Americans don’t have to leave the country to visit the rainforest. Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, is home to the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest Service, and it’s getting more accessible this year. El Yunque Rainforest recently unveiled a revamped visitor’s center, called El Portal, following an $18M renovation that features installations by local artists, a new introductory video narrated by Benicio del Toro, and ranger demonstrations to learn about 240-plus plant species and 18 bird species endemic to Puerto Rico.
[video id=Rm1ZVsGL autostart="viewable" no-rec]For panoramic views of the rainforest and beaches, Casa Alternavida’s rooftop can’t be beat. Puerto Rico’s first all-inclusive wellness retreat includes guided daily walks and three organic meals a day; services like coaching, teambuilding, and massage are available upon request.
While in Rio Grande, explore the Pintalto macromural project, an initiative that spans across six neighborhoods on the island. Started by Samuel González Rodríguez in 2017 to encourage visitors to venture beyond San Juan, the murals aim to revitalize residential neighborhoods through art that uses the bold “colors of hope.”