El Yunque National Forest Photography Location

Welcome to the hidden gem of Puerto Rico: El Yunque National Forest. This mystical rainforest, once known as Luquillo National Forest, is shrouded in mystery and magic. Its lush landscape, filled with 28,000 acres of dense foliage, waterfalls, and rivers, has been untouched for centuries. The towering peaks, including El Toro at 3,494 ft above sea level, add to the grandeur and mystique of this forest. 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 certain – stepping into this forest is like crossing into another realm.

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 construction along the forest.

Driving Directions

ROAD 186 MAP

El Yuque National Park The tower with people looking out.

Visitors Center and Yokahu Tower

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.

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.

WHAT PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR TO BRING

A sturdy tripod will be vital for getting waterfall shots.
A wide-angle lens for waterfalls and landscapes.
Pack plenty of extra batteries and memory cards, as you’ll likely take many photos.
Bring your macro lens to photograph the vast landscapes and intricate details of the surrounding nature.
Pack an array of filters, including a polarizer to remove the glare from the water and neutral density filters for long exposure to milky water effects.
Bring a spare set of fully charged batteries and extra memory cards; you never know when a perfect shot will present itself, and the last thing you want is your camera battery.

WHAT ELSE TO BRING – A PACKING LIST

Organic bug repellent. (Nonorganic is very toxic)
Non-toxic sun protection. (Sunscreen is a cancer caused by many chemicals.)
Durable hiking boots for any trail or terrain you may encounter.
Have a waterproof backpack or rain cover to protect your equipment.
Packaging a rain jacket and long pants.
A hat and sunglasses to shield yourself from the elements.
Navigation tools such as a map and compass. A smartphone with a GPS app works.
Bottled water and snacks. There are places to get food but have some handy just in case.

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.

EL YNQUE NATIONAL FOREST PHOTOGRAPHY INFORMATION

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.

When to Go: Any time of year. It’s a tourist location, so midweek is the best time of year.

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.

We did not to hike 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 credits.

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.

La Quillo Sunrise Beach Inn

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.

Luquillo Sunrise Beach Inn

Fabulous price. Fabulous Service. Stay here!

Breakfast on a colorful tablecloth with colorful fruit on the balcony.

Luquillo Sunrise Beach Inn Breakfast

Luquillo Sunrise Beach Inn

CAMPING

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FOOD & DINING

We stopped here while at El Yunque National Forest. 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.