Arecibo beach: Explore Arecibo Beaches – Miles of Sand and Great Views

Puerto Rico Arecibo Lighthouse and Black Sand Volcanic Beach West End Island Tour

For the visitors to Puerto Rico who have already enjoyed the sites of Old San Juan and its surrounding areas and are looking for a new and different adventure our Arecibo Lighthouse and Black Sand Volcanic Beach West End Island Tour was put together just for you!

Explore black sand volcanic beaches, historical locations, a mini zoo, a salt aquarium, local restaurants, and bars and see sights in Puerto Rico that few cruise ship passengers get to see. Get the most out of your visit to Puerto Rico!

Let our Personalized and Professional service show you the sights of these enchanted island’s Northwest end in comfort and at your leisure.

Our professional Bilingual Tour Guides will help you discover all the mysteries and natural beauty of Puerto Rico’s Northwest end of the island from the comfort of our air-conditioned and comfortable van.

Enjoy some fun in the sun at a hidden and secluded Black Sand volcanic beach. Here you will be able to relax and enjoy some free time at this beautiful deserted black sand volcanic beach. Flop your towel down on this mystical black sand and relax, play in the water or walk for miles and go out on an adventure.

This beach will leave you wanting to see more.

After your fun in the sun cool off in our Air-conditioned vehicle and enjoy a beach drive along the Atlantic coastal road on your way to your next Adventure, Arecibo Lighthouse, and park.

Arecibo Lighthouse and Historical Park is a cultural theme park located in the surrounding area of Arecibo. With five cultural representations of Puerto Rico’s history, we will transport you through historical and cultural events from the Spanish Conquest of 1493 to 1898 when this lighthouse was built and the Spanish-American war occurred.

In the restored Arecibo lighthouse which is still operational today, you will find original marine artifacts, and from the roof a breathtaking view of the Arecibo Town and the Atlantic Ocean, and if lucky, whale watching while in season.

This park offers for all sea-life lovers an indoor saltwater aquarium that could be seen while learning important details about them. See Clownfish (Nemos), Sea Horses, Puffers, Sharks, Stingrays, and a Cayman. All big size tanks are beautifully detailed including one with a custom-made replica shipwreck inside.

A mini zoo is on the premises, see different animals like Ponies, Miniature Horses, Love Birds, Macaws, Ducks, Parrots, Sheep, and donkeys among others. A water park is included in this park, let your kids play at the water park while you experience this beautiful location.

Make a day of it and make The Arecibo Lighthouse and black volcanic sand beach a Full Day Private Tour for you, your family, and friends. Here you can avoid the large, overcrowded, and highly structured tours organized by most cruise ships. Enjoy the freedom of getting out on your own and doing your own thing while you are in the San Juan area and in Puerto Rico.

Our prices have been designed to accommodate couples and families who would like a comfortable Arecibo and Black Sand Volcanic Beach West End Tour experience while in Puerto Rico.

Our pricing does not include admission to any attractions or food and beverage as we have made an effort to keep our pricing as low as possible and allow you the freedom to choose the items you wish to purchase.

The Best Outdoor Adventures near Arecibo, Puerto Rico

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The Arecibo area on the northwest side of Puerto Rico offers some amazing outdoor adventures. There are outdoor activities for all levels of adventurers.

I stayed in Arecibo with my family for a week during the December holidays. Outdoor adventures we found near Arecibo included caving, rock climbing, hiking, snorkeling, and bodyboarding. I’ll give you all the information here to enjoy this beautiful outdoor area of Puerto Rico.

Where is Arecibo?

Arecibo is located on the Atlantic Ocean on the north coast of Puerto Rico. It’s about an hour’s drive west of San Juan. The area is known for its magnificent tropical beaches and volcanic rock shores.

In the winter, the waves of Puerto Rico’s north side crash constantly making swimming an adventure of being tossed around in the surf. Surfers and bodyboarders find this area a mecca for watersports.

Inland toward the town of Ciales, karst formations dominate the landscape. These limestone cliffs feature some of the best rock climbing in Puerto Rico. Wild caves formed by water dissolving the limestone rocks predominate in this area.

If you travel west to the beaches near Aguadilla on the Caribbean Sea, there are perfect places for snorkeling and surfing. The coasts are less exposed to the north winds so underwater exploration is more accessible.

