Top 10 Natural Wonders of Puerto Rico
Some people spend a lot of time and money coming to visit Puerto Rico and explore its natural beauty. But did you ever wonder what local folks feel are the most beautiful places to visit on the island? Let us introduce you to some of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring spots in Puerto Rico!
In 2010, L’Oréal Caribe-Garnier and the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources (along with help from Walmart, Sam’s and Amigo Supermarket) held a contest for people to pick their top 10 Natural Wonders out of a list of 19 pre-selected places.
After almost 100,000 votes, the results are …
- #10 Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve in Fajardo
- #9 Cueva Ventana (Window Cave) in Arecibo
- #8 Guánica Dry Forest
- #7 Mona Island
- #6 La Parguera Nature Reserve in Lajas
- #5 Gilligan’s Island off the coast of Guánica
- #4 Mosquito Bioluminescent Bay on Vieques
- #3 San Cristóbal Canyon
- #2 Flamenco Beach on Culebra
- #1 Rio Camuy Caves in Arecibo
What 9 Places Didn’t Make the Cut?
There were 9 other places that were candidates for the Top 10 Natural Wonders. Those other places are …
- Maricao State Forest (Monte del Estado)
- El Yunque National Forest
- Caja de Muertos Island off the coast of Ponce
- Barca Keys off the coast of Salinas (these are about 20 keys in Jobos Bay)
- La Playuela Beach in Cabo Rojo (commonly called Playa Sucia)
- Caño Tiburones Nature Reserve in Arecibo
- Guajataca River in Lares (also crosses San Sebastián and Isabela)
- Tanamá River in Utuado
- Cabo Rojo Salinas (salt flats) in Cabo Rojo
In my opinion, the results of the contest are a bit skewed. I think that people just voted for places that they had heard were great.
I know that most Puerto Ricans don’t get out to explore the lesser-known places on the island. And I know that many people have never had the opportunity to visit some of the places that won (for example, it’s next to impossible for your average person to get to Mona Island).
But these lists should give you a good idea of where you can begin looking for Puerto Rico’s natural wonders.
Gwenn & Ray’s Top Natural Wonders in Puerto Rico
Ray and I have our own Top 10 list of natural wonders, based on places we have visited on the island. We feel that these are the most beautiful and awe-inspiring spots on the island. This list may change over time (as we explore more of the island), but as of September 2011 our list is …
- #10 Route 10 South, between 6am-8am, driving from Arecibo to Utuado, as the clouds rise up out of the valleys
- #9 El Yunque National Forest, including the trails, waterfalls and rivers
- #8 Caves in & around the Tanama river / Caguana area
- #7 The Rugged Northern Coastline near Cueva del Indio or Mar Chiquita
- #6 Cueva Ventana (Window Cave) in Arecibo
- #5 The Cliffs by Cabo Rojo Lighthouse and La Playuela Beach
- #4 Caja de Muertos Island off the coast of Ponce
- #3 Flamenco Beach on Culebra
- #2 San Cristóbal Canyon
- #1 Mosquito Bioluminescent Bay on Vieques
A bonus wonder is star-gazing from any dark location on the island … simply amazing!
What are your top natural wonders in Puerto Rico?
Let us know in the Comments section below.
Use this map to locate places mentioned in this article. You can click on a placemark to view the GPS coordinates for that place.
Imagine that … I like your list better. I haven’t experienced your #10 selection, but it reminds me of what I experienced when I was was headed to Aibonito to do the San Cristobal Canyon tour with Montana Explora. Several, “oooh, look at that …. beautiful,” moments.
Comment by Josh on September 12th, 2011 at 1:42 pmAlthough all the places mentioned are beautiful, I agree more with your list! Las Cabezas de San Juan are spectacular, but since it’s usually visited during guided tours it doesn’t feel so much as an adventure like most of the other places. I think one of the best things of the natural wonders of Puerto Rico is that they give you a space to explore and personally discover nature, leaving you feeling both amazed and blessed that you could enjoy them. I’ve found out about some of the lesser known places from your site, it’s great!
Comment by laura on September 23rd, 2011 at 4:53 pmI would like to know ware is located the place in this link that is a picture of a beach hole like a reef wall in the middle of the page the 3rd one from top to bottom is there is any GPS coordinates or some knows how to get there I would love to take some pictures there.
Comment by Lowenski on October 30th, 2011 at 9:35 amThat photo was taken near Cueva del Indio near Arecibo.
Comment by Ray on October 31st, 2011 at 7:25 amHi –
Comment by Mike on April 28th, 2013 at 10:08 pmWe moved to PR with work for a about a year, and have loved your site as a guide to all of the great offerings here! We have hit most of the items on the list above – but not sure about “Guajataca River in Lares”. Do you have ideas how to best ‘explore’ that area?
I really can’t- I didn’t think it was that big on the Lares end. On the San Sebastian end, it is large. Try on RT 455, I think there is a kayak put in along there.
Comment by Gwenn on May 6th, 2013 at 5:58 pm