What an experience! Our family enjoyed this majestic forest. Puerto Rico will always be home to us even though we currently live on the west coast. Beautiful memories made here with our daughter. She truly loves this place! From the gorgeous views of the water falls to the exotic secret pools. It's a treasure hunt! A true Gem of an island and we are so proud of our culture! We visited and returned back again a month later to celebrate our daughters birthday. If you haven't experienced Puerto Rico yet, you are really missing out. The people here thrive on tourist and take pride of their culture and island showing you the beauty of it. The food alone will pretty much force you to never leave and never stop eating! Marc Anthony said it best.... Preciosa! read more

Many locations were still closed from the hurricane which was a bummer. The rainforest was neat, but not the neatest that I have been too. For example their are no animals to look at e.g., Monkeys, Birds. What was nice though is that you can take your car and drive up to a fairly close distance before you have to begin the hike to the second tower (Mt. Britton sp?) read more

I love love loved this place. I thought it was absolutely beautiful. Lush beautiful forests. Neat informative visitors center. Around every turn on the road up was something fabulous and picture worthy to look at. La Coca Cascada was amazing. And the panoramic views from Yokahu Tower are breathtaking. Not to mention how floral and wonderful it smells near the tower. You can hear Coqui everywhere, not to mention other vibrant birds and so on. I really enjoyed seeing this place. Its an amazing rainforest! Biggest bonus? If you are an American Citizen you can visit this gem in Puerto Rico even if you don't have a passport! If you are in Puerto Rico, do NOT miss this! read more

the best of Luquillo right here. this is the reason I returned to Puerto Rico so many times I never get sick of this majestic forest's beauty I will continue to come here and share everyone I can share it with. I really can't put how beautiful it is in words you just have to see every single trail for yourself. read more

Must vist the visitors center first. There u will find great information and learn a little history about the rainforest. I think visiting the visitors center before u hike to the rainforest will make u appreciate the hiking trails and the rainforest it self. read more

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Very nice views specially if you like exploring, walking a lot. In my case we went with our 2 and 5 year old and the 2yo had a hard time. But they both loved it. Make sure to take everything you need with you including snacks and drinks. And to be back by 6pm read more

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What a beautiful place. What I loved the most were the beautiful stones and rocks. The water was very clean, there were many tourists, and had many different parts that you can see read more

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We loved El Yunque! We live close to the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Appalachians, so we're used to crowds on trails, but if you're looking for a quiet experience with nature, this is not your place. Unless you're deaf and fond of tourists in neon bathing suits, that is. I suspect that some cruises have inland trips to the park, judging from the conversations that I overheard. There may be a better time of year to go (we went in March) when there are fewer folks around. There are trails that are "easy," "moderate," and "challenging." We chose one in the mid-range, and at first I felt like it was too easy. "Have we wandered onto the wrong trail?" I wondered. Then, on the way back, the whole trip was uphill, and I figured out where the "moderate" part comes in. The trail, by the way, is completely paved, either with concrete or stones (or a mixture), and quite smooth, so if you have weak ankles that turn on tree roots or uneven ground, you don't have to worry. The pathways are narrow, though, and if you meet someone, one of you will have to step off the trail for a moment. Everyone's so happy to be there, though, that they're all polite. Several trails lead to the same place (La Mina waterfalls) from various parking lots. The falls are lovely and have a beautiful calm pool at the bottom, which you can reach if you're wearing the right attire and willing to climb over some stones (I wasn't). Judging from the gasps from the people who entered the pool, though, the water was pretty cold. It's park of the National Park Service (U.S., of course), so you'll need to bring your own food unless you're happy with vending machine fare. Quick tip: Palmer Panadería (right beside where you turn to get on the road to El Yunque if you're coming from Luquillo) has some very tasty foods that will withstand the heat and keep you going while you hike. Go for an arepa or an empanada (or both) and you'll be good for a little while. Bring plenty of water, though, 'cause you'll sweat it all out. read more

What more do I need to say. This is a must see and do in Puerto Rico. La Mina waterfall is a must and hiking up to the peak is worth the view if you have time. read more

