El Yunque National Forest
El Yunque National Forest is one of Puerto Rico’s crown jewels with nearly 29,000 acres of lush, mountainous terrain scattered with waterfalls, rushing…
Getty Images/Gallo Images
El Yunque
El Yunque National Forest is one of Puerto Rico’s crown jewels. It boasts nearly 29,000 acres of lush mountainous terrain, with waterfalls dotting the landscape, rushing rivers and gurgling brooks, bromeliads clinging to towering trees, and bamboo groves opening to spectacular ocean views.
The only rainforest in the US National Forest System, El Yunque (named after the Taíno god, Yúcahu) has 37km of trails, some short and paved, others long, steep and barely there. Almost all gain some elevation; one of the toughest is to El Yunque's peak, El Toro, almost 1100m above sea level. Both casual and experienced hikers are sure to find rewarding trails.
El Yunque has two entrances. The northern side, 40km east of San Juan, receives the majority of visitors. The southern side, near Naguabo, retains a wild pristine feel. Several guesthouses here have private trails leading into the El Yunque, making it easy to hike an entire day and not see a soul.
Explore El Yunque
- El Yunque National Forest
El Yunque National Forest is one of Puerto Rico’s crown jewels with nearly 29,000 acres of lush, mountainous terrain scattered with waterfalls, rushing…
- La Mina Falls
At the time of research, La Mina Trail was closed for repair, due to reopen in 2021. Check the El Yunque National Forest website (www.fs.usda.gov/elyunque…
- BBaño Grande & Baño de Oro
Baño Grande, a former swimming hole built during the Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps, lies across Hwy 191 from the Palo Colorado Information…
- YYokahú Tower
This 65ft, Moorish-looking stone tower was built as a lookout in 1962. It's the first good spot for vistas of the islands to the east, but there are…
- LLa Coca Falls
The first spectacular natural feature you see as Hwy 191 climbs south toward the forest peaks is an 85ft cascade as the stream tumbles from a precipice to…
- EEl Hippie Petroglyphs
Outside the national park in El Yunque's foothills, several Taíno petroglyphs are carved onto two huge rocks along the Rio Blanco, just south of a…
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout El Yunque.
See
El Yunque National Forest
El Yunque National Forest is one of Puerto Rico’s crown jewels with nearly 29,000 acres of lush, mountainous terrain scattered with waterfalls, rushing…
See
La Mina Falls
At the time of research, La Mina Trail was closed for repair, due to reopen in 2021. Check the El Yunque National Forest website (www.fs.usda.gov/elyunque…
See
Baño Grande & Baño de Oro
Baño Grande, a former swimming hole built during the Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps, lies across Hwy 191 from the Palo Colorado Information…
See
Yokahú Tower
This 65ft, Moorish-looking stone tower was built as a lookout in 1962. It's the first good spot for vistas of the islands to the east, but there are…
See
La Coca Falls
The first spectacular natural feature you see as Hwy 191 climbs south toward the forest peaks is an 85ft cascade as the stream tumbles from a precipice to…
See
El Hippie Petroglyphs
Outside the national park in El Yunque's foothills, several Taíno petroglyphs are carved onto two huge rocks along the Rio Blanco, just south of a…
Guidebooks
Learn more about El Yunque
Uncover the heart of travel and be inspired to see new sights with one of Lonely Planet’s in-depth, award-winning guidebooks.