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Logistics of Outdoor Adventures near Arecibo

The best way to enjoy the beaches, mountains, and trails near Arecibo is to have a car to get around. I use Discover Cars to find the best deals on rental cars. The best thing about Discover Cars is the reputable local car rental agencies they work with. Once again, I had a great experience with the car company I found through Discover Cars. They were friendly, helpful, not pushy, and gave me a very affordable price compared to other agencies. For those of you looking for a low-stress car rental experience, I highly recommend Discover Cars.

It’s difficult to rent outdoor gear in the Arecibo area so we brought our own snorkeling gear and climbing gear. We bought bodyboards at one of the big box stores on the way. Since many of the beaches have volcanic rock or sea urchins in the shallows, I recommend wearing water shoes. Tevas or Chaco sandals are always a good choice. Finally, good hiking shoes will prevent your feet from getting ripped up by the razor-sharp volcanic rock found on the trails.

Accommodations near Arecibo

If you want to be close to the best beaches near Arecibo, book a place to stay along Route 681.

The Ventana al Atlantico Boutique Hotel is a beachfront hotel with the white sand and ceruelean blue of the ocean just steps away. They have a pretty pool and a hot tub.

A lovely apartment with an ocean view has a kitchen. It’s right in the middle of the action if you like the beaches. Being outside of Arecibo puts you closer to many of the outdoor adventures.

If you want to stay closer to Arecibo, try the Jardin del Mar Guesthouse. The well-run guesthouse is close everything you need including shopping, restaurants, and beaches.

Hiking Outdoor Adventures near Arecibo

La Cueva del Indio Hike

Don’t miss hiking La Cueva del Indio, a marine reserve and archeological site near Arecibo. The hike is on razor-sharp lava along the dramatic coast. Immense sea arches battered by the turquoise surf appear on the easy climb up a volcanic hill. All told, there are seven arches spaced along the breathtakingly beautiful coastline.

A huge double arch folded into a massive sea cave is a centerpiece of the hike. The surf pounds the rock arches in a rush of swirling Caribbean blue and white foam of the breaking waves. Views stretch east down the coast to a distant perfect stone arch and to the Arecibo Lighthouse on the westernmost point of land.

For film aficionados, La Cueva del Indio was a movie location for Pirates of the Caribbean.

Ancient Taino Rock Art

Keyhole to cave

Eventually, you will see a stone amphitheater of carved steps in the rock. Crowds gather here to peer down into the sea caves below. Watch your step to avoid accidentally stepping into a hole in the lava that will drop you into the rocky cave below.

Ancient Taino rock art carvings adorn the walls of the cavern. While the ladder that used to give access to the cave is gone (probably wisely to prevent vandalism), it’s still possible to squeeze down a narrow passage to enter the cave.

Look for a keyhole in the wall of the amphitheater. Some basic rock climbing ability is useful to climb up to the opening. Then squeeze through a constricted tunnel and downclimb into the cave.

Up-close glimpses of the Taino petroglyphs will be your reward for the climb. The Taino people are the native indigenous inhabitants of the Caribbean islands. They supported themselves by farming and fishing in Puerto Rico. The Taino tribe was decimated by the violence of Columbus and other Spanish conquerors starting in the 15th century. However, now descendants preserve modern Taino culture throughout the Caribbean by protecting cultural artifacts such as these.

Taino petroglyphs

La Cueva del Indio hike logistics

Access to La Cueva del Indio is by guided tour from San Juan or by personal exploration with a car.

For those with a car, a parking lot and privately run entry point are at the 9 km marker on Route 681 going toward Arecibo. Admission is $10 per person for adults, slightly less for seniors/juniors.

However, La Cuerva del Indio is a public marine reserve so you can enter for free at several locations. Park beside the road at the 8.3 km marker on Route 681 and enter at the sign for Cuerva del Indio. A pleasant trail through the palms will bring you to a crescent beach. Climb the volcanic plates to the left for the hike to the arches and cave.

Most importantly, I advise good hiking shoes rather than flip flops to walk on the sharp rock. In addition, bring water as there is no shade.