Hands down, the highlight of my vacation. El Yunque is truly unique. An authentic rainforest with parrots, flora, fauna, surprises and warm beautiful watering holes! The main waterfall is absolutely beautiful! It's a little bit crowded, so I decided to swim in the pools away from the tourists and kiddies. My own personal swimming hole!!! I felt like Indiana Jones. The two trails, I hiked, were paved with cement and stones. Some could be disappointed, because it took away from the authenticity of the natural forest. I actually loved the paved trail. I wasn't wearing hiking boots, and I really didnt want a muddy suitcase going home. My next trip to El Yunque I hope to hike every trail possible and spend the bulk of my trip here. :) and how could I forget.... It was free!!!! read more

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We luvd it!! No tour needed easy trails, rent your car, and then head to Luquillo Beach to eat, drink, and enjoy real Puerto Rican atosmosphere. Rosie n Kris San Diego, CA read more

El Yunque Rainforest - Blast! Renting car saved us tour $ expense.Trail is VERY easy&waterfall Mina Falls were great to swim. Luquillo Beach was good! - Hiking Near Me - Luquillo, Puerto Rico

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One of the best experiences of my life. Beautiful rainforest, great tour guide, amazing authentic PR food at the end of the hike. The best part was the swimming in the massive waterfall halfway through the hike through the rainforest. The water is colddddd and deep but its so much fun and a great way to cool down after hiking. A perfect backdrop for pictures to remember the amazing experience. read more

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A friend and I just returned home from a trip to PR. We took the Rainforest Hiking Tour through a company called Fineline Excursions / Kayaking Puerto Rico. Our guide Flor was just fantastic and it was a very affordable day: we were picked up and dropped off at a location near our hotel in downtown San Juan and had the most amazing Puerto Rican food on our way home. The only downside to this hike is that it is crowded. The path is small so one is constantly having to make room for others as you make your way to the waterfall. Our tour took us to El Yunque as well as the Tower of Columbus. read more

Beautiful views. Lush. Epic plant life. Lots of easy hikes that are gorgeous all along the way. Arriving early is ideal. Camping or day hiking are both fantastic. Don't mis this opportunity to explore plant life and look out over striking views. read more

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I've come here every time (8+ times?) I've visited Puerto Rico. If it is your first time on the island, the Rainforest is a nice economical excursion to experience a unique part of the island. There are waterfalls, observation towers, scenic lookout points, and hiking paths. The park probably won't leave you speechless but i've always enjoyed visiting. La Mina Falls is best enjoyed as close to midday when the sun can keep you warm---since the waters are a little cold and it'll probably rain (duh, rainforest!) while you are there. The falls can get a little busy and is hit and miss as to how crowded it will be. But if you stick around long enough, it's ebb and flow. The visitor center was much more interesting to me on subsequent visits, as I didn't feel as rushed to explore the park. The center has an enormous amount factual tidbit displays for you to understand the rainforest and its dynamics. My advice for first timers is to set aside about 3-6 hours (depending on how outdoorsy you are), stop in the visitor center, grab a map, and start trekking! read more

This place is amazingggg! During the hike I could hear the frogs aka coquis to the locals croak "co quii"; this is something you can only experience in Puerto Rico. The waterfall is breathtaking, but becareful of the rocks. The trails are mostly paved, Nice mountain views. read more

Plenty of other reviews saying the same thing I would. If you are visiting San Juan, get out of the city and enjoy what Puerto Rico has to offer with this national park. You have to get away from the road and "hotspots" to really enjoy yourself. I suggest driving past the main entrance by a bit and doing the walk backwards. Otherwise, the first thing you will hit is the gorgeous waterfall but also it's like Spring Break PR-style. If that's your thing, great. For me, I want a more peaceful experience away from screaming people. Luckily, we went in backwards as I mentioned. This was great because once you get further away from the entrance, you can be left to your own accord. But, do get there early. Otherwise, your moments of silence will be spaced about 1 min apart. The later in the day, the more people are milling about. We didn't do the hike up the mountain due to time constraints. But, that will be what I do upon my next visit. All in all, the park is what you make of it. I loved it. read more

