’s, and Domes. There are a few others, but these are the most popular ones along the tip of Rincon’s southern coast.

If you are planning on surfing Indicators, just drive to the lighthouse and park in any of the provided parking spaces or along the road. Because Indicators is located at the lighthouse, finding parking is usually very easy. To get down to the break, you will find a dirt trail on the south side of the lighthouse’s parking lot, we have pictures below showing you the trail. Take this trail down to the beach and slowly work you way out into the break along the side of the cliff. Once you have made it about 20 yards out into the water you should be safe to start paddling, but pay close attention as the tide plays a part.

Indicators is a right breaking wave that peals from the cliff down to the south. Watch the video below to get an idea of how this wave breaks. We can promise you that Indicators will never have the crowd of a spot like Maria’s. A lot of that has to do with the more intimidating paddle out.

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Check out our map below for a detailed GPS location of the Palo Colorado Recreation Area. In addition to the Recreation Area we have the trailheads, parking, and other points of interest marked. In addition to the map we have pictures that should give you a good idea of the Palo Colorado Recreation Area layout.

Parking is plentiful and available to both the south and the north of the Visitor Center. Parking on the north side will put you right next to the visitor center and the restrooms. The parking lot on the south side offers more spaces and a sunnier area.

A short walk down from the parking lots you will find the Palo Colorado Picnic Areas. They are extremely well built and make for good shelters from the weather. The structures themselves are made from concrete with wood and metal roofs. Inside the structures you will find both picnic tables and grills. In addition, there are trash cans at each location to make it easy to clean up after your visit.

If hiking and exploring is more of your thing then you can head out on one of the many trails that originate from the Palo Colorado Recreation Area. Down by the picnic areas is where you will find the La Mina Trail that leads down to La Mina Waterfall. Across from the parking areas on the opposite side of PR 191 you will find the El Yunque Trail which connects to both the Caimitillo Trail and Bano de Oro Trail. In addition you will find the Bano Grande Pool at the location of the El Yunque Trailhead.

In addition to all the self guided options at Polo Colorado you can go to the Visitor Center which is located between the two parking lots. The Visitor Center has the option of guided tours as well as information on the El Yunque National Forest.

*A note from the National Forest Website is that you should close windows, lock doors, and place valuables in your trunk.

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The Trailhead to La Mina Trail is located at the Palo Colorado Recreation Area, which is the hub to multiple hiking trails, the visitor center, rivers, and picnic areas. One of the other benefits to this location is the amount of parking available. There are multiple lots, with parking on both the south and the north side of the Palo Colorado Visitor Center.

Once you have parked you will find a couple access points to La Mina Trail. The hiking trail will take you past a few picnic areas and then lead you down along the same route that the La Mina River flows. This trail does not have as many twists and turns as the Big Tree Trail, but is about the same overall distance.

Once you reach La Mina Waterfall the hike will be worth every step. Whether you get in the water or not, La Mina Falls makes for a great place to stop and enjoy a break watching the waterfall and people gathered there. Out of all the things to do in El Yunque National Forest this is probably the most popular hiking trail and destination.

I recommend that you bring some water and a camera along for the hike, but keep an eye on the weather because rain can come quickly in El Yunque. I guess that goes without saying since it is a Rain Forest.

*A note from the National Forest Website is that you should close windows, lock doors, and place valuables in your trunk.

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Parking for the Bano Grande Pool is located at the Palo Colorado Parking Lot. The parking lot is well marked and can be seen on our map below. There are multiple parking areas at the Palo Colorado Information Center.

Once you cross the parking lot towards Bano Grande Pool you will see the waterfall created by the water emptying over the edge of the dam. There is also a stone walkway that circles the entire pool. Overall the Bano Grande Pool makes for a nice place to stop and get some pictures, but it does not offer the fun of places like La Mina Waterfall.

*A note from the National Forest Website is that you should close windows, lock doors, and place valuables in your trunk.

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Parking for the Bano de Oro Trail is available at both the Palo Colorado Visitor Center and across the road from the trailhead on PR 191. There is much more space available at the Palo Colorado Parking Lot.

