Cabo rojo puerto rico: Things to Do in Cabo Rojo
Things to Do in Cabo Rojo
Cabo Rojo is known for breathtaking views and pristine, dramatic landscapes.
Cabo Rojo is one of the beach towns preferred by locals when they want to enjoy a weekend of sun, sand, and a good time with friends and family.
Any time of year this coastal town is on the list of places to visit and have a good time. The town is located in the extreme southwest of Puerto Rico, where charms include towering limestone cliffs, stunning beaches, idyllic nature reserves for birdwatchers, and creative restaurants.
The name of this coastal town refers to the reddish color of the water in the area where the Salt Flats are located, precisely because of the high concentration of the mineral. The Salt Flats are one of Cabo Rojo’s most special tourist attractions and represents a quick stop on the way to the popular Los Morrillos Lighthouse, the natural stone bridge, or one of the best beaches in Puerto Rico, La Playuela.
Follow the trails around the Los Morrillos Lighthouse in Cabo Rojo
Los Morrillos Lighthouse
This historic and picturesque lighthouse helps ships navigate safely through the Mona Passage from the Caribbean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. Completed in 1877, the lighthouse was the second one built under Spanish rule on the Island. The structure is part of a maritime lighting system that in 1981 was included in the National Register of Historic Places of the United States Department of the Interior.
To get to the lighthouse, after driving over unpaved roads, you will have to park and walk up a hill (it’s not very steep). Visitors can access the lighthouse’s observation deck to enjoy incredible panoramic views of the surrounding area and the Caribbean Sea. El faro (lighthouse) is open to visitors from Wednesday to Sunday and holidays from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
When visiting this place, be sure to wear sturdy shoes, comfortable and light clothes, and use sunblock.
Likewise, carry sufficient water and snacks, as there are no restaurants or kiosks in the area.
The limestone cliffs that surround Los Morrillos Lighthouse offer unparalleled views of the Island’s coastline.
Stunning Surroundings
The lighthouse’s surroundings are even more attractive than the structure itself, as there are impressive limestone cliffs nearby. This is an amazing photo opportunity. But, be careful not to get too close to the edge as there are no safety bars in place.
As a bonus, one of the hiking trails will take you to Cabo Rojo’s famous natural stone bridge, a beautiful rock formation that also makes a great photo.
Explore more hiking trails in Puerto Rico
Playuela in Cabo Rojo is known for its white sand and clear water.
La Playuela Beach
This is one of Puerto Rico’s most beautiful and remote beaches, recognized among the best of the Caribbean. It is located very close to Los Morrillos Lighthouse, so you can plan a visit to both attractions on the same day.
La Playuela, also known by locals as Playa Sucia, is a crescent-shaped beach, with soft white sand, and blue turquoise water. Generally, the waves are gentle, but please be careful if you move to a deeper area given there are no lifeguards on site, nor are there any facilities or concessions. A popular locals spot on the weekends and holidays, we recommend visitors stop by during the week or arrive early on the weekends.
More Beaches
Cabo Rojo has 28 miles of coastline – the most of any municipality on the Island. In this town you will discover 18 beaches, among which Buyé and Combate stand out. Unlike Playuela, these two beaches are more family-friendly and have kiosks or restaurants nearby. In addition, at both beaches you will find equipment rentals, including kayaks and snorkels, beach chairs, and umbrellas. Both beaches are accessible, and the waters are calm, without waves.
Find more beaches in Puerto Rico
The salt flats in Cabo Rojo appear a vibrant pink shade.
Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge
The Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge reserve is a subtropical dry forest in the coastal region covering 1,836 acres of land. The refuge, established in 1974 and one of nine reserves managed by the Caribbean Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex (United States Fish and Wildlife Service), is a paradise for people who enjoy hiking and birdwatching. The refuge has been designated as the critical habitat of the yellow-shoulder blackbird and is the first place in the Caribbean to be designated as a site in the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network.
The Cabo Rojo Salt Flats, whose beautiful pink and red tones contrast with the turquoise color of the Playuela, are also part of the refuge and have been recognized as an important wildlife habitat. The famous salt flats are an interesting stop for visitors. Start at the informative visitor’s center, which has a viewing deck, and hiking trails. There are also guided tours available with advance reservation.
