El Yunque Rainforest Hiking from San Juan

San Juan, Puerto Rico

On this tour, you'll see typical Puerto Rican towns until you begin your ascent on a modern road through rapidly changing vistas of amazing vegetation. Tree orchids, giant ferns, wild flowers and tropical hardwoods frame spectacular waterfalls and views of the entire northeast coast.

For an up-close tour of El Yunque that includes a semi-athletic hike, put on your walking shoes to enjoy a 35-minute hike to La Mina. You’ll discover an amazing world of nature trails, waterfalls, scenic views and the sub-tropical rainforest habitat of Puerto Rico’s endangered wildlife.

El Yunque takes its name from an Indian spirit, Yuquiye, meaning "Forest of Clouds". There are many ways to see the rainforest but hiking is the best way to experience this amazing place!

After hiking through the rainforest to La Mina (35 minutes each way), cool off with a relaxing swim or dip in La Mina Falls (10-minute stop). Make sure you have a good breakfast before taking this tour!

The rainforest is home to more than 240 species of plants and wildlife, waterfalls, streams and hiking trails leading to enticing locations. You'll see tree orchids, giant ferns, wild flowers, tropical hardwoods, spectacular waterfalls and views of the entire north-east coast.

The tour stops at the most beautiful photographic sights, including Jokahu Tower, so don't forget to bring your camera!

USD $71.99

Review by: Jenna S	March 2012
The hike was very easy, not long, and full of beautiful scenery, the waterfall was very packed but regardless I could not pass up the chance to swim in it. Great experience.

Review by: phil	March 2012
An O.K. trip. We did not go to the waterfall as the guide said it was a very strenuos return (and so 2 of the group didn't want to go and, judging from physique of our guide I don't think he wanted too either.) So walked on a concrete path with hundreds of others for a short distance through the rain forest - without the guide !!. Guide appeared knowledgeable about the forest and island. If this is indeed strenuous then feel it should say so.

Review by: Joshua L	March 2012
Overall the trip was good. Our guide Cruze was very knowledgeable about the area and plant life. The only negative is that we stopped at a restaurant outside the park and the food was good but the prices were really high for rice beans and chicken. We also had to wait on our guide to stop socializing so we could leave the restaurant.

Review by: Jyo Lyn H	March 2012
Great tour guide but the package is way overpriced (lunch wasn't even included). The tour covers only a small portion of the rainforest - the hike was easy and short (shouldn't even be called hiking trip), and the waterfalls were ehh and crowded. Didn't get to see many wildlife. Much of the said 6.5 hours of the tour was spent in the tour bus. Wouldn't do the tour again.

Review by: Howard C	March 2012
The guide for El Yunque Rainforest Hiking Trip was very charming, and very informative about Puerto Rico itself. Unfortunately, the guide was not very knowledgeable about the rainforest. He knew some generic information about the Yunque but did not offer very much detail about the forest, the vegetation, the animals, or the ecosystem. I was hoping for a guide who would offer more. It was kind of like having your Uncle Lenny show you around.

Review by: Susan A	December 2011
We had a great time. Our guide was knowledgable and friendly! Highly recommend!

Review by: Natalie I	July 2011
The trip was pretty good, but of the three tours that we took this my least favorite. I could have flipped a coin as to whether I would do this again. However, our tour guide, Ricardo, was very good.

Review by: Ken	June 2011
Beautiful hike...much fun...had a very nice tour guide...food at end a little rough.. Had a great time.

Review by: Suzanne S	June 2011
Pick up was on time, and our guide was very knowledgeable and funny! Plenty of time allowed at the water fall.

Review by: Norma K B	June 2011
So, so good! Our only wish would have been to explore more of the forest and trails! The trip is a great introductory to the rain forest weather.

Review by: Joseph P	May 2011
Excellent trip with great guide. Would have liked a bit more time to explore as we barely made it to the falls and back within the time frame.

Review by: Kaitlyn R	May 2011
Hotel pickup and drop off were great and convenient since I didn't want to rent a car while in Puerto Rico. Our guide was awesome! I just wish it could have lasted longer!

Review by: Tyson C	May 2011
Great tour guide, very knowledgeable. Very well coordinated and planned. Comfortable ride, great sights!

