la cueva del indio

This was a fantastic experience. Really awesome views. I think realistically you can't see this place without a guide. We couldn't even find the cave entrance without asking for help. Our guide Orlando has lived in the area all his life and showed us all stunning views and explained the history of the caves. He even gave us coconuts right of the tree. This isn't a place for the less adventurous because it is dangerous climbing down a wooden ladder and walking on sharp rocks. Having said that my husband and teenagers were in their element climbing the rocks etc. and said they wouldn't have enjoyed it as much if there were safety cables etc.

This is now a dangerous place to visit, especially on a weekday and especially with females or children. I live on the island and speak from experience. The owner was murdered four years ago for calling the police on Gringo-tourists who were being robbed. The tourists, who were working in PR, were so traumatized, that they moved to Europe. I talked with one of them. I still live on the island, but I never take anyone here on weekdays, and I personally would not bring an attractive female here. If you get robbed, there is nobody around this time to help you. I used to take my family here all the time. No more. In truth, much of the inland island is not safe anymore during the week. I would never bring my wife or daughters to these desolate place anymore. The economy and culture have gone way down here.

We were awestruck with the gorgeous views of the caves and the roar of wild waves against the rocks ! A must visit in PR. Getting there: About 1 - 1.5 hour drive from San Juan area to Aricebo. Some pointers: Even when you are getting closer to the point, you may feel like reaching no where. There aren't any sign boards, however follow the GPS co-ordinates religiously. While getting close to the destination, watch out for a hand written, unclear board naming the destination. Once you reach, there will be a lady who greets and gives a brief of the caves and the ancient residents in the caves. Parking and fee to be paid to her. Fee: There was a nominal fee of 50 cents per person and $2 for car parking.

We combined these caves with a visit to the Arecibo Observatory. A nice day trip from San Juan. A couple guys drinking beer are collecting a nominal parking fee (for more beer perhaps?) and tell you where the markers are for the sites. To the left - the caves, to the right - the arches. Both are amazing! I am looking at the pictures now, in disbelief that I was really there. Our 5 year old couldn't go in the caves as we were too scared to let him climb down the huge ladder. The 9 year old did alright, and loved it! All of us enjoyed hanging out on the rocks, looking at the waves crashing through the arches. A bonus - as this is not a very popular attraction, you can explore in peace and quiet.

It's about an hour drive outside of San Juan. Highway driving for all but 15 minutes or so. The cost-chump change! A little place to get a drink and a snack there. The people are very friendly. Take the tour. Again a small amount of money to have a person with some insight. Children will love this place. Just use caution when on the ladder. Also, depending on the tide, the bottom of the cave could have water in it. Lots of sleeping bats during the day. Also there were some very nice dogs and a pig and chickens! Above the cave and not near you when down in the cave are several bees hives. They are well above you and there is no problem with them. Crabs and such waling around and the petroglyphs are really cool! I would certainly consider coming back here again.

The views were amazing. $3 to park, $1 per person. I don't know how legitimate the carvings are but I don't even care about them. The pure experience of going down the ladder and seeing the water coming through the openings as well as the views from up top. However, be careful if you don't get around well - the surface is rocky and would be really easy to twist an ankle.

Don't miss this place if you're going on a day trip to the observatory or to Cueva Ventana! We drove here ourselves so it was a bit hard to find as you have turn into someone's property to park. We basically just used the km markers to figure out where we should be turning in and then kept our eyes peeled. It was 3$ for parking and 1$ each for entry. We paid it to a guy on the property (it will be obvious). They gave us basic directions on which way to walk but it's not very difficult to figure out. The views are truly amazing, it was the only time I wish I brought an actual camera to capture it (instead of just an iphone). We spent over an hour here thoroughly walking around. I liked this place much more than Cueva Ventana and spent much more time here -if you're wondering how you should budget your time.

Only 3 bucks per car and $1 per adult. I like to pay for the parking so I have peace of mind and not worry about broken glasses... For the cave you need to be able to walk a 30 foot step ladder. Then you can enjoy to see the water, the Indian carvings, the bates...But the best is to walk up the little hill on the east side and contemplate the arches. The scenery is breathtaking. You can also walk the path along the sea shore to reach some of the other beaches. Course golden sand, blue water, big waves and almost nobody if any. A must to do!

