El Yunque National Forest

El Yunque National Forest

El Yunque National Forest
4.5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Plan a day trip to the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. With 29,000 acres of lush foliage and 25 miles of year-round trails, this is a nature enthusiast’s sanctuary. Attempt to spot elusive wildlife like the Puerto Rican parrot on a rejuvenating hike, soar through the canopies on a zipline, or go horseback riding at Carabalí Rainforest Park. If time permits, visit the Yokahú Observation Tower which has an elevation of 1,575 feet and provides expansive views of the mountains. Sporadic showers are common here—check their website for the latest information about trail statuses and park closures before setting out.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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  • missy k
    7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Up for something new?
    What a wonderful experience. David was our guide who is very knowledgeable and safety conscious for travelers he is transporting. The local convience stand we stopped at was cute. The hike and natural water slides were a home run. Make sure you pack socks with you for the slides! We were fortunate to have gone on a very dry day. The last stop is the beach with so many food vendors. The beach itself was very relaxing. We were on this excursion from approximately 10 am until 5 pm
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 19, 2024
  • sstutz
    Westford, Massachusetts5 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great place, just be aware where you park!
    Absolutely worth the visit. I recommend the visitor center, especially if you have small children. It has an easy trail that showcases many of the wonders of the forest. The exhibition space is a great introduction for the day. However, take notice that parking is not well marked. We parked next to a green barrack, not knowing that it signaled a no parking zone. There were no typical 'no parking' signs (you know, the ones with a P with a crossed circle). We received a $100 parking ticket.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written February 21, 2024
  • Traci D
    97 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Portal is not part of the national forest
    When you drive up from San Juan, you do not need to wait for the "portal" to open. This is just a locally run museum and not affiliated with the forest. Just turn left on the road and continue. If you want to hike Mt. Britton Tower trail, get there early because parking is limited.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 1, 2024
  • 4grlsmom
    Pewaukee, Wisconsin324 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful must see National Park!
    El Yunque is an easy drive from San Juan, and well worth the trip! A National Park pass allows free entry to the visitor center. The visitor center (Portal) has some educational displays appropriate for young kids, a gift shop, a cafe and bathrooms. Maps clearly mark key observation points, many of which are right along the main road. We didn't need a guide or tour to see many waterfalls, the Yokahu tower (yes, you can climb it - great views!) and miles of lush scenery. The hike along Juan Diego Creek takes about 5 minutes up rock steps to reach a waterfall and swimming hole. The rocks were a little wet/muddy so it would be a good idea to have good footwear. Probably our best day trip from San Juan!
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 6, 2024
  • Kris M
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Hiking in El Yunque
    We went to the visitor center the afternoon before we were to hike so we had a plan. Interestingly, to go to the visitor center, there is an $8 charge per person, but half off with a National Park Pass. There is no charge to enter the Forest. We could have got all of the info online, but felt more comfortable talking with someone. My husband also prefers an actual map which were sold in the gift shop. We learned that only 3 trails were open and were told that if we arrived by 8am, we shouldn't have a problem with parking. We entered at 7:45a on a Thur. It took a good 15 min to get to the access gate and another 10 min to get to Mt Britton Trail. Parking was roadside with a marked trailhead. It rained for most of the hike, but we had come prepared and the hike was still enjoyable. This trail is marked challenging on the site, but we were told it was moderate. The trail is roughly paved, but it does ascend continuously. Neither my husband or I (both 66, in good health) had problems navigating the trail. However, I had difficulty with the altitude and was sucking wind for the first half, which really took me by surprise. We also hiked the Caimitillo Trail. The trailhead is south of the Sierra Palm Visitor Center. You can park roadside or at the Center where there are restrooms. The visitor center sells rain ponchos and has staff to answer questions. This trail is marked easy, but is not paved and we found it more difficult due to the rocky surface which then became slick with the rain. However I did not have any problems with the altitude on Caimitillo. We went back on Sun, also at 7:45a. Rained off and on. Going that early, we had no problems with entering or parking. When we left both times, there were long lines of cars waiting to get in. It was more crowded on Sun, but wasn't bad either day. We throughly enjoyed our time there.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 9, 2024
