OUR LOCATION
Where is the Rainforest Inn ?
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Approximate Driving Times to Nearby Points of Interest:
San Juan Airport (45 mins)
El Portal Visitor Center (25 mins)
El Toro Hike (5 mins)
El Yunque Entrance (30 mins)
Ralph's Supermarket Warehouse (15 mins)
Walmart (25 mins)
Luquillo Beaches and Kioskos (20 mins)
Fajardo Marinas (40 mins)
Old San Juan (45 mins)
Ferry and Airport with Service to Vieques / Culebra (1 hr)
Rainforest Inn 019 Cam Caribe, Rio Grande, 00745 (El Yunque National Forest)
Why Stay in El Yunque?
Yes, the Rainforest Inn is undeniably picturesque—but what does one do when not relaxing? After all, most visitors hope to leave Puerto Rico with as many unique, memorable, and authentic experiences as possible.
Fortunately, Northeast Puerto Rico offers more to explore than almost anywhere else on the island. For generations, the peak of El Yunque has held a central place in the island’s imagination, and in many ways the geography of Puerto Rico reflects this. If the island were a wheel, El Yunque would surely be its hub.
From rainforest trails and waterfalls to beaches, rivers, and coastal towns, an incredible variety of adventures awaits just beyond our doors.
Scroll down to explore Puerto Rico from the perspective of an El Yunquan.
Delight in your backyard rainforest at our B&B. Test yourself on our exclusive Lost Machete Hike.
El Yunque (5 mins or less)
Originally believed by the indigenous Taíno to be the throne of the male fertility deity Yúcahu, the peak of El Yunque and its surrounding mist shrouded forests have held mythic significance on the Isla del Encanto for as long as people have lived here.
While we now know much more about this remarkable jungle, a veil of mystery still lingers over the nearly 20,000 acres that make up El Yunque National Forest. El Yunque, by the way, is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. Forest System and therefore the only tropical rainforest available to U.S. citizens without a passport.
Communing with nature is easy here in the foothills of this misty mountain. More than a dozen unique hiking trails lead to spectacular perspective shifting views, refreshing natural pools, and sky high waterfalls. With an average temperature of 73°F (21°C), mountain breezes and passing showers keep the climate just about perfect.
Fall asleep to the serenade of the dozen or so coquí varieties that call the jungle home. Listen for the haunting, monkey like call of the Puerto Rican screech owl or the unforgettable guttural song of the lizard cuckoo.
Luquillo (About 20 Minutes)
Luquillo’s sixty kioskos offer a wide variety of cuisine to satisfy every palate.
With five distinct beaches, ranging from the gentle waves of Balneario to the surfable crests of La Pared, we often recommend a visit to the charming town of Luquillo more than almost anywhere else on the island.
A throwback to an earlier era of Puerto Rico, Luquillo is home to its famous row of kioskos, where more than five dozen restaurants, bars, and shops offer something for every taste. Whether you’re craving a juicy burger, thin crust New York pizza, or fresh seafood, you’ll find it here in this lively and uniquely Puerto Rican spot.
Afterward, boogie board the calories away at nearby La Pared or sign up for surf lessons with local legend Bob Roberts. If you prefer a slower pace, spread out your towel and enjoy the sun just behind the kioskos at scenic Balneario Beach.
And if you’re lucky, you may even spot leatherback sea turtles nesting along nearby La Selva Beach, one of the few places in the world where these remarkable animals return to lay their eggs.
Balneario Beach in Luquillo offers a peaceful escape just twenty five minutes from the Rainforest Inn.
Explore Icacos island just off Fajardo, whose crystalline waters are tailor-made for snorkeling.
Fajardo (About 40 minutes)
Visit the island hub of Fajardo for aquatic tours, activities, and adventures, and spend some time exploring the wetter side of Puerto Rico. With a wide variety of excursions available, whether you prefer swimming with fish or reeling them in, a boat from one of the town’s many marinas is ready to carry you off to your own unique paradise.
While in Puerto Rico, you also shouldn’t miss the magic of the island’s famous bioluminescent bays, accessible by a starlit kayak ride out of Fajardo. Another option is to stay shoreside at Seven Seas Beach, where beautiful white sand and gentle surf make the perfect setting for a relaxing afternoon after a day of aquatic adventure.
Whatever suits your mood, a day in Fajardo is always a day well spent.
World renowned Flamenco Beach on the beautiful island of Culebra is just a short drive and ferry ride from the Rainforest Inn.
CULEBRA
In less than an hour, you can find yourself on one of Puerto Rico’s most acclaimed destinations. Take a brief journey to Flamenco Beach on the island of Culebra, often ranked among the best beaches in the world.
With gentle tides and a nearby reef popular with marine life, you may find yourself swimming alongside large, friendly green sea turtles. You can also discover the famous Sherman tanks left behind after sea to land testing during World War II. Today, these hulking relics have become an unexpected canvas for some of Puerto Rico’s most talented street artists.
Relatively inexpensive flights and a passenger ferry service depart from Ceiba, offering regular service to both Culebra and Vieques.
VIEQUES
Vieques, Puerto Rico’s “little sister,” is largely occupied by a nature reserve, yet it is surrounded on all sides by incredible beaches where it is easy to find a quiet stretch of sand to enjoy for the day.
A quick ten minute, low cost flight makes a day trip to this beautiful nearby island especially appealing, though ferry service is also available.
For more information on how we recommend guests of the Inn visit Vieques or Culebra, please see our Transportation page and scroll down for details.
Old San Juan (About 45 Minutes)
Books have been written about the story of this remarkable town, the second oldest colonial city in the Western Hemisphere. With a handful of museums, private galleries, and spontaneous live music, Old San Juan is undoubtedly a haven for the artistically inclined. With so much history shared between Spain and the United States, this vibrant district is rich with tradition, and no visit to the capital is complete without seeing Castillo San Felipe del Morro.
Though history and tradition frame the experience of Old San Juan, beneath the high colonial ceilings and within the colorful stucco buildings there is something distinctly modern as well. Open air restaurants serve fresh, locally sourced cuisine, while beloved neighborhood bars craft cocktails that honor classic traditions with contemporary twists.
Old San Juan’s dining and cultural scene is truly its own, yet it stands comfortably among the best food and drink destinations anywhere in the Caribbean.
Whatever your interests or passions, you will almost certainly find something to love in the endlessly charming streets of Old San Juan.
