El Yunque Rainforest Half-Day Trip from San Juan

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Sit back and relax on this leisurely half-day trip to the El Yunque rainforest. You'll discover an amazing world of nature trails, waterfalls, scenic views and the sub-tropical rainforest habitat of Puerto Rico's endangered wildlife.

This half-day tour takes you to a place held sacred by the Puerto Rican locals. According to ancient Indian legend, the good spirit Yuquiyu reigned at El Yunque on his mighty mountain-top throne, protecting Puerto Rico and its people.

On this fascinating tour, you'll pass typical native towns before ascending through rapidly changing vistas of amazing vegetation to reach El Yunque. 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 and spectacular waterfalls, and see panoramic views of the entire north-east coast. The tour stops for vistas of the most beautiful sights on this tour, so don't forget to bring your camera!

USD $66.00

Review by:   Tomiko T,    October 2017
This trip was a lot of fun. The guide was very informative about the area. The trip doesn't allow for a detail exploration of the rain forest but does provide a very nice overview. If you have a limited time to explore, this excursion is a good choice.

Review by:   GYNNYS I. B,    October 2017
This tour was amazing!

Review by:   Alicia B,    October 2017
I liked this tour. It was comfortable for a solo traveler. We saw one of the smaller waterfalls that we could've swam in, but it was too chilly that day. Also saw The Mina Falls and went up a tower for a cool view. We made a pit stop on the way back for really delicious PR food.

Review by:   Jenna C,    September 2017
There was much more time spent in the van than in the rainforest. I would just explore the rainforest on your own or take a full day tour.

Review by:   teresa g,    September 2017
The El Yunque Rainforest tour was great. The waterfalls were beautiful, the guide was very knowledgeable, and we had a wonderful experience. Amazing to see the only tropical rainforest in the US national park system. I would highly recommend it.

Review by:   ROBERT G,    September 2017
Carlos was amazing and very knowledgeable of El YUNQUE history. I have been leaving in N.Y for 40 yrs., but visiting frequently and is the first time I want a tour guide to tell my husband and my daughters the history of El Yunque, soo beautiful and just 3 weeks before the terrible Hurricane Irma, so sad : . We went for the Half Day Tour which was enough for us, but if you are a good walker, go for the All Day tour. Thank you for a beautiful day in Borinquen.

Review by:   Michelle S,    September 2017
Wow, just wow! This tour far exceeded my expectations. Our host/driver Frances was simply amazing, with a great knowledge of Puerto Rico and an energetic demeanor. She was funny and kept our group of 9 a perfect size for this kind of excursion entertained throughout the 5 hour trip. The coach was smooth and well air-conditioned, and hotel pickup was a breeze. The waterfall is obviously what you're there to see and it is truly a marvel ...but it was the Yokahu Tower, an observation point overlooking the mountains that really took my breath away! It was so beautiful up there. We stayed a perfect amount of time at each, in my opinion. The hike through the woods was also perfect, just enough to satisfy your adventurous spirit but not overly strenuous either - people of all ages can take this trip with ease and comfort. It was great to get a pina coloda at the roadside food spot before dropping our group off. Overall, this was a lasting memory that I highly recommend you try. Great experience!!!

Review by:   Jessica G,    September 2017
First off, our tour guide Riccardo was amazing. He was funny, energetic and very informative. If you're someone looking for a laid back, picture opportunity, then you'll probably enjoy this tour. You basically spend the entire time in the van and stop at a few places for pictures. I, as was most of my tour group, was under the impression there would be some actual hiking involved. There wasn't. We walked on one trail for about two minutes to go see a man-made waterfall. If you're looking to actually see the rainforest, you'd be better off renting a car and exploring on your own.

Review by:   cally h,    September 2017
Nice little half day tour.

Review by:   Herronda M,    August 2017
This tour was amazing!

Review by:   Herronda M,    August 2017
This tour was amazing!

Review by:   Lakeshia D,    August 2017
This tour was amazing!

Review by:   ana a,    August 2017
Although we did have a great time, I was under the impression that this tour would involve more hiking. The majority of the time was spent in the van traveling from one place to another to stop and take pictures. We did do a quick 5 min hike to a waterfall but other than that we in and out of the van. With that said, it did give us a good idea of the layout of Yunque and we ended up going back the next day without a tour guide to do some more extensive hiking. If in and out of the van is your deal, this tour is perfect for you since there is not a lot of hiking involved but for those who are looking to do more exploring by foot, this is not for you.