Review by: Ksenija M	March 2011
A great, friendly and knowledgeable guide.

Review by: Anonymous	August 2010
Terrific views from the tower, and a wonderfully aerobic walk from the Minas Falls. Definitely wear sneakers or hiking shoes. Our guide gave us lots of time to swim and explore. I thought the welcome center at El Portal would have been better with a quick guide so that one could thoroughly appreciate the scope of rain forest conservation.

Review by: Anonymous, United States of America	May 2010
We had a fantastic time visiting El Yunque. The driver was punctual when he picked us up at the hotel. He was very courteous, friendly, fun and full of knowledge. We only felt that the trip was a bit rushed. We would have liked to stay longer and be able to explore the rainforest a bit more at depth. We only had 20 minutes to enjoy the waterfall and swim which discouraged some of the tourists that were on the tour that wanted to go swimming. Overall, I would recommend this trip.

Review by: Anonymous, United States of America	March 2010
Very enjoyable 6 hour trip. We had an excellent, knowledgable, informed, personable and funny guide. Just about the right amount of hiking in the rainforest, with opportunities for breaks. Well planned itinerary with opportunity for lunch at the end at a local restaurant. If we get to return to Puerto Rico, we all hope to take other tours from Viator.

Review by: Anonymous, United States of America	November 2009
This tour stops for a 15-minute viewing at a waterfall you can climb up on the rocks to get closer but it's slippery and another 15-minute viewing at a tower that offers island views there are facilities at this stop. Next you head to a welcome center also with facilities where you can buy water and change into your swimsuit. Next up is a 35-minute hike we had some slow movers, mostly downhill, to a waterfall with a swimming hole. There, you stop for 30 minutes and then leave on your own to complete the hike back though. It is on a different path than the one you walk down on the guide returns on the path that you took to obtain the bus and meet you all at the end of the hike. The second path is more difficult than the first but not as difficult as returning up the first path would have been. All of the hiking trails are paved, though not entirely smooth, and are 18" or wider. Most inclines are paved as stairs, but some inclines on the return hike are steep. If you have any mobility issues or aren't completely steady on your feet, don't attempt this hike. If you twist an ankle in the middle of the rainforest, you'll still have to walk out. The stop for lunch wasn't until 1:30pm so eat a big a breakfast and bring snacks. The rainforest has lovely plants but minimal animal life. We saw a few snails and that was it. Our tour confirmation told us to call 48 hours in advance to confirm. I called and called during business hours but received no answer. Our guide showed up late, but we were late getting outside and therefore didn't mind.

Review by: Nikki B, United States of America	July 2009
Everything about this tour was perfect! Our guide, was absolutely wonderful! He was not only knowledgeable, but extremely courteous. He offered to take pictures for us and really made this tour worth every cent. I could have easily rented a car, grabbed a map and seen everything on my own, but the experience of someone who knows the area and the history is invaluable. Additionally, everything was exactly on time!

Review by: Niels A, United States of America	May 2009
It was great but too expensive. We paid 70 bucks per person for a knowledgeable chauffeur who drove us there and back.

Review by: Jessie S, United States of America	September 2008
This was an experience of a lifetime. It rained twice on our hike but that just added to the experience. Our guide was wonderful and knowledgeable! I'd do it again!!!

Review by: Anonymous, United States of America	June 2008
The guide was good. However, if you've seen one rain forest and waterfall, you've seen them all. Bring your own lunch. While I don't doubt that where we had lunch was the best place in the rain forest, I now know why Puerto Ricans have such high cholesterol.

Review by: Anonymous, United States of America	April 2008
Well planned tour. The guide was very informative and the tour was exactly as promised. Reliable company that we would recommend to other travellers.

Review by: Jeffrey T, United States of America	March 2008
Highly recommended. The rainforest was great and tour guide was very informative.

Review by: Andrea L, United States of America	March 2008
The tour guide was excellent as well as informative, but I didn't get much out of the rainforest tour for the amount of time it took. I went expecting to see incredible wildlife, but the only things I saw were a butterfly and a lizard. The waterfall was nice, but it was small and overcrowded. I would definitely NOT do this tour again.