Travel Guide
Hiking
Surviving the Federal Shutdown on Vacation- 10/15/26-Updated!
What impact will the US Government Shutdown have on your well-planned vacation in Puerto Rico? In this brief guide to navigating the tourist-related closures on the island during the government shutdown, we will tell you what's closed, what's open, and — most importantly — we'll suggest some options to help fill those empty spots in your vacation schedule.
Enjoy Nature and History at Río Guajataca Recreation Area
Nestled along the northwestern coast of Puerto Rico lies a hidden gem that promises an great day for nature enthusiasts and beach lovers alike. The Área Recreativa Río Guajataca in Quebradillas is a local secret! The area is great for cooling down on hot days, and there are a number of neat things to do, like walking through forests to historic sites and nature photography.
Beach, Hiking, History, Nature, North, West, Budget, Off Beaten Path
Punta del Viento - A Pretty Nature Reserve in Patillas
Nestled along the southeastern coast of Puerto Rico, the Reserva Natural Punta del Viento in Patillas is a hidden gem. It offers a tranquil escape for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and anyone looking to connect with the unique flora and fauna of the region. It is a lovely place that very few people visit. But it is a nice place to walk, enjoy the coast, take wonderful photos, camp, and be one with nature.
Beach, Hiking, Nature, South, Adventure, Budget, Off Beaten Path
Enjoy the Beach Walking Trails in Rincón
If you like walking by the beach, but don’t enjoy getting sandy, you will love the beach walking trails (Paseo Comunitario) available in Rincón. We walked the Playa Maria Trail, that runs from Playa Maria to the Rincón Lighthouse parking area. Coming in at just around ¼ mile one way, and being mostly flat, it is an easy walk for most everyone.
Beach, Hiking, Nature, West, Budget, Off Beaten Path, With Kids
The Elusive Stairs at Survival Beach
Hidden gems often require a extra effort to uncover, and the stairs that lead above Survival Beach in Aguadilla are no exception. The stairs themselves were built to provide access to the beach for the people at the Ramey Air Force Base. There is a locked gate at the top, so if you know the code to open the gate at the top, then you can easily enjoy them from above. But the rest of us need to hike and climb to get to them from the beach.
Explore Nature's Beauty at Playa Ostiones and Ducot Trails
Cabo Rojo, a picturesque municipality located on the western tip of Puerto Rico, is a haven for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. With its stunning beaches and diverse ecosystems, it offers a plethora of outdoor activities for all types of travelers. A new little gem we found recently is Playa Ostiones and the Ducot Trails. It is a small, calm beach, and the trail area has cultural and archaeological significance.
Beach, Hiking, Nature, West, Budget, Off Beaten Path, With Kids
Discover Charco el Café in Juana Díaz
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
Visit El Salto de Miramar
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
Tour El Yunque with Para La Naturaleza
While exploring this ecological wonder independently can be rewarding, there are distinct advantages to going on a guided tour, where they point out the hidden world of the forest, and give you with a deeper understanding and appreciation of this natural treasure. Para la Naturaleza offers a few different tours of El Yunque. We recently went on their "Mt. Britton – From Ridge to Reef" tour and really enjoyed it. We think that you will enjoy it, too!
Hiking, History, Nature, Rain Forest, Tour, East, First Timer, With Kids
Explore Where Few People Have: Cueva Convento / Grayskull
If you are looking for a different kind of adventure in Puerto Rico, try a tour to an underground river. This type of tour is not only an exciting and unique experience, but it also offers a glimpse into the fascinating underground world of Puerto Rico. This is a relatively easy activity, and it only takes a couple of hours - perfect for most anyone!
Hike the Bisley Trail - El Yunque's Newest Trail
El Yunque National Forest has a number of hiking trails that are fun and rewarding. Sadly, in 2017, Hurricane Maria damaged much of the forest and trails, and work is still underway to reopen some of the most popular trails. The US Forest Service, along with volunteer groups, has been working on getting trails back in shape. And they are not working on only the popular trails. They are also working on reopening some older trails, like the Bisley Trail!
Hiking, Nature, Rain Forest, East, Adventure, Budget, Off Beaten Path, With Kids
Hike to a San Cristóbal Canyon Waterfall View
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.
Walk or Hike to Guaniquilla Train Tunnel
Puerto Rico used to have a train system that went almost completely around the island. It was mainly used for sugar cane transportation, but people also used it. I guess, due to the terrain, the north-western and western coastal towns still have a few of the tunnels that were built, such as Tunel Negro and Guajataca Tunel. I recently was able to see Guaniquilla Tunnel in Cabo Rojo. It is the shortest of these tunnels, but still nice to see.
River Fun at La Represa and Salto la Cabra in San Germán
San Germán is a lovely town. There are lots of historic buildings, beautiful mountains and great waterfalls along the Río Cain. We have already checked out some waterfalls upriver, so this time we visited the lower falls, called Salto la Cabra, and La Represa. These spots have relatively easy access, and we had the place to ourselves. Totally worth the trip!
Do a Little Rock Scramble in Quebradillas to Get Some Great Photos!
There is one beach in Quebradillas that will give you two pretty "mini-adventures" in one spot. La Ventana de Quebradillas (The Window) and la Piedra con Escalera (the Rock with a Ladder) are both located on the same beach. They offer great views and photo-ops, but do require a little effort, so these are not for everyone. But if you like a little rock scrambling, this mini-adventure is right for you!
Enjoy Views of San Cristobal Canyon via the Vereda Suñé
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.
Take a Short Walk to a Historic Train Tunnel
Túnel de Guajataca in Isabela is a very well know tourist destination. It was part of the old train system that carried people, sugar cane, and the mail, and ran around a good part of the island. However, there is another, lesser known train tunnel called Túnel Negr (or Túnel Obscura or the Dark Tunnel) that you can visit which is very close by in Quebradillas.
El Portal de El Yunque Visitor Center & Walking Trails
El Portal de El Yunque is the main visitor and information center in El Yunque National Forest. It features an elevated walkway through the tree tops, educational displays, a short wheelchair-friendly interpretive trail, a short interpretive walking trail through the lower forest, a counter-service restaurant, and a small gift shop. Though completely optional, the visitor center is an informative stop for first-time visitors to El Yunque National Forest.
Hiking, Museum, Nature, Rain Forest, East, North, Budget, With Kids
Venture Out to Santa Clara Waterfall
If you are looking for a waterfall that is off the beaten path, a little difficult to get to, but so worth the effort, then Salto Santa Clara might be for you. Everything about this place impressed me – the trail was well-maintained, the surrounding area was clean, and the waterfall was large! All in all, not easy but this this is an excellent adventure!
Dare To Go To the Infinity Pool in Carite Forest
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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