El Yunque National Forest – Rain Forest 101

View from El Yunque

STarting August 23, 2023, the admission to visit the trails and features along north RT 191 will be done on a first comes, first served basis. There is limited parking and once those spots are full, entrance will be denied until cars have left. Trails and features open on RT 191 are La Coca falls, La Coca Trail, Juan Diego Fall trail and waterfalls, Bano Grande, Bano del Oro area, Mt Britton Trail (not the tower), and Mt Britton Spur, EL Yunque Peak trail up until the turn off for Picachos (not to the peak), La Roca, and Picachos trail and Tradewinds Trail. Just a small part of Caimatillo is open (leads to El Yunque Trail). Other areas/trails are not open (La Mina/Big Tree,Bano de Oro trail). Other areas outside this La Mina Recreation area that are available usually without any wait are El Portal and Trail, and areas on PR 988 Puente Roto area and Angelito Trail. Parts of RT 186 are open, so you can use El Toro Trail and the waterfalls along that road. S191 Sabana area and the trail is open .. There are also areas outside the Federal trail system/area that are considered “in or near El Yunque” that you can visit without tours or reservations , such as Las Pailas waterslide and Charco Frio/Las Tinajas.

This is the first of many articles on the Rain Forest.

El Yunque Rain Forest is the only tropical rain forest in the US National Forest system. Ample rainfall (over 200 inches a year in some areas) creates a jungle-like setting – with lush foliage, waterfalls and rivers. Hike along the trails that cover miles of breathtaking terrain. The rain forest is located in the NE corner of Puerto Rico, with the main entrance in Rio Grande, just off Rt 3, on Rt 191. You will need to drive yourself (or take a tour) as taxis and Ubers are not allowed into the Federal part (and it is too far to walk from the entrance to anywhere!).. And if you manage to get someone to drop you off, there is a 99.9% chance there won’t be any taxis or Ubers willing to come get you for your return home.

The Forest contains hundreds of species of trees, orchids, plants and a few animals. You will hear the Coqui frogs and see large snails as they enjoy the moisture of the forest. You will also hear many birds as you walk the trails.

A trip to the rain forest- This is a “play-by-play” of a drive to the rain forest from some of our many trips there:

Driving East on Rt 3, you should look for a small sign for the rain forest. If you miss that, you are looking for an Intersection with Rt 955. There will be a large sign for the Rio Mar Beach Resort at the light. Turn right at this light. The roads curves right. On the right you will pass a Bakery or Panaderia, where you can pick up sandwiches for a picnic. Up a ways on the left and right there are other artisan/craft/gift shops and a few other places to get food/drinks or breakfast. At the stop sign, turn left onto Rt 191.

You will follow this road up the mountain. Up a little, on the left is the Mameyes river that people play in, if the desire hits. There is an area that charges for parking and easy access to the river, and they sometimes are open on weekends as a restaurant.

Continue along Rt 191, up, up ,up!

El Yunque Visitors Center You will soon get to the El Portal Visitors Center at Km 4.2 It is open from 9am – 4:30pm everyday except Christmas Day. There is an entrance fee per person (cost saving FYI–your National Park Service passes are valid here, 1/2 price entrance for up to 4 people. ). Kids under 15 years old are free. It is an educational center with lots of exhibits on rain forests and conservation. There is a short movie describing the rain forest and its importance to the ecosystem. It alternates English and Spanish. The visitors center is landscaped with all sorts of tropical plants and flowers. There is a nice trail that starts at the visitors center. This trail is rarely used, but we liked it. There is a cafeteria/restaurant here where you can pick up lunch to go (or eat there). And a gift shop/bookstore. They have clean bathroom facilities.

After you are done in the visitors center (or if you choose not to go there), continue going up. At Km 4.4 you will see the turn off for RT 988 (This is where you will find the Angelito Trail). The Forest Headquarters is at km 4.5 on RT 191. At about Km 7.6 you will pass a gift shop and food stop on the left side – park carefully. Up at the next curve (Km 7.8) on the right is another gift shop and little roadside restaurant “La Muralla”. There you can get a decent meal and a delicious Pina Colada! Or try a Coco Frio, which is a cold coconut cut open so you an drink the coconut water.

Continue going up. Yes, the road is winding, so be careful of the curves and slow moving traffic. Also at some places, the edges of the road are just gullies – so keep your tires out of them!

At Km 8.3 you will come to the gate- this is where they “close” the forest at night. La Coca falls on the right. The falls can be seen from the road – park the car, get out and take pictures. When you are done there, continue up to Km 9.1 to the Yokahu Observation Tower. Park and go in. It is well worth the climb – the views are beautiful! Another small gift shop here and a bathroom. The tower closes at about 4:30pm.

