Puerto Rico’s El Yunque Nationwide Forest is the one tropical rain forest within the U.S. Nationwide Forest System.
At 28,500 acres in measurement, El Yunque’s significance lies on the year-round tropical local weather and immense biodiversity. Rising 3,600 toes above sea stage, a lot of the forest consists by the Luquillo Mountains that may obtain annual rainfall quantities of 200-inches per yr in greater elevations and maintains a mean year-round temperature of 79 levels Farenheit. 200 species of bushes and 100 species of ferns could be present in El Yunque.
El Yunque tropical rainforest
Whereas visiting El Yunque is free, the $8 admission price to El Portal de El Yunque is well worth the expense if you’re visiting for the primary time. It’s right here you should buy a park map for $2.95 within the reward store and seek the advice of with Park Rangers about climate circumstances, path closures, crops, animals, and different points of interest.
Planning a hike in El Yunque from El Portal de El Yunque
On our current go to to El Yunque, we had been conscious solely 200 autos are allowed into the park between the hours of 8am and 5pm. Already at capability, we had been turned away on our first try. Passing the time on the reward store and restaurant simply outdoors the checkpoint, we tried once more within the early afternoon and had been granted entry (twenty automobiles must exit earlier than new ones are allowed in; we made our transfer after noticing extra automobiles had been heading out than in).
Reward outlets and restaurant close to the El Yunque entrance
With solely a day to discover the park, we recognized a six-mile round-trip hike from the Palo Colorado parking zone to the Vereda Los Picachos overlook. Should you bought a park map, you should still wish to take a photograph of the path map signal on the trailhead (trails are marked, however we weren’t solely assured of both map and neither had been different hikers we encountered; and out-and-back hike was an excellent technique for a first-time go to).
Trailhead map
An intermediate packed filth filth path, plan forward your footwear will seemingly be muddy by the tip of the journey. You’ll want water and sunscreen, however not essentially bug spray. A mountaineering pole may additionally be an ideal concept, notably for those who battle to search out stability mountaineering round rocks and on an uphill/downhill slope.
Muddy and rocky path circumstances at El Yunque
On the summit, sweeping, panoramic views of the rainforest and shoreline are you reward for the uphill climb (see the function picture). An unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime expertise, when you have the possibility to highway journey to El Yunque Nationwide Forest whereas in Puerto Rico, don’t flip it city.
(However for those who stick nearer to San Juan, strive the Casa Bacardà rum tour.)
Guide Your Keep in San Juan
Pleased Trails!
