Destination Guide, El Yunque National Forest, National Parks, Puerto Rico, Rio Grande

El Yunque National Rain Forest: Our Guide to the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Park System

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Picture yourself winding your way through lush tropical vegetation, a vibrant shade of green that you have never seen before, set in a unique ecosystem inhabited by 200 vertebrates and over 200 species of trees and plants, all as you ascend to the most picturesque views, in our opinion, in all of Puerto Rico.

Welcome to Puerto Rico’s Yellowstone, aka El Yunque National Forest, the *ONLY* tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Park System. With over twenty miles of trails, a hike through El Yunque has been on our bucket list for years, and we’re so glad we finally got to explore it in person!

A woman with sunglasses stands at the edge of a stone lookout, gazing over a lush green landscape under a partly cloudy sky, showcasing the scenic views of El Yunque National Forest.

Located in Northeastern Puerto Rico on the slopes of the Luquillo Mountains, El Yunque was first inhabited by the Taino people who were also the first living people to call the island of Puerto Rico their home. The Taino people considered this area sacred land, and when you see it up close, you will have some idea of why.

El Yunque first appeared on our radar a few years back. The lush vegetation, gorgeous scenery, and majestic waterfalls had us adding this spot to our bucket list. Those Luquillo Mountain views are one-of-a-kind, and they are definitely something you should see in person. It should be noted, we explored El Yunque on our own and without a guide or tour group. The process was seamless, and we wouldn’t do it any other way.

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At only 29,000 acres, El Yunque may be one of the smallest rainforests in the world, but it is certainly one of the most diverse and it’s home to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Caribbean. 

If you plan to visit El Yunque, here are a few tips to make your visit a good one:

Arrive Early

This is a very popular hiking area, and there is no cost to enter, there is no cost to park and there are no reservations required. However, parking reaches capacity quickly. The park opens at 8:00 a.m., so we suggest being there when it opens as only the first 200 cars are allowed in on “busy” days.

Sign indicating the Palo Colorado Recreation Area in El Yunque National Forest, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation.
Information board at El Yunque National Forest detailing trail maps, park regulations, and visitor guidelines, emphasizing the recovery from Hurricane Maria.
A trail sign in El Yunque National Forest indicating the direction to Pico El Yunque Peak, with a map of the Caimitillo trails in the background.
A set of stone steps leading up through lush tropical vegetation in El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico.

For our visit to El Yunque on this sunny Saturday morning, we hopped in our beautiful Jeep Wrangler, courtesy of our friends at Aqui Coqui Car Sharing & Rental Company, and made the 40 minute drive to the Palo Colorado Information Center, the Park’s Visitor’s Center.  The drive to El Yunque from San Juan was an easy stretch of highway, and although we didn’t need to go off-roading, we were certainly prepared for it

A person inside a Jeep Wrangler, looking out of the driver's window towards lush green vegetation and distant mountains in El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico.
A scenic view of a highway in Puerto Rico during sunrise, with the sun glowing brightly on the left side, illuminating the road and surrounding greenery.

The 40 minute drive was both easy and scenic with the main entrance to El Yunque located just off Highway 191 to from San Juan. This was an easy stretch of highway and we absolutely recommend this to anyone looking to explore beautiful Puerto Rico.

We arrived to the park’s main gate around 7:45 a.m., and we waited at the checkpoint until 8:00 a.m. sharp for permission to enter. We visited during the last week in February, and there weren’t many cars behind us at this time but when we left the park in the afternoon there were cars parked up and down the roadway.

Travel Tip: December through March is the “dry season.”

Cloud cover can be heavy in the morning which offers limited visibility. We did not experience this, and we in turn experienced full sun throughout our entire hike with spots of rain showers.

From the Palo Colorado Visitor’s Center, we set out on a moderately challenging 5+ mile trek to the highest point, El Yunque Peak via the well-maintained & shaded Caimitillo and Mt. Britton Spur trails. Along the consistently uphill climb, we were surrounded by the stunning natural beauty of Puerto Rico. We hiked through steep rocky terrain, passed Sierra palms.

Stay Hydrated

The trails are well-maintained & shaded, but El Yunique is a consistently uphill climb. You’ll need to replenish those electrolytes along the way. We brought our own liquids & electrolytes courtesy of our hydration backpacks as well as a few gels, bananas, and apples.

A person walking along a rocky trail surrounded by lush tropical vegetation in El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico.
A scenic hiking trail surrounded by lush tropical vegetation in El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico, featuring vibrant greenery and a blue sky.
A person walking along a trail in El Yunque National Forest, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and greenery.
A person hiking on a rocky trail surrounded by lush tropical vegetation in El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico.

It was easy to stop along the way for periodic breaks to refuel thanks to the endless viewpoints that got better with every step. For our hike, the trail never felt overcrowded which was a major plus and mostly had to do with the time of the year.

Pack a Rain Jacket

With over 200 inches of rainfall annually, don’t be surprised if you run into a few showers during your hike. For us, there was one small shower throughout our entire hike. However, there are rain shelters located along the trail where you can catch a break from the rain.

Stone steps leading to a partially constructed wooden structure in a lush tropical forest.
A metal survey marker embedded in the muddy ground, with 'U.S. Forest Service' inscribed on it.

Travel Tip: It rains every day in El Yunque on average of four times per day!