Survival Beach hike

Survival Beach “mushroom”

The hike into Survival Beach takes only about 20-30 minutes. However, the scenery is spectacular, so take your time. The trailhead for the hike is at Surfer’s Beach near Aguadilla. Park in the large lot and find a signed entrance to the trail at the end of the parking lot. Follow over a bridge and through the tropical vegetation until you reach a rocky beach. The carved rocks are perched on pedestals surrounded by crashing waves.

Continue the hike up into the trees on a path overlooking the shore. Eventually, you will walk down to the spacious Survival Beach to enjoy a remote beach accessible only by foot. Wear hiking shoes as there is some boulder hopping along the coast and lots of roots and rocks on the trail.

In addition, there are some fine bouldering and rock climbing areas along the trail. Overall, it is a gorgeous trek through sculptured rock gardens to a white sand beach that stretches for miles.

Water Outdoor Adventures near Arecibo

Snorkeling at Shacks Beach

Shacks Beach

The best snorkeling area in northwest Puerto Rico is Shacks Beach. The long, narrow beach that adjoins the sheltered reef is uncrowded and peaceful. The crystal clear water is teeming with colorful tropical fish and sea turtles. Underwater features we saw included elkhorn, brain, and sea fan corals. You can see extensive restoration of the reef while snorkeling. The variety of marine life you can see in this underwater paradise makes this an excellent beach to visit.

There is also a blue hole to explore, and for scuba divers, there are caves to wander through. Windsurfers and kitesurfers skim over the waters beyond the reef.

The currents run parallel to the beach and can be quite strong at times. We discovered the best way to deal with the current was to just let it push us along while snorkeling. Next, we would get out of the water further along the beach when we were done and walk back.

Shacks Beach is located toward Aguadilla on the northwest part of the island. Parking is on the road or open field before you drive into the neighborhood near the beach. This snorkel beach is close to Surfer Beach where the Survival Beach hike begins.

Related post -> Kayaking and Snorkeling with the Amazing Sea Turtles of Tenerife

Bodyboarding on the Beaches of Arecibo

Bodyboarding at Playa La Poza del Obispo

The north beaches of Puerto Rico are known for their winter surf. The crashing waves are great for bodyboarding and surfing. We purchased body boards at a store on our drive from San Juan. The inexpensive boards sure added excitement to the trip as it’s an outdoor activity that is fairly easy to learn.

The best beaches to bodyboard are Playa Caza y Pesca and Playa La Poza del Obispo. Caza y Pesca beach is along Route 681 and has a large parking lot. The beach tends to be steeper than others in the area so the waves are bigger. Try a few places along the beach to find the perfect waves for your ability. The beach has some nice shady spots and it is spread out enough to feel uncrowded.

The most scenic beach near Arecibo is La Poza del Obispo. It is located on a right-hand spur road off Route 681 when it makes a T. Follow the directions to the Arecibo Lighthouse and Historical Park and turn right for the beach parking.

La Poza del Obispo has a cove protected by massive sea stacks that calms the waves a bit. However, high-energy waves crash over the rocks sending a frothy spout of water into the air. This makes the swimming cove as fun as any ride at Disney.

Swimming cove at Playa La Poza del Obispo

The best bodyboarding is in the surf next to the swimming cove. The beach is shallow, making for long rides on the breaking waves.

Make sure you check the riptide reports before swimming and bodyboarding at the Arecibo beaches. We saw huge waves after a big storm which made hiking a better option for that day.

Caving Outdoor Adventures near Arecibo

Cuerva Las Archillas

The limestone of the area is the source of many solution caves when water flows through and dissolves the rock. Wild caves can be found throughout the mountainous areas near Ciales, a 45-minute drive from Arecibo.

I hiked into the Cuerva Las Archillas, a three-chambered cavern east of Ciales. A local showed me the spot on Google maps where I could find the unmarked trail into the woods to get to the cave. From Ciales, take Route 145 east for about 4 minutes until the road turns sharply south. Just past that curve, park on the east side of the road and search for a trail cut into the woods.

The 30-40 minute hike through the jungle is steep in places. Fortunately, the trail was marked by orange flagging as it is hard to follow in places. As you approach the cave, there are excellent views of the valley. Continue around a cliff and hike for a few minutes more to arrive at the cave.

