Puerto Rico: sunsets at Ocean Park and Luquillo

I haven't shared half the pictures we took in Puerto Rico, I feel like the experience of actually being there can't be captured in photographs anyway, so I'm reluctant to even try. I know it's silly, but it's true. We did take some beautiful pictures on two of our beach days, just before sunset, and I feel like Sunday is the perfect day to share some of those shots with you. First up, an evening at Ocean Park beach. The ocean is pretty wild there, lots of waves and wind. I wore this maxi dress I bought at Forever21 just before we left for PR, and it was definitely a favourite during our stay because of the pretty print and how comfortable and airy it was.

abstract print maxi dress
Ocean Park beach, Puerto Rico
abstract print maxi dress
Ocean Park beach, Puerto Rico
Abstract print maxi dress

The next day was our last in Puerto Rico. We rented a car, and drove up to El Yunque national forest, which is actually a rainforest filled with wildlife and waterfalls. Great for hiking! El Yunque is very amateur hiker friendly: you can just drive up the mountain through the rainforest, taking in the sights and sounds as you travel up, and then get out of the car to go for a hike on any of the marked trails. There's simple trails, hard trails, short trails, long trails: whatever works for you. 

We hiked the La Mina trail, which is the most popular for several reasons: not too long, not too hard, ends in the gorgeous La Mina falls and follows the river, which provides for some lovely sights and the opportunity to cool down during your hike. My favourite part of El Yunque was, without a doubt, the Yokahu observation tower. Just climb a few stairs, and you've got the most stunning view of the landscape you could imagine. The enormous variety of foliage seen from the tower top is impressive, and at the horizon you see the blue ocean and the beaches, which is where we ended up at the end of our day.

El Yunque rainforest, Puerto Rico
La Mina in El Yunque, Puerto Rico

After hiking down to La Mina falls, we jumped in our car again and headed for Luquillo to check out the palm tree lined beach, the kioscos (which I stupidly forgot to photograph because we were too busy enjoying our last night there) and of course the warm Atlantic Ocean waters. I think that that last evening on Luquillo beach was one of the purest moments of happiness and peace I've ever experienced, despite it being laced with melancholy as we were leaving to go home again in the morning.

Luquillo beach, Puerto Rico
Aztec print bikini
palm tree
aztec print bikini
aztec print bikini
Sunset at Luquillo beach, Puerto Rico
Aztec print bikini

I can't say this often enough, but if you ever have the chance: DO visit Puerto Rico. It will change your life a tiny bit.

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