Fajardo Excursions
El Yunque © El Yunque Travel Guide
Caribbean National Forest (El Yunque)
The Caribbean National Forest, 35 miles (56km) east of San Juan,
is the only tropical rainforest in the United States National Park
system and was named El Yunque by the Spanish. Its 28,000 acres
contain about 240 different species of tree and numerous other
plants from tiny wild orchids to giant ferns. Visitors can start
their visit at the El Portal Tropical Forest Centre where there are
films, exhibits and interactive displays on the rainforest. Maps
are available and you can choose from dozens of walking trails
through the forest, graded according to difficulty. Nearby is
Puerto Rico's best beach, Luquillo Beach, with its soft white sand
and coconut palms.
E-mail: mtirado@fs.fed.us;
Website: www.fs.fed.us/r8/caribbean;
Telephone: 888 1880;
Opening time: Daily 7.30am to 6pm. El Porto Rain Forest Center: 9am to 4.30pm