Exploring Cuerva Las Archillas

The cavern entrance is guarded by a huge black stalactite. The first chamber is open to the light. Duck under a low ceiling to enter the next chamber of the cave. Here, bats fly around the cave and hang from the ceilings. Be careful of the bat guano on the floor.

Cave entrance

Continue toward the massive arch opening in the back of the cave that leads outside. Many stalactites and stalagmites can be seen here. Go all the way to the opening because a tunnel to the third cavern appears on the left. Head through the tunnel to discover the biggest of the cave rooms. Enjoy the many cave features of this huge chamber. The enormous double arches opening up to the jungle are the centerpiece here.

Arches of the third chamber

There is a lot of natural light in the cave rooms, however, using a headlamp lets you see the gorgeous cave formations and the bat colony much better.

Rock Climbing Outdoor Adventures near Arecibo

It’s not surprizing that the pocket-filled limestone cliffs in Puerto Rico make for great rock climbing. We climbed at two different areas on the island. Mountain Project has all the beta for the many climbing sites inland and on the ocean cliffs.

Julio Enrique Monagas National Park near San Juan has some fun climbs as well as hiking and mountain biking trails. It’s wonderful to find this oasis of green for outdoor adventures tucked into the city limits. The climbing here is on tuffaceous rock with its friendly holds. The cliff looks like a cave uplifted from underground as it is covered with flowstone curtains.

Julio Enrique Monagas National Park flowstone

The premiere limestone crag is near Ciales, a short drive from Arecibo. Flying Coconut Crags was developed by ex-pat Eli and his family as first class climbing area near the Toro Negro Mountains. There are 58 sport climbs ranging from 5.7 to 5.12+ in difficultly. The imassive cliff is a destination for climbers from around the world.

Cimb at Flying Coconut

Wrap Up of Outdoor Adventures near Arecibo

Puerto Rico is full of hidden gems for outdoor adventure. You will need to talk to the locals to find these perfect spots to adventure. Don’t expect perfectly manicured trails or plentiful signage (or any signs). Ask the locals to tell you their favorite places and scribble it on the back of a napkin and set out. Sometimes the adventure is just finding a secret spot. However, if you aren’t into cryptic scrawls to find a place, local tour guides are knowledgeable and skilled.

I have adventured many times on the east side of Puerto Rico. I’ve backpacked in El Yunque, kayaked the bio bay of Vieques, snorkeled the waters of Culebra, and paddled to tiny islands. This post unveils activities in nature I have found on the other side of the island. As always, treat this fragile island landscape with care.

Related post -> Outdoor Adventures on the Yucatan Peninsula

90,000 water temperature in Aresibo (Puerto Rico) in August

Puerto Riko> Aresibo

August

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  • Arecibo, Puerto Rico | © jose vazquez

    Is it possible to swim in Arecibo in August? All information about the water temperature in the Caribbean Sea in August.

    Historical data, comparison and analysis.

    Analysis of historical data on water temperature in Aresibo in August

    #minimum

    27.0 ° C

    #average

    29.1 ° C

    #maximum

    30.0 ° C

    The average temperature in the Caribbean Sea in August is 29.1°C. It is very warm and comfortable water for long bathing in any body of water. It is believed that these are ideal conditions under which you can be without the slightest discomfort. But it is worth remembering that at such a water temperature, various pathogens multiply very quickly.

    The minimum sea temperature in August in Arecibo is 27.0°C, the maximum is 30.0°C. In recent years, at the beginning of the month, the temperature here is at around 29°C, and by the end of the month the water warms up to 29.3°C.

    The average water temperature in the first decade is 28°C, in the middle of the month – 29°C, and at the end – 29°C.

    Table of sea water temperatures in Arecibo in August for recent years

    Day 2023 2022 2021 2020

    29 ° C

    29 29 ° C

    29 ° C

    9006 900 9006 29 ° C.

    900
    1 29 ° C 29 ° C
    29 ° C 29 ° C
    3 29 ° C 29 ° C 29 ° C 29 ° C
    4 28 ° C

    9 29°C 29°C
    5 29 ° C 29 ° C 29 ° C 29 ° C
    6 29 ° C 29 ° C
    29 ° C.

    29 ° C 29 ° C 30 ° C 29 ° C
    8 29 ° C 29 ° C
    29°C 29°C 29°C 29°C
    10 28 ° C 29 ° C 29 ° C 29 ° C
    11 29 ° C 29 ° C 29 ° C

    29 ° C.

