Visiting El Yunque National Rainforest

The El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rainforest in the United States National Forest System. It is also a sacred place in Puerto Rican culture and is a national treasure. It is full of hikes, waterfalls, scenic drives and outlooks, and unique plants and wildlife. Visiting El Yunque during your stay in Puerto Rico is a must or you will surely regret it!

Read below to see how to get to El Yunque and how to properly pack for your adventurous day! Make sure to read through our post of Things to Do in El Yunque for our favorite hikes, waterfalls, and scenic views.

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How to Get There

First thing’s first, you need to have a reservation to visit El Yunque. There are limited reservations and you must book in advance to guarantee entry. – the tickets are released a month prior and only one reservation per vehicle is required. The reservations are free but there is a small processing fee. They may release extra tickets 24 hours prior to the date you wish to visit, but it is not guaranteed. They will turn you away at the entrance past the visitor center if you do not have a reservation. We recommend securing your reservation a month prior when the tickets are released.

Please visit the El Yunque website for more information on news, weather, closures, and to purchase tickets. Please keep in mind that cell service is limited in the rainforest.

El Yunque is about a 45 minute drive from San Juan and about 25 minutes from Luquillo. We recommend going as early as possible to enjoy less crowds and private hiking trails and swimming holes. If you are into photography, the best time to visit is when no one else is there interrupting your photos!

What to Pack

Puerto Rico is in the tropical Caribbean and it is very humid! You will want to be as prepared as you can to enjoy your visit to El Yunque with ease. Read along to see our recommendations on what to pack.

Firstly, you will need a lot of water. It is important to stay hydrated while you are out in the heat and exploring. Take a reusable water bottle insulated with stainless steel and a gallon or so of cold water. We recommend keeping the gallons in your refrigerator at your hotel and filling up your water bottle before you head out. The insulated stainless steel will keep the water cold for a majority of the day. You can also throw some ice in there to start. Take a gallon of water and keep it in your car so you can refill as needed.

You will also want to pack some light snacks or a lunch if you plan to be there for a majority of the day. You can pack trail mix, dried fruits, high protein snack bars, premade sandwiches, chips, etc. Pack it all away in your backpack or an insulated cooler backpack. We highly recommend an insulated backpack as it will keep your things cold and it can be easily carried. It is best to use ice packs instead of ice cubes. It has additional pockets to pack dry snacks, a book, or any other items.

You will want to wear comfortable shoes that have a good traction. It does rain quite often in the rainforest and some of the trails may be muddy and wet. You can opt for hiking boots if you prefer, but a pair of hiking shoes, such as these, will also do. You will also want to pack a pair of water shoes in case you want to explore the natural pools beneath the waterfalls. While the water may be cold, it is a thrilling experience that you do not want to miss. Standing under the waterfalls in a beautiful rainforest is a feeling unmatched.

Take either a swimming suit or an extra pair of clothes to change into after exploring the waterfalls. Even better, hiking clothes that are fast dry so you can just continue on your day. Take a fast drying towel with you that you can easily use and pack away.

While you are out exploring anywhere on the island, you should keep a small first aid kit in your car or backpack, just in case. You can make your own in a quart-sized ziploc or buy one. You can include allergy medicine, bandaids, acetaminophen, prescription medications, alcohol wipes, antibacterial ointment, etc.

Keep SPF on you at all times, the sun is strong and you will want to reapply often. Visit our list of recommended SPF products for help choosing the best ones. It is also useful to take a sunhat, or any hat, with you to protect your face. If you have sensitive skin and/or burn easily, you can bring a sunguard or a moisture-wicking long sleeve shirt.

While today’s phones take stunning photos, bringing a DSLR camera or a GoPro is ideal for better quality photos and videos. The views are stunning and there will be photo opportunities everywhere you look. If you are looking for a GoPro and are on a budget, check out this alternative that has many of the same qualities and takes great photos and videos.

Summary

That wraps it up for our guide to visiting El Yunque, how to get there, and what to pack. Your cell service will be limited so it is very important to have a plan before you make your trip. If you need ideas of where to visit once inside the rainforest, visit our post for Things to do in El Yunque. Visit any other of our links below for more guidance, tips, and things to do during your trip to Puerto Rico.