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El Yunque National Forest is such a unique experience. The views from the trails are absolutely stunning. There are several locations with waterfalls and pools where you can swim and relax, as well as strenuous mountain trails for those who like to hike. The trails range in difficulty from easy to strenuous. Some of the trails do not have much parking available nearby, which could be an issue, especially as the park gets to be busier during the afternoon. The park closes at 5pm sharp every day. It's a really fun day trip out of San Juan! Would definitely recommend coming!
If you want to step into something that feels both ancient and alive, El Yunque National Forest is it the only tropical rainforest in North America, a green cathedral of moss, mist, and tumbling waterfalls. Trails wind like secret arteries through towering trees, ferns unfurl like delicate scrolls, and every pool and cascade feels like a private baptism carved out by time itself. You come for the waterfalls, yes, but you stay for the way the air hums humid, earthy, electric and for the quiet thrill of knowing you're in a place unlike anywhere else on the continent. Even with the occasional crowd, there's a rhythm here that forces you to slow down, to feel the mountains under your feet and the sky pressing in from all sides. Hike a little, climb a little, slip into one of those jade-colored pools, and it's like stepping into a ritual older than memory. This isn't a beach day, it isn't a cocktail hour it's something sacred, a natural rite of passage, a place where the island's magic is not just seen but inhaled. El Yunque doesn't just impress it grounds, astonishes, and leaves you with a pulse tuned to the heartbeat of Puerto Rico itself.
We went here on a weekend in February... it was BUSY. We arrived about 10:30am and began our drive up the mountain. There are about 4 stops open at this time in 2026. It didn't cost anything to get in. There are very steep hills and a lot of potholes! Very limited parking at each stop. It's a beautiful place if you Like nature and don't mind driving and stopping and being patient in order to get parking.
There is a reason it is called a rainforest, it rained nearly nonstop. The way there from San Juan, all sunny, but enter the park and it's rain. It's beautiful but you need to be prepared. We used hiking shoes and rain jackets and hats. No issue with the weather. We parked near the Big Bano swimming hole. We did the Big Loop trail and followed it counter clockwise. I'm very glad we went this way as we had to traverse the rocky path going up but had several paved areas going down. We could see out to the ocean from the tower but El Yunque peak was pouring rain and no visibility. Everything was so green that I made it a challenge to take some pics of non green things we saw along the way. Not a ton of people. No fees required. Great day.
This place is so gorgeous, but also a complete tourist trap! Try to go early when they first open as we went midday during spring break and there were alot of kids and tourists (tourists year round obviously). I really wanted to take pics of the waterfall but there were too many tourists and it also started to rain hard. Such a beautiful and lush seven wonders of the world!
It's only a 40 minute drive from town on a massive clean and wide freeway. There are lots of signs, towns and restaurants lined to get you there. Once you get to the restaurant lined town slow down. Some drivers can be impatient. You'll need to pay to view the incredibly modern visitor center high above the tree lined valley with commissioned artwork and parrots. It has interactive open air placards, staff, restrooms, and an expensive gift store. Head up and through to the top, then circle back down to stop at a few featured areas. The waterfalls, tower and cafe are popular parking stops. Breathe in cool clean air and enjoy the views. If you're adventurous do a little or a lot of hiking from the crowds.
El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. Many believe its name comes from the Taino word, Yuke, or "white earth," a reference to the clouds that gather around the forest's mountainous peak; others believe it derives from Yúcahu, the Taíno deity of fertility. It's not very big, stretching about 28,000 acres, but it is rich with fauna diversity. As you trek through the muddy clay earth, you'll admire colorful ferns, tall bamboo, canopy trees and the chirping of coqui frogs. If you're worried about any dangerous animals or insects, don't fret! There are no predators or venomous creatures here! The cooler temperature and running rivers make the area unsuitable for mosquitoes too! We hiked about 30 minutes to get to a natural water slide, rope swing and cliffs for jumping. It was a bit crowded but it was so much fun! It's about a 45 minute drive from San Juan and easy to get to by car. Visiting El Yunque is a must when in Puerto Rico!
