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 degree, many of the forest consists by the Luquillo Mountains that may obtain annual rainfall quantities of 200-inches per 12 months in greater elevations and maintains a mean year-round temperature of 79 levels Farenheit. 200 species of timber and 100 species of ferns might be present in El Yunque.
El Yunque tropical rainforest
Whereas visiting El Yunque is free, the $8 admission payment 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 purchase a park map for $2.95 within the reward store and seek the advice of with Park Rangers about climate situations, path closures, crops, animals, and different sights.
Planning a hike in El Yunque from El Portal de El Yunque
On our latest go to to El Yunque, we have been conscious solely 200 automobiles are allowed into the park between the hours of 8am and 5pm. Already at capability, we have 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 have been granted entry (twenty vehicles have to exit earlier than new ones are allowed in; we made our transfer after noticing extra vehicles have been heading out than in).
Reward retailers 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. In the event 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 completely assured of both map and neither have been different hikers we encountered; and out-and-back hike was a great technique for a first-time go to).
Trailhead map
An intermediate packed dust dust path, plan forward your footwear will possible be muddy by the top of the journey. You’ll want water and sunscreen, however not essentially bug spray. A climbing pole may also be an incredible concept, notably in the event you wrestle to search out stability climbing round rocks and on an uphill/downhill slope.
Muddy and rocky path situations 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’ve got the possibility to street journey to El Yunque Nationwide Forest whereas in Puerto Rico, don’t flip it city.
(However in the event you stick nearer to San Juan, attempt the Casa Bacardí rum tour.)
Guide Your Keep in San Juan
Completely happy Trails!