On a recent trip to Puerto Rico my daughter and her PR boyfriend took me and my wife to El Yunque. As we traveled up into the mountains of this rainforest we went from sunny to rainy and back to sunny many times. We parked near the entrance to the upper most trail and walked down to La Mina falls. The hike down the mountain involves steps and rock trails, it's wet and these trails can be slippery. Wear appropriate foot wear for these conditions. Everyone in our party wore these types of footwear. Along the trails are shelters with picnic tables and trash bins. On the way down to La Mina we passed other smaller waterfalls which are very picturesque (bring a waterproof camera). When we reached La Mina Falls there were many people posing for pictures under the falls (see photo). My wife and daughter went under the falls and I had to follow because I'm the photographer, and they wanted pictures closeup. La Mina was fun but the trip down was easier than the trip back up the trails. The views are amazing and there are many photo opportunities along the way. On the way back down the mountain you will pass a few roadside food stands. We stopped at one for some afternoon refreshment. While we were there it rained very hard and the rain drops are huge. We watched the rain fall while eating Alcapurrias and fried Tostones and drinking coconut water direct from the coconut. The view from this roadside stand was beautiful. If you travel to Puerto Rico make sure you visit El Yunque. read more

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Had an amazing time here yesterday. The massive La Coca waterfall (which you can get so close to you can touch!) was by far the highlight. It's around a 15 min drive from the park entrance, or a 20 minute drive from the highway. Pro tip: if you're coming late in the day, park in the farther (past the waterfall) lot -- this will allow you access to the interior of the park even after the park gate by the waterfall closes at 5. The entire park officially closes at 6. If you want the real experience, take the narrow hiking path to the left of the bridge and scramble up to the waterfall. You can get so close you can practically touch it. Soak up the tropical water. All in all this is an amazing nature reserve with so much to offer. Will definitely be coming back next time I'm in PR. read more

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El Yunque Rainforest was very pretty and we were serenaded by the Coqui frogs throughout our visit. I would have liked to see more birds and wildlife, but the forest was lush and there were plenty of hiking trails. The highlights of El Yunque for me included the La Coca Waterfall, eating fresh sugar cane at the visitor's center, and the gorgeous view from Yokahu Observation Tower. Bring comfortable walking shoes, plenty of water, and mosquito repellent. It was a little chilly when we reached the observation tower at the top so you may want to pack a light jacket or sweater. read more

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This is a fabulous place to visit while in Puerto Rico. There is so much to see and do. La Cocoa falls was breathtaking. Parking is limited but be patient and one will open up quickly. We stopped at the Yokahu tower and walked up getting a nice breeze and some spectacular views. There is a gift shop and restrooms at the base of the tower. We ate at a nice snack bar half way up. I'd like to go back to El Yunque and explore the trails. read more

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Great views of the Puerto Rico rainforest. Informative staff. Plenty of parking. Guided or self tours. And, a couple of small hiking trails. Reservations needed for guided hiking tours. Which, are not short. Take plenty of water and comfy shoes. read more

Great place to visit and drive through. We couldn't get out and do any walking through the forrest because it was close due to the recent hurricane that had hit the past year, but it was still beautiful to see. The waterfall is beautiful and the sound of the wildlife in the background is unreal. There's also places to stop and get food along the way up or down. The locals are nice and very willing to help out with recommendations. P.s you can get very close to the waterfall but be prepared to do some rock climbing. read more

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Normally I love this stuff (rain forests and nature), but tbh it was just okay. I think rather than El Yunque itself, my mediocre experience was due to the "Half Day El Yunque Tour" that my family took. After the long drive over we spent 1.5 hours just on the visitor center trail where the guide pointed to various pictures and explained them in broken English while attempting to be funny. Next he took us to the Yokahu Tower. This place was actually cool! It's a 100 staircase, 1500 ft tower in the middle of the rainforest. Felt like I was a male rapunzel when I got to the top lol. I had a lot of fun and sat up on the very top of the tower (until my family freaked out and told me to jump off) where there's a great view of the island. Lastly the tour finished at a waterfall. Sadly, like my native CA, San Juan is also in a drought so the waterfall looked as sad as I did when my gf was away for 2 weeks for a conference. TLDR: El Yunque is great, but explore it on your own! You don't need a tour. Just do some research ahead of time! It's like a mix of Portland and Hawaii. read more

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Had the best tour with Hendricks! Very knowledgeable, personable and amazing photographer! The spot with the chicken on the stick --- amazing!! So tender, saucy lol read more