The visitor’s center operates from Thursday to Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico Travel Guide
Updated September 2022, Cabo Rojo Travel Guide was originally written in March 2016
Cabo Rojo was by and far my favorite destination In Puerto Rico (aside from beautiful little Culebra of course). Cabo Rojo truly is Puerto Rico off the beaten path, located on a stretch of rugged coastline in the southwest corner of the island.
With not another tourist in sight, we enjoyed the beaches of Cabo Rojo which seems to only really be known by locals. Learn everything you need to know to plan your visit in this Cabo Rojo travel guide!
Cabo Rojo Table Of Contents
- Cabo Rojo Quick Tips
- How To Get To Cabo Rojo
- Where To Stay
- Where To Go In Cabo Rojo
- Las Salinas Salt Flat & Wildlife Refuge
- La Playuela
- Los Morillos Lighthouse
- El Combate Beach
- Boqueron
- Isla Ratones
- Where To Eat
- What To Pack
- Safety
Cabo Rojo Quick Tips
- Rent A Car: The easiest way to get around the island of Puerto Rico, in general, is by renting a car.
- Visas: Puerto Rico is a part of the USA and thus many travelers will need a visa or an ESTA. Check out the US gov website to find out if or what sort of visa you may need to visit. US citizens only need to show a real ID compliant driver’s license/ID card to enter Puerto Rico.
- Weather: November-April is the best time of year to visit Puerto Rico with the driest weather. April and May are great months as the winter crowds will have died down. June-September has wetter and stormier weather.
- Language: Spanish and English are widely spoken in Puerto Rico.
- Money: Puerto Rico uses the US Dollar.
- Avoid Holiday Weekends: Weekends, in general, are busy with locals in Cabo Rojo, but holiday weekends can be quite crowded.
- Download A Map: Map.me and Google Maps will help you navigate this section of Puerto Rico more easily.
- Mobile: If you have a US carrier SIM card your phone should work as it would anywhere else in the USA.
Looking for more ideas for Puerto Rico? Don’t miss the beautiful island of Culebra
Click map above to view on Google Maps
How To Get To Cabo Rojo
Although Google Maps will tell you 2.5 hours to reach Cabo Rojo from San Juan, expect to take longer because it is an absolutely gorgeous drive.
As you leave San Juan you’ll climb up into the mountains where it becomes lush and green and rainforest-y. Then as you pop out the other side of the mountains it starts to look arider as you get closer to Ponce. You’ll know you’ve reached Ponce because of the giant letters as you come up to it.
After you leave Ponce you’ll start to get glimpses of the turquoise sea below as you continue to decline further into some beautiful green farmlands before reaching Cabo Rojo.
Combate Beach, right out in front of our cabin
Where To Stay
There aren’t a lot of options for accommodations around Cabo Rojo. If you want to book affordable beachfront cabins in nearby El Combate Beach and get $20 off your next Airbnb booking click here.
Budget
Sol Casita Guesthouse in Puerto Real
| Booking.com | Agoda.com |
Midrange
BOHO Beach Club in Boqueron
| Booking.com | Hotels.com |
Splurge
Sea Land Air Suites in Colinas de la Parguera
| Booking.com | Agoda.com |
Where To Go In Cabo Rojo
Hypersaline water is evaporated from these pools to extract salt. The pinker the water, the less water presentIguana
Las Salinas Salt Flat & Wildlife Refuge
Yes, Puerto Rico has salt flats and pink lakes! There is a small visitor center with information on the flora and fauna in the refuge. Across the road from the visitor center there is a lookout where you can see out over the pink lakes.
If you are into birding this is a must-see, over 40,000 birds from North and South America will come here every winter.
Just a little further down the road, you can go walk around the salt mines where you’ll see pyramids of salt among pink ponds.
The water gets its pink color because of the evaporation of water from the hypersaline pools and from organisms in the water, the same organisms responsible for flamingos’ pinkness.
Looking for more salt flat action? Check out Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Love pink lakes? Check out Maharloo Lake, Iran
Looking up at Los Morillos Lighthouse from La Playuela
La Playuela
This thin arc of white sand between the cliffs just below the Los Morillos Lighthouse is the perfect place to lay in the sun all day.