Review by:   Kaitlyn M,    August 2017
Our tour guide was fantastic and made our mini excursion into El Yunque extremely enjoyable. The tour was packed with information, and it was nice to explore and learn at the same time. We hiked a trail, visited two waterfalls and a Native American watchtower, and capped it off with lunch and pina coladas at a roadside restaurant. It was incredible! Highly recommend.

Review by:   Dina M,    August 2017
Our tour guide, Richie, was very knowledgable and entertaining. He made the drive enjoyable with facts and humor. We saw beautiful areas of the rainforest. If you have enough time you might consider the full day.

Review by:   Mary M,    August 2017
Our guide was very friendly and informative. He picked us up in front of the hotel promptly and we really couldn't ask for a nicer person to take us!! We enjoyed the trip and would recommend, but I wish the hike was longer and farther into the rainforest. However, my husband has a bad knee so it was perfect for him. Our fellow guests ranged from about 2 to 70 which should have been the tip off and looking back, this particular trip states easy walk. If you're looking for a relaxed laid back trip, this is for you.

Review by:   NYPeach_99,    August 2017
This tour was definitely worth taking! Hector our tour guide was very knowledgeable and very charming. He engaged the tourists and was very good with timing and direction. Not to mention that he's a musician and aficionado of smooth jazz music as myself. I highly recommend this tour!!!

Review by:   carolyn,    August 2017
We had a great time. Our guide was great. He made me an awesome hat out of a huge leaf. It was amazing.

Review by:   Matthew S,    July 2017
Great trip and very informative. The rainforest is stunning. Our tour guide, Carlos, was a wealth of knowledge and a nice guy.

Review by:   Aaron C,    July 2017
Tour was great, guide was awesome and very informative. Taking a hike through the rainforest is really the best way to experience this and you get that with this excursion.

Review by:   Sabin L,    July 2017
This trip came up when I searched for El Yunque hiking...but there's zero hiking involved. We were driven to three spots within the park, given about 10 minutes at the first two to look around they were both on street or parking lot, then taking to our final spot. There we walked a partially paved trail. Probably my fault for not looking closely enough at this - so if you want to hike, don't book this trip. The park itself, what we saw of it, was beautiful.

Review by:   LLOYD W,    July 2017
HAD A GREAT TIME WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT...

Review by:   denycecarter,    July 2017
Very informative and helpful guide. Beautiful sights

Review by:   denycecarter,    July 2017
Very informative and helpful guide. Beautiful sights

Review by:   sheontra r,    July 2017
This tour was amazing! Ricky was entertaining and informative. He gave some great suggestions for things to do. We also stopped for authentic food and Pina Coladas and everything was Amazing! Definitely recommend this tour!

Review by:   Rita B,    May 2017
The tour was great, the guide was amazing. I really enjoyed this tour._br_ However, I had two other tours booked through Viator with a different tour operator and they were canceled because there were not enough participants. I have never had this happen before in all the years I have been traveling, I will never book with Viator again.

Review by:   Sheronda V,    May 2017
Great informative tour.

Review by:   Ryan M,    May 2017
YOU HAVE TO DO THIS TOUR! Our tour guide was Carlos. He knew so much about the history of Puerto Rico and the rainforest. This was by far the best part of the trip even though the rest of the trip was pretty amazing. I learned so much about the indigenous plants and animals. The waterfall was the icing on the cake. I will forever remember this tour. I want everyone I know to do this tour and have the memories we experienced.

Review by:   Sonia D,    May 2017
Very personable guide, and knowledgeable. Would recommend this tour.

Review by:   Kimberley F,    May 2017
Our tour guide, Carlos, was very knowledgeable. They trip was fun. There is a lot of walking so bring comfortable shoes

Review by:   Solveig V,    May 2017
Our tour started at one of the local hotels in San Juan. Due to the time to get to the rain forest, the tour proper was short.

Review by:   Legal Tender,    May 2017
I really enjoyed this tour. El Yunque is beautiful a must see while in San Juan. Our tour guide was great. He provided so many details about the area. The ride was comfortable. I highly recommend.