El Yunque Rainforest - Hiking Near Me - Luquillo, Puerto Rico

Not fully open so only less than a handful of trails to actually "hike". Wish there was more. I felt like after 2 hours of driving through and hiking one waterfall and the baño we were done. Yes, the drive is beautiful and the rainforest lush and wonderful. Wishing more to explore tho. They did have a nice tourist info center we stopped at on the way into the park (in the small town) and next to the main waterfall some rangers had a map to show what is open for visitors. I hope efforts continue to help reopen trails and areas of this park so my family and I can enjoy the next time we are in the area. read more

Such a beautiful and fun experience. Be sure to bring hiking shoes and bathing suit and towel. Best part is getting in the waterfalls. So many cute photo opportunity. Definitely one highlight of our trip in Puerto Rico! A must do! Bring go pro or waterproof camera to get some good videos and photos. But make sure you take some time away from photos and videos to really embrace the beauty and all this rainforest has to offer. One of the most beautiful waterfalls I have seen. You wont regret this spot... a must do while in Puerto Rico. read more

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Rain Forest cafe was Amazing. Loved the empanadas. Highly recommend El Yunque Rain Forest and the cafe.

This was an amazing experience with nature. There really isn't no animals but many various of plants. The hike into a beautiful little stream of river was not that difficult but rewarding. And then you're able to jump off clips and ropes read more

AMAZING and best thing you can do for free in PR! I was in complete aw and amazement at it's beauty the entire time. We rented a car and drove about 45 minutes from Condado. There are endless trails to hike, it would take a lifetime to hike them all! We drove to the very top and started with the Mt Britton hike to the lookout that overlooks all of the rainforest, about 30 minute hike. Every trail has a cement walking trail and the weather was perfect, it's much cooler up there! Then we drove back down and hiked the La Mina trail to the waterfall. We braved the freezing cold water for a picture. It was really crowded so we just had to be patient. And be careful, the rocks are really slippery! After that we hiked another trail back and then drove towards the beginning and ate some authentic food. There are restaurants and gift shops all throughout the rainforest. You can park on the street or lots of the trails have their own parking lots. We only spent 5 hours here and it wasn't enough! They have a hotel in the rainforest and also areas to camp, which I would love to come back and do! I just couldn't get enough! read more

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If you are looking for a challenge, natural beauty and a great guide look no further. Yesterday I hiked with Fernando and his team of professional, kind, very informative and humorous men. Many times I said no I can't do that and with patience Fernando took us on an awesome journey. Fresh fruit, beautiful fauna, knowledgeable guide, what else could I ask for. All I can say is if you kinda of fit like me, do it!!! Thank you Fernando, Happy holidays read more

Seeing and experiencing the rain forest while in Puerto Rico was quite the experience and I'm so glad we took the time. We did a lot of hiking and got to view the rain forest from the outlook which was amazing! The waterfalls are so defiantly something to check out if you visit. This was my third visit to PR and my first to the Rainforest. There is so much to see and experience. The man made pool which is no longer was pretty cool as well. read more

Absolutely amazing will be returning back truly an experience to remember! Absolutely serene read more

When coming to El Yunque National Rainforest, one can expect to hike through jungle-like setting of the Sierra de Luquillo Mountains (no worries, the path is paved) that is filled with an abundant wild life (especially el coquí frogs), very lush foliage, waterfalls, rivers, and crags. I've done several hikes in continental US but this was my first time hiking through a rainforest, so I was really amazed with the diversity of life I saw. It was really rainy when we hiked through the rainforest and did a self-guided tour of La Cocca, and La Mina waterfalls but it was well worth it! They are definitely a sight to see! I also loved climbing the towers and getting a better view of the forest and the Sierra de Luquillo mountains. I loved being able to see the magnificent view of both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans from the Yokahu Tower, as well as the city of San Juan. It was way too foggy to see anything when we got to the top of the Mount Britton Tower but on a sunny day, the view would probably be spectacular as well. We didn't book a tour when we went and did a self-guided tour instead. It was actually easier than we thought it would be. If you rent a car, you can drive to, or get pretty close to the major attractions so you don't have to walk as much. You can certainly drive to both La Cocca Waterfalls and the Yokahu Tower. Getting down to La Mina Falls requires some walking though, and there are a couple of entry points but I would say that the shortest one is the trailhead before the the La Mina Falls trailhead (big parking lot with the snack bar). The waterfalls and the towers are fairly popular so people will not have a hard time coming across other tourists to walk with. read more

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Had a great time! Chose to hike on our own and not pay for a tour. A definite MUST DO if you're in PR. read more

