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The best hiking and nature spots in Puerto Rico

Ordered by the Hiking profile · 20 places

Hiking in Puerto Rico goes from the rainforest trails of El Yunque to the dry forest of Guánica and the ridges of the Cordillera Central, with Culebra's Monte Resaca as an island surprise. This ranking orders every nature spot on the map by the hiking profile: scenery first, then nature, peace and quiet and some culture along the way.

Trails can be muddy and slippery most of the year, and the heat is strong on the coast. Start early, carry water, check the forest opening hours (many close one or two days a week) and stay on marked paths.

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  1. 1

    Pico El Yunque

    84/100
    Peak · Río Grande · East coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    The summit of the forest, at over 1,000 m, reached by the El Yunque Trail through palm and cloud forest. A demanding half-day hike with a lookout tower at the top.

    • Scenery
    • Wildlife
    • Tranquility
  2. 2

    Monte Resaca

    81/100
    Peak · CulebraNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    The highest hill of Culebra, a rough scramble through dry forest and huge boulders to a summit with views over the whole archipelago.

    • Scenery
    • Wildlife
    • Tranquility
  3. 3

    Torre de Piedra de Maricao

    81/100
    Viewpoint · Maricao · West coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    A stone observation tower from the 1930s next to the road through the Maricao forest, with one of the widest views of western Puerto Rico.

    • Scenery
    • Wildlife
    • Tranquility
  4. 4

    Cerro Maravilla

    78/100
    Viewpoint · Ponce · Central mountainsNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    One of the highest peaks of the island (1,170 m), with a road to the top, sweeping views and a memorial to the two young independence activists killed here in 1978.

    • Scenery
    • Wildlife
    • Tranquility
  5. 5

    Mirador de las Salinas

    78/100
    Viewpoint · Cabo Rojo · West coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    An observation tower over the pink salt ponds of Cabo Rojo, next to the interpretive center, ideal for watching shorebirds.

    • Scenery
    • Wildlife
    • Tranquility
  6. 6

    Torre de Los Picachos

    78/100
    Viewpoint · Río Grande · East coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    A small stone observation tower on one of the peaks of El Yunque, at the end of a steep trail, with views over the rainforest when the clouds allow.

    • Scenery
    • Wildlife
    • Tranquility
  7. 7

    Torre de Observación de Doña Juana

    78/100
    Viewpoint · Orocovis · Central mountainsNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    An observation tower on Cerro Doña Juana, reached by a forest trail from the recreation area, with views over the Cordillera Central.

    • Scenery
    • Wildlife
    • Tranquility
  8. 8

    Cascada El Ancón

    75/100
    Waterfall · Aibonito · Central mountainsNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    A waterfall deep inside the San Cristóbal Canyon, reached on a steep guided descent with river crossings.

    • Scenery
    • Wildlife
    • Tranquility
  9. 9

    Torre Mount Britton

    75/100
    Viewpoint · Río Grande · East coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    A 1930s stone tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps on a peak covered in dwarf cloud forest, reached by a short but steep paved trail.

    • Scenery
    • Wildlife
    • Tranquility
  10. 10

    Cerro de Punta

    72/100
    Peak · Ponce · Central mountainsNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    The highest point of Puerto Rico (1,338 m), crowned by antennas. A very steep concrete road leads almost to the top, with views of both coasts on clear days.

    • Scenery
    • Wildlife
    • Tranquility
  11. 11

    Los Tres Picachos

    72/100
    Peak · Jayuya · Central mountainsNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    The three peaks (almost 1,200 m) that give the forest its name, between Ciales and Jayuya, on a steep, unmarked climb with very few people.

    • Scenery
    • Wildlife
    • Tranquility
  12. 12

    Cueva del Viento

    69/100
    Cave · Isabela · West coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    A cave with stalactites and stalagmites at the end of a marked forest trail in Guajataca, entered down a set of steps.

    • Scenery
    • Wildlife
    • Tranquility
  13. 13

    Lago El Guineo

    69/100
    Lake or lagoon · Ciales · Central mountainsNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    The highest reservoir in Puerto Rico, a quiet mountain lake surrounded by forest in Toro Negro.

    • Scenery
    • Wildlife
    • Tranquility
  14. 14

    Laguna Cartagena

    69/100
    Lake or lagoon · Lajas · West coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    A freshwater lagoon in the Lajas valley, one of the best places in Puerto Rico to see waterbirds, with a flat trail and an observation tower.

    • Scenery
    • Wildlife
    • Tranquility
  15. 15

    Camino Ballena y Guayacán Centenario

    66/100
    Trail · Guánica · South coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    An easy old dirt road through the dry forest that passes a guaiacum tree several centuries old and continues down to Bahía Ballena.

    • Scenery
    • Wildlife
    • Tranquility
  16. 16

    Charco La Confesora

    66/100
    Swimming hole · Orocovis · Central mountainsNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    A cold natural pool in a mountain stream near the Doña Juana recreation area of Toro Negro.

    • Scenery
    • Wildlife
    • Tranquility
  17. 17

    Cueva Clara

    66/100
    Cave · Hatillo · North coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    A huge cave of the Río Camuy system, with chambers tens of meters high, visited on guided tours of the cave park.

    • Scenery
    • Wildlife
    • Tranquility
  18. 18

    Cueva del Indio

    66/100
    Cave · Arecibo · North coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    Sea caves and natural arches on the coast of Arecibo, with Taíno petroglyphs on the cave walls and waves crashing below.

    • Scenery
    • Wildlife
    • Tranquility
  19. 19

    Cueva del Pirata Cofresí

    66/100
    Cave · Cabo Rojo · West coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    A sea cave on the Punta Guaniquilla coast where, legend says, the pirate Roberto Cofresí hid his loot.

    • Scenery
    • Wildlife
    • Tranquility
  20. 20

    Puerto Mosquito

    66/100
    Bioluminescent bay · ViequesNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    The brightest bioluminescent bay in the world: on dark nights the water glows blue-green around kayaks and fish. Visited only on licensed tours, and swimming is not allowed.

    • Scenery
    • Wildlife
    • Tranquility

How this ranking is made

Every place has a score from 1 to 5 for each criterion, following a public rubric, and the score out of 100 combines them with the weights of the profile. Most scores are estimates from public sources; places marked “Verified” have been checked in person.

Read the methodology