Review by:   John H,    May 2017
Our guide Rick made this trip special for us. He was very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna, often providing a local Spanish name, an English translation of that, and a Taíno name for the indigenous plants and animals. He was able to find little tree frogs in the bromeliads, a walking stick insect, and a reflective slug, just to name a few interesting critters. It's possible to get to El Yunque on your own by cab, but without an experienced guide, like Ricky, you would be missing out.

Review by:   Benish S,    April 2017
The tour guide was extremely rude, yelled at our group within the first 45 minute, and berated us. We felt unsafe and were worried that he was just going to leave us on the side of the road if we said anything at all. His only focus was the one white couple on the tour, and since we were a bunch of brown girls we didn't really matter. I emailed the tour company about it immediately, got no response. Tried calling them because we felt unsafe on the tour and would rather have gotten out - got no response.

Review by:   Joseph N,    April 2017
This tour was great, the tour guide was very knowledgeable about the forest. I would recommend this to anyone as it is unbelievable.

Review by:   marclsimard,    April 2017
Took tour on cloudy, rainy on and off day with Carlos as our driver and guide. Very knowledgeable and interesting, you can feel the love Carlos has for his country, and specifically for El Yunque. Break for lunch allows you to taste typical Puerto Rican cuisine. All in all, a very nice day. Must do if in San Juan for at least a day._br/_ Marc S.

Review by:   Karen B,    April 2017
We really enjoyed this trip - - even thought is was a rainy' day. Our guide/driver Carlos did a super job. He provided interesting information at each stop and during the trip. We walked on a short trail at one stop, stopped at waterfalls, an observation tower, the visitor's center and a local eatery at the edge of the forest. Well worth the time and money!!

Review by:   Pamela M,    April 2017
it was great! loved every min. tour guide was great, very informative and explained a lot.

Review by:   Elizabeth R,    April 2017
Great experience - Carlos an excellent guide

Review by:   Danielle S,    April 2017
Fantastic tour guide and relaxing trip! Great trip for people who do not want to hike long distances.

Review by:   Kamaree A,    April 2017
Puerto Rico is beautiful. I signed up for this tour expecting a hike through the rain forest. We were mostly in a van. We made a number of stops for pictures but the actual walk was 20 minutes or less. It was less than I expected.

Review by:   Danielle S,    April 2017
I loved the half day tour with Frances! She was adaptive to the group and taught us lots of fun facts while making us laugh. The small group size (14) was perfect and the rainforest is really beautiful. We also got food (out of pocket) afterward which I enjoyed.

Review by:   Graceness,    April 2017
bring your walking shoes. Great views.

Review by:   Lonnie M,    April 2017
Our tour guide was extremely nice. He made the trip so much more enjoyable.

Review by:   Dawn P,    April 2017
This was a great tour! Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and friendly, and tried to get to know the passengers. We took a small tour bus which I personally prefer over the vans, which are hard to get in and out of - especially when there are a lot of people through the rain forest and saw a small waterfall, a tower that you could climb and see beautiful 360 degree views if you choose not to climb the tower, you still see some amazing views, a swimming hole with a beautiful bridge that you could walk across, and walked a small trek through the rainforest. It was a very easy hike with some steps, and could even be done in flip flops. Our group was pretty hungry by the end and our guide volunteered to drop us off at local restaurant to eat as long as ALL of us agreed to extending the trip. It was such a great day and would HIGHLY RECOMMEND it to everyone at any age and fitness level.

Review by:   Kathleen C,    March 2017
We had the absolute BEST time! Carlos was so amazing! He could answer any question we came at him with. He knew all the different flowers and plants and he was sooo great at explaining the history of the rainforest and how important it is. This was a great tour worth every penny!

Review by:   Valerie M,    March 2017
Frances was great - an amazing Nascar driver going up the mountain of El Yunque and a lot of fun.

Review by:   Colin B,    March 2017
Excellent tour guide. Not only knowledgeable about the flora but also the history and how it impacted the island and the area. Highly recommend. Highly recommend and you hit all the key areas.

Review by:   Cheryl B,    March 2017
The tour was exactly as promised! We were picked up and departed, as advertised. The tour guide, Carlos, was very friendly and helpful in all aspects. Enjoyed the early morning time, as we could see the throngs of tourists arriving as we left. Really appreciated the small group size 10. Highly recommend!

Review by:   Lisa N,    March 2017
Our guide was full of knowledge about Puerto Rico and the rainforest. If you are looking for a quick trip into the rainforest for a short hike and some good photo ops, this is the tour for you.