El Yunque

[howdypardner]

We are staying in Puerto Rico for two days before our next cruise in April and want to see El Yunque. I've researched many excursions, but think we may want to explore on our own. Don't really want to drive there and are looking for alternatives. Is there any transportation that leaves the Condado hotels and drops you off at the El Grand Portal? Any idea how much that would cost?

[mapsmith]

We did El Yunque on a day after our cruise. Rented from Charlie's Rent a Car. Easy drive, BUT the turn up to the Rain Forest was a little difficult to find. Parking on the weekend was murder. But still interesting to visit. Lots of really interesting vegetation and the tower was nice for looking out over the Rain Forest and to the sea.

 

Worth a trip. The only bad part about driving was San Juan.

 

Charlies has a location at Isla Verde and one across from the Marriott in Condado. Cars are clean and comfortable and mostly cheap.

[rainforestgirl]

We are staying in Puerto Rico for two days before our next cruise in April and want to see El Yunque. I've researched many excursions, but think we may want to explore on our own. Don't really want to drive there and are looking for alternatives. Is there any transportation that leaves the Condado hotels and drops you off at the El Grand Portal? Any idea how much that would cost?

 

Other than a private driver or a tour bus, you don't have many options.

 

Getting only to El Portal is not enough. Most of the better hiking and waterfalls are much further up the mountain. Taxis can not go up. Most tours don't drop you off for self exploration, they usually have a set tour.

A private driver that is licensed to go into the rain forest may be able to work something out with you, but it will be probably at least $150 RT (and that is probably a really low estimate).

[diane.in.ny]

Ditto on the Charlie's rent a car. We rented a van for the day as there were a bunch of us.

 

Also, at the time, it was possible to make a reservation with a ranger for a guided hike...no cost. I don't know if that is still possible or not.