One of the most beautiful places on earth, and the ONLY rain forest on US soil, El Yunque will surprise you at every twist and turn. El Yunque simply has no counterpart anywhere in the fifty states. Hike lush trails, kayak through a moonlit lagoon, cool off under a water fall, and explore everything the sprawling jungle has to offer. Located in the Luquillo mountains, on the Eastern side of the island, not far from Palmas Del Mar resort community, El Yunque can be enjoyed on foot or if you prefer driving through, this is also an option.

For the wildlife enthusiast, over sixty species of birds soar overhead, and call many of the 260+ indigenous trees home. Surprisingly, El Yunque is home to more than 200 types of ferns. My favorite fern is the shy fern, it actually retracts when you touch it. Curling around it’s center as if to shy away from strangers, this amazing plant is just one of the many wonders of the rain forest. Perhaps you will be visited by a gentle iguana, or one of the many types of small lizards, who are naturally curious. One aspect which kept me feeling safe was knowing there are no poisonous snakes in the rain forest, and on the entire island of Puerto Rico. Although my fear of our cool-blooded friends kept me checking vines and pathways, I was assured by our guide, there are very few snakes in the forest and they generally keep to themselves.