Puerto Rico's Nature Sites

The topography of Puerto Rico is extremely diverse - there are both tropical and dry forests, flatlands and mountains, beaches and sinkholes.  Visitors interested in spending time outdoors exploring nature's bounty will find plenty of diverse opportunity in Puerto Rico.

Forests and Nature Reserves

Guanica State Forest

Ready and equipped to withstand long stretches of dry weather, the Guánica State Forest is Puerto Rico's tropical dry forest. Here, visitors can view dozens of endangered species and cacti. The forest has been named an International Biosphere Reserve, and people work tirelessly to conserve the forest's natural resources. Also located on property are Fort Capròn and Tamarindo Beach.

El Yunque

El Yunque is both a national forest outside of Rio Grande and one of the country's highest mountain peaks. The forest is home to the endangered Puerto Rican Parrot and the coqui frog. Visitors hiking through the forest will want to make sure to be on the lookout for La Coca Falls, a glistening waterfall within the rainforest.

Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve

316 acres in Puerto Rico is dedicated to the Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve, which is further broken down into several different habitats. Trails wind through the forest filled with native flora and fauna, mangroves flourish in the saline environment, and the marvelous bioluminescent bay glows bright on dark nights. Also located on property is the Fero de las Cabezas de San Juan Lighthouse, a nature center, and beautiful views of the nearby El Yunque Mountain.

Torro Negro Forest Reserve

The highest point of Puerto Rico, Cerro de Punta, is located in the Torro Negro Forest Reserve.  The reserve is located in Central Puerto Rico, and comprised of 7,000 acres of mountains, two reservoirs, and 12 rivers.

Tres Palmas Marine Reserve

In 2004 Rincon established the Tres Palmas Marine Reserve to protect the popular snorkeling area.  Now, visitors still have the opportunity to explore the area, but the city has ensured that the sea life here will remain under its protection.  Steps Beach, which is under the Tres Palmas Marine Reserve umbrella, is a particularly nice place to snorkel and sit on the shore to enjoy a lovely, shaded sunset.

Wild Life Reserves and Refugees

Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Reserve

Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Reserve is a subtropical dry forest.  Much of the land is barren do to the extensive cattle farming that was done in the area for two centuries, yet many species of birds migrate here each year.cer

Culebra National Wildlife Reserve

Most of the island of Culebra has been marked as a wildlife reserve in order to protect several species of endangered turtles, as well as the other animals that call the island their home.  It is one of the oldest wildlife reserves in the system.

United Nations Biosphere Reserve

This tropical dry coastal reserve is one of the country's top bird watching sites.  Visitors will also marvel at the wide collection of cacti and trees that bring to mind bonsai. 

Vieques National Wildlife Refugee

The island of Vieques contains four distinct natural habitats: beaches, coastal lagoons, mangrove wetlands, and upland forested areas.  Each environment offers visitors a chance to explore different types of flora and fauna, including two plants and eight animals on the endangered species list.

And there are many more nature preserves throughout Puerto Rico.  Learn about them all here. 

Parks

The beauty of Puerto Rico can be found in a number of public places, including public parks, gardens, and even zoos.  The Mayaguez Zoo (Zoologico De Mayaguez) is particularly popular amongst visitors who want to learn about animals indigenous to Puerto Rico, as well as tour recreations of habitats from around the world.

Here is a listing of the many parks throughout Puerto  Rico.

Caves and Canyons

Rio Camuy Cave Park

Also known as Las Cavernas de Camuy, the Río Camuy Cave Park is one of the largest cave systems in the world. Over one thousand underground caves carved out by the Camuy River, and many are available for visitors to explore, as are underground waterways and sink holes. Tour guides are available.

San Cristobol Canyon

As one of Puerto Rico's great secrets, San Cristobol Canyon is not for the weak-hearted.  There are no marked paths that make it easy for tourists to explore, but if you are an experienced hiker and nature lover, it is a site you won't want to miss.  The canyon is the island's only volcanic riff, and comparable to the Grand Canyon in the United States.

Don't miss a chance to explore one of Puerto Rico's mysterious caverns and caves.  Pick one to explore here: 

Waterfalls

The majesty of rushing waters cascading down a mountainside and into a serene pool of cool, clean water is indescribable.  The waterfall in San Cristobol Canyon is popular amongst tourists who stop by when they are already visiting the canyon, but other waterfalls include Juan Diego Falls and La Mina Falls.

Further information about all of the island's noted falls follows: 

More Natural Sites

Bioluminescent Bays

There are three bioluminescent bays in Puerto Rico: in Fajardo, at Mosquito Bay, and in the La Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve.  These body of waters glow eerily at night, and even cause your body to glow white when you dive in.  This phenomena occurs when a small bay is completely sheltered (here they are surrounded by mangroves), and contain a high amount of dinoflagellites, which are incandescent microorganisms.  Tours of the bioluminescent bays are extremely popular; you can hire a knowledgeable tour guide to take you to the bays at night, or plan a trip on your own.  Just make sure to arrive long before dusk, because the bays do get crowded with other tourists hoping to see experience the glow.

Mosquito Bay

Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve is not the only location of a bioluminescent bay in Puerto Rico. In fact, what is supposedly the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world is located approximately 10 miles off the coast of the mainland on the island of Vieques. Mosquioto Bay, or Bio Bay as it is sometimes known, gets its eerie blue glow from microorganisms feeding off red mangroves in the bay.

Find out about more of Puerto Rico's natural attractions by reviewing the chart below.

The awe-inspiring magnitude of El Yunque Mountain, anomaly of the bioluminescent bays, and diversity of both wet and dry forest on the island offer visitors the opportunity to experience nature in ways they may never have the chance to see again. Even if hiking and nature isn't your thing, it might be worth stepping out of your comfort zone to experience some of the beautiful natural sites available in Puerto Rico.