We recommend you pack your poncho, and be prepared for downpours at any time, after all it is the rainforest! It should also be said that much of the rainforest canopy is still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Maria, so the canopy cover isn’t what it used to be.

Leave the Bug Spray at Home

The chemicals in bug spray are hazardous to the fragile rainforest ecosystem. If you’re worried about mosquitoes, cover up with lightweight gear like a long-sleeved shirt and long pants.

A hiker walking along a narrow trail surrounded by lush tropical vegetation in El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico.
Lush tropical vegetation framing a distant mountain view in El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico.
Close-up of a vibrant yellow and red plant surrounded by lush green foliage in El Yunque National Forest.

Travel Tip: The higher you climb in elevation, the lower the temperature drops & the colder the air feels.

We never found ourselves needing bug spray which was a real treat! The famous Coquí Tree Frogs are the hardest workers of the forest as they do their part to eat the mosquitos, keeping most of the bugs you might find hiking in a tropical climate under control. Jared is a mosquito magnet, and he never once saw a mosquito.

Pet Friendly

Dogs are welcome in El Yunque, but they must be leashed at all times. We saw several dogs along the trails, and they seemed to be having just as much fun as their humans!

A view of the lush tropical vegetation and mountains under a bright blue sky with fluffy clouds in El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico.
A rocky stream surrounded by dense tropical vegetation, featuring lush green ferns and trees, typical of El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico.

If you do bring your four-legged friend, make sure you pack extra water and a portable bowl along with waste bags. The hot weather can be hard on our furry friends, so we always have to be mindful that they are getting enough water when in the sun. Our girl loves hiking, and we carry a small bladder bag just for her. Every time we break for water, she gets some as well.

Wear Sturdy Shoes

Conditions throughout the rainforest can be muddy in general, but especially during periods of rain.

A hiker ascends a rocky trail surrounded by lush tropical vegetation in El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico.
A panoramic view of lush green tropical vegetation in El Yunque National Forest, with a bright blue sky and clouds overhead, showcasing the coastal area of Puerto Rico in the distance.
Lush tropical vegetation in El Yunque National Forest, featuring vibrant green plants, palms, and a rocky stream surrounded by foliage.
A hiker stands on a stone path in El Yunque National Forest, surrounded by dense tropical vegetation and towering palm trees.

Travel Tip: Take your time, one misstep could end in disaster

We hiked through the dense forest and along steep rocky terrain and slick clay mud, along slippery stone surfaces and fought our way through muddy pits making shoes with good traction an absolute must. The hike was steep and strenuous, but it was worth every step.

Enjoy the Journey

There are so many reasons to fall in love with El Yunque from waterfalls and wildlife to plants and trees, so make sure you take a look around while you’re exploring one of the sixteen different hiking areas of this national treasure.

A dense tropical rainforest scene in El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico, featuring lush green palms and ferns, with a mountainous peak visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
Scenic view from a mountaintop in El Yunque National Forest, showcasing lush green palm trees and a vast landscape under a clear blue sky.
Person standing on a stone lookout with a mountain view in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
Panoramic view from the top of Mt. Britton Tower in El Yunque National Forest, showcasing lush greenery and distant coastal waters under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.
Close-up of a bronze survey marker embedded in dirt, inscribed with 'US Geological Survey' and other identification details.
A panoramic view of lush green vegetation in El Yunque National Forest, showcasing dense tropical foliage against a bright blue sky with clouds.
A hiker wearing a red backpack walks along a rocky path surrounded by lush tropical vegetation leading to a stone structure in El Yunque National Forest.
A view of a lush green mountainous landscape under a blue sky, with vibrant foliage in the foreground, typical of the El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico.
A view through lush tropical foliage towards a bright blue sky with white clouds, showcasing the vibrant greenery of El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico.
A hiker standing on a stone viewpoint in El Yunque National Forest, facing a panoramic view of lush green mountains and a blue sky.
Lush tropical vegetation with a variety of green plants under a partly cloudy sky in El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico.
A panoramic view of lush greenery and tropical vegetation leading to a distant view of the ocean under a partly cloudy sky in El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico.
A scenic view of lush tropical vegetation featuring palm trees against a bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds.

When we reached the top of Mt. Britton Tower, the views of the treetops & towards the coast were outstanding and the breeze was so refreshing. Located in the middle of El Yunque, we could see all the way to the coast from the top of the Tower. From this point, you get a first-hand perspective of just how massive & sacred this rainforest really is.

Thank you to both Aqui Coqui Car Sharing for providing our wheels during our time in Puerto Rico in exchange for this review!

On your next visit to Puerto Rico, do yourself a favor and explore the best parts of El Yunque. This is one hike we’ll never forget!

Two hikers pose at the top of a stone lookout overlooking lush green mountains and a bright blue sky in El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico.

Would you hike El Yunque? Let us know down below & safe travels!

The comments, opinions, and views set forth on this site are the reflected personal positions of the site’s creators.  Although our use of Aqui Coqui Car Sharing was sponsored in exchange for our review, this site is not an affiliate of Aqui Coqui Car Sharing and all opinions are our own.  The comments, opinions, and views set forth within this site are not the official positions of Aqui Coqui Car Sharing, and they do not reflect the Company’s position.

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