El Yunque Rainforest - Hiking Near Me - Luquillo, Puerto Rico

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Seriously, rating the only rainforest we have access to as part of the US is a privilege. I can only give it a 5. Its's a rain forest! Some of the sites and trails were closed due to damage from Hurricane Maria, but still plenty of beauty to admire. The peaceful waterfalls are amazing. Sitting here I think about this rain forest being here when my ancestors, the Taínos, lived freely on this island. Puts my place in the works into perspective. Anyone looking for a site designed primarily for tourist, this may not be for you. It's a rain forest. A natural site of beauty. While some trails have been made to accommodate our human desire to explore, its mostly a place where humans have to work with nature as it is and not the other way around. Enjoy! read more

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beautiful place. you do need to buy reservation tickets either a few weeks in advance OR 24 hrs before. 8a entry or 11a entry, they can book fast so make sure you get them. tons of waterfalls and trails. we took the mt britton trail to see mt britton, then took the trail to el yunque peak. the hike to mt britton is up hill for a solid mile plus and can be challenging, then it's moderate to easy except the last 0.1 mile. the top is cloudy and windy but beautiful. the we went on a side trail to el yunque rock which need some quick rock climbing and the using a rope to go up and down (short climb), to me-not bad but can be dangerous if you don't know what you are doing. so be careful. beautiful trees and bugs all around. great weather. just stunning. from one end to the end of the rainforest is like 2-3 hrs. the park gates close at like 5/530p (they will tell you at the gate). LOTS of other little trails and waterfalls. also some natural pools you swim in. i loved it! try to go early. bring a bathing suit, towels and water and food and change of clothes. i'll be back here. $2 fee per car when you buy a ticket. drive slow, roads are smaller and windy. if it rains some of trails can get slippery as there are rocks and lots of mud. enjoy! 5/5 stars! read more

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I wish I could give El Yunque way more stars than 5. We hiked all the way to the peak, and it was SURREAL!! There are two peaks on the same trail. The first one is a bit dangerous as there's a drop off on all sides and it's windy. But if you're even a little physically capable and keep low, you should be able to get at least halfway on the peak to see one of the most beautiful views of your life. The clouds pass through, so be ready for lots of fog, wind, and cold (don't worry about preparing for cold because you'll be burning the rest of the time, just be aware the peak is much cooler). While you're in the clouds it feels like you're at the end of the world, since all you see is white fog everywhere, which doesn't *sound* cool, but it's an amazing feeling. When the clouds clear up though... breathtaking. It's worth every step up the mountain. Once you're done having the most spiritual experience, keep heading up the trail, and that's where the Yunque Peak Tower is. Again, amazing view and incredible feeling. From here you'll have two options on how to return, back through the hiking trail, or straight down the road. We picked the road, and it was very awkward to walk downhill like that. From there we went to Mount Britton which is definitely worth the few extra steps to see the beautiful tower and see the view from the top. We also stopped at the Juan Diego falls and ended our day with a very relaxing and cool waterfall swim. Bring water shoes if you have them though, the rocks hurt! Enjoy El Yunque!!! read more

The El Yunque National Forest was the site we chose to take an excursion when visiting Puerto Rico on a cruise a few year ago. Unfortunately, yelp was not available there then, but it is now! Based on the recent pictures posted by other yelpers, little has changed since our visit. We began our tour with a bus ride from the San Juan Cruise Terminal Muelle 4. The bus ride took us mostly along Hwy 66, allowing good views of life in Puerto Rico. About 30 minutes later the bus turn off the main road to begin a 10 minute climb up into the rain forest mountains. You will pass through a neighborhood that honestly looks like it might be someplace you'd avoid. Many of the houses had security bars on every window and 12 foot gates around car ports, along with barbed wire surrounding the roof lines. I asked the tour guide if this was a rough area of town and his response was "You wouldn't want to be stranded here." Shortly past this neighborhood the bus crossed the boundaries into the rain forest. Although the first stop would typically be the visitors center, our tour bypassed this place and went straight to La Coca waterfall, a popular waterfall for sure because there is no hiking required. Parking areas allow for visitors to stop and climb the huge boulders to reach the base of this 85 foot natural beauty (which is easily visible from the road). Once our group had all the photo's they could possibly take, we took a short ride to Yocahu Observation Tower. Yocahu Tower is one of two observation towers located within the forest. The other is Mount Britton Tower, but it requires a little more effort to reach and views tend to be skewed by cloud cover because of its higher elevation. It was built in 1963 and stands 1575 feet above sea level with a total structural height of around 65 feet. Located in the Sierra de Luquillo mountains, this forest receives annual rainfall of over 200 inches a year. In turn, lush vegetation and fauna are plentiful in its jungle-like setting. According to the informational signage there are over 240 species of trees, one of which is the Yagrumo Hembra tree (also known as the Trumpet tree). Bird lovers will be excited to know Red-tailed and Broad-winged hawks apparently put on a spectacular mating performance here in the winter. Hike one of trails and you may also discover ancient Taíno petroglyphs. According to ancient legend, the good spirit 'Yuquiyu' ( or 'Yokahu' ) reigned on his mighty mountain-top throne, protecting Puerto Rico and its people. Our final stop in the forest was the Bano Grande pool built in the 1930's and created by damming the Rio de la Mina. Nearby is La Mina waterfall, one of the most spectacular of El Yunque Rain Forest waterfalls. FINAL THOUGHTS Our family enjoyed our trip to Puerto Rico and think the rain forest tour should be tops on your list, along with finding a Lechonera for some delicious BBQ and touring old San Juan! Aside from La Coca waterfall, there is also Juan Diego Falls with a cool pool like area at the base of the falls. Climb the tower for spectacular views or find one of the many overlooks. Oh, and while you are in Puerto Rico, be sure to find a street vendor selling the amazing Tripleta sandwich!!!! You'll thank me! 2016/107 read more

