El Yunque is the only rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System and is located on the slopes of the Sierra de Luquillo mountains, which are part of the Luquillo Mountains range. It’s on the northeast coast, approximately 50 miles (80 km) east of San Juan, Puerto Rico’s capital city. And El Yunque tours are the ones of `must have`.
El Yunque National Rainforest, sometimes called “The Garden of Light”, is a tropical rainforest in northeastern Puerto Rico that was established as a national forest in 1937 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt (USFS). El Yunque became a protected area in 1903 when President Theodore Roosevelt declared it as such for its natural beauty and ecological importance.
The Forest covers an area of 18,900 acres (75 km2) and contains over 500 species of trees, orchids, bromeliads, and other plants; more than half of which are not found anywhere else in North America. It also has over 400 species of birds.
El Yunque National Forest and the Largest Biolab in the World
The rainforest was originally named after a Taino Indian word meaning “the place where it rains continuously”.
El Yunque is both a national forest and a bio lab. This means that it has both environmental and scientific purposes. It’s also home to many different ecosystems, which are not found anywhere else on Earth. The forest consists mainly of two types of vegetation: moist lowland forest and elfin forest. Moist lowland forest makes up around 10% of the total area, while elfin forest makes up around 90%.
The El Yunque National Forest was established in 1907 by the United States Forest Service as an experimental forest station to study forestry practices under Puerto Rican conditions.
Why Join El Yunque Tours and What to Expect on a National Rainforest
Visitors can expect to see a wide variety of plant and animal species, including more than 240 species of birds. The El Yunque National Rainforest is also home to one of the last remaining stands of old-growth forest in Puerto Rico. It is home to a diverse array of plants and animals, some found only in El Yunque.
Besides, it is the only rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, and one of the most biologically intense areas in the world.
Also, there are two hiking trails that visitors can take, one going up the mountain and one going down the mountain. The higher trail has views of both the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean, which makes for an incredible sight. The lower trail is less strenuous and has more wildlife sightings than the higher trail.
El Yunque National Rainforest is a wonderful destination for anyone who loves nature and wants to experience Puerto Rico’s natural beauty up close. And visiting El Yunque is an experience like no other, with many opportunities for exploration and relaxation.
To Sum Up
El Yunque is a great place to visit for those who want to experience a tropical forest without traveling too far.
Kayaking Puerto Rico offers different tours of El Yunque National Forest tours. They provide both day and night tours, so you can experience the rainforest in different lights. The day tours include hiking, swimming, and kayaking, while the night tours are more focused on wildlife viewing and learning about the forest’s history.
Visit the Kayaking Puerto Rico website and get more information on tours.