Yokahu Tower

FROM HERE YOU CAN SEE FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE SEA. From this point you can see the ocean blue, It a nice place to stop and take a break while you are Here at El Yunque N.Park. There are restrooms, a store, and plenty of parking also a nice place for a picnic too. I agree you don’t want to miss it on your tour.

Yokahu Tower is an observation tower, which once you climb the stairs (sorry no elevator) and catch your breath, offers some really splendid views of the surrounding lush greenery of El Yunque National Park. The climb takes you up about 100 feet from its base to an elevation of approximately 1,600 feet above sea level. Is it worth the climb? I can’t really say yes or no, but if you’re like me or that proverbial bear who climbed the mountain just so he could see the other side of the mountain, the answer is yes.
As a tip and as the National Park signs tell you, be sure to secure your valuables in the trunk of your car or other place before climbing up the tower.

One of the most stunning views you’ll get in Puerto Rico. It’s a bit of a grueling trek to the top, but the reward you get is a breathtaking panoramic of La Isla de Encanta in all of it’s natural glory.

When I arrived to the Yokahu tower there were about three other cars in the parking area and no tour buses yet, woo hoo. The tower had just opened and I climbed the tower to some of the most breathtaking views. The stairs were an easy climb and not too steep. I did stop a few times just to catch my breath and take my time. The weather was cloudy and misty but thankfully you could still see everything clear. I took some photos and enjoyed the views. I stayed there for about 10 minutes before heading out to the next stop. Downstairs I saw a bathroom and gift shop but didn’t stop in. Definitely a must see while you’re in El Yunque.

Don’t miss this stop during your tour of El Yunque! We came during the very busy winter break tourism season and the park was bursting at the seams with visitors, but we bravely passed this landmark and vowed to hit it on our return back down the mountain at the end of our mid-​day hike to La Mina falls. That turned out to be a good choice, as by time we made it back down, the crowds had thinned considerably, the sun was out, and we were able to snag a parking spot without much trouble.
What’s to see/​do?
– clean bathrooms
– warnings about mongoose with rabies
– a few educational history & nature plaques
– a few sheltered benches for waiting during the rain or sun
– a tiny souvenir shop
– a cool spiral staircase up 5 stories to the top with great sights from the window openings
– fantastic unobstructed 360 degree panoramic views of Fajardo from 1575 feet
This was a 10 minute, hassle-​free stop for us and well worth the trouble.
According to the wise minds on the interwebs, the Yokahu views are better than those from the other tower (Mount Britton), which is often obscured by cloud cover.

We checked out the Yokahu observation tower. It’s not very tall, but at least you can go up and see the landscape. It’s 1575 feet to be exact — we used a long tape measure (LOL).
We were a little perturbed by the dirty, human handprint grease on the tower battlements above. Surely they could clean it once in a while (hint, hint National Park Service).
Nice views from up there after you traverse the spiral staircase. I posted a few pictures.

In an observation tower at close to 1600 feet off the ground, you gain a little perspective. Some people might experience vertigo. Others might pop the question. Still other might contemplate life, the universe and their role in it all. Me? I flashed back to ‘Lost.’ Yeah, it’s the way my mind works.
Despite my brief wondering as to whether Jacob had been spying on me for years and if I was destined to be at this very place at this very moment, I gathered my wits and took a lot. Actually, I took lots of looks. Toto, we ain’t in Kansas — for real. All I could see were mountainous ranges, lush greenery and captivating mists. It was incredible. Yes, the climb to the top took a little effort (not so much for me because my humps, my humps my humps my humps… my jovely johnny jumps… check ‘em out… got me up all the stairs in record time; but, be aware, it will take effort) but it was entirely worth it to stand atop of paradise and look down below. It was doubly fascinating for me to consider that I was just in the thick of a rain forest, now I was atop the mountain looking over my kingdom and I had beach and bay to experience before me. The diversity of the biosphere was awe-​inspiring… and a motivation to make sure I do my part to ensure such natural beauty persists.
At the top of the world, you gain a little perspective. Once you travel up there, don’t rush it. Look around. Take it all in. Breathe in. Breathe out. If you were able to do all of these things easily, that should be all the perspective you need.