Manati puerto rico: Things to Do in Manatí

Things to Do in Manatí

A row of palm trees line the way to Hacienda La Esperanza.

Majestic Manatí is worthy of its nickname “the Athens of Puerto Rico.”

A town rich in springs, lakes, and beaches, Manatí has some of the most stunning nature reserves in Puerto Rico. It’s located in the heart of the karst country, which is distinguished by large limestone hills with dramatic contrasts of white stones and green vines. Often called La Atenas de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico’s Athens), Manatí is also a town with deep historic and cultural significance.

Just 40 minutes from San Juan, traveling to Manatí is an opportunity to disconnect from modern life and immerse yourself in the wonders of nature. Here’s a look at some of the top things to do in Manatí.

The famous Mar Chiquita beach in Manatí.

Mar Chiquita

One of the prettiest beaches in the north, Mar Chiquita (Little Sea) is an idyllic place to soak up the Caribbean sun. Two limestone outcroppings create a half-moon opening that allows the intense blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean rush in; the result is a lagoon-like cove that is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, or just admiring from the shore. There isn’t much shade, so bring an umbrella and plenty of sunscreen.

Historic Downtown

Take a guided tour of downtown Manatí and explore the many buildings with historic and artistic value. Structures in the town date back to the 19th century, including City Hall, the Taboa Theater, the town’s cathedral, a tobacco factory, the library, and even a few iconic locations that have been featured in movies like the James Bond film “GoldenEye” (1995).

The beautiful Cueva de las Golondrinas, located in the Reserva Natural de Hacienda la Esperanza.

Cueva de las Golondrinas

A 5–10-minute walk leads you to this cave formation of solid sand, with a small beach nearby. This natural wonder serves as a home to swallows and bats during different seasons of the year.

Hacienda La Esperanza is the biggest nature reserve on Puerto Rico’s north side. 

Hacienda La Esperanza

A former sugar plantation has been transformed into one of the biggest nature reserves in the north of Puerto Rico. At Hacienda La Esperanza you can explore mangrove forests, crystal-clear estuaries, and sprawling wetlands. The hacienda that gives the reserve its name has been restored and now serves as a museum and visitor center, housing an impressive collection of machetes used by the sugarcane workers and the only sugar mill steam engine of its kind in existence.

Los Tubos (The Pipes) beach is known for incredible tubular waves. 

Los Tubos

A haven for experienced surfers looking to catch a memorable wave, this wide, palm-lined beach gets its name from the tubular waves that form along its shore and break in both directions. Los Tubos (The Pipes) is also home to a popular summer beach festival each year. Beside being a great surf spot, the beach has a very good recreational area with picnic gazebos, swings for kids to play on, and plenty of parking.

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Manatí | North Region | Discover Puerto Rico

Located on the north coast of Puerto Rico — only a 45-minute drive from SJU airport — the town of Manatí will captivate you with its scenic views and breathtaking natural pools.

It’s known as La Atenas de Puerto Rico (the Athens of Puerto Rico) for the homegrown cultural and intellectual movement that formed here at the start of the 20th century, and thus established the town as a hub of new ideas. But Manatí is fertile in more than just art and thought. It’s also an agricultural area that is the center of Puerto Rico’s pineapple-growing industry, along with the production of sugar cane and coffee.

Its name is derived from the Taíno word for the river that crosses the town — the Manatuabón — and the numerous manatees that lived at the outfall of the river.

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Things to Do

Natural Wonders

Manatí is home to many nature reserves that are rich in springs, lakes, streams, lagoons, and rivers. As part of the northern karst, Manatí is a unique region distinguished by large limestone hills with white stone peaks poking out of the dense, green foliage. The small cave systems and landscapes resemble the ruins of lost cities consumed by tropical plants.

Some of the most impressive rock formations can be found at Mar Chiquita (Little Sea), one of the town’s most popular beaches. There, the karst cliffs create an opening that allows the crystal-blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean to rush in, resulting in a mesmerizing sight.

Other natural pools are located at La Poza de las Mujeres (The Women’s Pond), as well as nearby La Cueva de las Golondrinas (the Cave of the Swallows). Both are located near Hacienda La Esperanza, a nature reserve protected by the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico.

Beaches

Manatí is also a haven for surfers looking to catch a wave. Los Tubos (The Pipes) is named for the formation of tubular waves that can reach up to 12 feet high.

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Where to Eat

If you’re looking for a quick bite and a staple Manatí fritter, be sure to stop by Pastelillos Lamboy, home to the town’s famous pastelillos. For more than 60 years, Lamboy has served its traditional mashed potatoes and meat turnover recipe, and it’s a local delicacy that’s not to be missed.

At El Tren de Cano you can savor local and traditional cuisine like rice and beans, deep-fried pork, and mofongo in a creatively designed location. Su Casa Steakhouse is another great stop and a well-known mesón gastronómico.

The town’s oldest food establishment is El Ferrocarril, which serves the best seafood in the area, just like abuelita (grandma) used to make.

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Where to Stay

In 2014, Manatí welcomed its first hotel, the Hyatt Place Hotel. The hotel offers 104 rooms, three meeting venues, an outdoor swimming pool, and an on-site casino and restaurant. For additional lodging options, there are several apartments and vacation rentals, as well as a few bed-and-breakfasts.

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Hotel Hyatt Place Manati, Puerto Rico from 18401 ₽ — Yandex Travel

Hotel Hyatt Place Manati, Puerto Rico from 18401 ₽ — Yandex TravelHotels Puerto Rico

Manati, 122 Carretera PR-2 View on the map

51 9000

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Facilities and services

Basin

Parking

Air conditioning in the room

Roset Hall

Internet

  • Internet
  • Internet access: In numbers

Services and convenience

  • Dry cleaning
  • Services
  • is possible
  • Laundry
  • Express check-in/out
  • Transfer type: chargeable
  • Safe
  • 24-hour front desk
  • Storage camera
  • Type of safe: in room
  • Equipment for the kitchen: kettle
  • Equipment for the kitchen: microwave
  • Transfer: Airport
  • Constitutional service
  • Heating frequency: daily

Room amenities

  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Refrigerator
  • Soundproof rooms
  • Hairdryer
  • Tea/coffee in rooms
  • TV in room
  • Iron

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  • Cafe
  • Bar
  • Restaurant

Sports and entertainment

  • CAZINO
  • Basin type: Golf
  • cup

Business services

  • Meeting room
  • Business center
  • Conference hall
  • Business center equipment: computer
  • Business center equipment: photocopying

Infrastructure

  • Lift
  • Parking type: Free
  • Garden

General information about the hotel

  • Violescence for people with disabilities
  • Vetance time: 15:00
  • Departure: 12:00:00 9003
  • Year Built: 2013

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Manati, 122 Carretera PR-2

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Local time: Manatí, Puerto Rico

Current Local time in Manatí, Puerto Rico

Question: What time is it in Manatí? Response: Manatí (Manati) is in the time zone [*1] (GMT Time difference in hours: -4)
and DST Inactive ⇒ Current local time (at the time this page is generated) :
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USD

Manati Info:
Country: Puerto Rico
currency:, Dollar
Continent: North America
Population: ≈ 16,092 = 4.109‰ PRI Population
Altitude: ≈ 33m
GPS coordinates 18° 25′ 38.8″ North, 66° 29′ 31.6″ West
Distance from * Equator: 2048.9 km (1273.2 mi)
Distance from * North Pole: 7958.1 km (4944.9 mi)
Languages: [*2] English/Puerto Rico (+1)
Mains plug 120 V • 60 Hz • A,B [*3]

Manatí See on map



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