I went with a tour group called Spot-On, my tour guide was Andrea. She is phenomenal!! She's so well versed in all there is to know about the habitats, creatures, and of course the historical significance of the land and how it came to be. It was an amazing experience to be able to hike the trail while learning about everything we passed by. It was humid, but very moderately! However, the trail was very slippery!! Both muddy and rocky/uneven. Bring good shoes!!! Ones with grip and ones you don't mind getting dirty. The waterfall was breathtaking!! And the water slide?! An experience I will NEVER forget. I can't explicate how thrilling and exhilarating it was. The adrenaline that surged through my body when we went cliff diving- Chills just thinking about it now. But I'm so happy I did it. Definitely a place you MUST visit when in San Juan Puerto Rico!!! You can go on your own, they offer maps at the front entrance. However, going with a tour guide is safer and they know where all the nice spots are. Additionally, they take pictures for your group and of you individually. As well as record your jumps and of you going down the water slide.
El Yunque is a beautiful rainforest. The weather was perfect when we were there. Blue skies and perfect temperature and we did get a bit of rain while we're in the rainforest lol. Our tour guides were great. Took us on a great hike to a beautiful waterfall to swim, rope swing and slide off the waterfall. A must visit for anyone ever visiting Puerto Rico.
A must see for trips to Puerto Rico! The park is free to enter but you must pay to visit the visitor center. However, we found it help to go and talk to the ranger about the trail closures which helped us to avoid a trail closed due to a landslide while still being about the access the peak. The trail are otherwise very well marked and not all together challenging. There was a shocking total lack of mosquitos but do prepare to get rained, it is a rain forest after all. It's a stunningly beautiful and well maintained place. I highly recommend the hike to the leak where you'll see numerous wild orchids along the way.
Beautiful rainforest with well-kept trail system. There are lots of paved trails available, so it is super accessible for people who don't typically hike! A great way to get people outside. The visitor center is also wonderful and has great items in the shop. I love that the trails are free to go on and that you only need to pay the $8/adult if you want to go to the visitor center.
2 years ago
4 years ago
This....is the only tropical rain forest In the United States. If nothing else, you get to check off a visit there as an accomplishment. But El Yunque goes soooooooo far beyond mere accolades. Everything about a visit to El Yunque Rainforest is really cool, including the drive in. Twisting and winding thru the lower portion of the forest as the weather changes before your eyes. The really cool look-out tower(s) to climb and see incredible views. And waterfalls - everything from trickles down the time-tested rock face to fast moving flows as a reward for a complex hike up narrow paths. You won't see anyone not having a good time, because it simply isn't possible (unless you lose your car keys or something). Items of note, make a reservation ahead of time or you will get turned back and be sad (like we were the first time we tried). And second, see the previous sentence. El Yunque Rainforest is amazing beautiful, with something for everyone. You'll love it. Oh yeah, go early for more of the forest to yourself. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
Sebastian was the best tour guide!!! We had the best time and will be referring friends! Thanks again, Sebastian!! -Ember & Kris read more
This is the best National Forest in Puerto Rico (also, the only one...) and an excellent day trip for locals and visitors alike. After Maria they had a lot of damage to facilities (but not to the forest itself); they are getting back to normal now. Unfortunately covid also has caused problems, including restricting numbers of visitors (so you either need to get a reservation weeks in advance, or 24h in advance then the remainder are released). There are a range of trails, waterfalls, and vistas ranging from handicap-accessible to fairly arduous, so you can pick what you want. There is a national forest el Yunque official app which is really useful inside the park, especially as cellphone coverage is spotty. read more
My wife and I visited El Yunque and we had a blast. It's a Natural Rainforest and it has beautiful trees, waterfalls, trails, towers, peaks and wildlife. You've definitely got to come here. If you're a tourist, you can take a tour, but it's cheaper to rent a car and come yourself and spend the time you want to here and not on some tours time. There are some trails and natural swimming areas that age unavailable due to the hurricane, but you can still hike to the peak, and tower and other waterfall and swimming pools. read more