Super cheap tourist attraction. You have the option of going to the caves on your own or with a guide. Guide will inform you on the origins of the petroglyphs found in the caves. Gorgeous. Breathtaking views.

We spent several hours there and loved it. It's very reasonably priced at $3 per car plus $1 per person. Rather than wait for a guide, we headed out with the directions the friendly attendant provided us. It's quite easy to find the cave (uphill to the left) and the ladder down to it. Some great photo ops of the sea and an arch are available before heading down into the cave. We scrambled over some rocks once down the ladder to see waves gurgling into the cave. Accessible from within the cave was another awesome ocean overlook, with lots of crabs scampering along the walls. Returning back down to the main path, you can then head uphill to the right to see the ocean arches. We followed the path (less obvious but you'll figure it out) to one amazing ocean arch overlook after another. It was very hot mid-day with no shade available. However, the ocean breeze available at the top of each overlook was very refreshing. If we were to go back, we'd target late afternoon in the hopes it would be cooler. Be sure to wear shoes with strong soles, as the rocks you climb on are sharp and uneven. You won't be happy wearing flip flops. There are some very spartan bathrooms available by the parking lot. You can also purchase beer and alcohol there after your hike. This was the most scenic place we've been to in 3 visits to Puerto Rico.

Fantastic experience. Our guide Bebo was great! Hire the guide!!! It's is so worth the experience. See my travel blog about my experience: Mypuertoricoconcierge.com

This isn't really a "tour" you are going to park and pay a reasonable $5 fee and then request a tour. A member of the Puerto Rica coast guard (or so he said), Peter, will then guide you through the cave for about 15-30 minutes depending on how long you want to spend down there and the conditions. The cave is cool to see, but the real reason you are going is to climb to the top (easy climb, mild mobility needed) and see the views from both sides. I recommend traveling through Arecibo as a day trip from San Juan or as a stop on the way to the west coast which is absolutely wonderful (Isabela, Rincon, Cabo Rojo). You are going to be shocked with the color of the water and the way the waves finesse there way through the stunning rock formations. Sunrise would be incredible and sunset is also wonderful. Peter works on tips alone and anywhere from $10-20 is appropriate based on how long it took. He will also take your picture for you and is very humble and pleasant. There are no railings here, and you need to be able to handle the terrain. If you feel uncomfortable in the first 30 steps, don't continue, it doesn't get easier. Definitely worth the stop and I consider it one of the top 5 things to see in Puerto Rico in terms of photography outside of San Juan. If you enjoy this consider traveling to nearby Cueva Ventana in Arecibo, Los Morillos Lighthouse in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Hermina in Quebradillas, Culubra and Vieques Islands, and El Yunque Rainforest (La Mina Trail, La Mina Falls, La Cocca Falls)

You can walk around yourself and see the beauty, but we took the guided tour and were treated to a history lesson which may or may not have been entirely factual but was certainly entertaining! The views are breathtaking, and we even saw leatherback turtles swimming in the ocean below the cliffs!

I did this with my girlfriend as a day-trip from the San Juan area, after visiting La Cueva Ventana in the morning. Unlike that cave, however, this one is hidden by a few dozen meters of palm trees and tucked away into a rock formation overlooking the beach. Take care to follow the locals' guidance here, as the cave entrance isn't obvious.Once at the top, you descend a tall ladder into a cave formation that is constantly being reshaped by the waved below. Water splashes and foams into the cave every few seconds with the tide, so you need to be careful not to slip. As long as you watch where you're putting your foot, you'll be fine. Once inside, enjoy the etchings and paintings of a long-lost native people. Another beautiful must-see!

Not a lot to add... worth the drive. Make sure at the flat grass area near the beginning, you head left to the caves and then coming back to the grass area, head right up the slope to the cliffs and beach area. Views are awesome on both sides.For the cave, don't be scared of the ladder...it is very solid and secure. Just take your time.And be very careful on the rocks...they are sharp so if you slip, you will scrap yourself.