El Yunque National Forest Reviews (El Yunque, Puerto Rico)

Day Trip to El Yunque - Rainforest

New York, New York

July 30, 2008

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This was my first time in a rainforest and it was a wonderful experience. The are many trails here, from beginners (20 mins long) to expert (2 hours long) so you can pick the one which you are comfortable with. A lot of these trails lead you down ...Read more

From journal Puerto Rico Getaway!

Rain Forrest -El Yunque

by jonbarb709

The Villages, Florida

July 30, 2006

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There are 13 hiking trails. Keep that in mind. You stop at the Visitors Center first - pick up a map - go to the bathroom. OK now ask about the trails. Pick one maybe 2 at the most. One is better. Go to it, stop the car, and walk. And maybe walk ...Read more

From journal Puerto Rico for the First Time

Take a Hike at El Yunque

by TrVL4LiFe

Somewhere, South Carolina

December 21, 2004

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Best of IgoUgo This was one of the most memorable tours of our trip because we made it to the peak of EL YUNQUE! There you will see the northeast coast of Puerto Rico. You can see San Juan. You can see the islands Vieques and Culebra off the coast of Puerto ...Read more

From journal An Enchantment Week in Puerto Rico

Big Tree Trail

by Jose Kevo

Middle-of-Nowhere, Missouri

November 12, 2005

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Best of IgoUgo A great hiking introduction comes with the first official trail route appearing at Highway 191's 10.2km marker. Big Tree Trail is just under a mile and classified as moderate difficulty because of some fairly steep sections making for uphill ...Read more A great hiking introduction comes with the first official trail route appearing at Highway 191's 10.2km marker. Big Tree Trail is just under a mile and classified as moderate difficulty because of some fairly steep sections making for uphill scrambles on the return. The path is paved and was one of the best maintained, including hand railings where needed.

Information placards are scattered along the trail's first half, detailing significance of various tree species thriving in the Tabonuco Forest below 2,000 feet. Farther off-trail, some of these protected, towering hardwoods date a 1,000 years old, outliving relatives that used to luxuriate the island before Spaniards arrived and began culling lowlands. Many of Old San Juan's original structures still stand strong 500 years later thanks to durable beams and planks, but it was construction of Spanish warships that prompted an export ban, perhaps sparing further deforestation.

For peace of mind, identify the Yagrumo Tree, which is found all over the forest and dominates this area. Excelling with dual-purpose thanks to rapid growth over a short-lived lifespan of 40 years, Yagrumos provide critical canopy cover, and their odd-shaped leaves carpet the forest floor trapping seeds and pods for germination. However, it's a long fall from top to bottom, and leaves come crashing through the dense vegetation with a startling Jurrasic Park-type rumble!

Lower elevations receive less than 100 inches of annual rainfall but can be inundated with ground runoff from higher levels. Sunken trails weave along hair-pin curves descending the mountain where looking down can be as fascinating as trapsing with head tilted upward and mouth agape. Exposed from top soil continually washing away, intricate root systems have entangled with vines forming artistic natural sculptures clandestine in the sea of green.

Nearing the halfway point, stillness is enlivened with sounds of water cascading down the mountain, signaling anticipation for seeing the grand finale. Thundering turned out to be only a small stream meandering down a rock course, I turned back feeling extremely cheated. Thankfully, the final, earlier missed trail marker pinpointed that this wasn't the marvel and intended course was resumed.

La Mina Falls is the ultimate destination for using this trail, and the roar is audible long before sight. The falls is the park's most substantial, regardless of rainfall, and small pool at the base is the only spot for dipping. Cool waters were nice for soaking feet, and a person could totally submerge himself in the shallowness with a little effort, but large underwater rocks make for tipsy wading. What the area excels in for beauty, it lacks in size and quickly fills up on weekends.

La Mina Trail embarks from behind the Palo Colorado Visitor's Center and is the other alternative for getting to La Mina Falls. This trail is barely over a mile and even steeper. To hike the full trail from either starting point is 2 miles. Also, factor another mile walk along Highway 191, which separates the trail head parking lots.

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From journal Rhapsody in Green

El Yunque Rain Forest

by JH33194

Roseville, Michigan

May 14, 2005

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This US national rain forest is a sight to see. The high peaks and winding trails are a thrill to see and traverse. The trail is tough and a long walk. There are seats set up to rest on and castle-like lookouts at key sightseeing points. The ...Read more

From journal A Week To Remember

El Yunque

by redroses27

ware, Massachusetts

July 25, 2004

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The rainforest was beautiful. There are two waterfalls, Las Cocas and the big one, Minas. There’s no wildlife in the jungle because of the devastation of the hurricane, but they are building up the parrot population again. But beauty of flora and ...Read more

From journal One week in Puerto Rico

El Yunque Rainforest

by Carmen

Cary, North Carolina

January 22, 2004

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Best of IgoUgo Using the concierge desk at our hotel, we purchased a trip through Puerto Rico Tropical Tours to spend half day at El Yunque (pronounced "junk-ay") Rain Forest. The cost was $66, and included transportation and all entry fees. Note for reference: ...Read more Using the concierge desk at our hotel, we purchased a trip through Puerto Rico Tropical Tours to spend half day at El Yunque (pronounced "junk-ay") Rain Forest. The cost was $66, and included transportation and all entry fees. Note for reference: You could purchase the trip directly through P.R. Tours and save yourself $5-6 (they’ll still pick you up at your hotel). Their phone number is 787-649-8057.

