Porta Cordillera (Central)

Driving on Highway PR-52 near Cayey, you can't miss the large statue of the Three Kings (Three Wise Men) perched up on a hill. This is La Loma de los Reyes in Guavate, and the artist has added something unexpected - two giant hands jutting out from the hillside. We decided to check out the hands and statue at La Loma de los Reyes, and of course, it made for the perfect excuse to stop for lechon for lunch in Guavate.

High in the cool mountains of Aibonito, you'll find the Reloj de Flores de Aibonito, one of the few large-scale floral clocks in the world. It is both a functioning clock and a living garden. Unlike a traditional clock, the Reloj de Flores is alive — its face is formed by carefully arranged plants and flowers that change with the seasons.

If you venture deep into Camuy, you'll reach the crossroads of PR-451 and PR-486, where the towns of San Sebastián, Lares, and Camuy converge. Standing quietly at this junction is a weathered sentinel of Puerto Rican history: Colmado Soller. Founded in 1882, it is considered the oldest colmado (corner store) in Puerto Rico. After being closed for years, it reopened in 2025 - as not just as a place to grab a drink and hang out, but as a living museum steeped in nostalgia, inviting visitors to reminisce about the past.

Every year, the Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League in Puerto Rico starts in November! The action is non-stop, and it is a great family-friendly atmosphere! Come on out and support your favorite local team.
Central, East, North, South, West, Budget, Cruise Ship, With Kids

Tucked away on a small road in Las Marias, Poza de los Peluches is a little gem, waiting to be discovered by adventurous souls willing to pass through the gates. The entrance is lined with stuffed animals (peluches in Spanish), which some people find creepy, but there is an enchanting natural pool and some little waterfalls down below for those willing to venture off the beaten path.
Nature, Central, West, Adventure, Budget, Off Beaten Path, With Kids

From cascading falls in the tropical rain forest to rocky river-slides surrounded by lush vegetation, Puerto Rico's waterfalls offer visitors a chance to experience the island's natural beauty. In this post, we will highlight the "easier to get to" waterfalls around the island that you should add to your itinerary. You can find waterfalls all over Puerto Rico, so no matter which area of the island you choose to visit, you should be able to get to at least one of these beauties.
Nature, Central, East, North, South, West, Budget, Off Beaten Path, With Kids

When it is hot outside, we often head to the rivers in the central mountains to cool off. Recently, we took a day and visited five charcas in the town of Juana Díaz, which is located about 90 minutes from the San Juan area. Out of the charcas we visited that day, Charco Las Bambúas was the most beautiful, and the most difficult to get to. This beautiful waterfall and pool is only for the more agile and adventurous, as there really is not an easy trail to get to it. Charco Las Bambuas is a true example of a hard-earned prize!

Way up the the mountains of Juana Díaz, a town in the south central part of the island, lies a hidden gem of a river pool known as Charco La Ollita. This little pool has a cascade of water leading to it. And being so far up the mountain, the water is clean. It is out of sight from the roadside, down a dirt path, so this natural swimming hole offers a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life on a hot day.

Nestled in the southern region of Puerto Rico, the municipality of Juana Díaz boasts not only stunning natural landscapes but also enchanting attractions for adventure seekers and nature lovers. Among the hidden gems waiting to be explored is Charco el Café, a sweet little swimming hole and waterfall that offers a wonderful experience for visitors. If you enjoy trekking in rivers to see what you find, you need to discover the hidden gem that is Charco el Café and the charcos above it.
Hiking, Nature, Water Sports, Central, South, Adventure, Budget, Off Beaten Path

If you are in Juana Díaz and want to get a little exercise, or have a 4WD vehicle, check out El Salto De Miramar. This is a pretty waterfall and pool, located high up in the mountains. Not much is written about this waterfall, but we decided to go check it out when we were recently in the area. It was worth the effort!
Hiking, Nature, Central, South, Adventure, Budget, Off Beaten Path