Los Morillos Lighthouse
Los Morillos Lighthouse
Perched up on the red cliffs of Cabo Rojo in which Cabo Rojo, meaning ‘red cape’ got its name from. You can go inside the lighthouse (if it’s open). From up on the cliffs you’ll have stunning views of Bahia Salinas and La Playuela below.
Heading to the USVI? Check out Trunk Bay, St. John
Combate Beach sunset
El Combate Beach
This long, thin beach seems to go on forever, located just north of Cabo Rojo.
It can get crowded in the small town of Combate near all the restaurants and bars, but if you head far enough in either direction you can find a nice quiet spot.
I have read reports of Combate Beach being dirty and strewn with garbage, but I did not find it to be too bad on my visit. With that said, we stayed on the part of Combate slightly north of the town (and by slight, I mean less than a mile). I can’t say about the stretch of Combate Beach that is the most frequented. The beach is slightly more pebbly and darker in color compared to La Playuela.
Because of Cabo Rojo’s position on Puerto Rico’s west coast you are in prime sunset gawking location. We were told by some locals back on Culebra that this was where we needed to head for the best in Puerto Rican sunsets. They were pretty, though not quite on par with my favorite Indian Ocean sunsets in Gili Trawangan and Socotra, I’ll let that slide seeing that they were some of the best we did see while in the Caribbean.
Boqueron
Boqueron is home to calm nice beaches in a bay of the same name.
Note that many accommodations in Boqueron still haven’t re-opened after the devastation from Hurricane Maria, but the beach is still worth visiting.
Isla Ratones
Isla Ratones is a gorgeous little island off the coast but unfortunately closed after the destruction of the pier during Hurricane Maria. If the island does re-open, you can take a boat from Joyuda Beach to Isla Ratones for $25 roundtrip (holding up to four passengers).
Where To Eat
Take your pick in the Combate Beach area, there were plenty of restaurants and cars serving up Puerto Rican food. Empanadas, mofongo, tostones, local seafood… it’s all good. Even on the way to Las Salinas, there are a few restaurants. If you’re planning to spend your day hanging out at La Playuela and the cliffs around Cabo Rojo I recommend packing a picnic lunch for the day.
What To Pack
- Swimwear
- Sarong
- Shorts
- Tanks/Tees
- Dresses
- Microfiber Towel
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray
- Camera/Phone
- Dry Bag
Safety
Normal precautions should be enough to keep safe in Cabo Rojo, but Puerto Rico, in general, does have a high rate of crime.
The Cabo Rojo area did suffer the wrath of Hurricane Maria and has slowly been coming back life since.
Have Any Questions About Visiting Cabo Rojo?
Ask in the comments section below.
Need Travel Insurance for Puerto Rico?
Start shopping plans over at battleface, my go-to travel insurance choice or over at World Nomads.
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90,000 weather forecast for the week of Kabo Roo, Puerto-Rico
| Temperature, ° C | atmospheric phenomena | are felt | UV-index | precipitation, mm | Dav., mm | moisture., % | Wind, m/s | +20 +22 | Clear | +23 +23 +23 +23 +23 +23 +23 | 0 | 0 | 761 | 89 | 1.9 SV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | +23 +25 | Izmodroti | +26 | 6 900 900 | 0.10.10.1 000. | 0. | 0. | 0. | 0.1 | 2.1 SV | |
| day | +27 +29 | Homewear | +30 | 7 | 0.5 | 760 | 56 | 2.9 | +22 +24 | Clear | +24 | 0 | 0 | 760 | 75 | 4.0 SSV |
Воздух прогреется до +21°C. Ветер северо-восточный, 1.9 м/с. Влажность воздуха 89%. Давление 761 мм”> Night
Ветер северо-северо-восточный, 4.0 м/с. Влажность воздуха 75%. Давление 760 мм”> evening 9000 9000 9000 9000 4.000 4DOVOL 47: 17: 53 dollars of the day: 11h 06min00: 24 +24 atmospheric phenomena 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 0 0 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 26 9000 on our website you can always find an accurate forecast for 3 days, long -term forecast for 3 days, long -term forecast , as well as a detailed hourly weather forecast. The accuracy of the weather forecast for 3 days is 80-90%. Data provided by NOAA, ECMWF, OpenWeatherMap. Any use of data from this site constitutes your full acceptance of the terms of the user agreement. #minimum 25.0 ° C #average 26.9 ° C #maximum 9000 28.0 ° C The average temperature in the CARIBSK in January is 26. The minimum water temperature in Cabo Rojo in January is 25.0°C/68.0°F, while the maximum is 28.0°C/68.9°F. In recent years, at the beginning of the month, the temperature here is at around 26.8°C, and by the end of the month the water warms up to 26.3°C. The average water temperature in the first decade is 26°C, in the middle of the month – 26°C, and at the end – 26°C. 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9EL 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9EL 9003 ° C in more than 12,000 cities and resorts around the world. Temperature, ° C Atmospheric phenomena are felt UV-index precipitation, mm Davl., Mm moisture , % Loosely +25 7 0 757 60 5.8 SSZ 
Ветер северный, 5.6 м/с. Влажность воздуха 71%. Давление 757 мм”> Eve +2 +23 +23 +23 +Midivopus 0 757 71 5.6 C 9000EN0034 C Temperature, ° C Ufa UF Precipitation, mm Dav. 