We had a bunch to see/do for the day and wanted to do a quick hike through El Yunque so we decided to do the La Mina trail. The trail is paved...just follow it and it will bring you to the popular waterfalls. Lots of people end up doing this hike so be mindful of that. We came before noon and there weren't that many people. The forest itself is cool and lush. It started pouring rain in the middle of our hike...thank goodness we had our rain coats, but that didn't help much. We skipped going to El Portal Visitors Center and pretty sure we didn't miss anything. Plenty of parking and sites to see as well as different kiosks for food as you're driving to the top! read more

I summarize all my experiences in one sentence: This is my favorite place in Puerto Rico. Forever!!! Seriously, nothing like this. You realize how vulnerable we are and how resilient is Mother Nature. Mother nature will always heal your wounds and will always take you back to your roots. As a Puerto Rican I have the responsibility of taking care and protect this invaluable gem: El Yunque. read more

This place is breathtaking. The views from the tower are awesome. We hiked down to the waterfall which was a trek. It was like a 45min hike up & down a bunch of hills. If you're not in shape this may be an issue.It felt a little scary because we were on cliffs and they were high and narrow. If you fall you'd die or be seriously injured, but more than likely you'd just die lol. Once you get down to the waterfall you can get in the stream but it's extremely cold. It felt like ice water. I also recommend heading out of the park well before sunset. I wouldn't want to be there in darkness. read more

El Yunque Rainforest - Me after the trail. I was tired AF. - Hiking Near Me - Luquillo, Puerto Rico

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Despite the constant rain, the El Yunque park has roads and paved walkways. We were able to get to the La Mina falls hike without problems. The path was well paved and took us an easy 20 minutes to get to the falls. The waterfalls was nice, the rainforest lush. We also stopped by a tower for a great view of the valley. The stairs were kept well enough. Good parking spaces. There was a roadside waterfall we also stopped by. There was parking on either side, but honestly, nosey drivers would slow down trying to do a drive by of the waterfall when they could have parked right around the corner. No fees. Visitor center at the entrance. Great stop in Puerto Rico! read more

The rainforest is about a 45-minute drive from Old San Juan where we were staying. I feel like our experience was pretty generic, but here goes.... + The rainforest itself was breathtaking. We only hiked the trail to La Mina Falls, but drove the entire way up the mountain in order to take it all in. It's kind of a once-in-a-lifetime experience if you never travel to South America, so worth the drive and the sweat that drenched us by the end of the adventure. - This (meaning La Mina falls) is clearly one of the main destinations for visitors and tourists to PR...not only were the falls so crowded we didn't bother to jockey our way in, but the narrow, 1-mile pathway to the falls themselves was swarming with people (mostly the loud, annoying variety), which really detracted from the nature, the peace, and the experience. Other reviewers said it best: we made the mistakes of: A) going on a weekend, and B) going in the middle of the day. Even in May it was just packed on a Saturday afternoon. Worth it, but don't expect what you're expecting...expect it to be PACKED, loud, and peaceless. read more

Last time I visited Puerto Rico I didn't make it to The rainforest , so this time I made sure I did. We booked a half a day tour , after picking everyone up we were on our way once we arrived we did a few trails , some hiking nothing too crazy. I gotta say I was a bit disappointed only because when I booked the tour I didn't realized that it didn't included the larger waterfalls , on this tour we saw a few small ones nothing major. Apparently there are all kinds of trails & packages that u can choose that will take u to the larger waterfalls had I done a little more research maybe I would have caught this but no real big deal this just gives me a reason to come back for the bigger trails there's always a next time. We stopped at the Yohaku Tower , walked to the top to see great views of the entire forest pretty nice. it was nice to visit the forest , temperatures were a bit cooler up on top & the scenery was pretty the forest is probably one of those things that you should visit simply because It's nice to see. I was not completely impressed by it this is partially due to the fact that I booked the wrong tour & didn't get to see the bigger waterfalls but aside from this we did enjoy our day. read more

