How to Spend One Day in the El Yunque Rainforest in Puerto Rico

Visiting El Yunque Rainforest in Puerto Rico was one of my favorite things to do during my time there. It’s hard to believe that less than one hour from the hustle and bustle of San Juan, you can find a serene nature wonderland. I recently returned from a bucket list Puerto Rico vacation and my day spent in The El Yunque Rainforest was definitely a favorite. There’s not much that can beat a day spent enjoying the great outdoors. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to spend one day in the El Yunque Rainforest. Happy adventuring! 

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Disclosure: This blog post has affiliate links which means if you click and make a purchase I may earn a small commission at NO additional cost to you. These are my own personal suggestions based on products/experiences I love and use. Read the full disclosure here.

What is the El Yunque Rainforest in Puerto Rico?

Although smaller than most National Forests, the El Yunque Rainforest is a beautifully diverse rainforest with ample amounts of things to do. It spans 29,000 acres and is filled with waterfalls, hiking trails, swimming holes, and unique plants and animals. El Yunque is actually the only tropical rainforest in the national forest system so it makes for a special bucket list stop! 

How Do I Get to the El Yunque Rainforest?

El Yunque National Forest is just a short 45-minute drive from San Juan. You can reach the rainforest by car or through a guided tour. 

• Physical Address: El Portal Visitor Center, PR-191 Río Grande, PR 00745

Do I Need a Reservation Before Visiting?

Yes! With great beauty comes great popularity. The El Yunque Rainforest can get extremely busy and therefore advanced reservations are required. But, no worries! They are very affordable and pretty easy to get if you are a planner.

Tickets are released one month in advance and can be reserved here for just 2 dollars per car. If you happen to miss your opportunity at a reservation, they release a select number of tickets 24 hours in advance or you could try a guided tour. The tickets do go fast, so be sure you have an account made prior to the release time! 

Important Things to Know Before Visiting El Yunque Rainforest in Puerto Rico

My sister and I at El Yunque Rainforest in Puerto Rico

• You can not get in without an advanced reservation (per car) or guided tour.
• There’s no drinking water inside the national forest, make sure to bring your own.
• Arrive early as the park does get very busy throughout the day.
• Be prepared with a plan to make sure you make the best out of your one day in the El Yunque Rainforest (hint: There’s a one day El Yunque itinerary at the bottom of this post).
• Don’t let the rain deter you from visiting. El Yunque sees over 200 days of rain. It is a rainforest after all…but that also leads to the vibrant green colors you will see. 

Things to Do in One Day in the El Yunque National Forest

There are so many things to do in the El Yunque Rainforest that one day may just not be enough. But, for those of you short on time, you can pick and choose your favorites from the list below to plan the perfect visit. 

Hint: I’ve included my own one-day El Yunque National Forest itinerary to make your life even easier. It’s located right below this list! 

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Hike to Mount Britton Tower

You’ll find the beautiful Mount Britton Tower at the end of a .8 paved trail. The trail itself is paved but can be slippery and a bit challenging when wet. It’s a steep and steady climb to the top, but once you reach the tower you’ll be rewarded with 360-degree views of the surrounding rainforest and Atlantic ocean! 

Update: As of February 2023 the road is closed leading to the trailhead parking lot. You can still access the trailhead by parking at the Bano Grande or Palo Colorado Recreation Area. This will add about 15 minutes to your hike.  

Hike Through the Rainforest

In addition to the Mount Britton Trail, there are 12 other maintained trails that you could check out. The most popular, the El Yunque trail, covers 5.4 miles and will give you some of the best rainforest views. 

Other trails in the El Yunque National Forest: 

• Angelito Trail (.7 miles): Leads to a 8-foot deep swimming hole and rope swing 
• Vereda La Coca Trail (3.2 miles): A hard trail with stream crossings and epic views. 

Chase Waterfalls

My favorite part of visiting the El Yunque Rainforest were the amazing waterfalls! There are three main waterfalls that are easily accessible throughout the national forest. 

La Mina Falls is arguably the most beautiful and therefore the most popular. Unfortunately, it is still closed due to hurricane damage so I didn’t get to experience it, BUT it’s just the perfect reason to return. 🙂  

When it reopens, I recommend starting your day with this trail in order to try to enjoy it without the crowds. You can reach the falls after a quick .7-mile hike into the forest. Once at the falls, you can marvel at the 35-foot drop and even take a dip in the pool at the bottom. 

Important Update: As of February 2023, this trail remains closed due to repairs. Be sure to check the park’s website for updates before visiting. It is expected to reopen at some point in 2023, but no exact date has been given.

Afterward, be sure to check out Juan Diego Falls (a short .1 walk from the parking lot), and La Coca Falls (visible from the road). 

Check Out the View from Yokahu Tower

If hiking is not your thing, you can still get some of the best views of the park from the top of the Yokahu Tower. The tower is located right off of the parking lot and after a short climb up the spiral staircase, you’ll be met with panoramic views of El Yunque National Forest. 

