Toro Negro Forest

Toro Negro straddles the crest of the Cordillera Central and contains the highest ground on the island, including Cerro de Punta at just over thirteen hundred metres, from which on a clear day you can see both coasts at once and, occasionally, the shape of the Dominican Republic on the horizon. The forest here is cooler and wetter than anywhere else in Puerto Rico, with tree ferns, palms and mosses, and temperatures that can drop enough at night to make islanders complain about cold. Doña Juana falls drop beside the road, and trails run to observation towers and along the ridge. It is far less visited than El Yunque, which means the trails are quiet and the birdsong is uninterrupted.

History

In 1876 King Alfonso XII issued the first proclamation for forest reserves in Puerto Rico, and the land here was coffee plantation until reforestation began in the 1930s. The Puerto Rico Reconstruction Administration acquired the first 2,733 cuerdas in 1934, the forest was long part of the Caribbean National Forest, and on 21 May 1962 it was transferred to the Government of Puerto Rico (Wikipedia, Toro Negro State Forest).

What you'll find

• Cerro de Punta - the island's highest point, with both coasts visible on a clear day.
• Doña Juana falls - the roadside waterfall in the forest.
• The cloud forest - tree ferns and mosses on the high ridge.
• The Ruta Panorámica - the mountain road running the length of the range.

When to go

December to April is drier, though the cloud forest is wet by definition and rain is likely in any month; mornings offer the best chance of a clear view from the summit before cloud builds. It is genuinely cool up here, so bring a layer.

Before you go

Cloud sits on the summit much of the time and the two-coast view is a matter of luck. Trails and facilities have suffered storm damage over the years and sections have been closed for long periods, so check current status. The access road to Cerro de Punta is extremely steep and narrow. There are no services in the reserve.

Nearby

Jayuya and the coffee haciendas are north; Ponce lies down on the southern coast.

Key facts