Living in Puerto Rico has made me appreciate its beauty in all senses: the people, the food, the culture, the nature…you name it: everything! It’s a place where many tourists come to experience the beaches and the tropical weather that Puerto Rico has to offer, to relax and have a good time during their stay. Apart from the weather, it also has a lot of history to offer, as we can see at Old San Juan; the place where the Spaniards settled and constructed the military fortress known as El Morro.
Old San Juan isn’t the only place that one can visit in Puerto Rico, though! There are many wonders around the island that you cannot find by only exploring the north, metropolitan area. Here’s a list of five places that you MUST visit to get the full Puerto Rican travel experience.
- Bosque Toro Negro
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Bosque Toro Negro (Toro Negro State Forest) is located in the center, mountainous region of the island, and is subdivided into the towns of Villalba, Orocovis, Jayuya,
Ponce, Juana Díaz, and Ciales. It has a camping and hiking site, and you can also enter the forest area for free! There are various rivers that you can enjoy to take a dive in, or enjoy the scenery surrounded by palm trees, wild strawberries, Puerto Rican spindalis (reinitas), and so much more! After your stroll through the forest, you can head on to eat at the nearby restaurant called “Las Cabañas Doña Juana” where you can enjoy our Puerto Rican cuisine to the fullest, known for its alcapurrias, arroz con gandules, costillas, pernil, and more.
- Charco La Guitarra
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This beautiful pond—whose shape looks exactly like a guitar, as per its name suggests—is a must-see for your vacation. The waterfall that goes down to the pond, or Charco La Guitarra, is known as La Plazuela and is located in Orocovis, Puerto Rico. It is a bit more challenging to get to the pond, as you will have to take a 20–30 minute walk to get there, but it’s all worth it at the end when you have the chance to splash into the natural waters and enjoy the beautiful nature that surrounds you. This is a perfect opportunity for people that like hiking and adventure.
- Faro de Los Morrillos-Cabo Rojo
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There are 15 lighthouses around the island, but one of the most iconic ones is Faro de Los Morrillos in Cabo Rojo. This lighthouse has definitely been on the island for quite some time, as it was constructed in 1877 by the Spaniards. The lighthouse has an elegant feel to it, as you can ascend a spiral staircase and look over at the sea and the birds that fly above. You can also get to know more about its history once you enter the lighthouse through historical plates and items. Apart from knowing its history, the lighthouse stands on a peninsula with a beautiful beach cove and rocks that have taken certain shapes throughout the years, making the scenery even more astonishing.
- Cueva del Indio
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Exploring caves and caverns in Puerto Rico is definitely one of the activities that should be on your bucket list. There’s various different caves to explore such as Cueva Ventana and Cavernas de Camuy, but Cueva del Indio is one that will take your breath away, being right next to the ocean. It’s a prehistoric rock site with many Taino (indigenous Caribbeans) petroglyphs to explore. A very interesting fun fact is that this place has been used to record movies such as “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” “Treasure Island,” and so many more.
- Schoenstatt Chapels
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When you hear Schoenstatt, you in no way imagine that it’s a name that could come from Puerto Rico; well, you might be right. Schoenstatt is a name that comes from the German word “beautiful” (schön) and “place” (statt). So you might be thinking, why is there a place named after a German word? The Schoenstatt Chapels have a lot of history behind them. The interesting thing is that Schoenstatt Chapels have become an international phenomenon, starting from Germany and expanding over to the rest of the world. Every time you go to one, the architecture of each building is practically the same in size—identical to the original chapel in Germany—and there’s always a beautiful and peaceful scenery that surrounds it. As schoenstatt.org says, “When Father Kentenich and the students sealed the Covenant of Love with Mary in the little chapel in the valley of Schoenstatt, a place of grace was born which became the origin of a Movement which would grow and expand, but would also experience severe trials and storms.” It’s definitely a unique view that you can find in Juana Diaz, Hatillo, and Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico.
These and many other places in Puerto Rico are waiting to be explored. Enjoy the food, the weather, the culture, the warmth of the people, and make wonderful memories that will last forever. Challenge yourself to adventure sights that most people don’t get to see for themselves; trust me, you won’t regret it.