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We signed up for an excursion to El Yunque Rainforest through our resort. Wear tennis shoes and bring bottled water. It was about a half hour drive from the resort, but the tour guide (Amy) was wonderful with her knowledge of the history of Puerto Rico that the time flew by. We took the walking tour instead of the hiking tour (we're old). We were told to be on the lookout for snails, snakes and spiders (oh my). The problem with walking in the rainforest is that you have to watch where you are walking because of the path so you can't look up to enjoy the trees. There was also a tower that you could go up in for a wonderful vista, however, there were 98 steps. We were told that there were flat areas where you could stop and rest if needed. All in all, it was a very interesting excursion. Would I come back here? It's worth doing once when you're here. read more

What is not to love about el yunque.. every single time we go we find a new hidden gem that's been untouched and we fall in love all over again. read more

One of the most beautiful places in the world. I've been volunteering with student groups here over the last year to help with post- hurricane recovery. Though some of the park is still closed for repairs, such as El Portal, and they do not currently allow camping, there is still plenty open for hiking, exploring and groups are needed to volunteer. I attached a map in the photos so you can see what is opened as of May 2019. If you are interested in volunteering you have to contact them and schedule in advance as there are approvals and forms that need to be completed. We have done projects such as clearing landslides, doing trail maintenance, and painting road lines. I really enjoy working with the American This is the only rain forest in the national forestry system and it is a must-visit place! read more

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Very surprised to be charged $8 pp for admittance, only to learn the spots that didn't require 'reServations' are outside the park entrance. Oh, no, you don't get a map, thats an extra $2.95 in the gift shop. Sad. read more

What can I say about El Yunque that everybody does not already know? It is the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest system. It is much easier to find and much easier to navigate through than the other rainforest, Toro Negro, in the central part of the island. There are clear signs leading to the forest as you travel east on Hwy 3 from San Juan. There is one single road that goes through the entire forest, and it is well-nigh impossible to get lost. The visitor center is very informative about the flora and fauna of the forest, but if you happen to go on a holiday, you will find it closed. This might sound strange to some because a holiday is when more people have time off to visit a point of interest such as a national forest, but then I guess park employees also deserve to get time off on holidays. The trail to the El Yunque peak (including all the other trails that branch out of it, including the one to Britton observation tower) and the trails to the various waterfalls (including the one to Bano de Oro - which means bath of gold - a pool formed by the river of the same name, Rio Bano de Oro) are moderately steep and are completely paved. It is almost like going up and down ramps and flights of stairs rather than a natural hiking trail, which takes away from the experience of being in a forest; feels like being in a local park rather than being in the wild, if you see what I'm saying. If you try to take pictures of any of the waterfalls in the forest, such as La Coca falls or La Mina falls, be prepared to accept scantily-clothed people of all ages, shapes and sizes in your photos because locals love to bathe in the waterfalls. This also holds true of the Dona Juana falls in Toro Negro. read more

