Discovering the El Yunque Rainforest
Just 40 kilometers northeast of San Juan lies a vast piece of paradise known as El Yunque National Forest. Located in the eastern region of Puerto Rico, this nature reserve covers 28,000 acres of tropical forest and encompasses the municipalities of Canóvanas, Las Piedras, Luquillo, Fajardo, Ceiba, Naguabo, and Río Grande.
El Yunque is home to an abundant and diverse community of flora and fauna. There are about 240 species of native trees (23 of which are endemic to El Yunque), 50 species of orchids, 150 types of ferns, 68 species of birds, including the endangered Puerto Rican parrot, 11 species of bats, and eight types of lizards The rainforest is also home to the tiny coquí frog, a singing tree frog that is native to the area. The frog population in El Yunque is one of the densest in the world. There are also a few species of snakes in the area, but it is very rare to find one. As a nature reserve, El Yunque is a protected area and hunting is prohibited.
El Yunque is named after the good-hearted Indian spirit Yuquiyu, which means Cloud Forest. According to ancient history, Yuquiyu inhabits the highest peak of the forest mountain and protects all of Puerto Rico and its people. Following the gentle character of its guardian spirit, El Yunque Rainforest also exhibits a cool subtropical climate and a serene atmosphere.
It may be quiet in El Yunque, but it is also very humid. This rainforest receives the most precipitation of all National Forests with up to 240 inches per year, which is the equivalent of over 100 billion gallons of rainwater. However, the rains only come in short periods and there are plenty of shelters available, so there’s no need to worry about getting completely drenched during a nature hike.
The National Forest is divided into four based on the types of trees that grow in each area. The four distinct forests in El Yunque are the Tabonuco Forest, the Palo Colorado Forest, the En Las Nubes Forest (Forest in the Clouds), and the Palma Sierra Forest. The Tabonuco Forest can be found at elevations up to 2,000 feet. It gets its name from one of its most abundant trees, the tabonuco, although you can also find other species such as the yagrumo, the guaraguao, the laurel sabino and several giant ferns. Trees in the Tabonuco Forest can grow up to 115-1125 feet tall.
The Palo Colorado Forest is at a lower altitude at 1,970-2,950 feet. The Caimitillo, Caimitillo Verde and Palo Colorado are the most numerous tree species here. The Sierra de Palma Forest, on the other hand, is dominated by Palma Sierra species. This forest is generally found at elevations above 1,958 feet. Located on the tops of the highest mountains is the aptly named Bosque En Las Nubes, or Forest in the Clouds. Rising to an altitude of 2,500 feet, this forest experiences stronger winds and greater amounts of water. The common tree species here, Nemoco, Roble de Sierra, Limoncillo Guayabota, and Camasey, typically grow no taller than 12 feet.
It is not necessary to take a long and exhausting hike to enjoy the majestic landscapes of El Yunque. A beautiful waterfall can be visited less than a mile away on the paved forest trails. A good elevation that allows a panoramic view of the topography can also be reached with just a few minutes of walking. You also don’t have to worry about dangerous animals lurking behind the lush foliage. Your biggest dangers would probably be pesky mosquitoes and slippery rocks, so at least bring some mosquito repellent and wear shoes with good traction.