El Yunque
Twenty-eight thousand acres of rainforest in Puerto Rico's north-east, with waterfalls by the road, coquí frogs calling at dusk and San Juan about 45 minutes away.
- Arrival
- Luis Muñoz Marín International · SJU
- To the forest
- About 45 minutes from San Juan by car
- Private jets
- SJU around the clock; Ceiba by day
- Best time
- December to April
The city
Rain, mist and waterfalls.
El Yunque is the one tropical rainforest in the US National Forest System, spread over more than 28,000 acres of the island's north-east. Lower down the road climbs through dense green and past waterfalls; near the summits the trees give way to cloud forest, wet and cool.
The gates open at 8 am and close at 5 pm. Entry is free and needs no booking, but cars are let in only while there is parking, so arrive early: the mornings are also drier, and showers tend to come in the afternoon. Start at El Portal, the visitor centre, for the exhibits and a ranger's advice on the trails.
- La Coca Falls A cascade beside the forest road, seen without leaving the car.
- Mount Britton A trail up to a historic lookout tower with wide views over the forest.
- Juan Diego Falls A smaller fall at the end of a short walk, more secluded than La Coca.
Arriving
San Juan or Ceiba, then the hill road.
San Juan's Luis Muñoz Marín International is about 26 km from the forest in a straight line, around 45 minutes by road. On the east coast, Ceiba's airport is a little closer.
- St Maarten 45 min
- Barbados 1 h 30
- Miami 2 h 35
- Geneva 9 h 35 long-range jet
- Cape Town 14 h 00 long-range jet
When to go
December to April.
These are the figures for Fajardo, on the coast below the forest; up in the trees it is wetter and cooler. Highs sit between 26 and 29 °C all year. March is the least rainy month at about 120 mm, and from May to October every month brings 270 mm or more.
- 26° J 210
- 26° F 141
- 26° M 119
- 28° A 205
- 28° M 322
- 29° J 292
- 29° J 271
- 29° A 311
- 29° S 342
- 29° O 329
- 27° N 275
- 26° D 251
Where to stay
Between the forest and the sea.
Shown for information. We have no arrangement with any of these hotels.
-
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Puerto Rico A 483-acre estate on two miles of beach, between the forest and the Espíritu Santo river reserve, awarded one MICHELIN Key in 2026.
Where to dine
Dinner on the estate.
No MICHELIN Guide covers Puerto Rico. The table listed is the supper club of the Four Seasons at Río Grande, on the resort’s own dining page.
- Perla Signature restaurant, Four Seasons Puerto Rico Seafood and steaks Four Seasons, Río Grande, about 12 km north
Elsewhere in Puerto Rico
More reasons to come.
Flying to El Yunque?
Choose how you arrive.
A Business or First Class seat on a scheduled airline, or an aircraft of your own. Tell us the date and how many are travelling, and we reply with one final price, our margin included.