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El Yunque Review
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El Yunque 
Fodor's Review:
More than 28,000 acres of verdant foliage and often rare wildlife make up El Yunque, the only rain forest within the U.S. National Forest system. Formally known as the Bosque Nacional del Caribe (Caribbean National Forest), El Yunque's colloquial name is believed to be derived from the Taíno word yukiyú (good spirit), although some people say it comes directly from yunque, the Spanish word for "anvil," because some of the forest's peaks have snub shapes.
Rising to more than 3,500 feet above sea level, this protected area didn't gain its "rain forest" designation for nothing: more than 100 billion gallons of precipitation fall over it annually, spawning rushing streams and cascades, 240 tree species, and oversized impatiens and ferns. In the evening millions of inch-long coquís (tree frogs) begin their calls. El Yunque is also home to the cotorra, Puerto Rico's endangered green parrot, as well as 67 other types of birds.
The forest's 13 hiking trails are extremely well maintained; many of them are easy to navigate and less than 1 mi long. If you prefer to see the sights from a car, as many people do, simply follow Route 191 as it winds into the mountains. Several observation points are along this often narrow road, which is the park's main thoroughfare. Las Cabezas observation point is at Km 7.8; Cascada La Coca, one of two waterfalls where you can take a refreshing dip (the other, La Mina, is to the south), lies just past Km 8.1; and the Torre Yokahú observation point sits at Km 8.9. When hurricanes and mud slides haven't caused portions of the road to be closed, you can drive straight from the entrance to Km 13, the base of Pico El Yunque, the peak that forms the centerpiece of this amazing park.
Arrive early and plan to stay the entire day. The road into El Yunque opens at 7:30 AM and closes at 6 PM. You'll be charged an admission fee if you visit El Portal, the information center that has an interesting movie and interactive exhibits, but everything else is free. There are picnic areas with sheltered tables and bathrooms, as well as several basic eateries along the way.
A lizard's tongue darts across three movie screens, a forest erupts in flames, a tiny seedling pushes up from the ground and flourishes. Before you begin exploring El Yunque, check out the high-tech, interactive displays -- explaining rain forests in general and El Yunque in particular -- at El Portal, the information center near the northern entrance. The beautifully designed facility is a good stop for families, as many of the exhibits are geared toward youngsters. Kids especially like a short film narrated by actor Jimmy Smits (whose mother is Puerto Rican) about efforts to save the endangered Puerto Rican parrot. All exhibits are in English and Spanish. This is also a good place to pick up a map of the park and talk to rangers about which trails are open. You can also stock up on water, snacks, film, and souvenirs at the small gift shop. [. Rte. 191, Km 4.3, off Rte. 3. 787/888-1880. www.fs.fed.us/r8/caribbean
The first spectacular sight you're likely to see in El Yunque is Cascada La Cola, which plunges 85 feet down a rocky cliff. The waterfall is inches from the road, so it's visible even to those who don't want to navigate the trails. The gate to the park, which opens at 7:30 AM and closes at 6 PM, is just before the falls. [. Rte. 191, Km 8.1
Resembling the turret of a castle, Torre Yokahú rises unexpectedly from a little hill not far from the road. A peek through the windows of its circular stairway gives you a hint of the vistas awaiting you at the top: 1,000-year-old trees, exotic flowers in brilliant hues, birds in flight. Postcards and books on El Yunque are sold in the small kiosk at the tower's base. The parking lot has restrooms.[. Rte. 191, Km 8.9
Just beyond the halfway point along the road into El Yunque, the Centro de Información Sierra Palm is a great place to stop for trail updates. El Yunque's steep slopes, unstable wet soil, heavy rainfall, and exuberant plant life result in the need for intensive trail maintenance; some trails must be cleared and cleaned at least twice a year. Rangers at the office here have information on closures, conditions of open trails, what flora and fauna to look for, and any activities planned that day. There are restrooms and water fountains near the parking lot.[. Rte. 191, Km 11.6
Palo Colorado, the red-bark tree in which the endangered cotorra nests, dominates the forest surrounding the Centro de Información Palo Colorado. The center -- which is home to Forest Adventure Tours and its two-hour, ranger-led hikes (reservations are required) -- is the gateway for several walks. The easy Baño del Oro Trail loops 2 km (1 mi) through an area dubbed the Palm Forest. The even shorter El Caimitillo Trail starts at the same place and runs for about 1 km ( 1/2 mi). Although it begins as asphalt, the challenging El Yunque-Mt. Britton Trail turns to gravel as it climbs Pico El Yunque. At a higher elevation you can follow the Mt. Britton spur to an observation tower built in the 1930s. Without detours onto any of the side trails, El Yunque Trail takes about three hours round-trip and includes some mild ascents. Signs clearly mark each turnoff, so it's hard to get lost if you stay on the path. All the trails here are edged by giant ferns, bamboo, and oversized impatiens. There are restrooms and parking at the center and a picnic area nearby. Rte. 191, Km 11.9. 787/888-5646. www.fs.fed.us/r8/caribbean. Free. Daily 8-5.
Member Reviews & Ratings:
Great waterfall swim!
Posted by jasy from Miami, FL on 7/11/08
There is a 30 minute walk to get to the waterfall, but it is worth it! You can actually swim in the waterfall, which is extremely refreshing after hiking through the heat. The water is cool, and if you don't like the crowds, you can climb down to any other part of the water fall and relax there.
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