El Yunque Night Walk: Rainforest at Twilight & River Swim
See the rainforest shift from daylight to darkness, then swim in a river pool lit by starlight
This guided night walk through El Yunque Rainforest follows the Angelito trail from late afternoon into darkness, letting you witness the forest's transition as nocturnal animals emerge. You swim in Las Damas natural pool on Rio Mameyes, a 12-foot-deep swimming hole, and return through the forest after sunset with a live English-speaking guide. Water, snacks, towels and backpacks are provided. The tour runs 2.5 hours and requires your own transportation to the trailhead.
Step-by-step itinerary
El Yunque Rainforest Day and Night Walk
- Guided nature walk on Angelito trail
- Learn about flora and fauna
- Swim at Las Damas natural pool
- Experience transition from day to night
- Observe nocturnal flora and fauna
What’s included
- Bottled water and snacks.
- backpacks, towels and umbrellas.
- fully guided walk with live English-speaking guide and full interpretation of the natural areas.
Before you book
Operated by El Yunque Tours Inc.
Prices and times updated 4 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
Rio Mameyes is the centerpiece: a scenic river where you'll swim in a natural pool deep enough to dive, weather permitting. The Angelito trail gets you there through hardwood forest and streams, with your guide pointing out the flora and fauna that change as the sun sets. About 60% of El Yunque's inhabitants are nocturnal, so the walk back happens when the forest wakes up: the real reason this tour exists.
The timing is the whole thing. You start in late afternoon with enough daylight to see the trail clearly and understand what you're walking through. By the time you reach the river, the light is low and the water reflects the sky. The swim happens before full darkness, then the return walk is when the nocturnal animals are active and the guide can show you what only emerges at night. This is the only rainforest night walk permitted in El Yunque National Forest.
You'll need to drive yourself or arrange a private car to reach the trailhead. Rideshare services are not allowed. Bring a change of clothes for after the swim. The tour runs about 2.5 hours, though start times shift by up to an hour depending on sunset, so confirm your departure time when you book. Uneven surfaces and darkness mean this walk demands moderate fitness and steady footing.
Is this one for you?Small groups keep the trail from feeling crowded during the transition from day to night, and the fixed 2.5-hour window means you catch the exact window when the forest shifts. Book this if you want to see El Yunque's nocturnal side without spending a full day in the rainforest.
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Top questions
What exactly is Las Damas natural pool where we swim?
Las Damas is a 12-foot-deep natural swimming hole on Rio Mameyes, carved into the river by water flow through the rainforest. It's the destination of the Angelito trail walk and the only place on this tour where you enter the water.
Will I see nocturnal animals on the walk back through the forest?
The return walk happens after sunset when nocturnal wildlife becomes active. Your guide will point out the animals and plants that only emerge at night. About 60% of El Yunque's inhabitants are nocturnal, so the forest transforms once darkness falls.
What happens if the weather doesn't permit swimming?
The swim is weather permitting, so if conditions are unsafe, you'll still complete the full guided walk and see the rainforest's day-to-night transition, but you won't enter the water. The rest of the tour proceeds as scheduled.
How do I get to the trailhead if I don't have a rental car?
You must arrange your own transportation by rental car or private car service. Rideshare services like Uber and Taxis are not permitted to access the trailhead, so plan your transport before booking.
What's included in the tour price?
Bottled water, snacks, backpacks, towels and umbrellas are provided, along with the full guided experience. A live English-speaking guide leads the walk and provides commentary on the natural areas along the Angelito trail.
El Yunque Night Walk: Rainforest at Twilight & River Swim
2h 30m · EN
from US$ 85 per person
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