Sethukarnan's Puerto Rico Tour El Yunque National Forest 8th July 2026

We were on a vacation tour to Puerto Rico from 2nd to 10th July 2026. After three days at San Juan, we spent six days on a beach resort at Luquillo. We made a day trip to El Yunque National Forest, located just a short drive from Luquillo. It is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. Extending over 28,000 acres, it features 200+ inches of annual rainfall, 25 miles of hiking trails, rushing rivers, indigenous Taíno petroglyphs, and endangered wildlife like the Puerto Rican parrot. Yokahu Tower offer panoramic, sweeping views of the lush jungle, the Atlantic coastline, and even San Juan on exceptionally clear days.Iconic We enjoyed the view of spectacular cascades of the 85-foot La Coca Falls and falls at Juan Diego Creek. This Rain Forest is known for its biodiversity. It is home to the tiny, singing coquí frog and a thriving ecosystem of ancient trees, giant ferns, and rare birds. Baño de Oro (Spanish for "Golden Bath") is a historic, landmark recreational site nestled within El Yunque National Forest. It is named after the Baño de Oro Creek, which flows through the area. Spanish conquistadors actively panned for gold in this river during the 16th century. The Historic Pool, built in the mid-1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, was the very first recreation site constructed in the forest. It served as a public freshwater swimming pool until the 1960s, when it closed due to safety concerns. It is officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places.