Guide to Exploring El Yunque National Forest
What is special about El Yunque?
El Yunque National Forest holds a special place in our hearts. Receiving over 200in/5,080mm of rainfall each year, this is the only tropical rainforest in the United States National Forest System and managed by the United States Forest Services. With over 28,000 acres of land, El Yunque is made up of the Sierra de Luquillo mountain range. The highest peak in the National Forest is El Toro sitting at 3,526ft/1,075m with Pico El Yunque just behind at 3,461ft/1,054m. El Yunque is made up of two areas, the La Mina Recreation Area and the El Toro Scenic Byway. Reservations are required for entry to the La Mina Recreation Area with a $2.00/vehicle fee. This is to reduce crowding and maintain public safety. Entry is available from 8:00AM to 3:00PM. The recreation area closes at 5:00PM with the entrance gate closing at 6:00PM. It doesn’t seem that reservations are required for the El Toro Wilderness Trail or the Sabana Trail. But, do your own research as we did not visit these areas.
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A little history!
El Yunque has been important since Pre-Columbian times. There’s evidence of the Taíno people’s presence with petroglyphs but the lack of evidence of permanent settlements lead us to believe this area was considered sacred.
Once under Spanish Rule, a good amount of lowland forests were used for timber catching the attention of the crown. In 1876, El Yunque was formally set aside to preserve soil, water resources and regulate timber. Only 4 years younger than YellowStone National Park, this made El Yunque one of the oldest reserves in the Western Hemisphere.
Puerto Rico changed hands again in 1898. President Theodore Roosevelt designated this area as a National Forest in 1906 and was renamed Caribbean National Forest in 1935. It was still used for timber during the first and second World Wars. But the later half of the 20th century brought reforestation efforts and scientific research. Finally, in 2007 this land became known as El Yunque National Forest to better represent the cultural and historical significance of the Puerto Rican people.
Getting to El Yunque
Located approximately 28mi/45km or 1 hour drive from San Juan, you will need a car to get to El Yunque. Uber is not allowed into the National Forest. We spent the day exploring the La Mina Recreation Area by way of the El Portal Rainforest Center off of Road 191. You can take a tour which will pick up from San Juan but the best way is to rent a car! We rented a car from our favorite car rental, Enterprise.
The trailhead to El Toro Wilderness Trail (4.9mi/7.9km out and back) is located off of PR-186 which seems the only way to access the El Toro Peak currently. There is a trail called the Trade Winds that starts off of PR-191 in the La Mina Recreation Area which leads to El Toro peak but unfortunately it’s currently closed.
Food, Water & Community Center
It’s important to note, there is currently no potable water throughout the National Forest. So, make sure to bring plenty of water for your water bottles. However there are a two places to get food and drinks.
The rainforest visitor center is located off of PR-191 and has reopened! This 40,000 square foot area was originally built in 1996 and is open from 9:00AM-5:00PM. El Portal de El Yunque Visitor Center was built to inform visitors of what the rainforest looks like. There are 2 walkways providing an introduction to El Yunque. One 60ft/18m in the air offering views of treetops and one along the base of the trees for a different viewpoint. There’s also an exploration exhibit, art installations, gift store, restaurant, and an event space available for rent. There is an entrance fee of $8.00/per person, (16 years or older) but those 15 years and under are free.
El Yunque Rainforest Café
Offering burgers, tacos, quesadillas, empanadas, plus much more, this eatery hit the spot after a vigorous morning of hiking. They also have OceanLab (One of Jon’s new favorite brewers) beers for purchase as well as fresh smoothies to cool off! We even met a little cat friend.
El Portal Rainforest Café
Located in El Portal Visitor and Community Center. We didn’t go to the Visitor Center as it was closed when we visited but it is currently open and serves food if you find yourself nearby.
Must See Areas & Landmarks at El Yunque
Baño de Oro Natural Area
This area was named a National Natural Landmark in 1980 for the primary use of research. This 1,840 acre area is protected to remain free of human disturbance.
This man-made swimming pool is also known as La Piscina Pequeña or “the small pool”. One of two pools in the Baño de Oro Natural Area, Baño de Oro is named after the Baño de Oro Creek or “gold bath creek” which feeds the natural pool. But, originally the creek was named due to the gold-panning done here during Spanish occupation. This recreational area was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) as part of the New Deal Era Constructions. It opened in 1934 as the first recreational site built in El Yunque and was used until the 1960s. Closed due to safety concerns, it sat abandoned until 2019 when it was made into a watershed garden. In 2020, it was listed on the US National Register of Historic Places.
Also known as La Mina Pool as it’s fed by a creek in the La Mina River’s watershed. The larger of the two pools built by the CCC in the 1930s, Baño Grande is 18ft/5.5m deep and reinforced by a stone and masonry dam which water cascades down. It closed in 1968, like Baño de Oro, due to safety concerns. Well maintained and quite picturesque, Baño Grande is also listed on the US National Register of Historic Places.
