We traveled to Puerto Rico and photographed about half of the island. El Yunque National Forest was a highlight of our trip. Be sure to see all of our Puerto Rico photography locations. We plan to go back soon to photograph the rest of the area.
El Yunque National Forest, once known as Luquillo National Forest, is a mystical rainforest shrouded in mystery and magic. Its lush landscape, filled with 28,000 acres of dense foliage, waterfalls, and rivers, has been untouched for centuries. But be warned—the heavy rainfall (over 200 inches a year!) creates an otherworldly jungle setting that can quickly turn treacherous.
Legend has it that the Taíno people believed this sacred land was home to spirits and gods. Some say “El Yunque” comes from their word for “white lands,” while others claim it refers to an ancient anvil-shaped rock formation. One thing is sure – stepping into this forest is like crossing into another realm.
IMPORTANT UPDATE:
Current Conditions – Entrance to the El Yunque National Forest recreational corridor on PR 191 North in Río Grande is free, and no reservations are required. Due to parking limitations and to ensure the public’s safety during ongoing construction work throughout the forest, visitor capacity is being managed in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Police.
We update this page occasionally, so be sure to check for park updates.
Before entering the forest, stop by the gift shop and visitor center. There, you can grab a map, watch a movie, and have any questions answered. Entrance is $4.00.
YOKAHU TOWER
The park is also home to two observation towers: the Yokahú Tower (seen in our photo), built in 1963 and known for its superior views compared to the other tower, Mount Britton Tower. While the latter may be situated at a higher altitude, it often has obstructed views due to cloud cover.
The Yokahú Tower has a convenient parking lot nearby, while the Britton Tower is deep in the forest. Along your journey, there will be designated stops for food – check out our section below for more information on that.
Be sure to climb the tower to get some of the overlook-type shots. Although not creative, they document the awe you may feel at the top.
MT. BRITTON TOWER
Accessible via the Mt. Britton Trail, a one-way loop that leads up to the Mt. Britton Tower. The ascent is quite steep and about a mile to the tower. If you do it and you get to the top of the tower, send us your photos with your watermark, and we’ll give you credit. We did not do the hike.
BANO GRANDE AND LA COCA FALLS PHOTOGRAPHY
A stroll around Bano Grande takes you past a stone bridge offering a great water view. It’s up the road from Juan Diego Creek and La Mina Falls on the way to the Mt. Britton trailhead. Don’t forget to stop here and snap some photos!
Located just 8 km from the park’s entrance and right off the main road, PR-151, this waterfall is easily accessible. There is a designated pull-off area across from the waterfall, but if it’s crowded, you may need to find another spot further down the road and walk back. While there are no official parking lots, cars can still park on the side of the road. However, these spots tend to fill up fast, so it might be necessary to drive a bit further before finding an available spot.
WHAT PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR TO BRING
WHAT ELSE TO BRING – A PACKING LIST
GUIDES AND TOURS
Experience the wonders of the El Yunque rainforest with guided tours that offer convenient hotel pick-ups and returns from San Juan area hotels. Ubers are not allowed in the park. Choose from half-day or full-day hiking tours that often include a refreshing dip in a waterfall within El Yunque. You can combine hiking with natural waterslides and rope-swinging or cliff-jumping into hidden pools in the lush rainforest landscape. If you’re not into rope swinging, you can photograph people swinging on the rope.
HOW TO GET THERE
Entrance to the El Yunque National Forest recreational corridor on PR 191 north in Río Grande is managed on a first-come, first-served basis, and admission is fee-free. The main recreation area has limited parking, and visitor capacity is managed to ensure public safety during forest construction.
Driving Directions – ROAD 186 MAP
WARNING:
Puerto Rico is home to various toxic plants, trees, and shrubs that pose potential health risks. One notable example is the Manchineel (Manzanillo, Hippomane mancinella), which grows exclusively along the island’s coastal areas. This plant releases a corrosive, milky sap that can result in serious burns, swelling, and even temporary blindness. Several other species have poisonous fruits, seeds, or leaves, while some possess irritating sap or hairs that can lead to mild to severe skin irritation.
The website reports that El Yunque National Forest’s recreational sections contain few harmful plants, trees, and shrubs. To safely navigate these areas, consult the information provided to recognize and avoid them.
PAGE TO IDENTIFY HARMFUL PLANTS
The link to the website also shows the birds and the frogs.
FROGGIE FREINDS!!
Amphibians
El Yunque is home to 13 of the 17 species of coquis (tree frogs), native to Puerto Rico, among other amphibians.
BIRDS
FROM THE EL YUNQUE NATIONAL FOREST OFFICIAL WEBSITE.
El Yunque National Forest provides habitat for 97 bird species, of which 45 are migratory.
Lens: Bring your wide-angle. We didn’t see much wildlife at all at this location.
Gear List at a Glance: Circular polarizing filter, neutral density filters, tripod, shutter release, wide-angle and rain sleeve, just in case and waterproof backpack. You can do long exposure waterfall photography here, so a tripod and filter are top priorities.
When to Go: Any time of year. Midweek is the best time of year because it’s a tourist location.
AREA INFORMATION
Entrance Fees: El Yunque National Forest—The park has no entrance fees. However, there is a $4.00 fee to enter the visitor’s center.
HC-01, Box 13490
Rio Grande, PR
00745-9625
(787) 888-1880
HOTEL INFORMATION
Luquillo Sunrise Beach Inn – See Photos Below
“It has a great location for photographing the sunrise on the beach, El Yunque National Forest, and local culture.” We also did some night photography in front of the Inn. We really cannot say enough great things about it. We had the cottage in the back—an Oceanfront hotel with easy access to bio-bays, ferries, rainforests, and local food kiosks. The open terrace overlooking Luquillo Beach hosts a free hot breakfast and a hammock for relaxation. You can walk down to the nearby beach for snorkeling or drive to nearby kiosks for local delicacies.
Fabulous price. Fabulous Service. Stay here!
We stayed here and had a perfect visit!
Stay here when visiting El Yunque National Forest. Take some local beach photos and enjoy a great breakfast. It is right on the beach; you can also do night photography while staying here. It’s a perfect location. It is immaculate, with fabulous service, and we highly recommend it.
FOOD & DINING
We stopped here while at El Yunque National Forest. THE FIRST PICTURE. No one acknowledged us, looked us in the eye, or cared that we were starving. No one helped us, so we left. It is also expensive. This is right next to the parking lot for the main waterfall trail.
These were the two places we passed on our trip.
Do Not Go Here.
Eat here. La Muralla – El Yunque National Forest.
Photography, Lessons, Workshops and Classes.
Cueva Ventana Puerto Rico Photography Hot Spot