*A note from the National Forest Website is that you should close windows, lock doors, and place valuables in your trunk.

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There is no doubt that Yokahu Tower is one of the top two or three spots in all of El Yunque National Forest. Yokahu Tower is one of two observation towers that you can climb to the top for outstanding views.

Yokahu Tower is the more consistent of the two towers when it comes to weather. The other tower is Mount Britton Tower, which is located at a much higher elevation and usually has cloud cover that interferes with the views. The other major benefit to Yokahu Tower is the ease of access. The tower is maybe thirty feet away from the parking lot with no elevation change until you start to climb the tower. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Mt. Britton Tower requires a good amount of exertion to hike a trail which ascends rapidly through the forest before reaching the tower.

In addition to the wonderful views and ease of access that Yokahu Tower affords you, there are also many informational signs around the tower. We have included a few of those signs in the pictures below.

IF THE WEATHER IS CLEAR WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU HEAD STRAIGHT TO YOKAHU TOWER!!! Taking advantage of the clear weather will set you up with views of the entire northeast coast and mountains.

*A note from the National Forest Website is that you should close windows, lock doors, and place valuables in your trunk.

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Most of the tour groups stop at Sierra Palm to eat. In addition to the picnic areas they also have the Yuquiyu Delights Cafe, which serves hot food off the grill as well as different snacks and drinks.

If you brought your own food there is a trail next to Yuquiyu Delights Cafe that leads down a short trail to a nice picnic area. This picnic area is really nice because it lies alongside a small river or creek. You can see pictures of the picnic area and shelter below.

There are numerous picnic areas in El Yunque National Forest, so if you miss this one or it is just too busy, do not worry there are many more just up the mountain. A really nice, and large picnic area is located at Palo Colorado Information Center and Picnic Area. There is also one just a short hike from Palo Colorado on the Caimitillo Trail.

The biggest benefit to Sierra Palm Picnic Area is that they have food on location if you did not pack anything and you are getting hungry.

*A note from the National Forest Website is that you should close windows, lock doors, and place valuables in your trunk.

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Parking for the Mount Britton Trail is congested with space only available along the sides of the road. As you pack up your car and get ready to hike make sure to double check that you brought some water and depending on the conditions, rain gear. If you are extremely lucky and it is clear at this high elevation get ready for the most amazing view of your life when you reach Mount Britton Tower.

The trail is paved and well maintained, but that does not necessarily mean it is easy. The trail starts off weaving back and forth while sharply ascending through the Sierra Palm forest towards the peak. The Palm Trees along the route are awesome, with interesting root bases. Along the trail there are a few shelters in case the weather changes on you. As you start to get close, the narrow concrete walkway will connect to the El Yunque National Forest Service Road. Once you are on the service road pay close attention for the Mt. Britton Trail Sign and Wildlife Viewing Area Sign. You will take a sharp right at those signs and head up a straight walkway to the tower. Again, if the weather is clear you are in for a treat and hopefully remembered a camera to get some great pictures from the top of Mt. Britton Tower.

The Tower, Trail and area was named afters Nathaniel Britton, a botanist that worked this region in the 1920s. The tower itself was constructed in the 1930s. Today it is a great hiking destination for those willing to put forth the effort to reach the peak.

*A note from the National Forest Website is that you should close windows, lock doors, and place valuables in your trunk.

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The parking area for Las Cabezas Observation Point is limited to a handful of cars. You could pass this point and come back to it on your way back down PR 191, but you may regret that decision. The reason is that it offers you the first point to get some great scenic pictures and if the weather is clear TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT. The weather in El Yunque National Forest can change quickly so don’t hesitate on a good opportunity for pictures.

*A note from the National Forest Website is that you should close windows, lock doors, and place valuables in your trunk.

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If you are interested in hiking La Coca Trail you will want to check and make sure that the trail is open. The next thing you will want to do is make sure you are prepared for one of the more difficult hikes in the El Yunque National Forest Trail System. They have this trail rated as challenging and post an elevation change of 656 feet.

*A note from the National Forest Website is that you should close windows, lock doors, and place valuables in your trunk.

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