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El Yunque Review

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El Yunque

Category: Parks
Location: Eastern Puerto Rico

Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.6/5

Fodor's Review:

More than 28,000 acres of verdant foliage and rare wildlife make up El Yunque, the only rain forest within the U.S. National Forest system. Formally known as the El Yunque National Forest, El Yunque's odd 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 flattened tops. More than 100 billion gallons of precipitation fall here annually, spawning rushing streams and cascades, 240 tree species, and oversize 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 well maintained; many of them are easy to walk and less than a mile long. Before you begin exploring, check out the high-tech interactive displays—explaining rain forests in general and El Yunque in particular—at El Portal (Rte. 191, Km 4.3, 00745. 787/888-1880. www.fs.fed.us/r8/el_yunque), the information center near the northern entrance. This is also a good place to pick up a map of the park and talk to rangers about weather conditions or which trails are open. You can also stock up on water, snacks, film, and souvenirs at the small gift shop. The center is open daily from 9 to 4:30; admission is $3. The park itself, which is free, is open daily 7:30 to 6.

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Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed 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.