El Yunque Rain Forest is an absolute must when visiting Puerto Rico. It is actually the only tropical rain forest in the United States National Forest System. If you are visiting for the first time...I'm going to let you in on a little secret: Do not pay your hotel or a tour guide money to take you up here! It made me cringe to see all the people at our hotel paying $65.00 A PERSON to see the El Yunque. $65.00 A PERSON!? Are you kidding me? Guess how much I paid? It is free to enter El Yunque Rain Forest (except the tourist center, that costs like $2.00 and it's really nothing special)! You don't have to pay for parking at El Yunque and honestly who wants to follow a tour guide around the whole time anyways? Not me! Do yourself a favor and rent a car for the day if you don't have one, and go up there on your own. It is very easy to get to! When you're there, there are three major things you have to do: 1.) Climb the stairs in the Yokahu observation tower. If it's a clear day you can see a large portion of the island from the very top of the tower. 2.) See Coco Waterfall. It's one of the first waterfalls when you enter the park. 3.) Hike down to La Mina Waterfall and swim in it! La Mina is by far the best part of El Yunque. There are two trails that will lead you there. One is about a mile and a half and the other...well the other is much longer. There are maps at each trail entrance to tell you just how long they are and all of the trails are paved (as you can see in the picture) so it's very easy to get there, just be ready to walk. Either way you choose to take, it's absolutely worth the hike. La Mina is breathtaking...literally. We jumped in to swim and it was freezing cold! But once you get used to it, it's very refreshing and you won't want to get out. You can swim up to the waterfall and stand under it, or you can climb the rocks and jump into it. But be careful! There is only a very small area that is deep enough to jump into. If you miss that area, you're going to hit huge rocks, which a few people did and it was not good. On your way out of the rain forest, make sure you stop at some of the shops and restaurants on the way down. They have excellent, authentic puerto rican food (empanadillas, sorrulos de maiz, alcapurria, etc.) and batidas! read more

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You DO go chasing waterfalls in El Yunque... or at least, we did. And man, I was sore for days. But that's the end part. The beginning part is that you'll need a car to get here. Drive from San Juan is relatively short and you'll want to enter on the north end (not the south) per all reports. Sure, you ditch out on the early visitor building but you are closer to the cooler tower and the big waterfall. You'll see a small trickly waterfall. Not that one. Keep driving. Then get to the lookout tower. Make sure your phone is charged or camera is ready because it's perrrrty. Take all the pics then walk down a spiral staircase. It will probably rain so I recommend a poncho or a towel. Then you'll drive to some kilometer I can't remember (sooo helpful) where you'll be pointed to the waterfall with lots of signage. Walk down some steps... and some more steps... and some more steps. Pass tourists with beet red faces and misery in their eyes. "Are we near the top" they'll beg. Assure them that they are definitely not. Trudge down with growing dread that you're going to be in their shoes in about an hour. Anyway, you get down to this rushing waterfall with clear water and other families frolicking around. Make sure you're careful -- that business is really slippery. Not for the reckless unless you want an injury. And you don't because I have no idea how they'd get you out of there. Oh also make sure you leave before 6pm or they will actually shut you in. We got to the top at 5:57 and the lady glared at us like we were criminals. Her little white hatchback zoomed out of there at 6:01. Net Net: It's really beautiful, it's very accessible and it's just about as close to legit nature as you're going to get. And that slow climb back? It's hell and your calves will hurt for about 4 days (unless you're one of those unbearable cross-fitters) but just do it. Things to bring: -- Towel -- Water -- Camera/Phone (you do get service, believe it or not) -- Sneakers with tread -- Extra clothes if you're swimming in yours -- Poncho read more

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I haven't been to Hawai'i since I was nine years old so I don't really recall if El Yunque is as good as it gets. For now, I can solidly state that i'm a fan. Who wouldn't be? Hiking throughout the only tropical rain forest in the US (really? Nothing in Hawai'i?) is a must while in Puerto Rico. Come prepared. This is a hike, not a fashion show.* Wear tennis shoes, shorts, a t-shirt and a backpack (for water, towels, etc.). Come knowing that you WILL sweat, you will huff and puff and you will work your body. But, just think how proud of yourself you'll be at the end -- knowing that you conquered a mountain and got in a worthwhile workout? Come ready to marvel at vegetation that can aid in cancer relief (those magenta flower-looking things), coquis that welcome you to their home and trees that kiss the sky. Come in need of hydration but not food. The cafe at the Visitor's Center served me a radioactive-red passion fruit smoothie that tasted the way it sounds. The irony of drinking something so unnatural looking in the middle of a rainforest was not lost upon me. Come cognizant that you're a visitor. Leave only footsteps and take only pictures. Come without modesty and strip down to your bathing suit for a dip underneath La Mina waterfall. If the clear and ice-cold water doesn't invigorate your spirit, there might be something missing there. But, most of all, just come. *Style points given to the woman who wore high heels and a skin-tight mini. I don't know what you were thinking, but you looked good doing it. That is, before you undoubtedly twisted your ankle and were left for dead. read more