  • Phil G
    Washington DC, District of Columbia311 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Definitely go hike El Yunque!!!
    Amazing rainforest!!! Totally worth the drive. Here’s my advice: 1. Go early. The Sunday we went the park opened at 9am and they only allow 200 cars up the road. We got there at 8:30 and were able to drive up no problem. After that you have to wait until someone leaves before you can enter. 2. Park in a legal space or you will get a ticket 3. Wear a bathing suit and old sneakers. You will want to go in the water and under the waterfalls and you will get muddy. 5. Hike to the top of the mountain. Need good shoes for this part and you will get dirty. You do need to be in half way decent shape. We are all 60 years old and it was no problem. Altitude isn’t a problem, trails are well marked and you can ask the people you see how much farther. The top is about 3,500 feet. We hiked up to La Roca. Totally worth it!!! 6. It’s a rainforest so expect some rain.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written March 20, 2024
  • Denise G
    8 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    El Yunque has lots to see
    Went for half a day but soon regretted it since there is lots to see and do. The entry to park is free if you rent a car but if want to stop at visitor center, they want to charge $8 so we skipped it. There is guidance along the way for trails and sites so we stopped to climb up the Yokahu tower for nice pics and also did a hike to la Coca Falls (a must see) but be prepared with right shoes since it is steep and muddy. Definitely need to go back and do other trails!!!
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written April 15, 2024
  • MplsChapman
    Blaine, Minnesota33 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A MUST SEE
    This was an incredible experience! We went to the visitor center, which is $8 per person. It has clean bathrooms, info about the park, vendors selling locals crafts, etc. Otherwise, there is no cost to enter the park. The drive is incredible. Go at your own pace and pull over when you'd like to see waterfalls, etc. I have back issues so we did not go on any of the trails.
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 2, 2024
  • Kelsey P
    San Rafael, California118 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful but crowded - don't miss the visitor center
    The rain forest itself gets 10 stars as it's gorgeous - it was the people that made the experience less than great. There are a number of overlooks and places to do short hikes, but at every spot we had to fight for parking and it was stressful. We saw a number of cars getting tickets so be careful where you park. The trail to the Juan Diego waterfall was overcrowded and once we got to the falls the whole pool was full of people. It seemed like some of the other trails and roads were closed so maybe that concentrated all the visitors in this one area. The highlight was the visitor center - it has excellent and interactive exhibits, an informative video, a cafe, and of course the gift shop!
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 5, 2024
  • Dawna P
    Long Island City, New York33 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Breathtaking and worth the visit!
    The El Yunque rainforest is definitely worth a visit when in Puerto Rico. The visitors center is a good first stop to learn about the rainforest. Rangers are helpful to plan your visit depending on the experience you wish to have. We did the short walk at the visitors center and saw amazing plants. We then drove up rte 191 that had several pull off spots and short walks. Without any hiking you can see a beautiful waterfall, go up into the tower - worth the 98 steps for the view - and at the end of the road see breathtaking views. You will hear the sweet sound of the Puerto Rican frog- the Coqui. You can also do short hikes to swimming holes. Of course there are longer hikes for those interested in a bigger adventure. The Carabali restaurant nearby (but not in the park) was delicious! I would highly recommend the rainforest visit. You can see a lot in a few hours.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written June 6, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Larie0088
Green Bay, WI25 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
We had an excellent experience at El Yunque. You do still need tickets ahead of time and they release a set number exactly 1 month before your desired day or 24 hours prior to your desired day. The charge is only $2 per vehicle but once they are gone, they're gone. We got ours a month ahead so that we did not have to stress about it once we arrived. The drive up is fun and scenic. You can visit El Portal Visitor Center without the previously mentioned ticket and admission is $8 per adult. This was a newly reconstructed visitor and education center with a restaurant and gift shop as well as some short hiking trails. If you are unable to get a park ticket, this is still a fun thing to do and provides a taste of the rainforest.
From there, we did indeed head to the actual park entrance where you show your ticket and are allowed entrance. The majority of the sites and trails are open. We visited La Coca Falls, Yokahu Tower, Juan Diego, Baño Grande and Mt. Britton Trail and Tower. All in all, we spent about 3-4 hours there and were able to see everything we wanted to. Great day in the rainforest!!!
Written June 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