Zip Down the El Yunque Zipline

For you adrenaline seekers, Viator.com offers multiple thrilling zipline tours. There are 11 different zip lines and 1 rappel that will give you a birds-eye view of the El Yunque Forest with amazing lush scenery! Hotel pick-up and drop-off is included so you won’t need to worry about meeting at a different location.

Stroll Around the Bano Grande

Although swimming is no longer allowed here, this historic man-made swimming pool makes for a peaceful and beautiful stroll. 

El Yunque Rainforest Tours

One of the views I captured at the overlook

If you are hoping to visit the El Yunque Rainforest, but you would rather explore with a guide there are a plethora of guided tours to choose from. Some even include San Juan pick-up and transportation so no rental car would even be needed. 

Below are some of the most popular: 

• Viator.com offers multiple tour options to choose from just take your pick!
• GetYourGuide offers hiking and kayaking combo tours of glowing planktons and much more.

El Yunque Rainforest Packing List

After reading all the wonderful things to do during one day in the El Yunque Rainforest, you’re likely ready to start planning your trip! Let me help you get started with a quick El Yunque National Forest Packing list (not in any particular order). 

• 1) Hiking shoes/boots – Trust me, you WILL need this. The rocks are very slippery as you climb so you’ll want good traction.
• 2) Waterproof phone pouch/case – Getting your phone wet on vacation and having resulting water damage is never fun (I’ve had this happen to me). Buy this and be prepared on your trip.
• 3) Water shoes – I wore water shoes for the deeper areas of the rainforest waterfalls and found it extremely useful.
• 4) Sunscreen – You’ll want to protect your skin as you trek throughout the day and even during your trip. This sunscreen protects you against blue light, UVA, UVB, and IRA rays.
• 5) Quick dry towel – You’re going to want to quickly dry off as you head back from your all day excursion so don’t forget this!

Packing List Continued

6) Portable charger – Depending on how long you decide to stay at El Yunque Rainforest you’ll want to be able to charge your device. I was glad I had mine as the trip lasted a long time.

7) Swimming suit – I knew I would be climbing (and possibly slipping) on multiple rocks and come into contact with various vegetation and insects, so I figured a long sleeve suit would be best. But by all means wear what works best for you.

8) Visor – I did wear a visor to help reduce glare from the sun as I made my way up during the hike and would recommend either this or a hat.

9) Camera – If you want another option to capture the beauty of this rainforest aside from your phone, then I’d recommend getting a camera for top of the line photos.

10) Water – Water is one of those things that we seem to forget, but you will want to stay hydrated so make sure you don’t forget to pack this!

Sample Self-Guided One Day Itinerary in the El Yunque Rainforest

8:00 am: Arrive early in order to beat the crowds and head straight to La Mina Falls for a quick hike and morning swim. 

9:30 am: Hike to Mount Britton for the best views of the park. 

10:30: Check out the roadside waterfall, La Coca Falls, and then have a picnic at Juan Diego Falls.

12:20: Head back out of the park for an epic zipline tour at 1:00 pm.

3:30: If you still have more energy, you could head back into the park for one last hike or climb to the top of Yokahu Tower (the park closes at 5pm). 

FYI: This is only a sample itinerary, customize to your liking!

El Yunque National Forest FAQs

1. How long should I spend visiting El Yunque Rainforest? That’s up to you and how much time you have allotted for the day. I spent about 4 hours with a little extra time for commuting to and from.
2. Will I be able to swim at El Yunque? Yes! The water is so beautiful and you can swim in it. Please be careful if you decide to and wear the appropriate equipment (e.g.; life jacket). Tip: Do not venture away from your guide and group.
3. Should I pack food to take with me? Yes, you should. If you plan on spending a couple of hours here, you’re bound to get hungry AND thirsty. Prepare accordingly. Here are some snacks and water recommendations. Make sure to clean up after yourself and throw out your trash!
4. What time should I plan on getting to El Yunque Rainforest? The earlier the better. There will be multiple tours there as it’s a popular tourist attraction.
5. What year was El Yunque established? It was established on January 17th, 1903 and became a national forest in 1906.

Are You Ready to Check Out El Yunque Rainforest?

Have I convinced you yet? El Yunque Rainforest definitely deserves a spot on your bucket list. With so many things to do and see, you will not regret spending one day in the El Yunque National Forest. You’ll likely want to go back the next day even! 

Need more suggestions on where to go while visiting Puerto Rico? Click below!

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Final Thoughts

I hope this blog post peaked your interest on visiting El Yunque National Rainforest. As always, thank you for reading. Did you learn anything new or have any feedback? Let me know. Please comment below and don’t forget to subscribe here. 

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Photo Credit

Thank you to Tatiana Rodriguez, Wenhao Ryan, Joseph Morales (for my Pinterest pin) and Paul Torres for the photos taken at El Yunque Rainforest. I discovered their work on Unsplash.com. Check them out!

Disclosure

This blog post has affiliate links which means if you click and make a purchase I may earn a small commission at NO additional cost to you. These are my own personal suggestions based on products/experiences I love and use. Read the full disclosure here.

Covid-19 Disclaimer: The recommendations listed are based on my own suggestions and in no way endorses or condemns travel at this time. If you decide to take a trip, follow national and state guidelines, and of course the CDC when traveling. 

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