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Do not pay for an excursion if you have a car, just drive in and hike through one of the trails to the waterfalls. We didn't bother with the Visitor's Center as we were short on time. We hiked the Big Tree Trail to La Mina Falls. The hike was a bit strenuous, but doable, but do wear sneakers and bring a poncho/umbrella because it downpoured on our way in. poncho is better since you may need your hands for balance. Since we went on a Saturday, it was pretty packed! Not that great for picture-taking :( but it was fun. Be careful swimming in there, you get pushed around by the current and it may knock you into rocks that you can't see under the water. read more

If you love hiking then take the trails! The climbs are on the steeper side but if you pack some water and wear comfortable shoes then it's refreshing! You can wade or dip your feet in the falls after a long hike. And Mount Britton has some breathtaking views over the forest with an elevation of over 3000 feet! read more

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This is one of the best highlights in Puerto Rico. This visit kicked our 5 day vacation off to a great start. We hiked the trails and snapped great pictures along the way. We took a dip in the waterfall like everyone else and it was a relief from the hiking we had done. I had an amazing time and loved every single moment no matter if I felt like collapsing. read more

El Yunque Rainforest - El Yunque Rainforest waterfall - Hiking Near Me - Luquillo, Puerto Rico

This was my first time visiting a tropical rain forest and since El Yunque is the only tropical rain forest in North America (read the information signs posted!), I thought it was a must see. I was disappointed with the lack of fauna as the island is only home to small birds and frogs. However, the plant life is there.However, in contrast to the rough rain forests of the Amazon, you should not fear being eaten by jaguars or attacked by angry Piranhas as you dip into the cool waterfalls. The hiking trail took about an hour. Great refresher and majestic view. Information centers around the forest will tell you where to go. read more

La Mina Falls is a must see here, very short hike that can be accessed from 2 different parking lots. The waterfall & water is cold and very refreshing when hiking in the rainforest. Easy trail to walk on, most of it has a concrete path. Google maps doesn't really help get you there, but you can type these coordinates in and then pull of at any of the parking lots (18.303087 -65.776649) read more

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Loved hiking here. We only hiked up to the one tower (can't quite remember the name of it, but it was a ways up) but it was awesome. The view was spectacular. There were some younger locals at the top with their stereo and coolers and I think they had a game going amongst themselves. The more people that came to the top, the louder they got, but it was all harmless fun. They were dancing and singing/rapping and talking amongst themselves. We enjoyed the sites, and just spending the day in the rainforest. We want to bring our children with us the next time we visit just to experience the beauty of Puerto Rico. Parking can be a bit hard to find, so be prepared. Totally worth it though, especially if you have never been. read more

Born in P.R. but my 1st time @ El Yunque was this past June 2015! Amazing day, amazing weather, amazing friends, the water was perfect, we didn't want to get out - & because of the drought @ that time we took baths in the river...Bonus! read more

El Yunque Rainforest - La Coca Falls @ El Yunque & the rope - Hiking Near Me - Luquillo, Puerto Rico

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Very easy hike, no dangerous animals like the Amazon rainforest. Perfect for all ages. At the entrance, I suggest purchasing the water and other refreshments they sell. Cash only but it's pretty cheap. read more

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This is a must see in Puerto Rico. The roads up are steep and narrow, but it's worth the drive. Stop at the learning center and make sure you understand the map. Wear sneakers and bring water for the hike. The water at the falls is cold! Bring a bathing suit and towels. read more

This trip we went straight to Mt Britton tower. The trail is marked "difficult" but we were fine even with our 6 yr old. It rained hard during the entire walk but the tree canopy was super helpful in catching most of the rain. Some parts of the walk was slippery but best to avoid the larger rocks that are slick with moss and leaves. Wear good shoes. The trail is mainly paved like most of El Yunque and the mid point of the hike was a paved road. The tower has 360 views of the island. The fast moving clouds were really spectacular especially since coming out of a rain drenched walk up. Go slow going up since the steep climb can wear you down but the trip is worth it. read more

OOOMMEEEGGGOOOSSSSHHHHH!!! This place was amazing!!! I loved this place! It nearly takes you about 45 mins to walk the terrain and mountain to get to the major waterfalls but oohh its so worth it.. My financee & I were in awed with the trip.. Wished we could have stayed a little longer.. Not much animals, only seen some humming birds.. But the falls and the flora were amazing!!! Wish I was there when the orchids bloom.. They were all over the place.... Will return! read more

