Puerto Rico is a big island, so we decided that we would ‘throw out the budget’ and rent a car for a few days to see some of it. It helped that another ‘dog friendly’ cruising couple agreed to split it with us.
RIO CAMUY CAVE
About an hours drive down the north coast from San Juan you will find an unusual landscape built of limestone hills, caverns and sinkholes. We travelled to see one of the caverns opened up to the public.
I have to admit that I am a bit of a spelunker and love stalagmite and stalactite formations.
It is difficult to capture the size of the cavern here or get good pictures in the limited light, but it was a fun experience. You travel through a cavern between sink holes letting in natural light.
The cavern’s ceiling dripping in giant stalactites.
You can hear the river that originally carved the cavern, rushing down below as you circle back round to the original sink hole you enter.
Bat spotting is part of the fun!
ARECIBO OBSERVATORY
Not far from the caves is the worlds largest radio telescope. We had to go there.
Pictures just do not capture the size of this thing!
Most people will recognise the telescope from the James Bond movies.
The Americans utilised a giant natural sink hole, here in the limestone hills of Puerto Rico, to build this incredible feet of technology.
Originally built to map the planets ionosphere it was further developed to map objects in our solar system and receive radio waves from our galaxy.
To help people understand how the telescope works they have built an extensive information centre, but it is not for the ‘faint of brain’.
Everyone letting their ‘brains relax’ after surviving the information centre.
Our cruising guide warned us there would be 100s of steps to get up to the telescope, but I am sure I counted only 99.
EL YUNQUE NATIONAL FOREST
Brains recovered, we headed out the next day for a hike in the rain forest of El Yunque National Park. Something for the body, we planned a hike and swim in a waterfall.
For cruisers heading north, this would be the last island with high enough volcanic peaks to give us true rain forest (unless you plan to stop in the DR)
You drive up into the clouds where the air is filled with the moisture that supports this rich ecosystem.
Waterfalls tumble down right beside the roadway.
The car hire place recommended this trail if we wanted a hike to and swim in a waterfall.
The trail was well laid with a textured concrete surface.
You pass through a rich forest and flowing streams.
Pass by little waterfalls on your way to the main waterfall and swimming area.
Unfortunately the place was popular. We would have liked to have it to ourselves. But that was not going to stop us from having a refreshing dip. The hiking in the cool forested trails here was refreshing.
Refreshed enough for a massive grocery shop before returning the car.
SPECIAL NOTE:
Before ‘you all’ go off and follow in our footsteps, I would like to add a word of warning here. Puerto Rican’s may be the loveliest people you will ever meet on the street, but put them in a car and they are MAD!
Do not expect fellow drivers to:
-stop for red lights,
-signal any lane changes,
-pay any attention to your signal light,
-leave any space between you and the next car.
It is the one island where you definitely want to pay for the extra insurance.
WITH THAT IN MIND
The car is king here. Most things you need are a drive away. It was nice to have a car to stock up on cheap food at Walmart, to get the propane filled for cheap (only $5 for 10lbs) and check out the electronic shops here where the prices equate to the internet.
Most of the agricultural lands are close to the Caves and the Telescope. Do stop at the road side venders and purchase your fill of fresh un-refrigerated fruits and vegetables. We had a farmer giving us breadfruit for free.
But if you do not want to rent a car you can get the number 9 bus (75 cents) almost anywhere in town from the Marina. You need two buses, the number 9 then the number 22 to get to the big Plaza Americana mall. Or just ask one of the guys in the Marina yard and they will happily drive you. Do not take a taxi! We heard a fellow cruiser paid $17 just to get the short distance into Old Town.
Your choice, your budget.
4 thoughts on “Puerto Rico, North Coast – Rio Camuy Cave, Arecibo Radiotelescope and El Yunque National Park”
After seeing many years of CAin’s driving on Surveillance Quinny, he must of looked like a local…x
I just found your blog today! How excited I am to find you finally after many years. Today is your Birthday so ….Happy day to you! I am really enjoying reading your blog. I’m hoping that you have some time to send a reply and would love to keep in touch!
Terry
Dear Terry,
Hope you and the girls are well. We will try and email you when we get a good internet connection. Keep smiling.
After reading the comment from Tony I can agree as Cain practised in my car when he was learning to drive, and it was never the same after! However as long as you close your eyes while he is driving all is fine…….