Waterfalls, canyons, and black sand: what amazes tourists in Puerto Rico

A piece of paradise in the middle of the Caribbean Sea. This is how Puerto Rico can be described. The island has been at the top of the most visited resorts in the world for many years. People come here not only for the luxurious beaches and colorful parties: the nature here is so beautiful and diverse that it's hard not to fall in love with it. Waterfalls, mountains, rainforests: you can find it all here.

El Yunque National Forest

You should start your acquaintance with Puerto Rico with this incredible reserve. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it is the only subtropical rainforest in the United States, which means that you can see many different animals and plants that are not found in any other part of the country.

You will feel the freshness and gentle spray from the first steps in this park area. That's the magical La Coca Falls. Go further along the Juan Diego Falls to see whole cascades of different reservoirs. By the way, you can swim in some of them. But be careful not to get injured or get caught in the fast current.

It's important to note that the park is only accessible by booking tickets in advance. This is done to ensure that there are not too many visitors in the protected area at the same time. Therefore, take care of it in advance because the places crowd very quickly.

Bioluminescent bays

Puerto Rico has three world-famous bioluminescent bays: Mosquito Bay, La Parguera, and Laguna Grande. They are located in different parts of the island but have one thing in common. These bodies of water glow at night. The reason is that their waters are home to microorganisms that can emit blue-green light when disturbed. The best way to see this miracle is to go kayaking or boating at night, or just swim.

Mosquito Bay is the most popular among tourists. To get there, you'll have to travel a long way on an unpaved road and stay by the reservoir overnight. There is a nice camping area where you can rent or pitch your own tent.

We recommend not organizing such a trip on your own. Without knowing the way, you can easily get lost in the local forests. Fortunately, there are many travel agencies on the island that can prepare everything for you. This is the best and safest way.

San Cristobal Canyon

Another impressive place on the island is the San Cristobal Canyon. It is ideal for those who like long and difficult walks. To enjoy all the beauty of this location, you will have to walk down to the river along a rocky path for a long time. Then you will walk to the cascade of waterfalls, stop at the glades where you will see unique plants, climb a high hill and, of course, take some pictures worthy of being on the covers of the best magazines in the world.

Note that this route is not suitable for beginners. You need to be well-prepared to avoid falling off the rocky slope and getting injured while walking the route. If you have not done this before, it is better to go on a tour with a group of tourists. This way you minimize the risks because the guide will lead you along a less dangerous route. And although you won't see everything the canyon has to offer, it will be enough to make you fall in love with this place.

Playa Negra Beach

This beach is radically different from all the others on the island. You won't see any sun loungers or restaurants here. Its peculiarity, without exaggeration, lies underfoot. This is black magnetic sand, which was formed many centuries ago from volcanic rock.

The beach can be reached by rented or public transportation. It will take about 15 minutes to walk from the nearest stop. Then you will see a magical landscape with golden rocks, a black coastline and the azure sea.

Gozalandia waterfall

Another amazing waterfall on the island. It is ideal for family vacations. First of all, this is due to the good infrastructure: there is a paid parking lot 5 minutes from the reservoir, from which an asphalt path with signs leads the way. Here you can enjoy the local nature and feel the true atmosphere of Puerto Rico.

We recommend preparing for a vacation on this island in advance. Choose a good hotel that is located as close to the locations you want to visit as possible. Check the weather conditions because Puerto Rico, like many tropical islands, has rainy seasons that can ruin your vacation. And most importantly, don't try to do everything in one week: it's simply impossible. Enjoy your vacation in an incredibly beautiful place without rushing.

Earlier, OBOZREVATEL told you about the most beautiful islands for your trip.

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