El Yunque National Forest
El Yunque National Forest is a tropical rainforest about 40 km east of Old San Juan, with trails to waterfalls and lookout towers. It rains year-round, so pack for wet weather.
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El Yunque National Forest is a tropical rainforest in the Sierra de Luquillo, in northeast Puerto Rico, about 40 km east of Old San Juan. Most of it lies in Río Grande, Luquillo and Naguabo. The U.S. Forest Service has managed it since 1903, and it is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. About 1.2 million people visit each year. Trails lead to waterfalls, natural pools and lookout towers.
El Portal Rainforest Center, at kilometre 4.3 on PR-191, is the main visitor center, with exhibits and a walkway about 18 metres above the treetops. The El Yunque Trail is the most popular hike, about 8.7 km to the summit with about 533 m of climbing. The Caimitillo trail is short and easy, at about 0.64 km. The La Coca trail is very challenging and often muddy, so stay on the marked path. It rains year-round, with summer averages near 27 °C high and winter near 22 °C high. Flash flooding can close natural pools, so check conditions before you swim.
El Yunque National Forest in five
- Arrive early: parking limits entryThere is no reservation for the PR-191 corridor, but the Forest Service manages visitor numbers because parking is limited. Arrive early to avoid delays.El Yunque National Forest
- Pay only for El PortalEntering the forest is free. El Portal, the rainforest center at the forest entrance, is one of the sites where the Forest Service has proposed new recreation fees; check its page for what applies.
- Expect rain every dayShowers are frequent all year, especially in the afternoon and on the upper slopes. Wear shoes with grip and carry a rain jacket.
- Check which trails are openSome trails stay closed for safety, and conditions change. Check the forest's trail status alert before you drive out.
Things to do in El Yunque National Forest
See all attractions in El Yunque National Forest
Need to know
- Entrance
- Free forest entry; fees proposed at El Portal
- Permits
- No reservation for the PR-191 corridor; visitor numbers are managed
- Season
- Open all year; rain daily, hurricane risk Jun–Nov
- Nearest town
- Río Grande and Luquillo
- Getting there
- About 45 min–1 hour by car from San Juan
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°ShowersJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 51 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- FebruaryRain13 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Drier spellFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier spell
- MarchRain15 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Drier spellMarchRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 65 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier spell
- AprilRain17 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°ShowersAprilRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 105 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- MayRain17 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°WetterMayRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 93 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wetter
- JuneRain14 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Hurricane seasonJuneRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane season
- JulyRain17 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Warm, wetJulyRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 99 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, wet
- AugustRain18 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Hurricane riskAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 117 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane risk
- SeptemberRain22 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Peak hurricanesSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 221 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak hurricanes
- OctoberRain22 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low25°Hurricane riskOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 191 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hurricane risk
- NovemberRain19 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°WettestNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 182 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- DecemberRain15 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°ShowersDecemberRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 97 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
Average daily high and low in El Yunque (lower slopes), 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in El Yunque National Forest
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 28°
- Humidity
- 73%
- Wind
- 13 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
El Yunque National Forest
04:07 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today26°19°100%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 26°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue27°19°81%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 81%.
- Wed28°19°69%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Thu26°19°96%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 26°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Fri27°18°97%Friday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Sat28°18°100%Saturday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sun27°18°88%Sunday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 88%.
Updated 02:06 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
What's on in El Yunque National Forest
Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city
Events calendarEvery year
- May–JunCasals FestivalSan Juan, a day trip
Before you go to El Yunque National Forest
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Rules for El Yunque National Forest, checked
- The PR-191 recreation corridor is free and needs no reservation, but the Forest Service limits visitor numbers because parking is limited.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
- Stay on marked trails and check the Forest Service trail status alert before you go; some trails remain closed for safety.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
Plan around El Yunque National Forest
Regions, entry basics and money
Read the guideSan JuanThe base, about 45 minutes to an hour away
Read the guideViequesBeaches and the bio bay off the east coast
Read the guideCar hire and transportRenting a car for the east side
Read the guideESTA explainedUS entry for visitors from abroad
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for hurricane-season trips
Read the guideEl Yunque National Forest FAQ
Do I need a reservation for El Yunque?
No. The PR-191 corridor needs no reservation, but the Forest Service manages visitor numbers because of limited parking. Arrive early.
Is El Yunque free?
Entering the forest and hiking the trails is free. El Portal, the visitor center, is one of the sites where the Forest Service has proposed new fees; check its page for what applies.
How long do I need at El Yunque?
Half a day covers a lookout tower and one waterfall trail. Leave San Juan early to beat both the parking cap and the afternoon rain.
Can you visit El Yunque without a car?
Yes, on a guided tour or with a permitted taxi or transport provider. The Forest Service says rideshare apps do not mark a valid pick-up point, so agree a return ride first.
What are the best trails in El Yunque?
La Mina Falls is the best-known waterfall walk and Mt. Britton Tower is the classic lookout. Both depend on trail status, so check the forest's alerts page before you drive out.