El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico

However, it has a tranquil aurora around it as you glance into one of mankind’s attempts to change nature. As you continue to hike uphill on some gravel-paved switchbacks, you come across an old fish hatchery tank built of stone now overgrown on the right side of the trail. These tanks represent a failed attempt to introduce trout, an exotic cold-water fish, to the tropical forest waters. It is almost laughable that someone would think of putting a fish hatchery or swimming pool in the middle of a rainforest, but that’s just how we operate I guess.
rainforest National Forest, formerly known as the Caribbean National Forest, is located in the rugged Sierra de Luquillo, 40 km southeast of San Juan (latitude 18'19"N, longitude 65'45"W). The forest covers lands of the municipalities ofCanovanas, Las Piedras,Luquillo, Fajardo,Ceiba, Naguabo, andRio Grande. "Huge Arthropod Declines Documented in Puerto Rican Rainforest".

This is one of the rainiest parts of the national forest which means the trail is often muddy and slippery so appropriate hiking shoes are necessary. Due to the dense forest in the area, most disappearances in the forest occur along this trail so it is important not to walk off the trail under any circumstance. El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rainforest in the national forest system. At nearly 29,000 acres, it is one of the smallest in size, yet one of the most biologically diverse.
One of the rare places you can see both sides of the island. After the fish hatchery, you can continue to meet up with the Mt. Britton Trail. This is the longest trail in the forest, so come prepared with water! The trail crosses two rushing mountain streams and then intersects with Forest Service Road 10 (only official vehicles can use it as a road, hence why you don’t just drive to the tower).

It was first established as a national site on January 17, 1903 (32 Stat. 2029). Unfortunately,  Hurricane Maria severely damaged nature trails and really wiped things out. Most of the rainforest is closed but you can still visit the majestic waterfall. Visit the gift shops there and take advantage of the views. If you’re  interested in visiting the Bio Bay be sure to check out our combo tour that visits both El Yunque and Bio Bay. The Bio Bay – bioluminescent bay – is a remarkable sight seeing tour where you can enjoy both El Yunque and the Bio Bay.
Please ensure that you read carefully and understand these Terms & Conditions prior to booking. The San Juan National Historic Site preserves the history of the island, told through Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Castillo San Cristobal, Fuerte San Juan de la Cruz , the San Juan Gate, and most of the city walls. For centuries, countries fought for control of this Caribbean island because of its strategic location. Be inspired by the stories and the beauty of the architecture and the ingenuity of design of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. We check for naughty words and verify the authenticity of all guest reviews before adding them to our site.
You should pass La Coca Falls on the right side of the road and Yokahu Tower on the left side. Gain a new perspective ofPuerto Rico’s main attraction, El Yunque, by visiting in the afternoon and evening. In this unique and magical walking tour, explore nocturnal life up close and personal such as Puerto Rico’s national animal, thecoqui, and so much more.

Also, e-Ticket will include full pick-up time and location information. Once the booking is done online, you will receive eTicket in your email. If you choose to leave the group, please inform in advance, and obtain the consent of the tour guide. You need to sign the departure agreement form and the unfinished part will be regarded as your own abandonment. The purchase of any travel services represents your acceptance Terms & Conditions set out herein.
El Yunque National Forest offers many opportunities for swimming in natural pools often found at the base of waterfalls, such as that of La Mina Falls and the Juan Diego area off PR-191. Most of these areas are prone to flash flooding and as such they are often closed according to weather conditions. This ecological zone is also known as the elfin woodlands. Although very short, the trail difficulty is classified as moderate to difficult. Mt. Britton Tower Trail is a small 1.6-mile trail that starts off at El Yunque Trail and crosses a Sierra palm forest on the way to the top of Mount Britton, the 8th tallest peak in the forest. The summit is part of the cloud forest and it hosts a small lookout tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937 that on clear days offers views of both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

Then we will head to Liquillo Beach to experience the beauty of the sun, sand and waves again, and enjoy a relaxing vacation. I definitely would recommend a car unless you are doing tours or staying around San Juan and just want to explore the city. The road into El Yunque is long and uphill and these waterfalls are off the road at different points along the drive.
The Portal  Rainforest Visitor Center reopened at the end of 2021, after being reconstructed following Hurricane Maria. El Yunque National Forest today extends over 28,000 acres through the municipalities of Río Grande, Luquillo, Naguabo, Ceiba, Fajardo, Canóvanas and Las Piedras. Once you complete the tour, TakeTours will send you an email regarding your travel experience. By submitting a review or photo taken during the trip, you will be able to earn 100 points. Simply log in to your TakeTours account and select the product you wish to buy.