This was our favorite adventure during our stay in March! Such a beautiful rainforest with beautiful water slides, waterfalls, natural springs, and cliff jumps. It even started raining during our hike which was such an experience. The rain cleared out fairly quickly but my gosh what a way to experience every moment. We took a tour guide from San Juan that picked us up in a bus and drove us to the El Yunque. They had all helmets and life jackets. A life Jacket is needed after the water slides because the current is so strong. I can swim but I wasn't aware that a current can be this strong and Even I had trouble swimming. If you can't hike through mud, dirt, or can't swim then I don't recommend this hike. Your shoes will be filthy, wear some shoes that you do not care for. If you don't plan on getting in the water then there's really no point in going. There's too many things to do that involve water. We had a few people sit out on most of the adventure during our hike because they were scared of the water. Overall WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! Definitely recommend! There's nothing like this! read more
El Yunque is a gem of a National Forest. It's the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest system (note: not the only rainforest - in fact, there are rainforests in Alaska! - but the only TROPICAL one). Come here for fantastic hikes, great scenery, and time in nature. On a clear day, you can see the sea on three coasts (north, west, and south) from high points in the forest. Unfortunately, it's a rainforest, which means clear days are pretty rare - expect mist and precipitation. But if you're ok getting a little wet every now and then, you'll still have a fun time. The park is very well organized. Start at the visitor's center near Palmer. From here, you can take the road into the park. As you drive further in, there will be vistas, trailheads, and little eateries at various locations. If you want the fullest experience, you'll need to go as far as possible, then do the hike from the end of the road up to the mountaintop, which is fun and takes about 1-2 hours one-way. Note that the park is only open during the day, and if you're inside when they close, your car will be stuck! Also, you definitely need a vehicle - simply getting transportation to the park entrance isn't enough. Overall a wonderful experience, perfect for any visitor to Puerto Rico or local looking for time in nature. Come with some hiking gear and perhaps a raincoat, and you'll have a blast! read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
When you arrive at the grocery store this is your meeting point to meet your tour guide he was an hour and a half late so we got a later start be sure not to bring any personal items with you because you're basically going hiking it can be a bit dangerous so make sure you wear shoes that have a great grip on them, The tour guy did ask for a tip afterwards which was a bit uncomfortable. A tip of $100 to be exact, The scenery is beautiful and it is a sight to see when you actually go up to the rainfall it can be a bit steep and dangerous. We stayed at the bottom of the rainfall where the scenery was still very beautiful to take it all in read more
7 years ago
I heard of this place from the door man at the condo where I stayed. I decided to take a friend with me to attack this monumental task of climbing this large mountain. I think you'd call it a mountain..or is it a really big hill? You know what never mind that. When you first enter this Forest it seems a bit overwhelming. At the front of the park when you first enter there is a central center that teaches you about the various plants and animals that you may encounter within the forest. The most notable creature is the Coqui. It is a small tree frog that makes a noise similar to its name and you will hear it constantly as you walk through the park. In the park you'll come across various landscapes that are breathtaking. What is the Yokahu tower where you can go all the way up to the top and take a view of the whole entire area. There is a telescope at the top that you can look around and check out the entire area. or take a picture with a friend at the top. But I would say the main attraction is the waterfalls! There are I believe about two or three waterfalls that you will encounter during your trip. There is a smaller one that you'll see right off of the path and then there's a larger one that you'll have to walk for about 30 to 40 minutes to get to. It is hot and sweltering to get the larger waterfall but it is worth it once you get to it. It's like a cool retreat for those hot feet. Finally you have the top of the mountain or the peak that you can attempt to reach at el Yunque. However some of us like myself are not that athletically fit and we kind of die on the way up there. However if you are hiker this is for you. This is a beautiful landmark in Puerto Rico that everyone must stop and check out. If you don't you will be very sorry. read more
