cch1

Hello,
Can anyone recommend any nice mountain towns in the interior of Puerto Rico to visit? I am looking for different things to do beyond the beaches.

Thanks

Continental_Drifter

Sure! How about these:

Our favorite is the only US rainforest, El Yunque. Get there early to beat the crowds.

Rio Camuy caves - Underground river and cave system - but it closes on rainy days so check first!

Arecibo Observatory - home of the world's largest satellite receiver. Did you see the movie "Contact" with Jodie Foster? Yep. That's the one.

Downtown Old San Juan - for that Old Spain feeling, but after some shopping, we tired of this.

Ponce is an old colonial city on the south side of the island.

Okay, this one is at the beach, but worth it. Go to Isabella to see the blow hole. It's really something and there are certainly some world class surfers to watch! We liked staying at the little rustic resort, Villas del Mar Hau, which has mixed reviews, but was perfect for something simple and truly beachfront with a big porch.

Have fun!

daisytcam

areceibo is more inland than the other coastal suggestions. It depends on when you are going also. Each town has their own little festival (like carnival on other islands) during the holidays plus each town has a patron saint festival. If you are going in Sept. I'd try to get to the coffee plantations that are still in operation as B&Bs to not only get wonderful mountain views and a quieter view of town life but good coffee right from your location!

coqui_07

On a weekend head to Guavate for lunch known for the Routa del Lechon (roast pig) - this is an extremely popular place where locals go for the great tasting bbq pig.

Note: these places get really busy

You will find other ideas on my site www.visit-the-coqui.com

Silarem

Adjuntas is a small mountainous town in the center of the island, there is the third highest point of the island, Cerro Guilarte (careful there’s another place called Punta Guilarte but that’s in the east coast). The hiking is about 45 minutes to the top, it has the feel of a tropical forest even though is subtropical. In the top you will be able to see, in a clear day, the south coast and the beautiful views of the mountains and coffee plantations. If you go there, don’t forget to go to Casa Pueblo in the downtown, http://www.casapueblo.org/ and try their artisan gourmet coffee while you learn a little bit about what is going on in the area.

Besides Adjuntas, I’ll recommend you to go to 2 towns: San German which has a very old colonial and impressive church and Lajas, where you will be able to see the luminescent bay, one of the few in the world.

Good Luck!!!

dariow

I have 2 suggestions:

1) From Manati, drive into the interior and visit Morovis and Ciales (my family is from there) and continue inward and visit Jayuya. Jayuya is the highest altitude on the island.

2) Drive the panoramico between Cayey and Aibonito. I did that climb on a bicycle and it was intense.

Have fun on the island.

WannabeinaMontserrat

www.jayuya.net or welcome.topuertorico.org.

Continental_Drifter

Oh! And if you go to Lajas, and San German, take the carretera all the way south to Cabo Rojo and walk the long path through the scrub up to the lighthouse. The cliffs make you feel like you're teetering on the edge of the earth. It's particularly fabulous at sunset!