| El Yunque National Forest | Nearest city Río Grande , PR | Coordinates 18°19′N 65°47′WCoordinates: 18°19′N 65°47′W | Area 28,434 acres (115.07 km 2 ) | Established January 17, 1903 |
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Is El Yunque the only rainforest in Puerto Rico?
El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest Service
, and one of Puerto Rico's most beloved natural gems. El Yunque has a very diverse ecosystem, hosting hundreds of unique plant and animal species, including Puerto Rico's famous coquí frog.
How far is the rainforest from San Juan?
It is only about a
40-minute drive
from San Juan to the entrance of the park, so you can make it a day trip.
How do you get to El Yunque National Forest?
From San Juan, you can take Route 66, which is a toll road, east to Route 3 East. Then, you can continue on that road until you see the signs that say EL PORTAL / EL YUNQUE. When you do, you can take the exit that leads to Route 191 and take that to El Yunque.
Can you swim in El Yunque?
Swimming in El Yunque
The U. S. Forest Service recommends two swimming holes in El Yunque
. La Coca Falls drops 85 feet, spilling over a huge rock formation into a pool that is perfect for wading and swimming. Look for the La Coca Falls parking area shortly after entering the park.
Where does the water from El Yunque come from?
Follow the path of water from
the rainforests of Puerto Rico's El Yunque National Forest
to the Coastal communities that rely on fresh water… and discover one of the world's most amazing water treatment (eco)systems.
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.
Can I just show up to El Yunque?
If you want to come to El Yunque' s main recreation area,
you need to get a reservation in advanced
. Unfortunately, some days we must turn around 400 vehicles without a reservation. You can visit other parts of El Yunque without a reservation, however you have to plan ahead if you want to visit the 191 Recreation area.
Why is it called El Yunque?
The forest's current name, El Yunque (i.e., meaning anvil in Spanish), is
a corrupted derivation of the Taino word
(Domínguez-Cristóbal 1997a, Moran Arce 1971). Although some may believe that the mountains resemble an anvil, most will agree that the summits are cloud covered much of the time.
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 much does it cost to enter El Yunque?
You will soon get to the El Portal Visitors Center at Km 4.2 Scheduled to reopen 1/22!. It is open from 9am – 4:30pm everyday except Christmas Day. There is an entrance fee of
$8 per adult
(cost saving FYI–your National Park Service passes are valid here). Kids under 15 years old are free.
Why is El Yunque closed?
The closure order is in effect until December 31, 2022 or until a Forest Service official authorizes its reopening. A section of El Yunque trail will remain closed to the public due to
damage to a retaining wall that represents a health and safety risk for visitors
.
Can you get into El Yunque without reservation?
Reservations are not required outside the Road 191 corridor
(Roads 988, 186, and 191 South in Naguabo). Entry on Road 191 may close when capacity is reached or during hazardous weather. If there is a need to close the Forest, those with reservations will receive a notification.
How long does it take to hike 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.
What do you wear to El Yunque forest?
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 you visit 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.
Can you drive through El Yunque?
You can go through the park without going to the visitor's center
. There are several waterfalls alongside the road with nearby parking.
What are the waterfalls in El Yunque called?
La Coca Falls
in El Yunque National Forest is arguably the most famous waterfall in Puerto Rico, which is why it deserves the first spot on this list. It is an incredible sight to behold with its 85 feet drop. It lies near the road PR-191 off the La Coca Trail.
Where does Puerto Rican water come from?
Puerto Rico has only three main natural sources of freshwater:
groundwater, surface water, and desalinated water
. Because desalinated water represents less than 1 percent of the total freshwater withdrawals, it is not considered in this analysis.
How high is El Yunque Puerto Rico?
3,543′
What is the official language of Puerto Rico?
Official languages
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.
What animals live in El Yunque?
- Adelaide's Warbler (09)
- American Redstart (08)
- Antillean Euphonia (08)
- Bananaquit (07)
- Black Swift (03)
- Black-throated Blue Warbler (08)
- Black-whiskered Vireo (07)
- Broad-winged Hawk (04)
How do you tour El Yunque on your own?
To enter the most popular part of El Yunque known as La Mina Recreation Area, you'll need to
make a reservation for a fee of $2 per vehicle
. Use Recreation.gov to book your spot up to 30 days in advance. You can arrive anytime within 3 hours of your reservation ticket and stay until the park closes.
