Cerro Gordo Beach is a government run beach in Vega Alta, approximately 45 minutes from San Juan. This beach is a favorite amongst locals, yet remains much quieter than the beaches in resort laden areas of Puerto Rico. Because the beach is government run, lifeguards are on duty, and there are operational facilities. Camping is permitted here, allowing your day at the beach to extend into the night.
Located near the middle of the island of Puerto Rico, Cerro Gordo Beach is on the North East coast of the island, You should think about stopping by even if you are not staying nearby. Those planning on making a stop at this beach can make the most of their relaxation time without missing the chance to do a little people watching.
How to Access The Beach Cerro Gordo Beach is located the junction of Calle Principal and PR-690. Parking is $3(USD). Amenities and Ambiance
Cerro Gordo is a crescent-shaped beach backed by palm trees, picnic tables, and gazebos. The sand is soft and white, and well-maintained so it is rare that you find trash here. The water is calm and clear, with natural rock formations on the end that protect the shore from being beat down by rough waters. A swimming area is roped off, and beyond that there are reefs for snorkeling and diving.
One obvious convenience is this beach's picnic facilities, so your food won't get sandy.
Unfortunately, restrooms will not be available here, so if you're visiting with small children you might want to consider a different location. Shower facilities are available here, so you don't have to go back to your hotel sandy. In addition, you'll find chairs and umbrellas here, so visitors looking for relief from the sultry island sun will get their wish.
What's Nearby Attractions Visitors will find this beach on the North East coast of Puerto Rico; the area hosts attractions such as Pineapple Course at Dorado Beach, which is not very far away, so some will want to take a cab, while others will find it a nice walk.
If you want to mix some cultural exploration with your trip to the beach, you may want to consider visiting Science Park. This museum is located just a taxi ride away, and might make a nice break from the midday sun.
Beaches are one type of attraction you can visit, but there will be more options available in Puerto Rico. The following table includes the closest attractions.
Tanamá River Adventures offers 6 (six) different options to choose from. Cave Tubing experience will be the same in all our different Tours. Tanama River Adventures experience is a Eco Guided Tour. Our participants will be always accompanied by our professional Team. No rapids at Tanamá river. All of our Outdoors Adventures activities includes; Hiking through the Forest trails and River, crossing fields of coffee, bananas, plantains, orange plantations and more. History and Culture share by our local expertise Tour Guides. We will visit Caves and Caverns, enjoy Spring waters, Waterfalls, explore our Underground River with Cave Tubing experience, Swimming and free jumps that are optionals, easy climbing, explore ancient rocks formations (ocean floor fossils, crystals, stalactites and stalagmites rocks formations).
All our Tours departs at 8:30 am or 9 am. Only morning sessions! We have a weight limit of 240 pounds. Our most important concern is the physical condition of our participants, not the weight. To go out in a Tour we will need at least 4 people or more, for any Rappelling Tour we will need 6 people or more. Good physical condition is necessary to participate in all our tours activities. If you are a single person or a couple please call for details, e-mail us or Best way is sending us a text message to the phone number provided.
We like to discover and write about little-known places to visit and things to do here in Puerto Rico. Cueva Ventana was one of those places. Back when we originally wrote about the cave, there was not a lot of information available about it. Now, it is one of the more popular sites to visit in PR! The view is fantastic!
Cueva Ventana translates into Window Cave, and one look at the photo explains why they call it that.
Cueva Ventana is located in Arecibo, close to the Arecibo/Utuado border, just off of Route 10. It is amazingly easy to get to . Actually, there are 2 caves here that one can enter — and they are right next to each other.
We originally went with my brother John and his wife Chris. It was a fun trip.