7 years ago
Such a Gorgeous place! One of kind of breathtaking experience and a must place to visit in Puerto Rico. This place is beyond review. But few pointers: 1. Drive safe here coz due to narrow road , high altitude and frequent rain 2. If u can try to select week day and come at morning hrs coz less traffic 3. Wear right shoes for short hikes read more
A U.S. National Forest, it is the only rain forest in the system so its worth a few hours of your time. We were staying in Rio Mar, so it was really a quick trip. The visitors center can be crowded, but the exhibits are pretty cool, and they seem to have roving vendors with stalls. Yes its touristy stuff but some of the artwork was quite good and the pottery was impressive. One thing to note: If you have a US National Park Pass: you can pull into the visitors center for free. The rest of the park is accessed by a road which eventually dead ends. For this trip we stayed near the car and to experience the rain forest fully I would plan on hiking. The drive is slow and the scenic overlooks / points of interest are crazy crowded. As with most parks you need to put forth a little effort to get away from the organized tours etc that pack the easily access areas. It was still an interesting place to visit and the waterfalls and views were fantastic. It is a rain forest so expect to get wet (DUH!). read more
So the rainforest is beautiful obviously but the thing that's prompting this one star review is the fact that you have to fight to get an online reservation weeks in advance to visit the park. No other park in the US has these types of restrictions and it really sucks that after waiting months to come here I wasn't even able to visit the actual main recreational area. Who would've thought that you have to look online to book a reservation? Parks should be for the people. read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
One of the best nature spots in Puerto Rico. Definitely recommend doing this hike, also makes an amazing cardio. read more
Awesome awesome place I was very pleased with the scenery. The hike was a lot for someone who doesn't work out. Before taking the hike I would definitely suggest not being totally fit but at least having some workout experience. There is a lot of climbing there is a lot of dirt there is a lot of slippery clay. I would also suggest putting on sunscreen and bug spray. It's better to wear swim shoes with a good sole on the bottom or tennis shoes. You will need the support when climbing. When making it to the resting water spot or natural water slide all of the climbing, slipping and sliding will be worth it. read more
4 years ago
Beautiful rain forest. The hikes can be strenuous, We enjoyed the peacefulness , at the present time you do need reservations to enter the park. read more
My wife and I have visited here twice, once with a tour guide and once without. It was exponentially better with the guide for several reasons. First, it's a long drive and has a lot of dangerous traffic going up the mountain. Second, the tour guides add so much insight to the experience. Finally, the guides also know great places to eat and keep you on track. We used Bespoke Tours (Omar) and he was fantastic. The main attractions to the forest are the waterfalls, the main hike and the watch tower. Bring a bathing suit and shoes you can swim in. Pack snacks or granola bars and tons of water. Please don't litter; better yet, bring an empty garbage bag and help clean up. If you want a great place to swim, be sure to check out some of the smaller pools and falls. Everyone goes to the big falls, but the smaller ones are actually more private and more fun. Save some time for the visitor center and be sure to check out some of the local crafts and restaurants. Allow 4-5 hours from old San Juan total for this trip, more if you plan to eat. read more
7 years ago
Gorgeous place! Must SEE if you are in PR! - nice variety of hikes for all levels - natural fresh water pools to swim in - green lush trees - breath-taking views - beautiful waterfalls Some tips: - come early, after 11am, it gets really crowded and you will not find parking - bring water, it is hot and humid - bring towel if you want to swim - go to puertoricodaytrips.com to check out the info on all the trails read more