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El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. Forest System! Being able to visit this beautiful place was an Amazing and Fantastic opportunity if you are visiting Puerto Rico! We had a rental car so we drove ourselves which we prefer, you can also book a tour with a guide. I noticed a group on a tour and the guide was showing them a specific plant and giving them a lot of information about it so I imagine that's what you can expect from a guided tour along the trails. If you're comfortable in groups that's an option, although I don't know how much it costs. We Definitely prefer going at Our Own Pace, stopping and spending more time in places we found interesting while simply moving right along at places we didn't, so keep that in mind before booking! We did pay the very reasonable admission to enter the visitors center, although it's not necessary. The man at the information center provided us with a map and gave us some very helpful information about the trails and points of interest! You can also print out maps and info. online at the USDA forest services website , but if you don't I'd recommend stopping at the visitors center. We really enjoyed the places we visited which were La Coca Falls, Yokahu Tower, Big Tree Trail, and La Mina Falls. At La Coca Falls we actually saw people climbing up the rocks, so we decided to do the same. Most people just viewed the spectacular falls and took pictures. We were ecstatic about climbing the rocks and actually touching the falls, but be careful if you do this! It was incredible! The Yokahu Tower was an amazing site. You can climb to the top where you have an unbelievably spectacular view of the rainforest all the way to surrounding cities and the ocean! La Mina Falls is set between two trails which are about equal in distance. It takes about 30-40. minutes one way to reach the falls. We chose Big Tree Trail because it was the first one on your way up the mountain. There is indeed very big and beautiful trees along the way. The trails are gorgeous. We heard bird song the entire way and possibly even a cocqui frog, although we didn't see any. We did see a rooster of all things!!! There are detailed signs along the trail explaining various sights you may see along the way and we enjoyed the info! The La Mina Falls were beautiful and we did swim in the water! The kids didn't mind the temperature, but I thought it was very, very cold so I would recommend a swimsuit and a change of clothes that you will be warm in on the walk back! The rocks are slippery, and right before you reach the waterfall there is a sudden drop, so if you want to swim under the waterfall you must be able to swim, not far though. Although, I couldn't because the water was just too cold for me! Like I said, it is Gorgeous and well worth the walk to be able to view and swim in the falls! I must admit we were tired after the walk there, the swim and the walk back so we didn't make it to the top of the mountain which I regret and definitely plan on doing next time we visit!!! All in all, we absolutely loved El Yunque and it is a memorable "Must Visit"!!! Also, make sure to take A LOT OF PICTURES! They will make fond reminders of your fantastic visit to El Yunque!!! read more

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Must visit in Puerto Rico. The forests are beautiful. We did the hike to La Mina and took a dip in the pond, so refreshing, so green ! There was some food on the way before and after the trek.. Took about 2 hrs for a leisurely paced hike and dip read more

Great place to visit but please note the visitor center is still closed for repairs. Also, be careful when it rains because the road is slippery. Other than that.. excellent place for a hike! read more

El Yunque was super beautiful. We hiked for 2 hours till we made it up top! The view was amazing. Parts of the rainforest was closed due to the hurricane damage. But the staff was super nice and the open areas were beautiful to view! ‍ read more

Oh, there's a falls at the bottom of a trail. There's a falls at the bottom of a trail. There's a falls at the bottom of a trail. Oh, there's a ride to the top of a mountain where you walk through a rain forest to a falls at the bottom of a trail. read more

There are rainforests and then there are rainforests. El Yunque is beautiful and lush, with extremely pleasing visuals and aurals. Biodiversity here is very large, and everything glistens with humidity. I found that as I walked into the forest, I could speak no louder than in soft tones... out of respect for the place. Trails are well maintained and the visitor center can provide information for people who want to have a more organized experience. However, El Yunque is neither so large nor so remote that you'll ever lose the feeling of nearby humans and civilization. I've been twice, and each time the drive up the mountain and into the rainforest was made in a line of cars. Moreover, every trailhead into the brush has a small parking lot next to it... which is always full. The possibility of catching a glimpse of any macrofauna is essentially nil due to shouting children and nearby crowds. read more