Visitor Center (El Portal de El Yunque)
El Portal de El Yunque Visitor Center at the El Yunque National Forest is a good place to start your visit to the national forest, although you can enter the forest directly and bypass the visitor center.
At El Portal de El Yunque, you can consult with rangers to plan your visit to the national forest, get maps or directions, and get up-to-date information on trail, road, or attraction closures or conditions.
Plus, there are a variety of informative exhibits to browse, fun for adults and kids alike. Ranger talks may be on the schedule as well.
There are restrooms at El Portal de El Yunque, as well as a nice cafe and a gift/book store.
The entrance to El Portal de El Yunque is very cool: you walk along an elevated walkway/bridge that’s positioned over the tree canopy.
| Puerto Rico Location | Best Tours (Reserve now, these sell out fast!) |
|---|---|
| San Juan | Snorkel with Turtles, El Yunque, local food, night glow kayak, city walk, ATV, jet snorkel, beginner scuba, zipline, nature adventure, zipline+rappel, horse riding |
| Fajardo | Culebra island+snorkel, Icacos island+snorkel, bio bay kayak, Vieques island+ snorkel |
Where is the El Yunque Visitor Center located?
The visitor center is located at the main entrance to the park on PR-191 (see map). The official address is PR-191, Río Grande, 00745, Puerto Rico. It comes up at about the 4.2-kilometer mark (about 2.6 miles) into your drive along PR 191.
What are the opening hours for the visitor center at El Yunque National Forest?
El Portal de El Yunque Visitor Center is open daily, other than on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and Three Kings Day (January 6).
Operating hours for the El Yunque Visitor Center are 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Is there an entrance fee for El Portal de El Yunque Visitor Center?
Yes, there is an entrance fee for the Visitor Center at El Yunque. The entrance fee is $8.00 per person, 16 years and older. Children 15 years old or younger enter free.
If you have a US National Parks Pass, bring it along for a discounted entry fee of $4.00 per person.
What to Do at El Portal de El Yunque Visitor Center
Educational short film about El Yunque
Watch the short movie titled El Yunque: Beyond Mountains and Seas. It is an informative movie on the history and the ecosystems of the tropical rain forest and provides an excellent introduction.
Accessible Discover Trail
Stroll the accessible Explore and Discover Trail. At about 700 meters (0.4 mile) long, the trail offers insights into El Yunque National Forest for adults and kids alike. You’ll view native plants, and have the chance to read the interpretive signage to learn more.
Easy Science and Conservation Nature Trail
Walk the Science and Conservation Trail, which is a short and easy gravel loop trail with views of the surrounding nature. It’s the perfect warm-up trail for your visit! If you are visiting with younger kids, they will love this trail through the rainforest. You’ll see many different plants, like banana, ginger, and heliconia. Look for birds and lizards!
Art Installations
Admire the many art installations, from murals to mosaics, that offer insights into local culture.
Informative Exhibits
Browse the educational exhibits about the flora and fauna at El Yunque, endangered species, the forest itself, and more.
Cafe + Gift Shop
Have a bite to eat, or a drink, at the cafe, and look for souvenirs in the forest shop. The food at the cafe gets great reviews from visitors, and there is local beer on tap. You can save your ticket and drop by on your way back from the forest as well.
How much time to spend at El Portal de El Yunque Visitor Center
If you enjoy learning, allow about an hour at the El Yunque Visitor Center to watch the movie, browse the exhibits, and stroll the short trails.
Planning a trip to see the forest? Bookmark our El Yunque National Forest website for the complete rundown on every single detail!
Top-Rated El Yunque Tours