fotobug
Iowa515 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
The rain forest is a magical place, but there was a lot of construction going on that made driving difficult (one lane road in several places) and caused numerous trails/ sites to be closed. These closures are well publicized though so if you read their web site it wouldn't be a surprise. We were there on a rainy day which may have been why we got in (200 car limit) at around 9 am. But it was still hard to find places to park. At the observation tower we waited 10 minutes or so for someone to leave. At some places the only parking is along the road which is tricky at best. But the hiking and the open trails are a great experience. (There is a $10/ person charge for the visitor center. Some of the interactive exhibits might be fun for school age kids but we should have skipped it.)
Written February 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

anarr44
Washington DC, DC3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
We didn't do any of the hikes but if you like to hike, this is definitively for you! The peak is about 2.5 each way. My girls played at the San Diego waterfall and loved it. Wear water shoes or crocs since its very rocky! The scenery is breathtaking. You do have to make a reservation (about a month out) and if you miss it, they release limited tickets the day prior at 8am on the rec.gov site. It's $2 per car and there's parking. Bathrooms available near parking. Bring bug spray.
Written August 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jodie M
2 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Family
The only place in Puerto Rico where we encountered horridly rude staff. Unfortunately, this alleged National Forest” makes access to the general public impossible to prioritize private companies who bring in tour buses. It is pretty clear that the tour companies are paying off staff to turn away families in their cars. If try to visit this park with your family, you will wait in an hour long line of idling cars (essentially killing the flora and fauna living in the forest). Once you make your way to the front of the line you will be told that the parking lot is full and you must leave. Your options are to get back in line from the beginning and wait all over again to make room for your busses to come through, or just leave. You do not have the option to wait for a space in the lot to open up. So disappointed and frustrated at the corruption of this beautiful place.
Written March 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Oscar
2 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Friends
El Yunque National Forest used to be fully open to the public. Since COVID-19, they started limiting the access to the main recreation area in El Yunque, along Rd 191 to ensure "safe distancing". The areas were only accesible through a very limited paid reservation. Now that The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that Covid-19 no longer represents a "global health emergency", USDA retained the reservation system because of "public safety during construction along the forest"; even though it had never been an issue in the past. What does any of this have to do with the title you may be asking? Well, El Yunque is a tourist attraction. There are many agencies who make a living out of tourism. These people are pretty much scalpers, buying all the reservations as soon as they become available. As a local or any regular person, it is extremely difficult to find a reservation before they do. Furthermore, the reservation tool does not allow you to reserve in advance; meaning you'll have to wait until the day you're ready to visit to then compete with the tourism agencies and see if they left anything available. Moreover, the average local is not familiarized with this reservation process, so the tool itself acts as a gate keeper. USDA found a clever way to sort of privatice what had always used to be a piece of free land accesible to all and owned by our Taino natives on the island of Puerto Rico. Guess it's just a matter of time before the rest of the Yunque gets completely restricted...
Written July 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tiaa J
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Friends
El Yunque Rainforest was such an amazing vibe. The tourist guide Gillian was very thorough with explaining everything and making sure that everyone was safe at all times. I definitely give it a 10/10 and will come again when I visit Puerto Rico again. Her communication was extremely effective from the time I booked the rainforest and going forward from that point. I was very much grateful to have Gillian as a tour guide and will recommend El Yunque Rainforest to anybody visiting.
Written May 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cora R
10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Family
This national park is free. If you want to enter the Visitors Center, you must pay an entrance fee. You can enter the park without having to go to the Visitors Center. The park ranger at the booth will tell you which road to take to enter the park for free. All hiking trails and swimming holes are free. We rented a car and had no problem driving all over the island. The parking in the park is free. Make sure you park in an area where parking is allowed. Parking outside of designated parking areas will guarantee you a parking ticket. We got a parking ticket. It is very easy to pay for it. Go to the nearest office listed on the ticket. We stayed on the other side of the island and had no problem paying the ticket there. Go in-person to pay for the ticket. When we went there was no waiting in lines. The offices are only open on weekdays and have business hours. You can pay for the ticket in cash or with your credit card. Paying in person is super cheap. If you do not pay it. The rental car place will pay it for you and charge you their processing fee on top of the cost of the parking ticket.

If you are collecting Junior Ranger badges, ask the park ranger at the entrance booth for the pin. It is a beautiful one. The Junior Ranger book is all online. There is nothing to turn in to a ranger to receive a badge.
Written December 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cathy G
3 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Family
Very bad experience! They don’t have reservation system and you drove all the way there but have to turn around at the gate as the park is full. Don’t know why they got rid of the much better reservation system and use this first come first serve system to flood the area! Once we finally got in after they reopen the park, we were bumped with a parking ticket where all the cars parked along the road. We parked in between the two parking signs, but later noticed there’s 2 car space within the two p signs saying no p! Ridiculous! We left for just 30m and tickets are there already. It doesn’t worth the efforts to go, as it’s really a small park comparing to most of US national parks and very badly administered. Felt like they abandoned the reservation system for this chaos just to get more cars in and writing parking tickets to make money.
Written March 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MelissaWP
Shorewood, IL521 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Couples
We had reservations to enter very early in the morning around 8:00, which is the best way to go because it gets very crowded with limited parking as the day progresses. The only downside with going so early is that the visitors center doesn't open until 9:00 so we couldn't stop there first as we prefer to do and then didn't have time to stop there on our way out...also there was a fee to enter which was unexpected. There are very few working bathrooms too. We did an easy walk up to one tower then a more difficult walk up a second tower. It was quite cool at times but then we'd get warm at times so we wore layers which worked well. There weren't too many waterfalls we saw this time of year in late March.
Written June 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tao H
Reston, VA1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Couples
We had very bad experiences when we visited EI Yunque National Forest, There were no typical 'no parking' signs, We received a $150 parking ticket when we just left our car for 15 minutes. We parked roadside with many other cars. It seems somebody keep watching you, when you leave your car, she will placed a ticket on your windshelf. Be careful.
Written May 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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El Yunque National Forest - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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