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The best swimming holes in Puerto Rico

Ordered by the Swimming profile · 6 places

Charcos, the river pools of the interior, are where many Puerto Ricans cool off: fresh water under the forest, often beside a small waterfall. The best known are around El Yunque and in the central mountains.

This ranking puts swimming first, then scenery, safety and access. Rivers are not swimming pools: check the depth before you jump, keep away after heavy rain, when flash floods are a real danger, and leave the place as you found it. Many charcos are on or next to private land, so respect the owners' signs.

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654321
  1. 1

    Charca Las Damas (sendero El Angelito)

    82/100
    Swimming hole · Luquillo · East coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    A deep river pool on the Río Mameyes, at the end of the short El Angelito trail off the PR-988. It does not need the PR-191 reservation.

    • Swimming
    • Scenery
    • Access
  2. 2

    Charco Azul

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

    A deep blue-green pool in a mountain river, reached by a short forest trail from the PR-184. The most popular swimming hole near San Juan.

    • Swimming
    • Scenery
    • Access
  3. 3

    Charca El Hippie

    71/100
    Swimming hole · Naguabo · East coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    Natural pools on the Río Blanco, on the south side of El Yunque in Naguabo, reached on a short trail from the road; one of the classic swimming spots of the east.

    • Swimming
    • Scenery
    • Access
  4. 4

    Puente Roto

    68/100
    Swimming hole · Río Grande · East coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    A popular swimming spot on the Río Mameyes at the foot of El Yunque, next to the remains of an old bridge, with easy access from the road.

    • Swimming
    • Scenery
    • Access
  5. 5

    Charco La Confesora

    61/100
    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.

    • Swimming
    • Scenery
    • Access
  6. 6

    Charca Eliodoro Blanco

    50/100
    Swimming hole · Corozal · Central mountainsNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    A river pool inside the Monte Choca forest in Corozal, reached on the forest trails.

    • Swimming
    • Scenery
    • Access

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