El Yunque Trail takes you up all the way to one of the highest points in the Forest: El Yunque Peak
. This trail is accessed through the Caimitillo or Mt. Britton Spur trails. As the elevation changes you can observe different trees.
Where does El Yunque trail start?
Mount Britton and El Yunque Peak
A 0.8-mile, out-and-back trail starts
just off of Road 191 heading toward the Mount Britton lookout tower
. The hike is around 45-minutes long, climbing up on paved pathways through the Sierra Palm and into the cloud forest.
Can you hike El Yunque without a tour?
No trip to Puerto Rico is complete without a trip to El Yunque National Rainforest and let me start by saying first and foremost
you DO NOT need a guided tour to enjoy El Yunque
. Tours cost about $50-$100 per person including a guide and transportation from most popular hotels on the island.
How long does it take to hike in El Yunque?
El Yunque Trail (2.5 miles,
1 hour
, strenuous, paved and gravel) is one of the forest’s longest and most strenuous hikes.
How hard is El Yunque trail?
Enjoy this 5.4-mile out-and-back trail near Carata de la Mina, East Region. Generally considered a
moderately challenging route
, it takes an average of 2 h 59 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring.
Where can I park in El Yunque?
On the south side of El Yunque, you can freely access the
rivers and recreation area at the end of Road 191 South
. There will be a reduction in the number of visitors in these areas, as parking at these locations is limited and only permitted in designated areas.
What trails are open in El Yunque?
Trails and features open on RT 191 include:El Portal Visitors Center/trail, La Coca falls, La Coca Trail, Juan Diego Fall trail and waterfalls, Bano Grande, Bano del Oro area, Mt Britton Trail, and Mt Britton Spur, El Yunque Peak trail, La Roca, and Picachos trail and Tradewinds Trail.
How long does it take to explore El Yunque?
The trail is 2.6 miles long and it takes
around 4 hours
to complete. ⚠️ As of January 2022, the path to El Yunque Peak is temporarily closed after reaching the division between El Yunque Trail and Los Picachos.
How much does it cost to enter El Yunque?
Operating Hours. The forest is available every day (except for Christmas) from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. El Portal Visitors’ Center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. While the forest has no entrance fee, admission to some of the optional attractions will cost
$8 for adults, with children under 15 years entering for free
…
How many waterfalls are in El Yunque National Forest?
Nowhere are the waterfalls in Puerto Rico more beautiful than the ones you’ll see in the National Forest. El Yunque has
three waterfalls
and they’re all fairly accessible as you travel on the main road, PR 191.
Are there monkeys in El Yunque?
El Yunque is a small rain forest and
there are no large primates such as gorillas or monkeys
. There are no wild pigs or alligators.
Are there snakes in El Yunque?
The trees are abundant with coquí, you may also see worm lizards, Puerto Rican boa (although
all snakes in El Yunque are very timid and rarely seen
), galliwasps, skinks, and so much more.
Can I just go to El Yunque?
Entrance Cost, Reservations, & Permits
Normally, El Yunque is free to enter and you don’t need a permit
. However, due to park regulations regarding COVID-19, you need to reserve your time slot online here ahead of time.
Can you drive to the waterfalls in El Yunque?
The park is free.
You just drive along 191 and go to whatever spot you want, leave your car, and hike
. Print a map from the El Yunque National Forest online site. It is the same map they give you in the visitors center.
Is El Yunque worth visiting?
El Yunque is a huge tourist spot and there are hundreds of tour buses that make the trip up the two-lane road winding through the forest. If you don’t start early, you can get stuck coming and going from the forest behind these buses.
It is well worth the effort to wake up early for this one
.
How many trails are in El Yunque National Forest?
Pretty much unchanged since the Spanish first arrived in Puerto Rico in 1493, El Yunque harbors a spectacular array of flora and fauna. Part of the Sierra de Luquillo on Puerto Rico’s East Coast, the 28,000-acre tropical rainforest has
13 well-maintained hiking trails
that attract hikers of all levels.
What should I wear to El Yunque?
Wear a super comfortable outfit, like
shorts and a t-shirt layered over a cute swimsuit
. El Yunque can get hot and humid – I wouldn’t want to be wearing jeans or even leggings out here! For shoes, sturdy tennis shoes or even hiking boots / sandals should do the trick.
Can I visit El Yunque without a ticket?
Visitors must display a printed or digital ticket to enter the 191 Recreation Area
. The tickets are issued per vehicle and the person named on the ticket must be present at time of entry. A reservation can accommodate two vehicles. Reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance.
What town is El Yunque located in?
| El Yunque National Forest | El Yunque from the east | Location Puerto Rico | Nearest city Río Grande, PR | Coordinates 18°19′N 65°47′WCoordinates: 18°19′N 65°47′W |
|---|
Is La Mina Trail open?
Open daily 7:30am until 6:00pm
. Ranger stations are open 9:00am until 5:00pm. The gates close at 6:00pm. La Mina trail will take you about 30 minutes to walk one-way (to the falls).
How much time do you need in El Yunque National Forest?
Depending on what you want to do, you could spend as little as 1 hour, or you could spend all day. We we go, we typically allow
about 4 hours
. Stay up to date by following their Facebook page or You can visit the El Yunque National Forest web site for more information.
What is El Yunque known for?
El Yunque National Forest is known for
having the highest quality waters in Puerto Rico, and lovely water vistas
. Because it is a mountainous rain forest, there are plenty of streams, creeks, and rivers crossing the Forest. The steepness of the terrain provides numerous lovely cascades and small pools.