Our tour guide, David, was extremely personable, and knew a lot about the rainforest and the island in general. You have to pass through Las Vegas and Barcelona to get there! (The two small towns at the foot of the rainforest.)

Even as we drove through the entrance, we were immersed in Rainforest 101. David educated us on the plants and animals of the rainforest – both native and not native. The most popular inhabitants of the rainforest are the Puerto Rican parrot and the Coqui frog. We were informed that the Coqui frog was named for it’s mating call (ko-kee, ko-kee) and sings mostly after it rains. David told us that if we saw the parrot, he’d give us all some money and we’d play it at the casinos because it would be our lucky day – they’re endangered. There are about 300 of them and the rangers use an aviary on top of the rain forest mountain to help bring their numbers back up. We saw neither the Coqui frog nor the parrot – as a matter of fact, we didn’t see any wildlife except for a tiny two-inch lizard that was very camera-shy.

Our first stop was at La Coca Falls. While not the biggest falls in the rainforest, it’s the easiest to get to (right off the road) and is still quite photogenic. We sampled some rainwater pouring out next to the falls – yes, it was drinkable and quite cold.

Next was the Yokahu Tower, a little further up the mountain. Climb to the top for some spectacular views. (This is a good spot for a bathroom break as well -- the bathrooms were very clean.)

We piled back in the van and went up in elevation a little more (now the temperature was about 75 vs. the 85 at the bottom) to hike on the rainforest’s easiest trail. It was a 20-minute hike, mostly level except near the end where it was downhill. It was a pretty easy trail. That’s where we passed the home of the Chupacabra. He’s quite the infamous creature, very rarely seen. He’s the goat-killer – using two puncture wounds to the neck to drain their blood. I’m kind of glad we didn’t run into him.

On the way down the mountain, we stopped at a little food stand and enjoyed what were by far the best pina coladas in Puerto Rico. But then, with all the tower stair-climbing and hiking, we’d earned it.

I highly recommend seeing El Yunque if you have more than a day in Puerto Rico. Close

From journal Puerto Rico - There's a Shrimp In My Pants!

Strolling the rain forest

by nmagann

Ventura, California

May 28, 2012

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Best of IgoUgo El Yunque rainforest is one of Puerto Rico's claim to fame. It is located in the northeastern quadrant of the country. Tours are offered from San Juan but are generally expensive considering the time spent traveling to get there and the amount of ...Read more El Yunque rainforest is one of Puerto Rico's claim to fame. It is located in the northeastern quadrant of the country. Tours are offered from San Juan but are generally expensive considering the time spent traveling to get there and the amount of time at the stops. Some of the buses were large while others were mini-buses. Driving a car enable me to arrive at the stops at different times than the buses. Locals, obviously, visit the park during the weekends. School field trips are scheduled during the week. The rainforest is free, but El Portal Rain Forest Center is $3.00. The displays were more about statistics such as what percentage of the plants found in the rainforest are used medicinally and the number of species that live there than details about flora and fauna. There is a gift store with educational books as well as postcards and souvenirs.

I was able to complete all the hikes in the park except the one to the peak. That is to say the ones reachable from the north entrance. The south entrance had recently been opened and I did not have the chance to enter from there but was told there were far fewer people.

La Coca Falls is right off the main road and serves as a nice warm up to the area. Parking is on the shoulder as people don't spend too much time here. Less than a kilometer down the road is Yokahu Tower which is a stones throw from where you are in the parking lot. Made of brick in 1962, three stories high, it provides a nice view of the top of the rain forest. A good place to wet your appetite for more.

Less than 2 kilometers down the road is the parking lot for La Mina Falls. Don't be surprised if you have to park on the shoulder somewhere before or after the lot. Guaranteed there will be buses of some sort here. The trail has some steep stretches but is basically an easy to moderate hike. Thirty to forty minutes you will arrive at the falls where so many feel compelled to wade into in spite of the fact it is quite cold. A short suspension crosses the falls only to lead to a sign indicating the trail beyond which leads to a different parking lot is closed. The trek is lovely along the way with tiny white and lilac flowers, bright green ferns, bromeliads and incredibly large snails.

At the end of the road the trail to Mt. Britton Lookout Tower begins. It is a steep hike, but takes just under half an hour to reap the rewards. Four flights up and the panoramic views of the rain forest are further enhance by Caribbean Waters and Puerto Rico's smaller islands. What a great way to end a day of hiking. Close

From journal Budget Puerto Rico

El Yunque Hiking Trip

by food crawlers

New York, New York

August 10, 2008

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We rented a car and drove to El Yunque. It was around 40 min away from Condado. The other way to get there is with a tour. You can pick up a trail map from the first 'tower' and then drive up to pretty much any of the locations that you want to hike ...Read more

From journal Puerto Rico Trip

El Yunque

by cocopud

ventnor, New Jersey

January 24, 2007

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We got up early one morning and headed to the rainforest, but got there before the ranger station opened so we couldn't stop for information, but that was no big deal. We headed on down the road and stopped along the way at the tower and some ...Read more

From journal Long Weekend in Puerto Rico

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