For my son’s spring break, we decided to go to Puerto Rico after seeing a flight deal for a roundtrip ticket from Calgary to San Juan for only $442. On this trip, we took a day trip to El Yunque National Forest located in the Luquillo Mountains in Puerto Rico. My goal for this trip was to expose my little one to the outdoors as much as possible as living in Canada with long periods of freezing cold keeps us indoors for more than half of the year.
In the beginning, we were debating whether to explore and hike this tropical rainforest by ourselves or to book an El Yunque and Luquillo casual tour. In the end, we decided to book a tour that included transportation to and from our hotel in San Juan for convenience. We booked a tour with Viator for only CAD$122.86 per person which included a roundtrip transportation, short hike, water slides, swim time in Luquillo beach, and shopping/dining in Luquillo.
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About the El Yunque National Forest
This sacred place considered by locals is the only tropical rainforest in the entire US National Rainforest System. Although its size is small (28,000 acres) compared to other rainforests in the US National Rainforest System, it is one of the most biologically diverse. In fact, it is home to hundreds of plant and animal species including the Puerto Rican Parrot which has lived here for thousands of years and of course, the famous coqui frog. Do expect an average temperature of 21° C so dress appropriately.
Things to do in El Yunque National Rainforest
Slide down a natural rock waterslide
A side trip to a natural playground was included in our tour. It required a short and easy hike that even my four-year-old could do. However, our amazing tour guide was nice enough to give my little one a piggyback ride. My son and I really enjoyed swimming in the natural pools and watching others slide down the rock slides.
It did start raining while we were there and the colour of the water changed into murky brown. When this happened, the locals told us to leave the premises as it was no longer safe to swim. The rain also made our hike back up a bit more challenging as the trail got muddy and slippery. Do watch out when you visit and always listen to warnings by locals.
Immerse yourself in the forest’s diverse ecosystem
Lace up your hiking boots and put on your raincoat, if you wish and go on a hike in this Puerto Rican wonderland. Prepare to discover and encounter enchanting flora, fauna, rivers, and waterfalls. Whether you’re a beginner or season hiker, there’s a trail for you to discover the beauty of this rainforest.
Zipline your way through the forest
If you’re an adrenaline junkie and adventure is what you’re after, what better way to enjoy the views by ziplining through the forest’s lush green canopies? This experience will definitely set you apart from other tourists as you get to experience the forest through a spectacular and exhilarating activity.
When to visit El Yunque National Forest
Visitors will have a grand time at the El Yunque National Forest no matter what time of the year. However, if you like warm weather and little rain to make the most of your trip, December to mid-April is your best bet. We went there at the end of April and we stayed there for a week. It rained for almost half of our stay so we did have some good days. If you want to avoid the crowd, June to November would be a great time to visit.
What to pack on your trip to El Yunque National Forest
The weather in El Yunque National Forest can change quickly and it is best to go prepared. Here’s a checklist of things you should pack when it’s time to go to El Yunque:
- Comfortable closed-toe hiking shoes
- Raincoat
- Swimwear
- Water bottle
- Phone
- Camera
- Waterproof bag to keep your belongings
- Sunscreen
- E-sim – If you are a non-US traveller, I highly recommend getting an e-sim so you’ll always have access to the internet. Do take note that e-sims don’t have a phone number attached to them so you won’t be able to make regular calls. They are perfect for simply using data. My suggestion is to get Airalo e-sim as they are easy to install, affordable, and convenient. You can install e-sims before you even arrive to your destination. This is the e-sim I used in San Diego and Puerto Rico. If you have any questions, email me at jusztravel@gmail.com.
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Almost looks like a hot spring with all the mist! I know nothing about Puerto Rico, and it’s not a common destination for us Europeans, so thank you for broadening my horizon!
Looks really gorgeous here, I would definitely want to do the zip line! I visited Puerto Rico a few years ago, it’s definitely time to head back!
Looks really gorgeous here, I would definitely want to do the zip line! I haven’t been to Puerto Rico for years, so it’s definitely time to go back.
I’ve heard so many great things about this place! I would love to go ziplining through the forest, we did this in Costa Rica and it was the highlight of our trip!