Services Offered
Eastern-area Activities

El Yunque Rainforest Tour- Full or Half Day

El Yunque is the 3500’ peak within Puerto Rico’s Caribbean National Forest. The name is derived from the Indian word “ Yuqui” meaning white land, but was changed by the Spanish to “Yunque” which means anvil. When the peak is viewed from the north, it actually resembles an anvil (the iron block on which metal pieces are hammered).

The rainforest, covering 28,000 acres, contains 75 % of the virgin forests left in Puerto Rico. The entire area is a bird sanctuary and holds claim to being the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. Thanks to receiving 100 billion gallons of rain per year, the forest is able to sustain some 250 species of trees, 50 types of ferns and as many as 20 varieties of wild orchids. In addition to the flora and fauna, El Yunque is also home to an array of Puerto Rican wildlife.

Within the forest, there are many trees known to be over 1000 years old. There is the Tabonuco for-est with trees reaching heights in excess of 100’. The Colorado forests contain the short, gnarled trees with hollowed trunks. Sierra Palms with their unusual yet distinctive root systems grow in abun-dance, as do the huge tropical ferns (some ferns grow over 40’ tall). There are also giant hardwoods and bamboo groves in this “nature wonderland”.

El Yunque is home to a variety of local Puerto Rican wildlife, but perhaps the most famous would be the Amazona Uttata and the Coquí (Ko-kee). The former is better known as the Puerto Rican Parrot. He is an endangered species, very near extinction, so to see this red, blue and green beauty is a rare treat. The latter, El Coquí, is not only the national mascot, but also a source of national pride. Growing to be only ¼” to 1” in size, he gets his name from the cricket-like mating call that literally sings his name, Co-Qui-i-i-i! Exclusive to Puerto Rico, he can be found in great numbers throughout the island. However, even though the Puerto Rican tree frog can be easily heard, he can be difficult (though not impossible) to find!

Your rainforest visit includes a photo stop at La Coca Falls as well as another at the Yokahu Lookout Tower.

Basic Rainforest Tour Quick Facts:

Metro San Juan
(half or all day) Half Day – Approximately 4 hours
Recommend 9am to 1pm or 1pm to 5pm
All Day – Approximately 6-7 hours
Recommend 9:00am – 3:30pm +/-
Driving Distance – 45 min – 1 hr in each direction

Dorado Area
(all day) All day – Approximately 7-8 hours
Recommend 9am to 4:30pm
Driving Distance - 1 hr & 30 min – 2 hrs in each direc-tion

Rio Mar/Paradisus
(half day tour) Half Day – Approximately 3-4 hours
Recommend 9:00am to 12:00pm/1:00pm
Driving Distance - 15 minutes in each direction

El Conquistador
(half day tour) Half Day – Approximately 3 ½ - 4 hours
Recommend 9:00am – 1:00pm
Driving Distance - 25-30 minutes in each direction
Minimum/Maximum:
• There is an 18-passenger minimum. If adding the hiking option, 150 passenger is the maxi-mum. If no hiking enhancement, the tour has no real maximum.

Days of Operation –
• Can operate any day, however there is some additional local traffic on weekends. The Rain-forest closes between 4:30pm and 5pm.

A trip to the rainforest is very often booked in conjunction with one or more of our trip
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