Last Updated: January 12, 2022
Hidden Gems In Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island that belongs to the USA, and I’m sure you have heard of it, as it’s been a very popular global vacation destination for years. The island of Puerto Rico lies in the eastern Caribbean between the islands of the Dominican Republic and the British Virgin Islands.
The north of the island sees the Atlantic come pounding in during the winter and is calm during the summer while the southern end is home to the Caribbean sea which stays relatively calm all year round, except during hurricane season in September/October when big tropical storms can come riding through.
Puerto Rico is known for its stunning beaches, beautiful tropical rainforests, mountain landscapes, and great places to live. It’s a pretty developed and busy island but there are some hidden gems in Puerto Rico if you know where to look.
So, for those of you visiting Puerto Rico, who like to get off the beaten track, here they are.
Table Of Contents
Show All
Snorkeling At Vieques Green Beach
The smaller island of Vieques that lies to the east of the main island of Puerto Rico is a hidden gem in Puerto Rico all by itself as half the island is made up of the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge and is home to amazing forests (like El Yunque National Forest) and marine life.
The beaches of Vieques are also delightful as they are lapped with tropical blue waters and are far less busy than the more touristy beaches you can find on the main island. While many go to Mosquito Bay, there is one special beach on the island of Vieques which is an amazing hidden gem in Puerto Rico and it’s called the Green Beach or Punta Arenas.
The amazing thing about Green Beach or Punta Arenas is the marine life that surrounds it and you can snorkel or go scuba diving just by swimming directly out from the white sand. When you get a little bit deeper you’ll find stunning coral reefs that is alive with colors and tropical fish as well as big groups of sea turtles, manta rays, and even squid.
You’ll find Punta Arenas beach on the western side of Vieques island and it’s a stunning port with white sands and very few people. You don’t need to be a strong swimmer to see the marine life, and if you’re not a fan of the after, there are some piers you can walk down and view the sea turtles from.
The Bioluminescence Of Laguna Grande
Tucked way up on the northeastern tip near to the town of Fajardo lies one of the top Puerto Rico’s hidden gems, Laguna Grande. Laguna Grande is a huge tidal lagoon that is connected to the sea by a small stream and it is an awesome place to spend a day kayaking around the lagoon, swimming, and going on glass-bottom boat trips.
This is not what makes it a hidden gem though, the gem side of it has to be seen at night. Have you ever experienced bioluminescence in the ocean? It’s created by sea creatures that flash green lights when disturbed in the water and they can only be seen at night. When you wave your hand through the water it’s followed by sparkles of green lights and it’s quite an amazing thing to experience.
The great thing about Laguna Grande is the amount of bioluminescence it has and you can rent a kayak and go for a nighttime paddle to experience it as it’s best. With every paddle you take, the water lights up all around you and it’s white fantastic.
Make sure to time your trip to see the bioluminescence of Laguna Grande when there is no moon in the sky as this is when the bioluminescence really shines bright and you’ll have a star-lit sky to kayak under.
Getting to Laguna Grande is quite easy as it’s just a 1.5-hour drive from the capital old San Juan. It’s a lot easier to visit if you rent a car but you can also join a tour if you wish.
Day Trip To Isla Culebrita
Isla Culebrita is a real hidden gem in Puerto Rico as many visitors tend to ignore it because of its small size. Isla Culebrita is a small completely uninhabited island on the eastern side of Puerto Rico and is an amazing place to go if you love being off the beaten track and playing a bit of Robinson Crusoe.
Taking a day trip to this little island is an experience in itself since you’re going to have a gorgeous boat ride around the other islands where you might see rays and dolphins and being at sea is a great way to see Puerto Rico.
Once you’re on Isla Culebrita, you’ll be able to hike around the island, spend time on the empty beaches, like Flamenco Beach, without anyone else, go snorkeling to see the amazing marine life such as turtles and rays, plus you can even go bathing in natural swimming pools.
On the northern tip of Isla Culebrita are natural rock pools that are big enough to swim in that are constantly topped up by the swell, it’s like being in a natural hot tub and a wonderful place to relax and take in the views of the tropical paradise you find yourself in.
Lunching At Lago Dos Bocas
In central Puerto Rico up in the mountains and surrounded by tropical forest is a hidden gem in Puerto Rico called Lago Dos Bocas. Lago Dos Bocas was formed by a day and directly translated means “Lake of Two Mouths” which you’ll understand when you see it as it splits into two finger-shapes that lead in different directions which look like two mouths.
Lago Dos Bocas is a great place to chill out for the day when you want a break from the salty seas and sands of the amazing beaches. Lago Dos Bocas is lined with a lot of waterfront restaurants and the only way to get to them is by boat and the boat rides are free and run every 20 minutes.