Wowzers. El Yunque is truly a thing of beauty. There are lots of places to visit while vacationing in Puerto Rico, but this pristine rainforest should be at the tippy top of your list. It's about a 45 minute drive from old San Juan. There are plenty of taxi or guided tour options, but my suggestion is to rent a car. A basic car is around 75 for the day, whereas a taxi or a tour can start at 75 per person. And then you are free to stay as long as you'd like, and can stop at the Luquillo beach on the way back. And being on the tour just didn't look fun. I had a way better time exploring on my own! When you enter the rainforest I'd suggest avoiding the visitors center and heading right up to the trails. It's 4 dollars per person for a map that can easily be found online. We fell into this tourist trap...grrrrr. As we drove up the windy road to the Mina falls we stopped at a few scenic lookout points along the way. Looking out at the massive stretches of palm tree covered mountains and bright blue oceans was spectacular. I've been to plenty of Caribbean beaches, but this view was unlike anything that I'd ever seen before. After all, you are in a tropical rainforest. Finally, we made it to the base of the trail for the Mina falls, which was the main reason we had come. The hike was around 45 minutes each way and was really flat and easy. The falls were a bit crowded, but there was still plenty of room for everyone to enjoy and swim around. The water was fuhhhhh-reeeezing, and even though I was a little nervous I made the jump. YOYO- you only Yunque once. I wish that there was more wildlife here, but unfortunately, the Yunque isn't really known for wildlife. But, for some great hiking, waterfall swimming and breathtaking views this is where you want to be. read more
El Yunque National Forest, the rainforest of Puerto Rico is really a must see. They have a fabulously beautiful visitor center, plenty of walking trails, waterfalls, a viewing tower and all sorts of exotic plant life. It will take you a good solid day to cover it and my suggestion would be to do it on a tour bus, I used E & B Tours, as it will make everything so much easier. I would also strongly recommend wearing some very good sneakers or hiking shoes, and to be very, very careful. The fallen tree leaves on the trails can be super slippery. Just during the brief period of time I was at the Big Tree Trail Head walking La Mina falls, one person fell, broke her hip and three others fell breaking their legs. In fact one those who broke their leg suffered such a serious break they had to be emergency airlifted out. read more
MUST VISIT!! El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rain forest in the US Forest System. Do NOT book a tour, those things are overpriced and totally unnecessary. Do, however, rent a car so you could drive here and make whatever stops you want to make. El Yunque is a 45 minute drive from San Juan. My boyfriend and I were in a bit of a time crunch, so we only did the Big Tree Trail. Even though it's only 0.85 miles, it took us a good 20-25 minutes each way to reach the waterfall. SO WORTH IT!! It was incredibly crowded on a Sunday afternoon, but not too many people go into the actual water. It's freezing, but you'll get used to it after just a few seconds. There are parts of the water with unknown depths so be careful. I was sitting on a rock for most of the time, but there were people jumping into the deeper parts of the water. If you want to take a photo by the waterfall, there is a small ledge you can stand on. It's pretty difficult to get on it though since you can't really see with waterfall hitting your face. read more
14 years ago
El Yunque is any high schooler Spanish student's dream. Well at least for me it is. After learning a bunch of random vocabulary on "la selva" and performing a skit on giant carnivorous mariposas, I finally was able to apply what I learned years back in El Yunque (minus the giant mariposas). While I didn't find any giant mariposas, there is definitely a plethora of wildlife, water, and verdant, lush vegetation here to satiate the high school dream of mine. My friends and I trekked on the "La Mina Trail" which was pretty awesome. When I heard the words 'rainforest' or 'forest', I expected an adventurous hike, but I was wrong. While the hike is about 1 km or so, the trail is completely paved with concrete. This made the 'hike' become more of a 'walk'. While it was more convenient and comfortable to walk (even for the young and the old -- you don't need to be 100% fit!) on a paved trail, it definitely zapped any element of adventure out. Even though the trail wasn't as adventurous as I would have liked, it was still very cool and the final result -- La Mina Falls -- was absolutely gorgeous. What's even cooler was that we could swim and play in the water -- definitely a reward after trekking the 1 km in the sweltering and humid Puerto Rico weather. The Coca Falls are also nearby, which was pretty cool too You can actually climb up some rocks to get to some rock formation that allows you to get up pretty close to the water. One of the biggest issues about El Yunque was getting here. My friends and I rented a car and drove through many pot holes, ditches, and windy/curvy roads to get here. It was worth it, but I think most of the adventure was actually the drive getting there! This place still gets a 5 stars in my book -- this is the ONLY rainforest in the United States National Forest System, so it's definitely something special to Puerto Ricans and Americans alike. Plus the parking is free, so even better. Come here on your next trip to Puerto Rico! read more
