This is the first of many articles on the Rain Forest.

El Yunque Rain Forest is the only tropical rain forest in the US National Parks system. Ample rainfall (over 200 inches a year in some areas) creates a jungle-like setting – with lush foliage, waterfalls and rivers. Hike along the trails that cover miles of breathtaking terrain. The rain forest is located in the NE corner of Puerto Rico, with the main entrance in Rio Grande, just off Rt 3, on Rt 191.

The Forest contains hundreds of species of trees, orchids, plants and a few animals. You will hear the Coqui frogs and see large snails as they enjoy the moisture of the forest. You will also hear many birds as you walk the trails.

A trip to the rain forest- This is a “play-by-play” of a drive to the rainforest from some of our many trips there:

Driving East on Rt 3, you are looking for an Intersection with Rt 955. There will be signs for the rainforest to the right and the Rio Mar Beach Resort on the left. Turn right at this light. The roads curves right. On the right is a really nice art/artisan gift shop “Coqui International”. They hand-make soaps and candles too. You can check it out on the way home. You will also pass Palmer Bakery, where you can pick up sandwiches for a picnic. Right next to the bakery is another neat store – “Caribbean Trading Company”. Lots of cute local crafts and Caribbean inspired things. Continue a tiny bit more on this road- at the stop sign, turn left onto Rt 191.

You will follow this road up the mountain. There is a gift shop on the right with some good bargains on souvenirs. Across the way on the left is a little river that people play in if the desire hits . There also is a little restaurant (La Pozo) that has Lechon Asado (roast pork- pig on a spit) on Sat/Sun/Holidays. If you have not had the chance to try it, get some for lunch or dinner. It is delicious! Up a little more on the left is a restaurant “Dagao” that features PR food. It is open for lunch and dinners most days.

Continue along Rt 191, up, up ,up! At about Km.4.2 you will get to Marymont Grill, where they have good food and great wraps (great for to go picnics or a nice after visit lunch).

You will soon get to the El Portal Visitors Center at Km 4.3 It is open from 9am – 5pm. There is an entrance fee of $3 per adult, $1.50 for kids and seniors. It is an educational center with lots of exhibits on rain forests and conservation. There is a short movie describing the rain forest and its importance to the ecosystem. It alternates English and Spanish. The visitors center is landscaped with all sorts of tropical plants and flowers. There is a nice trail that starts at the visitors center. This trail is rarely used, but we liked it. There is a little sandwich cart where you can pick up lunch to go (or eat there). And a gift shop/bookstore. They have clean bathroom facilities. On the second floor, local artists and artisans set up on the last Thurs-Sun of every month.

After you are done in the visitors center (or if you choose not to go there), continue going up. At about Km 7.1 you will pass a gift shop and food stop on the left side – park carefully. Up at the next curve (Km 7.4) on the right is another gift shop and little roadside restaurant “La Muralla”. There you can get a decent meal and a delicious Pina Colada! Or try a Coco Frio, which is a cold coconut cut open so you an drink the coconut water.

Continue going up. Yes, the road is winding, so be careful of the curves and slow moving traffic. Also at some places, the edges of the road are just gullies – so keep your tires out of them!

At Km 8.1 you will come to the La Coca falls on the right. The falls can be seen from the road – park the car, get out and take pictures. A small gift shop is here. When you are done there, continue up to Km 8.9 to the Yokahu Observation Tower. Park and go in. It is well worth the climb – the views are beautiful! Another small gift shop here and a bathroom.

There are trail heads for La Coca Trail at Km 8.6 and Big tree trail at Km 10.4.

About Km 11.6 you will see the Sierra Palma Recreation area. Here you will find a food stand (Yuquiyu has yummy food) , restrooms and a picnic area.

Continue to the Palo Colorado Visitor Center at Km 11.8.

Here you will find most of the trail heads. Get a trail map from any of the ranger stations. There are clean bathroom facilities here, and the picnic pavilions are also accessible from here. There are picnic areas set up right on the trail to La Mina falls that are just perfect for a peaceful lunch.

If you would like a ranger-guided tour of the forest, stop in to the rangers station at the Palo Colorado station. They offer 1 hr tours Wed- Sun at 10:30a, 1:30p and 3:15 p for $5 for adults and $3 for children (5-12) and seniors.

Plan Ahead

Due to the rain, the trails can be slippery – wear appropriate foot wear (sneakers or hiking shoes) . A day in the cool rain forest is a very popular place for tourists and locals alike – so it can get busy. To avoid the worst crowds, go on a week day, and stay away on holiday weekends! Open daily 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Ranger stations are open 9-5. The gates close at 6pm, so make sure you are out by then, or your car WILL get locked in for the night.

Camping is allowed in the rainforest in the non-recreation areas (parking lots, picnic shelters, etc). You need to get a permit (either on-line or at the Catalina Service center). Camping is free of charge. For more information or a camping permit form:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/caribbean/recreation/recreation_camping.shtml

Hints: It rains quite often in the rain forest (especially in the afternoon), so try to go earlier in the day and bring some light rain gear with you. It is humid and tropical, so it can be hot hiking. Bring plenty of water. And for safety’s sake, stay on the trails. If you see a mongoose – stay away – as they may be rabid. Beware of flash floods in rivers. Hike on marked trails. Use common sense! There is a list of other things the Forest Service recommends on their website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/caribbean/

Note – even though road maps show that you can take Rt 966 to Rt 9966 into the rain forest, it is no longer true. There was a landslide in 2005 and the road has not yet been re-opened.

But What About the Hiking?

There are a number of maintained and some unmaintained trails in the rain forest. Here’s a list of some them along with links to our experiences on them:

La Mina – a very popular trail down to a waterfall

Big Tree- also leads to La Mina falls, has educational signs along the way about the forest.

Caimitillo Trail – leads along wooden path, easy trail

Mount Britton – leads to another observation tower

Bano de Oro – a peaceful trail along a stream

El Yunque Trail – to the peak (great views)

Angelito Trail – an easy trail to a natural swimming pool

Juan Diego Falls – a short hike to a series of waterfalls where you can swim

Los Picahos – to a lookout- more nice views

La Coca Trail – down through rivers, water falls

Trade Winds Trail – to El Toro peak, through the El Toro Wilderness Area

El Toro Trail – to El Toro Peak, through the El Toro Wilderness Area

Tony Croatto Trail – from the north side of El Yunque to the south side

Just the Facts

There is no entrance fee for the Forest itself. The El Portal Visitors Center (optional) is $4/adult and $2/senior. Kids under 16 are free. There are lots of tour operators who will provide transportation from your hotel and give you a guided tour of the Rainforest for a fee.

Open daily 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m (closed on Christmas Day). Ranger stations are open 9-5. The gates close at 6pm.

Depending on what you want to do, you could spend as little as 1 hour, or you could spend all day. We we go, we typically allow about 4 hours.

phone numbers: 787-888-1810, 787-888-1880, 787-888-5622 (fax)

website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/caribbean/

Follow Rt 3 to Rio Grande. Look for the intersection with Rt 955. There’s a big sign pointing to the Rainforest. Follow Rt 955 to Rt 191. Turn onto Road 191 and you’re there!

The bottom of Rt 191 is about 15 minutes from our Vacation Rental in Rio Grande.