Discover El Yunque National Park: Half-Day Rainforest Tour
Description
Take time to escape to heaven on Earth in this half day tour, and let the natural beauty of El Yunque Rainforest captivate you with its lush green vegetation, amazing flora, huge boulders, cascading rivers and scenic views. Visit the only Tropical Rainforest in the US Federal jurisdiction, with over 28,000 continuous acres. Immerse yourself with the vibrating energy of El Yunque’s rivers and clean air, just like the indigenous Taíno tribe did centuries ago while Our certified tour guide will provide amazing history and stories during the course of the tour. Visit the renewed Portal Visitor's Center where you will be able to interact with some of it's flora and fauna, among others. Stop at the world famous La Coca Waterfall, the perfect setting for picture opportunities. We will also climb at the Yocahú Observation Tower, and stop at other areas to enjoy the different views of El Yunque. This is a low impact activity suitable for all ages and does not involve any hiking.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Experience begins with a visit to El Portal Visitor's Center in order to learn thru different interactive methods all about the flora and fauna that habitats here. Appreciate the beauty of live Puerto Rican parrots, do a small (handicapped accesible) trail to enjoy tropical flowers or visit the Rainforest's gift shop. As you wander along the trail, your guide will introduce you to the exotic varieties of flowers and the fresh ginger that grow alongside your route. You’ll also learn about the reserve’s significance to the local Taino Indians, who have long considered the area as sacred.
Appreciate up close and personal the world known 85 feet (26 m) La Coca waterfall. Here you will have great picture opportunities!
We will then visit other areas of the Forest, as your Certified tour guide continues to share interesting facts about the Rainforest and Puerto Rico in general. A stop at Yocahú Observation Tower, where you will climb 98 spiral steps to the top where views are unobstructed and far-reaching. At this point you are 1,500 feet (457 m) above sea level. Depending on the group pace and cruise passengers schedule, a final stop at Angelito Trail (or equivalent) may be done in order to visit another waterfall and/or river. This is a bonus stop. It is not guaranteed as part of the tour.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Complimentary pick up only in selected areas of San Juan: Old San Juan, Condado, Isla Verde, Miramar, Ocean Park and Calle Loiza. Meeting point available in Rio Grande. Exact pick up time will be provided the day prior to the tour.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Refunds will not be issued if tour/activity is missed due to late or non-arrival of cruise ship
- At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: contact phone number or email, ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
- A minimum of 8 persons is required for the tour to operate. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund. This activity operates on limited days a week.
- The duration of transfers from San Juan to the Forest is 1 hour each way approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions. Estimate activity duration includes driving time.
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
- Have a good breakfast before departing, as this tour does not include stop to eat.
- Children 0-6 years must use car seats in order to participate on tour (can be provided complimentary if requested with anticipation, and is subject to availability).
- Children must have purchased ticket regardless the age.
- Travel light and only bring the necessary to the tour. Leave behind electronic devices, any important documentation like passport, large sums of cash or credit cards. Cell phones require waterproof case. Bespoke Lifestyle Management will not be responsible for lost or stolen belongings. No luggage allowed on the buses.
- Please be ready at confirmed location 5-10 minutes prior to the confirmed time, bus will only wait 5 minutes per pick up stop.
- The El Yunque National Forest Half Day tour is led by Bespoke Lifestyle Management, who operates under special use permit 4024-03 on the El Yunque National Forest and operates on a non-discriminatory basis.
- Bespoke LM Reserves the Right of Admission - If a person appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs or not following instructions the Guide has the right to Cancel their reservation at any moment, and No Refunds will be issued due to this.
- Published starting time is only an estimate. Exact pick up time will be provided the DAY PRIOR to your tour.
- This is a low impact activity suitable for all ages and does not involve any hiking
- Depending on the group pace and schedule, we may do a final stop at Puente Roto river for a quick dip. Come prepared in the event we are able to!
Reviews(496)
Frankie is a passionate guide and steward of the rain forest. He is highly knowledgeable of the flora and fauna and was extremely warm and welcoming.
Our guide Frankie was very knowledgeable about the forest and his added expertise made the trip that much more enjoyable. He was very charismatic and fun to be around. He was on time and accommodating. I highly recommend that you do a tour with Frankie. As I left with a higher understanding of Puerto Rico and the wild life found with in.
It is a wonderful and enjoyable experience. Highly recommended!!! Our tour guide Frankie was amazing!!!
I booked a tour to El Yunque and couldn't have asked for a better experience. Our guide (Frankie) was fantastic—knowledgeable, patient, funny and incredibly focused on our safety while navigating parts of the trails. He brought the rainforest to life with fascinating facts about the island history, the multiple types of uses of forest trees and the many changes that occur in the cycle of renewal especially after Hurricane Maria. If you want a fun, immersive, and stress-free trip to El Yunque, I highly recommend booking with them!
Nice and easy introduction to El Yunque! Frankie was amazingly passionate and energetic making him the perfect guide to educate and enthuse tourists regarding Puerto Rican culture.
I reserved a place on this tour mainly because it offered hotel pickup. That was one of the reasons that I made the reservation and did not go for one of the cheaper tours. However, when confirmation was made on the day before, they required me to meet up with them at Plaza Colon, which would force me to purchase transportation to that location. When an objection was made to this, they sent a text saying that the trip was cancelled and offered me a refund, which I did receive. I was happy that I was offered the cancellation; it gave me the opportunity to choose another tour at a lessor cost and just as enjoyable. If you are considering this tour, before you make the reservation, contact them and ask for a commitment to a hotel pickup if that is important to you.
We had a great time on this tour, which was low impact as marketed. Frankie, our guide, was inspiring in his love for the island and for El Yunque. We learned a lot and saw a lot of really beautiful and interesting things.
Excellent driving tour of the rain forest with essential stops, no trails. Viator and the on site travel coordinator sent mixed messages about the pick up point.
Frankie was great! He was very knowledgeable and funny and gave a great tour. Was a good experience and we’re glad we went!
Easy to book, good communication, guide Frankie was awesome. Small group made experience even better