This is the perfect rainforest if you want drive and hike through a rainforest without getting eaten by some gigantic beast. It's full of life, but that really, really non-threatening life like lichens, moss, birds and semi-invisible insects. We marveled at every part of this rainforest. Maybe it's because we spent all of elementary school learning about rainforests and had yet to visit one. Maybe it's because the overwhelming green was a sight for sore eyes for two midwesterners coming from a dead, dry winter setting. Maybe, just maybe, it's because it's a pretty spectacular part of nature and you get to see it from all angles at this national park. Some reviews said to skip the visitor's center. We listened and wish we hadn't (sorry fellow Yelpers and Yelpettes) because it was actually really cool, open, airy, informative and helped us get our bearings a bit when we decided to turn around and see it. As for the trails: the La Mina Falls was a ball of stress to be frank. It's beautiful trail and pretty cool waterfall, for sure, but it's the trail that everyone comes to do. Not trying to sound hipster, it's just legitimately difficult to walk on the narrow stone path with hoards of poncho drenched, eye-contact avoiding tourists. Another thing, it might be cool to glide over the slippery rocks and swim there but you're probably going to get wet anyways, it's the rainforest. We stopped at a little cafe and had a chorizo quesadilla and it was fun to watch the rain pour down, the sun to creep back out and watch the cycle continue. Our favorite part? The Mt. Britton trail which we somehow starting calling cloud city. Strange what the altitude can do to you... It was well marked and easy to park nearby. We made good time and loved the ascension; not straight up but definitely gets you up there quickly. The little castle tower at the end is every bit as climatic as you would hope. It was super cloudy and rainy, but something surreal while we were up in the clouds - we could hear it pouring BELOW us. I've never had anything like that happen while standing on solid ground. So yes, spend a day here, enjoy it, dodge some all-around friendly tourists and take in the absolute magnificence of having the sights, sounds and amazing amount of life teeming throughout. read more

El Yunque should definitely be on your to-do list for PR if you haven't seen it already!!! Visiting here gave me the nature thrill that I was craving for. The rain-forest goes up for many miles to many amazing trails and views... some more exclusive than others. La Mina falls was beautiful but a little crowded. I would definitely pack some water-friendly shoes because the rocks on the bottom of the waterfall were pretty painful. I ended up wearing my sneakers in. I loved the private trails a mile up past La Mina the most. I was able to put my headphones on and get lost from the crowd and enjoy so many small streams and mini waterfalls. It's truly an amazing experience to get away from it all and enjoy all the beautiful trees and mountain scenery. Lower down to the main streets on ground level they have many food kiosks. The food is pretty good and great to refuel after a long day of hiking and climbing. I love the homemade lemonade stands at the entrance of the forest as well. It was really fresh and exactly what I needed after a few hours of hiking. read more

El Yunque Rainforest - La Mina Falls - Hiking Near Me - Luquillo, Puerto Rico

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If you are a hiker, a tree hugger, a freak for nature.....this is your place..... Love the hike here, multiple microclimates to experience from heat to cool to rainy. The waterfalls are out of this world breath taking. This is my fifth time here and I'm glad I came before the summer rush when it's not as crowded. Ahhhhhhhh, just what I needed. I love this island.! Tip: Wear reef shoes for the slippery, wet rocky pathways or whichever footwear you think will work. It can/will rain (.....it's a rain forest, ha ha) for 5 minutes maybe 10 can be torrential then its stops. You will get wet, you're on vacation, bring some rum and get the groove on! Visits= 5 read more

Undoubtably one of the most beautiful places on planet Earth. El Yunque rainforest can get crowded (the buzz has been out for awhile), but who cares? It's totally worth it. If you come to Puerto Rico without visiting El Yunque, you're an idiot. My tips: 1. Go on a weekday. It will still be busy, but nothing like the clusterfuck you'll find on a weekend or holiday. The locals love El Yunque just as much as tourists do, if not more. 2. Consider the Visitor Center. It will cost you $3 a head, but it's a great way to educate yourself about the forest. They have a small movie theatre to introduce you to El Yunque, as well as a gift shop stacked with books, clean restrooms, a cafe serving local fare (with vegetarian options), and rainforest maps. 3. Bring a backback with Sunblock, a hat, a bathing suit (to swim in the falls), a towel, and a bottle of water - and of course, don't forget your camera! Bring cash so you can eat at the roadstand kioskos on the way back. 4. Driving up from the visitor center, you'll hit La Coca falls, a modest waterfall on the side of the road. Stop for a moment to enjoy, and take some photos if you can navigate around the crowd. 5. Further up, you'll hit Yokaho Tower, a "lookout point" which winding stairs will lead you up to the top of where you'll breathe in a magnificant view of the Rain Forest, and some of the island. Truly incredible. 6. Further more, you'll find the pathway to La Mina falls - park where you can and gear up - it's about a 30 minute hike through a paved walk-way before you hit the falls. You won't see any animals, but the flora and fauna is amazing. It's cooler here too, which will be a nice respite from the PR sun. 7. Once you hit La Mina Falls (you'll be able to hear it before you can see it), climb over the rocks to claim a spot (it will be crowded!). Peel off your clothes and dip into the cold, crisp and clean waters of La Mina. It's absolutely soul cleansing. There will be a rather strong current, so take a moment to get your bearings together before rushing over to the fall. If you're game enough to go under La Mina, just know that at the center, there is a small ledge big enough for you to sit or STAND on - hit straight for the middle of the falls and you'll find it. The rocks are slippery - proceed with caution. 8. Stand on the ledge, let the waterfall pelt the sin out of you, and enjoy - you're standing under a waterfall in the only rainforest in the United States! 9. On your way back, stop off at El Bosque Encantado, a roadside kiosko (food kiosk) serving authentic PR food. Grab yourself an ice cold coconut to drink, while you're at. 10. Take some time to thank the universe for allowing you to participate in such divine, natural beauty. read more

