Experience a Bird’s Eye View of the Jungle Canopy
Visit the tropical El Yunque National Rainforest, one of the oldest forests in the Western Hemisphere and one of the most visited sites in Puerto Rico. Hear from rainforest guide and nature enthusiast Manuel Maldano recount El Yunque’s long history and explain why even he comes here with his family on his days off from work. Now under United States jurisdiction, these 12,000 acres of land were originally divided by the Spaniards in 1876 after they found the forest to be useful in its abundance of wood, copper, gold and water. The natives initially gave the forest the name Yuke, meaning sacred land, and when the Spanish separated the land they altered the name to Yunque, meaning anvil, or a sharp piece of iron, which is what the forest resembles from a distance. Beautiful wildlife is housed throughout along with more than 240 species of trees. The forest collects 100 billion gallons of rainwater each year. Leaves of the towering arbors act as a canopy perfect for bird watching and catching a glimpse of the Red Tail Hawk, the largest bird found here. After getting to know the forest, suit up with Neidres Nardin, owner of Original Canopy Tours, and soar through La Marquesa Forest for a view from the top.