Amazing! Very likely you'll be rained on but a majority of the hike is covered by trees so great for minimizing sun exposure.
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The only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest system has rare parrots, ancient petroglyphs, and waterfalls cascading through 29,000 acres of wilderness.
El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System, sits 45 minutes east of San Juan. Morning fog often hangs over peaks like Pico El Yunque, where stone observation towers rise above the trees. Waterfalls like Juan Diego and La Coca drop into natural pools you can swim in. Over 240 types of trees grow here, including tabonucos with wide roots that look like twisted sculptures. Endangered Puerto Rican parrots nest in the canopy, and tiny coquí frogs fill the air with sharp chirps after dark.
Take PR-66 east from San Juan until it merges with PR-3, then follow signs for PR-191 into the forest. Most rental cars handle the paved roads, but some trailhead parking areas have potholes. Arrive by 9:30 a.m. to find parking near popular trails like El Angelito. If you don’t want to drive, book a guided tour that picks you up from San Juan hotels. The El Portal Visitor Center parking lot fills fastest—park there first if you plan to visit exhibits.
Begin with the El Angelito Trail: a 40-minute walk through guava and bamboo groves leads to a deep lagoon with a rope swing. For longer hikes, take the El Yunque Trail to the summit marker at 3,494 feet—the climb takes 2.5 hours one way, with stone steps and muddy patches after rain. The Mount Britton Trail is shorter (1.8 miles round-trip) and ends at a 1930s stone tower with views of Fajardo’s coastline. Check printed maps at trailheads, as some paths like La Mina Falls remain closed since 2017 storm damage.
Walk 10 minutes from PR-191’s kilometer 9 marker to reach Juan Diego Creek’s largest pool, where water slides down smooth rocks into waist-deep areas. La Coca Falls drops 35 feet beside the road, but strong currents make swimming unsafe here. For quieter spots, follow the La Coca Trail downstream to shallow basins surrounded by ginger plants. Never enter rivers during or immediately after heavy rain—water levels can rise faster than you expect.
Climb the spiral staircase of the 1930s Yokahú Tower near PR-191’s kilometer 8.5 marker. From the top, you’ll see Luquillo Beach to the north and the winding Prieto River below. This spot gets crowded around noon; visit early or late to have the viewing platform mostly to yourself. Binoculars help spot parrots flying between treetops in the distance.
Pay the $8 entry fee to explore El Portal’s air-conditioned exhibits about hurricane recovery efforts and frog life cycles. Watch the 15-minute film explaining how Taíno people used forest plants for medicine. Walk the elevated ramp behind the center to see orchids growing on tree branches at eye level. Staff can recommend lesser-known trails like Caimitillo, which stays muddy but rarely gets busy.
Listen for the coquí frog’s two-note “ko-kee” call starting at dusk—each of the 17 species here has a distinct sound. Search for striped anole lizards sunning on rocks near streams. Look up to spot parrot nests in tall ausubo trees, which park rangers mark with blue ribbons for monitoring. Bright red heliconia flowers grow along most trails, attracting bananaquits and hummingbirds.
Gates open at 7:30 a.m. daily; rangers start directing visitors to exit by 4:30 p.m. Bring shoes with deep treads for slippery trails, like hiking boots or trail runners. Pack a dry bag for phones and a change of clothes—sudden downpours happen almost every afternoon. Fill water bottles at the visitor center’s filtered stations. No food is sold inside the forest, but roadside stands near Luquillo sell fried plantains and pork skewers.
The Taíno people named this area “Yuke” after their god of crop fertility, who they believed lived on the highest peak. Spain declared it a protected zone in 1876 to prevent overlogging of mahogany trees. Today, biologists track parrot populations using radio transmitters and artificial nesting boxes. Local artists often paint El Yunque’s peaks as symbols of Puerto Rico’s natural strength.
Zipline companies use platforms attached to cedar trees, letting you glide 500 feet above ferns and streams. Guides point out medicinal plants like mamakey, whose leaves locals use to brew cold-relief teas. Night tours require headlamps to spot glowing mushrooms and sleeping birds. Book these activities at least three days ahead during holiday weekends.
December through April sees slightly less rain, but afternoon showers still occur weekly. Mornings before 11 a.m. offer the clearest views from summits and towers. Hurricane season closures most often happen in September—call the visitor center’s recorded update line (939-400-6666) before visiting that month. Temperatures drop to 65°F at higher elevations; carry a light rain jacket even if the coast feels hot.
Amazing! Very likely you'll be rained on but a majority of the hike is covered by trees so great for minimizing sun exposure.
Amazing! Very likely you'll be rained on but a majority of the hike is covered by trees so great for minimizing sun exposure.
Amazing! Very likely you'll be rained on but a majority of the hike is covered by trees so great for minimizing sun exposure.