, mm moisture., % Wind, m/s Night +24 Clear +23 ND ND ND ND 0031 0 758 78 4.0 SSV Morno +22 +24 Clear +25 ND 0 761 761 761 761 761 761 761 761 761 76. SV Day +27 +29 Clear +27 ND 760 54 4. 
7 SSV010
Night +21 +23 Clear +23 ND 0 761 2.6 SV SV 53 24 Clear +24 ND 0 762 75 2.8 SSV Day +26 +28 0030 +27 ND 0. 
7 761 60 4.5 SV evening +21 +23 +24 ND ND NA. 762 78 1.9 SSV 9000 Temperature, ° C 0004 9 DECHARY, Friday: 06: 49 Wall: 17: 54 DAY: 11h 04min00: 18 Temperature, ° C Atmospheric phenomena UV-index, sediment, mm , mm. moisture. 
, % Wind, m/s Night +20 +22 +23 0 761 761 761 761 761 761 761 761 761 761 761 761 761 761 761 761 761 761 761 761 761 761 761 761 761 761 761 1.2 U Morning +20 +22 Clear +23 ND 0 762 83 1.1 9003.SVV VVV Horm Rights +28 ND 0. 
6 760 69 1.2 Yuuz evening0030 +26 ND 1.1 761 87 1.4 SV On forecast
Analysis of historical data on the temperature of the water in Kabo Roo in January
9°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. Table of sea water temperatures in Cabo Rojo in January for recent years
Day 2022 2021 2020 2019 1 28 ° C 28 ° C 26 ° C 28 ° C 2 900 28 ° C 27 25 ° C 28 ° C 3 28 ° C 27 ° C 25 ° C 27 ° C 4 28 ° C 27 27 OM 25°C 27°C 5 28 ° C 27 ° C 26 ° C 26 ° C 6 27 ° C 27 ° C 26 ° C 7 9 28 ° C 26 ° C 28 ° C 26 ° C 8 27 ° C 27 ° C 27 ° C 25 ° C 9,000 9,000 9,000 9,000 9 28°C 27°C 28°C 27°C 10 27 ° C 27 ° C 27 ° C 27 ° C 11 28 ° C 27 ° C 25 ° C 27 ° C 12 12 12 9 27 ° C 28 ° C 25 ° C 26 ° C 13 27 ° C 27 ° C 28 ° C 25 ° C 14 9,900 9,900 9,900 9,99 9,99 9,99 9,EP 27°C 28°C 28°C 28°C 15 28 ° C 27 ° C 26 ° C 28 ° C 16 27 ° C 28 ° C 25 ° C 28 ° C 27 ° C 26 ° C 26 ° C 27 ° C 18 28 ° C 27 ° C 25 ° C 28 ° C 27°C 27°C 26°C 28°C 20 28 ° C 27 ° C 26 ° C 27 ° C 21 28 ° C 27 ° C 28 ° C 0 9000 9000 9000 9000 9
22 27 ° C 27 ° C 27 ° C 25 ° C 23 27 ° C 27 ° C 26 24 27°C 27°C 25°C 26°C 25 27 ° C 27 ° C 28 ° C 26 ° C 26 27 ° C 27 ° C 27 27 ° C 27 ° C 26 ° C 26 ° C 28 27 ° C 28 ° C 28 ° C 29 27°C 27°C 27°C 27°C 