Lago La Plata is a beautiful, man-made lake in Puerto Rico. Created as a water reservoir for the boundary towns of Bayamon, Naranjito, and Toa Alta, it is known for its lush greenery, abundant wildlife, and calm waters. One of the best ways to experience the lake is by taking a boat ride. If you don't have your own boat, Captain Carlos from La Plata Boat Trip. is your ticket! He will provide a nice, relaxing day the whole family can enjoy.
History, Nature, Tour, Water Sports, Central, Off Beaten Path, With Kids

Lago La Plata is a man-made fresh-water reservoir in Toa Alta. Officially called Refugio de Vida Silvestre del Embalse La Plata, it is administered by the Puerto Rico Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales (DRNA). The refuge is a natural habitat for a number of native and introduced flora and fauna. It is a popular destination for fishing enthusiasts, as it is stocked with fish that are hatched and grown at the Maricao Fish Hatchery. The reserve is a pretty lake-side park for walking, bird-watching, and picnicking.
Nature, Water Sports, Central, Budget, Off Beaten Path, With Kids

If you enjoy a good long walk, hiking on the Vereda Cascada El Ancón (also known as the Vereda Don Félix Berríos) in the Reserva Natural del Cañón San Cristóbal is great. Administered by Para La Naturaleza, there is a nice trail through this protected nature area for public use. This trail, in Barranquitas, is 1.5 mile walk to a scenic view point (mirador) where you can see the Cascada El Ancón and the river that made this canyon.

High up in the mountains of Jayuya a pine forest grows. Pine trees are not that usual in Puerto Rico, and for that reason this small bosque los pinos is an interesting place. It is a "quick visit", and it offers some great photo ops that you won't get elsewhere on the island.

Jayuya is a beautiful town, located in the central mountainous region of Puerto Rico. Getting there requires driving on some of the curviest roads on the island (pot holes too)! But there is so much to do there, it is a worthwhile endeavor. While in the town, we had a few minutes to check out some pretty waterfalls and pools in the Caricaboa River (though some people say it is in Río Veguita). Someone made a nice path down to the river, where you will find a set of beautiful Charcas: La Peseta, El Pescao and El Marin. So pretty - they are definitely worth a visit.

Montadero Chocolate in Caguas offers a delicious, fun, and informative chocolate class, during which you make your own chocolate bars! They are a family-run "Bean to Bar" chocolate company, which means that they do all the elaboration of the dry cacao beans to make their products. They are artisanal chocolatiers, producing handmade chocolate that emphasizes quality over quantity. Better yet, they use only 100% Puerto Rico cacao beans, from some award-winning cacao farms here on the island, thereby supporting the island's agrotourism industry.

Finca Vista Bella, located high up in the mountains of Utuado, is a family-run farm where the owners had a dream to start a vineyard … so they did! Though the climate in Puerto Rico is not ideal for growing grapes, they can be grown with enough planning and determination. You can visit the farm for a tour, wine tasting, or a delicious meal. The owners treat you like family - "sit and have a glass of wine". A visit to the farm is a very enjoyable afternoon.

If you like to walk and enjoy nature, a walk at one of the trails of the Reserva Natural del Cañón San Cristóbal might be just for you. Para La Naturaleza has opened some of its protected nature areas for public use. One of the trails in Barranquitas, the Vereda Suñé, is a nice short walk to a scenic view point (mirador) overlooking a distant waterfall and the San Cristobal Canyon.

Cayey is a pretty town in the east central area of Puerto Rico. The town was officially founded in 1773, though people lived there long before that. Back in the day, the town plazas across the island were the main place for people to meet, shop, worship, do business - basically the center of activity. As in most towns, Cayey's main church is located on the plaza, where you will see the beautiful Spanish Colonial style Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. The original plaza was built between 1850 and 1853.

There are a few infinity pools in Puerto Rico. This particular one is in Patillas, in the Carite Forest. There are a couple different ways to get to this infinity pool, and neither are easy - so this adventure is not for everyone. But once you do get to the part of the rive where the pools are located, the view is spectacular!
Hiking, Nature, Central, East, Adventure, Budget, Off Beaten Path
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