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Tours & Activities

Full or Half Day Trip to Rainforest and Luquillo Beach

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 forest 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 abundance, 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. On the return trip, a brief stop can be made at famous Luquillo Beach. This plantation of tower-ing coconut palms not only provides shade from the sun on the mile long, sandy beach, but it also pro-vides a picture postcard photo opportunity.

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 direction

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 maximum. If no hiking enhancement, the tour has no real maximum.

RAINFOREST AND LUQUILLO BEACH TRIP ENHANCEMENTS

OPTION 1: NATURE HIKE
Explore the rainforest in-depth with an informative and educated hiking tour guide. The low-impact 25-minute walk on the Baño Grande Hiking Trail will allow for a genuine hands-on experience that you will never forget. The hike begins at the Palo Colorado Information Center, a good spot to see humming-birds and bananaquits. The trail then passes the Baño Grande, a large man-made pool built by the Ci-vilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s. From there, the trail enters the Palo Colorado forest, one of four forest types in El Yunque Rainforest. Hikers will take a close look at the various types of flora and fauna here and hopefully see some of the local birds. You will stop to see an example of the work that the Forest Service has done to help conserve the Puerto Rican Parrot, cross a picturesque stream, and exit the trail at another Information Center, where bathroom facilities are available. At the end of your tour, you will be refreshed with a complimentary bottle of cool mineral water.

For the physically fit we offer an alternative of going down to La Mina Falls, a 45 minute hike downhill, and consequently a one hour return hike – all uphill. There is a waterfall and swimming hole at the downhill destination, so bring along a bathing suit.

OPTION 2: EL PORTAL
Stop in to visit El Portal. El Portal, which is Spanish for “gateway”, is just that, a gateway to knowledge about tropical forests, in particular El Yunque. This center gives visitors a better understanding of the needs and complexities of tropical forests and the practices required for their sound management and preservation. Located within the entrance to El Yunque, the facility is modern and airy, as it was con-structed to blend into the natural surroundings. Large, open plazas and patios overlook the forest and Atlantic Ocean. Visitors can enjoy listening to a nearby stream and jungle sounds played over the audio system, as well as the mood lighting on the foliage. All of these elements were considered in order to celebrate the bond between people and nature.

Inside the center, 12,000 square feet of exhibit space is devoted to explaining the importance of tropical forests in general. Three pavilions will offer information through interactive exhibits and bilingual displays. Also, you will have the opportunity to view a 12-minute film narrated by Jimmy Smits, the actor, which discusses the complexities of tropical forests and the practices required for the sound manage-ment and preservation of them. The staff of El Portal will also be on hand to provide further information on the center and the rainforest.

El Portal has an excellent gift shop, where you can browse through their large selection of nature books, audio and visual tapes, and find many interesting gifts and souvenirs with the tropical rainforest theme. It is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

OPTION 3: LUNCHEON STOP
After a morning of hiking in the rainforest, we recommend having lunch at a Puerto Rican style family restaurant located in the foothills of the rainforest. This has been a favorite luncheon stop for years and their Puerto Rican cuisine is truly delicious. On half day tours, an additional charge of $5.50 per person per hour applies for the additional time for lunch.

Authorized clients can view current rate and availability information by accessing their online accounts.