El Yunque National Forest is a very rich habitat full of exotic species, so looking for these is always a fulfilling adventure. One particularly notable animal is the severely endangered Puerto Rican Parrot, of which there are only a few dozen left in the wild, all of which are in El Yunque. Besides this species, there are 22 others that reside exclusively on Puerto Rico. The coqui, a tiny tree frog, is found nowhere else in the world. They are particularly remarkable for their distinctive mating song, which can be heard in the afternoons, especially during or right after rainfall. The ecosystem here is extremely diverse; there are 240 native tree species and 150 types of ferns alone.

Hiking is one of the best activities to do in this forest, as there are 24 miles of trails that lead through some of El Yunque’s most scenic points, including major mountain peaks that offer excellent bird’s-eye views of the island, waterfalls and observation towers. Note that the trails are only for foot traffic; horses, bicycles and the like are strictly prohibited. Camping and other activities that may adversely affect the environment are also restricted (permits that come with a fairly long and expensive application process are required).