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Now THIS is rainforest! Holy sacred cows. It was a little overcast when we made the drive from Vega Baja and it was a great drive there (about 45 minutes.) The forest was warm and vibrant with all the greenery. Birds were singing, the Cocqui frogs were imitating birds with their hilarious bird-like calls that sounds like they're asking for a cookie: Coooo-KIE??!! Coooooo....KIE???!!! Our local friend couldn't make it that day but she advised that the hiking trails that show as 'difficult' on the map are an average hike if you come from a mountainous area and are used to hiking. If I had to gauge the time we spent getting to El Yunque peak - the highest peak - without stopping, I would say it took only an hour or so. The paths even given the rockier bits were really well-marked and maintained. Plus, they have plenty of no-pay parking. But you must stop; stop at La Mina Falls and swim in the small but powerful waterfall. The water was brisk when stepping in, but you acclimated to it quickly. This is where all the happy people are! Everybody was laughing and having a good time. The Bano Grande is just a big bowl of water. We stopped, looked at it, and went on our way. Anything named the 'Big Toilet' couldn't be too amazing. Once we got to El Yunque Peak, the clouds blocked the view of the forest, but the earlier stop at the Yokahu Tower at the beginning of the trail boasted picture-worthy views. Items to bring: Waterproof camera set-up/GoPro Water-friendly shoes, if you plan on getting into water Hiking shoes/shoes with good grip Water/snacks I hope you enjoy it as much as we did! read more

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Wow! My husband and I loved it here. I've never experience any place quite like it. We did the hike to La Mina falls. My husband took a dip in the falls. I didn't because my tolerance for cold water is minimal. The visitor's center is "meh," but we got some great info on the hiking trails from a guide there. We decided to take a hike up to the Mt. Britton Tower, which is so worth it. The hike wasn't awful, but make sure you know what trails you're on (we got turned around and ended up on El Yunque Trail looking over at the Tower!). To get to Mt. Britton Tower, head up the Mt. Britton Trail, take a right up the service road, and take another right where the sign points up the hill to a "wildlife observation area." That will take you right up to the tower. The other path is the Mount Britton Spur which connects over to El Yunque Trail. La Coca Falls and La Mina Falls will be busiest in the morning because that's when cruise excursions arrive at the park. Be careful as you drive--these roads twist and turn and they are NARROW. But, El Yunque isn't a big park, and there's one road that runs through the park which makes navigation is a cinch. read more

El Yunque Rainforest - Being cliche on top of the Mount Britton Tower. - Hiking Near Me - Luquillo, Puerto Rico

Well, this is it. This is my 100th review on Yelp, with many more to come. While I was in Puerto Rico to take a cruise, I stayed a few days after the cruise was over. El Yunque was one of those must-do places that I have wanted to go. I was here in 2012 for a day when on a cruise and San Juan was just a port of call, instead of the embarkation/debarkation port. Since I wasn't going to be on the island long, I did my first visit here through a tour at the hotel I was staying at. The tour was taken on October 6, 2014. The tour began with the hotel pick up around 8 am. It took about an hour or so to get there from the hotel. Renee was our tour guide, and he did very well explaining things, as well as about the island on the way to the rainforest. Once we got into the rainforest, the first stop was the El Portal Visitor Center. There we had seen a 15 minute show overview of the rainforest. The show was great and is worth listening to, as it gives an overview of what to look out for while experiencing the beauty of this place. This place is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the distinction of being the most studied tropical rainforest in the world. The next stop on the tour was at El Bano Grande, which is a man made dam. When you look at it, it really does look like a giant round bathtub. The source of the water is from the La Mina River. Parts of this are shallow, while the deepest part is about 18 feet deep, and was able to see some fish in there as well. The third stop on the tour was La Coca Falls. Water was coming out at a pretty good clip during my visit. Just standing there, hearing the sounds of the water falling off the face of the cliff was just refreshing. Someone on the same tour with me actually went into the water, which is about 60 degrees, and is actually pretty difficult to get in and out of due to the rocks and moss on them, making for a slippery trek. For those that aren't up for hiking for lots of walking, there is a The final stop on the tour was the Yokahu Observation Tower. There are 98 steps to get to the top of the tower, but it is well worth it. You can get some great panoramic views of the rainforest. I actually stayed up there for quite a while just taking in the breathtaking sites you could see at the top. This is definitely a spot you don't want to miss. It's worth the 98 steps. Overall, this was an excellent tour for it being only half a day. It wasn't overly crowded, likely because it's not the peak season for the island yet. Next time when I come back, if I do a tour, I would do a full day tour instead. There is so much to see and do at this beautiful place. I don't think even a full day would cover everything El Yunque has to offer. If you come and visit PR, this place cannot be missed. read more

