Puerto Rico: El Yunque Rain Forest

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Sitting just outside San Juan is El Yunque, the largest rain forest in the US Forest Service System.

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With over 120 inches of annual rainfall, El Yunque is the wettest area of Puerto Rico. The rain forest was my favorite part of Puerto Rico. It's a short drive out of San Juan, you can park your car and go in the park and do a lot of hiking. The rain usually comes in early afternoon, often in short downpours, between moments of mist and sun. Small pools and creeks offer places to cool down after the heat of the climb. We saw people swimming in a few of the waterfalls.

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El Yunque resides on the slopes of the Sierra de Luquillo. The highest mountain in the forest, Pico del Toro, rises 3523' above sea level.

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Nearly 50 varieties of orchids grow here. Most noticeable is the number and range of sizes of the many fern trees and bushes. Leaves are often 6' long. I took many photos of all the unrecognizable leaves I saw, some flowers and even some fruit or nut looking things. It was very interesting.

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As you ascend the mountain, the ferns become smaller and the temperature is 15 degrees cooler. The rain forest hiking was such a refreshing break from San Juan, I loved it.

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Puerto Rico is almost schizophrenic. There's the lush, tropical side (rainforest, San Juan) and then the dry, brown side (Caribbean). As you drive over the island, there is a very visual difference between it's two sides. Much to Tom's chagrin, we crossed the island; I had to explore it all. But that, my friend, will be in a later post.
More on Puerto Rico here.