Juan Diego Falls
Only about 500ft/152m from the road side parking this was our first stop as we wanted to beat the crowd and boy are we glad we did! We had the whole place (Upper and lower falls) all to ourselves. Although cold, we went for a dip, created some great memories and were finishing up right as the first set of people showed up.
Out last stop as we were leaving the park was Torre Yokahú. It’s was an easy in and easy out due to the attached parking lot. It’s a 69ft/21m tower with stairs going all the way up. It left us with some great last views and memories. With it’s ease of accessibility we highly recommend the quick stop!
The 10 Best Hiking Trails in El Yunque
The most common recreational activity in El Yunque is, you guessed it, HIKING! With plenty of known trails and varying difficulty, it’s not really a big surprise. El Yunque has vistas everywhere you look and many of the trails lead to scenic waterfalls that make for a refreshing dip in the midday sun! Unfortunately, many of the trails were closed when we visited but we still made the most of it! We tend to take our time in every activity we do, so we would not have been able to complete each trail in one day anyways.
Mount Britton Tower Trail
Length: 1.6mi/2.6km
Difficulty: Moderate
Δ Elevation: 650ft/198m
Type: Out and Back
One of the trails we completed, under normal circumstances the trail is 1.6mi/2.6km and considered challenging due to its elevation change of almost 650ft/198m in less than 1mi/1.6km. The road to the trailhead was closed when we visited, so we parked at the Palo Colorado Information Center and walked up the road which has a moderate incline of approximately 345ft/105m and is 0.75mi/1.2km to the trailhead. Mostly paved, you’ll want non-slip shoes as it can get pretty slippery, especially on the way down!
Mount Britton Tower was built in the 1930s by the CCC. At an elevation of 3,087ft/941m, the tower is the tallest tower built by the CCC out of stone masonry. Covered in orange lichen, it almost doesn’t look like real stone. At the top, you can see as far as the Atlantic Ocean to the North and Caribbean Sea to the East on clear days. Finally, the tower is actually named after two celebrated botanists who in addition to their work in the Caribbean, helped to open the New York Botanical Garden.
Pico El Yunque Trail
Length: 5.4.6mi/8.7km
Difficulty: Moderate
Δ Elevation: 1,748ft/533m
Type: Out and Back
The most popular hike, this 5.4mi/8.7km roundtrip trail starts in the La Mina Recreation Area and finishes at the summit of the second highest peak El Yunque. Rated moderate in difficulty, it has an elevation gain of 1,748ft/533m. One of two trails which traverse all four forest types, you’ll find the trailhead near the Palo Colorado Information Center.
This short but steep trail is a spur off of the El Yunque trail. At 0.2mi/0.3km, Los Picachos takes you through the notable cloud forest with its gnarled dwarven trees. The elevation gain on Los Picachos is 613ft/187m which according to reviews, seems to be achieved by steep stairs. We personally did not complete this trail, but as you can imagine rain is frequent. So make sure to bring a rain jacket, quick drying clothes and shoes or sandals with traction.
Angelito Trail
Length: 0.7/1.1km
Difficulty: Easy
Δ Elevation: 127ft/39m
Type: Out and Back
Angelito trail takes you through the tabonuco forest and is classified as easy. 0.7mi/1.1km long with an elevation gain of approximately 127ft/39m will take you over a river and at the end has the perfect swimming hole to cool off in!
This challenging trail is 1.8mi/2.9km one way and has an elevation gain of 656ft/200m. But unlike others, La Coca is a descending trail. This means it is an UPHILL hike out to your car. But the steepness isn’t what makes this trail challenging. This area of the forest has very dense foliage. So much so that most disappearances at El Yunque occur due to straying off the trail. Crossing several streams and waterfalls, it’s no surprise that it gets muddy! In addition, this area is known to flash flood and get VERY slippery so proper hiking shoes are a MUST. Stick with it and you’ll be rewarded by swimming pools at the end!
Located in Naguabo, the Southern region of the forest, this 2.2mi/3.6km ONE WAY trail is considered moderately challenging. There’s an elevation gain of 1,167ft/356m and it can get VERY dense with steep areas. It ends with connecting to the Trade Winds Trail. Originally built by the CCC in the 1930s, it remained closed until 2011. Although we did not hike this trail, it seems that it has been recently cleared and is now open!
As mentioned previously, El Toro trail is off of PR-186 and leads to the tallest peak in the forest, El Toro at 3,526ft/1,075m. This historic trail was also built by the CCC in the 1930s. El Toro is approximately 4.9mi/7.9km with an elevation gain of 1,401ft/427m and considered challenging. It also is the second trail that traverses through all four biomes in the forest. We weren’t able to hike this trail but reviews mention lots and lots of mud sometimes up to your knee! Long pants and water are also recommended.
La Mina Waterfall - via La Mina Trail or Big Tree Trail.
La Mina trail
(Currently closed due to damage from Hurricane)
A 1.3mi.2.1km long and ends at one of the most picturesque waterfalls in the forest, La Mina falls. Damage from Hurricane Maria resulted in the trail closing. Hopefully, it will reopen soon!
