El Yunque Rainforest: Private Exploration Tour from San Juan
4.7
3 Ratings
El Yunque Hiking Area
Embark on a private exploration tour of the El Yunque Rainforest from San Juan. Hike through the forest rivers, natural pools, and waterfalls with a certified guide. Discover fascinating facts about the only Tropical Rainforest in the US Forest System and immerse yourself in the beauty of Puerto Rico.
Duration: 7 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • El Yunque National Forest - Escape into the El Yunque Rainforest in this private guided tour limited to a maximum of 6 travelers. The only tropical rainforest in the United States’ national forest system, El Yunque is a lush, tropical paradise full of green vegetation, tropical birds, and wildlife.

After the initial 30-minute hike that includes river-wading and rock climbing, you will arrive at the first set of natural pools. Here you can swing from a rope, take a dip in a waterfall and enjoy going down on the natural waterslides (after a few minutes of more strenuous rock climbing).

Learn fun facts on natural history education, medicinal and toxic plant identification, geology, ecology, the Island’s history and many other subjects. Spot native flora and fauna, many of which are not found anywhere else on the planet.

What's Included
  • Certified Tour Guide providing informative, friendly, and professional service
  • Complimentary driver/guide assistance
  • Refreshments including bottled water and Gatorade, plus light snacks
  • Convenient round-trip private transfer from key locations
What's Not Included
  • Additional food and drinks (available for Purchase)
  • Gratuity for your tour guide is not included but greatly appreciated
Additional Information

Experience a one-of-a-kind journey to a region of the El Yunque Rainforest. Guided by your private, certified tour guide you’ll undertake an approximate 30-minute hike leading you to the forest rivers, untouched pools and cascading waterfalls. Gain insightful and intriguing knowledge about the singular Tropical Rainforest in the US Forest System and Puerto Rico as a whole. Allow your senses to transport you to the era where the Taino traversed this same terrain, and immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty. Depending on your abilities, the guide might lead you deeper into the forest towards additional clusters of natural pools and waterfalls.

  • At the time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
  • Refunds will not be issued if tour/activity is missed due to late or non-arrival of cruise ship
  • Pregnant women, participants with back or knee problems, previous injuries, recent surgeries, mobility impairments, heart conditions, or other serious medical conditions cannot participate on this tour.
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult (not suitable for children under 7 years).
  • Operates based on weather and river conditions, there is a possibility of cancellation if conditions are not found safe during rainy days.
  • You must have a good breakfast before departing on this tour
  • Not recommended for participants with heart complaints, back problems, recent injuries or other serious medical conditions
  • Please travel light and only bring the necessary to the tour. Leave behind electronic devices, any important documentation like passport, large sums of cash or credit cards. Cell phones require waterproof case.
  • Vegetarian option is available at restaurant
  • A maximum of 6 people per booking (Additional persons will have extra fee per person)
  • Hotel/Port/AirBnB pickup is available from most centrally located San Juan hotels. Please arrange pickup from your hotel or a nearby location when you call to confirm your reservation.
  • Please wear comfortable clothing, tennis or hiking shoes (mandatory), swimsuit, bring a towel and change of clothes, sunscreen, and a camera
  • If the Off the Beaten path version is not suitable for you, please contact us for further options that are lower impact.
  • While the excursion explores the El Yunque region, it does not include a visit to the El Yunque National Forest, managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
  • Persons with the previously listed health restrictions cannot participate on the tour. No refunds will be authorized if a person neglects to read complete description and does not meet the safety requirements and limitations on the day of the tour.
Location
El Yunque Hiking Area
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(3 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Boardingpass745205
Jan 24, 2023
Trip worth your money and good travel guide. - The guide was very helpful with gibing support for elder members of the group. He was good at his english and communicated instructions well. Although he had a big waterproof bag with him on the hike and throwing into the water while diving, he refused to keep my phone in it just for a moment of one dive. If he had hold the mobile in his bag, I would have not missed the dive into the pool.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ti
Aug 15, 2019
Great trip - We had a wonderful time on the tour and our guide was very attentive and knowledgeable. We highly recommend this tour to all.
Review provided by Viator
Medmom2002
Feb 21, 2021
Adventure, learning, and muddy fun - As our group of 6 +2 was preparing to travel to PR for the first time, I looked for a private tour provider to guide us in El Yunque. We understood that the guided hiking path is limited as the guided tours are not allowed on the only remaining hiking path since the hurricane. That independent path is open, but based on some recommendations was difficult to navigate, and we opted for a private guided tour off-the-beaten-path. Bespoke customer service was friendly and responsive. They warned us of the moderate activity required for the tour, 1 hr each way to get there from San Juan, and they also walked us through expectations, including the combination of hiking and water-immersed adventures. We were told that the initial hike is muddy and we should be prepared for a slippery path with appropriate non-slip hiking shoes but would have limited utility for ponchos and other extras. Throughout the planning stage, Bespoke was responsive to our needs. On the day of the trip, Hector, our tour guide, was outstanding--organized and engaging; he was equally prepared to talk about the many living wonders of the rainforest and their purpose, as he was to the current situation experienced by locals. He was fun, supportive, and full of great ideas--including a market stop for fruits to eat on our trip. He was reassuring to our friends, who realized while on the van that this adventure was not right for them--but at that point, the return trip for one of 4 couples was difficult to arrange, and they opted to wait for us at the local house--where they were welcomed with Hector's recommendation. After about 25 minutes hike in the muddy, slippery, and not the most beautiful part of the rainforest (I have to presume), we learned about post-hurricane changes and some of the fascinating wildlife there. Then, we had to cross the shallow river as Hector prepared a quick snack of fruits we purchased on the way. They guided those who wanted to rope-swing into the river, and we continued climbing for about 30 more minutes to the diving cliff. I loved both experiences, but none of my friends were interested. They watched the first one and were able to jump off the smaller cliff for the second, to start our return to the van. We changed and were escorted to a really nice area of Luquillo beach, where we had an excellent beachfront lunch. Hector met us after lunch and took us back to the hotel. He continued to be a source of great recommendations for dining and entertainment--and could not have been more accommodating. The Bespoke was genuine in allowing special accommodations for our friends that did not complete the trip. In summary, 1. The actual hiking component of the trip is insignificant unless one is able and interested in being in the water most of the time (at least ankle-deep). 2. Bespoke is very friendly and Hector specifically was outstanding 3. If you choose to go, it's not for the wonders of ElYunque as there are very limited rainforest exposures, but for the water adventures which were really fun and very memorable for me 4. Make sure you are prepared for a muddy slippery walk, that you will most likely encounter rain, and only enter a sense of adventure anticipating some discomforts if you choose to go on this tour. If that's the expectation, Bespoke is excellent. While short of the "extreme" called by my friends, it was not what I expected of the hike in the rainforest, but I certainly loved it personally, and recommend Hector and Bespoke for the right people looking to experience El Yunque in this limited way.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 6 guests
1
Traveler
May 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today