    29 ° C 29 ° C 29 ° C 29 ° C
    13 29 ° C 29 ° C 29 ° C

    29°C 29°C 30°C 29°C
    15 29 ° C 29 ° C 29 ° C 29 ° C
    16 29 ° C 29 ° C 29 ° C 9007 ° C

    29 ° C 29 ° C 30 ° C 29 ° C
    18 29 ° C 29 ° C

    29 ° C

    29 ° C 9007 ° C 9006 ° C. 29°C 29°C 29°C 29°C
    20 29 ° C 29 ° C 29 ° C 29 ° C
    29 ° C

    29 ° C

    29 29 ° C 9006 9 9006 9

    22 29 ° C 29 ° C 29 ° C 29 ° C
    29 ° C 302

    24 29°C 29°C 29°C 29°C
    25 30 ° C 29 ° C 29 ° C 29 ° C
    29 ° C 29 ° C 900 ° C.

    27 29 ° C 29 ° C 29 ° C 29 ° C
    28 29 ° C 29 ° C 900 ° C.

    29 29°C 29°C 30°C 29°C
    30 29 ° C 29 ° C 29 ° C 30 ° C
    31 30 ° C

    29 ° C 29 ° C.

    Water temperature at neighboring resorts

    • Carrisly
    • Atilo
    • Mar-Chikta
    • Aguadilla
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    • Rincon
    • Potala Pastillo

    Detailed information about the sea temperature today in Arecibo and the forecast for the next week, see the link:
    seatemperature.ru/current/puerto-rico/arecibo-sea-temperature

    in 12,000 cities and resorts around the world. The water surface temperature values ​​are available in real time. There is a forecast of changes in water temperature for the coming days, as well as historical data on sea surface temperatures for all days of recent years.

    We use data from a variety of sources, including the National Centers for Environmental Information (NOAA), weather services around the world, data from over a thousand buoys around the world, satellite systems to scan the surface of the oceans and seas.

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      Puerto Rico: notes from an American island. End

      andreev_org

      Puerto Rico: notes from an American island. ending

      The end of the story about the trip to the island of Puerto Rico.

      Day 3. Route: Cerro Gordo north beach – Arecibo observatory – Ruta Panoramica jungle road – return to the hotel.

      … There was no traffic in the morning, and neither were the police, but there were frequent roadside vendors. Having bought a coco frio that has already become familiar, they saw something new from a neighboring seller. For just $1, a villager gave away weighty bunches of some exotic fruit, most of all resembling bunches of huge green grapes in their shells. We were not sure if we needed it at all, so we bought just one portion to try. And how wrong we were! If it were my will, I would have acquired a whole jar of this sea grape. Until now, Hawaiian cherry has been my go-to for absolute taste, with a light vanilla flavor and creamy cake texture. But here the cheremoyyas had to make room. Most of all, sea grapes looked like brown Asian lychees, inside there was a large stone, and around it was a pink-white substance with the taste of mashed apple-apricot puree. It is very difficult to describe the taste of exotic fruits using the usual comparisons 🙂 It is very funny to peel sea grapes: it had to be slightly bitten around the perimeter, after which the upper part of the peel was easily removed, like half of the shell from an egg, and in the second half there was the tastiest, and hands clean. The brush was killed entirely right behind the wheel, without stopping anywhere.

      … For all lovers of the night sky, a visit to Arecibo (http://www.naic.edu/) is a must-have when traveling in Puerto Rico. The observatory has the largest radio telescope on Earth, and has been featured in blockbusters such as “X-files”, “Contact”, and James Bond’s “Golden Eye”. It is very interesting to revisit these films after having been “on nature”. The plate, 305 meters in diameter, was built in the early 60s from 38,000 perforated aluminum panels. It is the most sensitive instrument of its kind, and can pick up radio signals as far as 10 billion light-years away, i.e. at the very edge of the universe. And accordingly, it can recognize call signs that have come down to us from the past.
      Arecibo is constantly used by scientists in many countries, especially in the study of pulsars (neutron stars), and in more detailed mapping of the planets on the map of the sky. And also, the telescope plays a significant role in the search for extraterrestrial civilizations SETI (Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence).

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