Trip Preparation Cueva Ventana First off, we knew we needed to do some planning. Flashlights or headlamps are a must. Even though both caves are open on both ends, the middle is dark (especially Cueva Ventana). 10/13 Note- the price now includes use of a flashlight! The hike to the mouths of the caves is about 10-15 minutes, partly up-hill and partly in full sun — so bottles of water for everyone is a must. The caves are inhabited by bats, so there is a lot of guano dripping inside the cave — so antibacterial wipes are also good to have, to wipe your hands when you are done! Because the caves are in the karst region of the island, the cave floors are wet and slippery from the water leaching through the limestone — so shoes with some good grip are required. Once we had all that stuff, we were ready to go.
The Trip The path leading to the caves is located just next to the Puma gas station. There is a free parking lot just for people visiting the cave.
There is a entrance area, with desk for you to sign in. Then you start walking. They now have information signs around about the trees and other things you are seeing. You soon get to the tour staging area- where you get your guide (or info on where to met your guide), and helmet. You then walk the trail toward the cave. As we walked the trail, we eventually noticed a large tree on the left whose roots are going down into a cave opening. This is the second cave’s little light source. You will be able to enter this cave at the large main entrance area, just next to the Window Cave entrance. Just keep following the trail. The trail will curve around and it will end up at the openings to two caves. We went into both.
Cueva Ventana is the cave on the left, with the steps going down into it. Your guide will give you a flashlight and walk with you through the cave. All the way, the guide talks about the nature in the cave, how caves are formed, about the bats and all sorts of other cave related info. Also the Taino experience. This cave has a bunch of very pretty formations — stalagmites and stalactites. It has a number of smaller caves, tunnels and hiding spots. It also has bats! But the goal is the window. We kept going through — and then we saw the light at the end. What a great view! We went out as far as we felt comfortable. One must be careful, it is a long way down and there is nothing to stop you from falling (except your own common sense to stay away from the edge). There is such a magnificent view of the green fields and river below.
Cueva Ventana The cave on the right is smaller and shorter. There is a large cavern inside, the entrance (with some steps) is just by the Ventana cave entrance (you will see a bench). Inside the cave was a bit slippery, but very neat.
Since both caves are open on both ends, they were the warmest and windiest caves I have ever been in. And they didn’t smell bad either (considering the number of bats living there)! I found this to be an easy place to go and see caves. Since this place is located up in the mountains, unlike the underground Camuy Rio Caves that close if there is rain (since it floods), I bet this place would stay high and dry. One can visit both this cave and Camuy Rio Caves in the same day if they wanted since they are located in the same general area.
I have to say, the whole place (trails and caves) were really pretty clean. There was some graffiti and even some Taino petroglyphs. All in all, very nice. And, please everyone, keep it clean and don’t abuse this beautiful place.
10/13- Note- They now offer guided tours and have people dressed as Tainos around, for pictures I guess.
Stuff You Need to Know Cueva Ventana I think this adventure requires a moderate fitness level, due to the walk up and the slippery footings in the cave. The ground was dirt and relatively flat, but getting down into the caves was a bit tricky- you need to climb down slippery rocks. Wear closed toe shoes if possible. The owners also say it is for children 5 years and up, but I might wait until the kids are at least 5-6 years old. You are required to sign a liability release form. There is a snack bar.
Get there early. We arrived at 9:30am and we were alone for a while, and then the tour buses started showing up. When we drove back past the entrance 4 hours later, it was packed with cars and 2 large tour buses. If one goes during the week, I bet there will be fewer people at almost any time of the day then on a weekend.
But one really good reason to go on a weekend is one can go about 10 minutes down the road and enjoy an afternoon at Lago dos Bocas. This lake offers a boat trip and restaurants, which we did and it turned out to be a great day.
Oh, and if you’re into geocaching — there is one inside Cueva Ventana!
Details The cave is open from 9am – 4:30pm Mon- Sundays. Tours are every 1.5 hrs starting at 9am, and possibly as needed. They last 1.5 hrs.
They offer tours that include transportation from San Juan and Condado area hotels, for an extra fee. Call them (number below) for more info or to make those arrangements.