Now you know we couldn't leave Puerto Rico without a visit to El Yunque. If you love appreciate nature, then you're gonna love this place. We drove up one morning, parked the car and went for a hike up one the trails, La Mina. We made sure to pack water and wore our swimsuits. When we reached one of the waterfalls we jumped in. The water was warm, fresh and we were seemingly alone. Further down the trail we came to the Yokahu tower. At the top are the best views of the rainforest. You could probably get a lot more information from taking a guided tour, but we decided to explore by ourselves. But here's a bit of info: El Yunque is the only Rain Forest registered in the U.S. Park Service. http://www.tripadvisor.com/ProfileGallery-i22980952.html read more
13 years ago
The rain forest is a beautiful place and a must see for hikers and those that are into out door activities. Due to limited time we were only able to hike 1.4 miles (0.7 miles each way) on the La Mina Falls trail. Although there weren't very many animals to see, it was still a gorgeous trail. The trees provide a lot of shade so I don't think a lot of sunblock is necessary. I never used the insect repellant either, but I think that was just out of pure luck. The water was very cold and would provide a nice place to cool off in hotter weather but don't expect to go for a swim. It's just for splashing. :) Just up the road, at the 11.2 km mile marker, is a place to use the restroom, grab a quick bite, refreshments and/or snacks. I tried the beef empanada (ok) and a mango smoothie (great). The prices were very reasonable. Also, there is at least one place to buy souvenirs along the main road in the park. Parking in this area (and similiar areas) is free but be sure to watch for the parking signs on the side of the road. I witnessed the police give out many tickets to tourist parked in undesignated parking areas along the road. read more
I heard alot of people talking about how cool this place was so I checked it out when I was in PR. First off, skip the signs to the visitors center, that is the only thing you have to pay for and it is not worth it at all. I was a little confused thinking the price I paid was to get into the rainforest itself, but it was only for the visitors center. Skip that and go to the trails and other stops throughout the rainforest, they are free. I hiked down to the waterfall (about 20 min each way) it was pretty cool, not one of a kind in the world by any means, but a nice hike and good trip. I was a but underwhelmed by the whole place to be honest, but still glad that I went. read more
5 years ago
14 years ago
There are no entrance fees to visit El Yunque Rainforest, you just drive up!! How awesome can that be?! Of course if you want to drop by the visitor centre which will cost you $3. There are nothing much there though aside if you really need some information or support the operation by giving that as a donation . If you just want to use the washroom facilities, there are quite a few around different scenic stops around the park. Since we have limited time, we ended up just visit the La Coca Falls, climbed the Yokahu Observation Tower and hiked the Caimato Trail. I really want to hike the longer trail and go see the La Mina Falls, I guess I need to come back next time! read more
4 years ago
This was a blissful experience for all ages. We went to Juan Diego trail and falls. Which was a truly amazing time. Only $2 to get into the forest, just make sure you make a reservation before hand. Watershoes recommended for those with sensitive feet, as there are ricks in the natural pools. read more
Ahhhh I'm so jealous of all the people who got to see the waterfalls at their best. When I visited...the water was meager and didn't feel as grand :( This place is absolutely beautiful, no doubt about it. However our tour guide didn't really take us to the best locations, so it didn't feel like the majestic rainforest it could be. The hiking trails are fun, easy to walk through and filled with exotic flowers. My advice for tourists is to NOT go with a tour group and go on your own terms. Spend a long time there because going as a group will limit the amount of fun you have. read more
Loved our visit to the rainforest. We were anticipating doing a lot of walking so we brought appropriate footwear and rain jackets. Interestingly, you never have to step out of the car if you don't want to. There are lots of parking areas along the ascent to the top and you can certainly stop, get out, and walk around or hike on a trail or you can slowly climb up the mountain. We did a bit of both. Sometimes we stopped to walk a little or take a picture, other times we stayed in the car and carried on. A few stops on the route were closed, likely due to hurricane related repairs, but we didn't mind. There was plenty to observe. The views were breath taking. Bring a camera, for sure. If we were in better shape, this would have made for an incredible hiking adventure, but we were on a lazy vacation and not feeling it. read more