Spend the day around the lake having some great food, have a dip, and the fishing in the Lago Dos Bocas is meant to be pretty awesome too. The lake is filled with largemouth bass and peacock bass, so be sure to bring your fishing rod along with you if want to have a cast into the lake.
Charco Los Morones Waterfall
Another excellent hidden gem in Puerto Rico is the waterfall at Utado called Charco Los Morones. You’ll find slap bang in the middle of the main island surrounded by stunning forests.
The hike to the waterfall is pretty easy and once you’re there you’ll be blessed with beautiful views of the forest, large boulders, and a cascading waterfall with multiple pools. If you’re there during the dry season, the pools are a beautiful color of blue and green and you might think it’s well worth having a swim while you’re there but you shouldn’t as there are lots of hidden whirlpools that have sucked people under before.
You can also combine seeing the waterfalls with a hike along the Río Pellejas ending or starting at the falls and hiking through the mountains as you go.
Charco El Pilon Trail
In San German on the southwestern end of the main island lies another hidden gem in Puerto Rico, the trail that leads you to Charco El Pilon a stunning waterfall with a pool you can swim in beneath it.
The walk to Charco El Pilon is just 45 minutes long and it’s not too tough either. You’ll follow a small river all the way up it and you’ll cross it around 10 times as you go. Remember to enjoy the hike as you go as you’ll be surrounded by stunning forest and it’s beautiful when the sun breaks through the canopy and reflects off the water.
When you arrive you’ll be met with a beautiful blue-green pool of freshwater that is fed from a pipe-like waterfall. Spend some time swimming around in the pool and enjoy the peace of being in the forest, it’s also a great place for a picnic too.
Once you’re done, you can either head back down the trail or continue following the river to find even more waterfalls, natural swimming pools, and stunning rock formations too. After all, you are way off the beaten path!
Hike Up Tres Picachos
If you want to see some of the best views of the island, then a trip to this hidden gem in Puerto Rico is a must. Tres Picachos is one of the highest mountains in Puerto Rico reaching an amazing 3,953-ft and hiking to the top of it will give you incredible views of the surrounding area, the island, and the seas beyond.
The hike takes about 2-3 hours and is around three and a half miles long. You’ll walk through the beautiful forest as you go, be able to stop at waterfalls, see rivers, and there is even a place you can try some locally grown coffee along the way, Cafe Tres Picachos.
When you’re at the top of Tres Picachos you’ll have a 360-degree view of all the peaks, with the forest and island below. It’s a great way to spend a day away from the hustle and bustle of the beaches and get some fresh air and exercise while in Puerto Rico.
Kayak Around Isla Mata La Gata
On the southern end of the main island lies another hidden gem in Puerto Rico, Isla Mata La Gata. Isla Mata La Gata is a little mangrove island that is a little way out to sea and is easily accessed on a kayak or SUP.
You can rent kayaks and SUPs at La Parguera and then it’s a short paddle out to the amazing little island of Isla Mata La Gata. When you’re there you can walk through the stunning mangrove channels that are filled with crystal blue waters and sandy bottom pathways.
Another fun thing to do is to tie up your kayak on the edge of the island and put on your snorkeling gear and let the current wash you through the mangrove channels as the tide changes. You’ll get to see all the little fish that live in the network of stunning underwater root systems of the mangroves.
It’s also worth snorkeling around the edges of the Isla Mata La Gata as you’re bound to see some amazing marine life as you go. There are also lots of other little islands in the same area which are worth a paddle to and they will be a little less busy too.
Playa La Cueva Las Golondrinas
Playa La Cueva Las Golondrinas translated means “the cave the beach swallows” and as your imagination runs wild with that, it has to be on the list of hidden gems in Puerto Rico.
You’ll find Playa La Cueva Las Golondrinas near Manati on the northern side of the island and it’s a great place to get away from the crowds and off the beaten track. You’ll find your own little slice of paradise here where you can relax with friends and family for the day and have a picnic.
The Playa La Cueva Las Golondrinas is famous for the huge cave that takes up most of the beach. It’s safe to go inside the cave and you’re going to be amazed when you do as you’ll see that it’s filled with purple and pink rocks.
The cave also forms a natural swimming pool which you can cool off it outside of the sun. It’s a truly stunning spot to visit and a must for anyone in Puerto Rico looking to get off the usual tourist trail.
Accessing the beach isn’t so easy as you’ll need to park at the parking lot by Las Palmas beach and then walk west around the rocks to get to Playa La Cueva Las Golondrinas. You’ll also go past another natural swimming pool on your way called La Poza de las Mujeres which is a stunning place to have a dip and snorkel from too.
There is also Cueva del Indio, another cave just south of San Juan which you might also want to check out.
About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