Admission to the cave is $19 ($10 for Puerto Rico residents, with ID) per person plus tax and it includes a guided tour, use of a flashlight and helmet and an informational booklet about the cave/area. Check their webpage for discount coupons! Parking for the cave is free (go up the driveway to the left of the registration table). There are clean port-a-potties in the parking lot. No children under 5 years old..
HISTORICAL TOUR Enjoy a cocktail at our waterfront Bat Bar Pavilion, then join your guided tour to discover how we make BACARDÍ rum and our family owned company's history of craft and innovation.
RUM TASTING TOUR Become a rum maestro on this guided tour where you will discover how we make our premium rums, the craft of our barrels and blending, the history of our family owned company, and taste six BACARDÍ rums, including BACARDÍ Special Reserve, exclusively available at Casa BACARDÍ.
MIXOLOGY CLASS Master the Mojito! This interactive class puts you behind the bar. A BACARDÍ specialist will lead you through mixing three classic rum cocktails. Start with a welcome cocktail at the Bat Bar Pavilion, visit the distillery, discover our history and the craft of making the world's most awarded rum.
For centuries, this doorway served to keep invaders out of the city. Today, you can walk through the La Puerta de San Juan to explore and experience the splendor and romance of this elegant and vibrant city. The experience through the door is more magical if you start your walk through Paseo La Princesa. If you reach it from inside the city, you’ll be greeted with a view of the San Juan Bay. From either direction, be prepared to be wowed by the magic and splendor of the city. The first thing you will notice as you approach the gate is the inscription Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. The verse comes from The Sanctus, “Holy”, a Latin hymn from Catholic liturgy.Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua. Hosanna in excelsis. Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth; heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord Hosanna in the highest. There were 6 gates around the city. La Puerta de San Juan is the only one remaining, making it a precious historic landmark in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. The gate was named in honor of Saint John the Baptist. As you walk through it, pause and notice how thick the city walls are. As soon as you pass the gate, you’ll find vendors at the corner of the street with refreshments including Puerto Ricans’ favorite, the piragua. If you’re just starting your walking tour, get ready to experience the romance and splendor of the old city. We encourage you to start your tour by walking straight up the hill on a narrow cobblestone street with beautifully restored Spanish colonial buildings painted in bright colors, and with elegant balconies and doors. Old trees provide cool shade as you walk up the same path that Spanish dignitaries once walked upon entering the city. Dignitaries then went straight into Catedral San Juan Bautista, better known as San Juan Cathedral, in order to thank God for a safe voyage.
Explore up to 25 landmarks in this unique 2 hour tour that will take you trough the Old San Juan. Our guides will train you on how to operate the Segway PT and will interpret the fascinating historical facts about the sites to be seen en route.
Duration: 2 hours. Cost: $93.00 per guest + tax Tour runs: 10:30am, 1:00pm, 4:00pm. Subject to availability and changes
Price Includes:
Riding lesson One Segway PT per guest Historical Interpretation Photo ops One Segway certified guide per group Luggage Safe Storage Sightseeing Segway guided stops includes:
Darsenas Square USA Landmarks (Customs, Coast Guard, Federal Court) Ancient Cobblestone Streets The Princess promenade (In honor to the Asturias princess) Heritage Monument The Princess jail Narrowest house in Old San Juan The Roots Monument (Representation of Indigenous, Spanish and African cultures) The Fortaleza (Oldest Governors Mansion still in use in the hemisphere) Wall of San Juan The San Juan Gate (Remaining entrance to the old city) Old San Juan Colonial Neighborhood The Rogativa Monument (Religious procession during British attack 1797) Ponce de Leon’s Mansion Wall Old Mental Hospital San Felipe del Morro Glacis Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazziz Cemetery (Resting place of illustrious Puerto Ricans) Ballaja Infantry Barracks Servants of Mary Order Goats Island (site of Canuelo Fort and Leper Colony) Old San Juan Houses La Perla (Slaughter House) Ancient Dominican Monastery (Today National Gallery) Totem Pole (Tribute to the Earth and Clay of the Americas) Bacardi Distillery (Seen across the Bay)
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