The second trail that summits El Toro is the longest trail in the park at 9.2mi/14.8km. The elevation gain is 1,100ft/335m. With the trailhead off of PR-191 in the North region, it connects to both the South (via Río Sabana trail) and West (via El Toro trail) regions of the forest. Trade Winds trail is closed currently due to damage from Hurricane Fiona, fingers crossed it will open soon!
What types of plants and animals live in El Yunque
El Yunque is special for a variety of reasons. The amount of biodiversity here is astounding! In its 28,000 acres, it contains approximately 250 different types of trees which is more than all other National Forests combined! Containing a Pterocarpus swamp, and four different forest types, El Yunque is an absolute treasure!
Flora
Sierra Palm Tree Forest
This forest is aptly named as the Sierra Palm Tree is the most common tree in this forest. Found 1,970ft/600m above sea level, this thin tree can reach heights of 45ft/13.7m. The fruit from this tree is a favorite treat of the Puerto Rican Parrot.
Palo Colorado Forest
Located above 2,500ft/762, the Palo Colorado Tree dominates this area. Many of these trees are “old growth” and are estimated to be about 1000 years old. With its distinctive shallow bark, the Puerto Rican parrot has been found nesting within their trunks.
Tabonuco Forest
The Tabonuco forest is named after the Tabonuco tree. This region is between 660ft/200m to 2,800ft/850m and has a wide variety of tree species, specifically the laurel magnolia tree which is not only endemic to eastern Puerto Rico but also endangered!
Dwarf/Elfin/Cloud Forest
At approximately 3,000ft/910m, this is the smallest region of the National Forest. The dwarf forest is so named due to the large number of stunted trees. At this elevation, the humid air and poor shallow soil create a unique environment for growth. With the majority of water coming from the frequent cloud cover (hence Cloud Forest) and lack of rainfall, the flora in this region adapt to survive. The trees here are small at 16ft/5m to 26ft/8m with wider trunks and fewer leaves than normal.
It’s also in this region where epiphytes are a common sight. What are epiphytes you ask? Well, epiphytes are plants that grow on other organisms but do NOT typically affect the host organism in a negative way. Bromeliads, orchids and ferns are the typical epiphytes found here. By drawing moisture and nutrients from the air, epiphytes have found the perfect home to grow with the widened trunks to anchor to.
Fauna
El Yunque is home to many animals endemic to Puerto Rico. The fauna here is made up of small mammals, reptiles, fish, and birds. Many are even endangered! Specifically, the Puerto Rican broad-winged hawk, Puerto Rican sharp-shinned hawk, Elfin woods warbler, Puerto Rican boa, and American eel all make their home within El Yunque. The conservation of El Yuque’s unique environment is fundamental to the survival of these species. The vulnerable white necked crow once called El Yunque home, but due to habitat loss and hunting is now only present on the island of Hispaniola (Dominican Republic/Haiti).
Puerto Rican Parrot/Amazon
This critically endangered bird is the only remaining native parrot to Puerto Rico. Relatively small at 11in/28cm-11.8in/30cm, the number of wild PR Amazons are at about 250 thanks to the parrot release program. 469 parrots are housed in aviaries as of 2022. Its plumage is primarily green with blue edging and white ovals surrounding their brown eyes.
Coqui
Who knew that this small frog could have such a hold on the Puerto Rican people? The coquí is an absolute cutie ranging in size from 0.6in/15mm to 3in/80mm. Gaining its name from the distinctive mating call of the male coquí which sounds like “co-kee”, this frog creates a symphony of music from sundown to sunup each night. It also holds the crown as the loudest amphibian in the world with the male song measured at 90 to 100 decibels. With Taíno petroglyphs of the coquí, this miniscule amphibian has been significant to Puerto Rican culture since the 13th century. The coquí’s small size and loud call mirrors the smaller stature and ebullient voices of many Puerto Ricans. It’s no wonder that the passionate people of Puerto Rico have named the coquí an unofficial national symbol of this beautiful island.
13 of the 16 species of the common coquí can be found in El Yunque. Varying in color, they have some characteristics atypical amongst frogs. As they are primarily land dwelling, they don’t have webbed feet but special discs on each of their toes. These discs help them grab onto trees and leaves while climbing. They also lay their eggs on land based plants instead of water. But, probably the most interesting characteristic is that coquís hatch from eggs into froglets, or small frogs, skipping the tadpole or larval stage completely!
Conclusion
El Yunque National Forest has endured through the decades. Thankfully, the US Forest Service continues to protect and maintain this precious piece of land. Not only a home to so many endangered animals and plants, El Yunque is also culturally and historically significant to the Puerto Rican people! Our visit left us completely blown away! After spending the day surrounded by nature, we left physically exhausted but emotionally renewed! 😊 A visit to Puerto Rico is NOT complete without a visit to this magnificent forest.
2 Responses
Great post! You guys are having wayyy too much fun! 🙂
DG
Thank you so much! We have loved out time sailing!!