8 years ago
ATTENTION: This National park is currently closed. A park ranger advised on Sunday, May 27, 2018 that this was due to severe mountain road damages caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017. Rangers said they weren't sure when construction efforts would be completed and could not guarantee this would be accomplished by next year in 2019. Rangers advised you can call them to be sure. BUT, in the meantime... there are two parts we explored near its entrance opened to the public at no charge! Site 1: "Angelito" is a great trail through a beautiful part of the rainforest that leads you to a river with plenty of rocks that is picturesque! (Pictured). It is a swimming area. Look for the rope you swing on to jump on the water! Site 2: Just before the main entrance, there is a huge beautiful waterfall "La Coca Falls". It leads into a creek into the scenic rainforest! You can climb the waterfall and also climb your way under the bridge straight into the creek. (Pictured) Important items to take: Camera, water shoes & bathing suit for swimming, sneakers for climbing, drinking water, and big repellent. I really couldn't give this amazing place an accurate review since I was not able to explore the main parts, but the little I did was breathtaking! I will certainly have to return once they reopen to provide an update. read more
We went to El Yunque yesterday to go hiking and eat. We found a few trails, some waterfalls, food, and lots of picnic pavilions along the way. El Yunque is a beautiful, mountainous, tropical rain forrest near San Juan, Puerto Rico. It's an amazing place that is cherished by the locals and tourists alike. During our visit, it appeared that there were more tourists than anything. Surprisingly, there wasn't a lot of wildlife to be seen, unfortunately. I heard a lot of birds, but I didn't see any. I didn't see any small woodland creatures playing about. All I saw were a lot of snails and tons of green foliage. It was beautiful, but being on a remote island, I guess you can't expect to see much wildlife. Still totally recommend visiting here though! read more
I have been to El Yunque three times now, but it never seems to lose its luster. A windy main road starts at the base of a massive mountain and continues up through the beautiful rainforest, with various scenic places to park and explore. There is a Visitors' Center at the gate to the park, but a stop here will mean paying an entrance fee. There is also a brief hiking trail around that immediate area, but it offers little in terms of excitement or challenge. If possible, just drive straight into the park without making this stop. Follow the curvaceous path up the hill and passed several stands selling souvenirs and fried local specialties, and you will soon arrive at the first main destination, which is a beautiful waterfall just slightly set back from the road. You can pose for pictures in front of the safety guard rail or show off your adventurous side by scaling the large rocks to climb under the falls. The next recommended stop would be Yokahu Tower, a high cylinder stretching far into the sky. Take the easy climb up the windy stairs and arrive on the tiny roof of the structure where you will take in a breathtaking 360 degree view of the El Yunque cliff, Luquillo beach, and more. The last, and final, suggested stop entails a 45 minutes hike down a lengthy path of stone steps. It runs parallel to a cascading waterfall, which forms several serene ponds on its way down the mountain. You can wade out into these areas and enjoy a private dip or take the path all the way to the bottom where you will mingle with fellow thrill-seekers dunking themselves under the bases of the falls. The water is freezing cold, but it is worth the experience. By the time you return to your car from this somewhat challenging hike and cool swim, you will be ready for a snack and a nap. That will conclude your afternoon at El Yunque, the beautiful and well-preserved rainforest haven about 40 minutes outside of San Juan. read more
A must see while visiting Puerto Rico! Some of the areas are closed after the hurricane Maria but still a beautiful place to visit. It's mostly free, there is no entrance fee for the Forest itself and the Portal Visitors Center it just a few bucks. We drive around the open areas and stop at the popular Yokahu Observation Tower and the Coca Falls, a waterfall next to the street. The day of our visit the Portal was close but some of the hiking trails were open. I highly recommend this place to people that like hiking. read more
More info about El Yunque Rainforest
Sierra de Luquillo
Luquillo, Puerto Rico 00773
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