The best viewpoints and peaks in Puerto Rico

Ordered by every profile at once · 14 places

From the summits of the Cordillera Central you can see both coasts on a clear day, and the stone observation towers of El Yunque, Toro Negro and Maricao rise above the forest canopy. Along the coast, cliffs and salt flats offer some of the best sunsets on the island.

This ranking brings together natural viewpoints and peaks, ordered by every nature profile at once. Mornings are usually clearest: in the mountains, cloud tends to build up in the afternoon. Historic lookouts and built viewpoints in towns are in the ranking of places to see.

See them on the map

1
Mirador de las Salinas
73/100
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
2
Torre de Piedra de Maricao
73/100
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
3
Cerro Maravilla
70/100
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
4
Pico El Yunque
66/100
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
5
Torre de Observación de Doña Juana
66/100
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
6
Torre de Yokahú
64/100
Viewpoint · Río Grande · East coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.
A 1960s stone observation tower by the PR-191, with views over the forest canopy to the Luquillo coast and the islands off Fajardo.
- Scenery
- Wildlife
- Tranquility
7
Torre Mount Britton
63/100
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
8
Cerro de Punta
61/100
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
9
Torre de Los Picachos
61/100
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
10
Torre de Observación de Guajataca
60/100
Viewpoint · Isabela · West coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.
An observation tower next to the ranger office of the Guajataca forest, where several trails start, with views over the karst hills.
- Scenery
- Wildlife
- Tranquility
11
Monte Resaca
58/100
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
12
Cerro La Santa
54/100
Peak · San Lorenzo · Central mountainsNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.
One of the highest peaks of the Sierra de Cayey, with antennas on top and views towards the Caribbean coast.
- Scenery
- Wildlife
- Tranquility
13
Monte Guilarte
52/100
Peak · Adjuntas · Central mountainsNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.
One of the highest peaks of the island (1,205 m), reached by a short, steep trail from the PR-131, with views over the Cordillera Central and, on clear days, the south coast.
- Scenery
- Wildlife
- Tranquility
14
Los Tres Picachos
49/100
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

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