There are trail heads for La Coca Trail at Km 8.8, Juan Diego at km 10, ~~and Big tree trail at Km 10.4~~ .

About Km 11.5-11.6 you will see the Sierra Palms Recreation area. Here you will find a food stand (Yuquiyu has yummy food) , restrooms and a picnic area.

Continue to the Palo Colorado Visitor Center at Km 11.7-12.

Here you will find other trail heads. trail map . There are clean bathroom facilities here. However currently most things are closed due to hurricane Maria damage (such as the picnic pavilions , La Mina fall trail (closed), Bano De Oro trail (trail closed but pool open for viewing)(km 12.2), and this part of El Yunque Trail and Caimatillo trails (km 11.8). But you can visit Bano Grande.

If you keep going up RT 191, at Km 12.7 you will come to RT 9938, which is the 1 km circle road for the Mt Britton Trail Head and all the way at the end of the road, Tradewinds trail.

Plan Ahead

Due to the rain, the trails can be slippery – wear appropriate foot wear (sneakers or hiking shoes) . A day in the cool rain forest is a very popular place for tourists and locals alike – so it can get busy. To avoid the worst crowds, go on a week day, and stay away on holiday weekends! Open daily 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Ranger stations are open 9-5. The gates close at 5:00pm, so make sure you are out by then, or your car WILL get locked in for the night.

Note: Camping WAS allowed in certain parts of El Yunque with a permit. But post Maria, they have not started giving permits, so no camping currently allowed. They may restart that in the future .

Hints: It rains quite often in the rain forest (especially in the afternoon), so try to go earlier in the day and bring some light rain gear with you. It is humid and tropical, so it can be hot hiking. Bring plenty of water. And for safety’s sake, stay on the trails. If you see a mongoose – stay away – as they may be rabid. Beware of flash floods in rivers. Hike on marked trails. Use common sense! There is a list of other things the Forest Service recommends on their website.

Note -Alternate route: you can take RT 186 to left onto Rt 966 to Rt 9966 into the rain forest. It meets up with RT 191 at about km 6.6. Turn right to go up to the trails, or left downhill to go to El Portal Visitors Center.

But What About the Hiking?

There are a number of maintained and some un-maintained trails in the rain forest. Here’s a list of some them along with links to our experiences on them:

La Mina – a very popular trail down to a waterfall. Currently closed.

Big Tree– also leads to La Mina falls, has educational signs along the way about the forest.Currently closed.

Caimitillo Trail – leads along wooden path, easy trail. Parts are Currently closed.

Mount Britton – leads to another observation tower (trail is open but the tower is Currently closed).

Bano de Oro – a peaceful trail along a stream

El Yunque Trail – open until Los Pichachos trail) To get to peak, go over to Mt Britton spur AND WALK up Rt 10. (great views)

Angelito Trail – an easy trail to a natural swimming pool

Juan Diego Falls – a short hike to a series of waterfalls where you can swim

Los Picachos – short trail to a lookout- more nice views

La Coca Trail – down through rivers, water falls.

Trade Winds Trail – to El Toro peak, through the El Toro Wilderness Area.

El Toro Trail – to El Toro Peak, through the El Toro Wilderness Area.

Rio Sabana Trail – from the north side of El Yunque to the south side

Just the Facts

There is no entrance fee for the Forest itself. There is a cost for El Portal Visitors Center.

Open daily 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m, 364 days a year. Ranger stations are open 9-5. The gates close at 5:00pm.(On Christmas Day it is closed- there are no Rangers or security etc. and the gates at N191 ARE CLOSED, but you can use trails outside this La Mina Recreation area) .

Depending on what you want to do, you could spend as little as 1 hour, or you could spend all day. We we go, we typically allow about 4 hours.

phone numbers: (787) 888-1880 o 1810

Stay up to date by following their Facebook page or You can visit the El Yunque National Forest web site for more information.

Parking must be in identified areas only, in lots or marked areas. If parking along the road (in a marked area only), park well off the road (wheels outside the painted line), not blocking access to trails

Follow Rt 3 to Rio Grande. Look for the El Yunque Rain Forest sign for RT 191. Turn there and go up the hill. If you miss that, just go to the intersection with Rt 955. Turn right at the light and follow Rt 955 to Rt 191. Turn left onto Road 191 and you’re there!

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Printed on 18 Dec 2024 fromPuertoRicoDayTrips.com