Of course we went to the El Yunque Rainforest in Puerto Rico in search of natural wonderment. But what a disappointment. Where's the big rainforest leafy plants? Where's the lush greenery? Where's the serene beauty that will cleanse our souls? Not here, I'm afraid. Granted it wasn't raining, but do the spindly leaves expand threefold when it rains? I think not. This place wasn't THAT bad and it's actually kinda nice. It's just that it was not nearly as good as we were led to believe. Maybe we should have come in the rainy season. At least there were not any crowds. We stopped at La Coca Falls, but some selfish kids jumped the fence and were standing forever right in front of the falls. People stood around smoking cigarettes. We took one picture (with other people in it) and drove on. Would have been nice to take even one picture of a natural landmank without strangers in it. On to the (not very tall) Yokahu observation tower, where we were a little perturbed by the dirty, human handprint grease on the tower battlements above. It looks like the grime has been there for years. Have they ever cleaned the grime, or don't they care? It really wouldn't be that hard to clean this place and make it nicer. BYO hand sanitizer (there is a restroom where you can wash your hands). That was enough for us. We're outta here! If we drove from San Juan for this, instead of ten minutes down the road from the Gran Melia Resort, we would have felt it wasn't worth it. What's up with these people who wrote things like: "It's as good as it gets" and "awesome rainforest". REALLY? Barbara S. on 9-23-12 wrote: "Breathtaking, enchanting, unique, amazing." Oh I get it, they must have gone to the OTHER El Yunque Rainforest! They say this is the only true rainforest in America. What they mean is that its the only rainforest NATIONAL PARK in America. All the true rainforest, in Hawaii, is not national park. It's just there all over on the east side of the islands. in Alaska the rainforest is on the west coast, or the Aleutian Islands. You can stop off for some damn-near inpenetrable rainforest on an island that doesn't even have a name, let alone be classified as a national park. If you want awesome rainforest, go to Queensland, go anywhere windward on any Hawaiian island, go to Yucatan, Mexico and Guatemala, go to Alaska, go to the Amazon in Argentina and Brazil. Then try to convince yourself this place is awesome. Yelper Julie K wrote on 4-30-12: "Don't count on swimming at La Mina, it was kind of a shit show and the pool at the bottom of the falls is only about 5 feet by 5 feet." Now THAT is funny. Nice to see an honest review from someone who wasn't gushing over mediocrity - just as I would expect from a New Yorker. Puerto Rico - Island of Disappointment. read more

To me this was the highlight of my trip to Puerto Rico. I believe this is the only chance you can visit a rain forest while on American Soil. If you have a car, I would suggest just driving yourself into the forest. The stops are pretty easy as this is where all the cars are parked. There are multiple stops along the way. I would suggest hitting up both water falls, one is small and you can park right next to it, while the other is a pretty long hike down, but that one you can swim in. I would also recommend visiting the tower, that gives spectacular views of the actual forest. I would skip the visitor center. The only thing there is a short video giving some history and you get a map. The map is available online. Expect to spend at least a whole day or at least half a day here. The hike down to the big falls is long and tiring. And once you get there you want to spend some time in the water too! Wear comfortable shoes and bring water shoes for the swim part too. read more

Simple rain forest. Drive up with the windows down to hear the awesome tropical sounds. There is a visitors center, but it costs money. We opted not to go since it was more kid friendly and we saw everything we needed to on our drive up. Drive past the waterfall and at minimum, hike up the short tower to get amazing views. This is the duplicate version of the tower that is up higher, for tourist purposes. read more

El Yunque Rainforest - The first man made feature, duplicate of the actual one higher up. - Hiking Near Me - Luquillo, Puerto Rico