Playa la esperanza manati puerto rico: Black Sand Beach at Playa La Esperanza in Manatí
La Esperanza | Map, Guide – Northern Region, Puerto Rico
Head out on this 12.7-km loop trail near Manatí, Northern Region. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 55 min to complete. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and mountain biking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.
Length22.7 kmElevation gain198 mRoute typeLoop
HikingMountain bikingWalkingBird watchingRunningViewsWildlife
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FRANCISCO CARRERO
October 30, 2022•Hiking
Easy trail and nice beach in the middle of it.
Tony Roman
October 9, 2022•Mountain biking
Excelente Ruta!! Muy adecuada para MTB!!
Nelly Crespo
August 27, 2022•Hiking
Excelente caminata
Raquel Gonzalez
June 18, 2022•Hiking
Beautiful, lots of birds, very hot after 10:30 am
José Marrero
June 18, 2022•Hiking
Doing this hike one’s appreciate the importance of public spaces in the context of Natural Cultural Heritage.
Vanessa Enid
May 15, 2022•Hiking
Muy buena.
Diego Hernandez
May 1, 2022•Hiking
Perfect
Julio Ortega
April 16, 2022•Hiking
tremenda caminata, todo es llano. son aproximadamente 8.15 millas.
Miriam Vigo
April 11, 2022•Walking
Awesome walk barely anyone around. If you are looking for a peaceful day, La Esperanza is the place.
Conditions: No shade, Off trail, Private property, Great!
Wildflower S
April 9, 2022•Walking
One of my all time’s favorite, has a lot of variety, perfect for everyone: horse riding, picnics, beach, snorkeling, biking, dogs and kids friendly.
Conditions: Great!
Elizabeth Rodriguez-Ross
March 24, 2022•Running
Definitely need trail map on phone. Was a beautiful run with ocean views, farm views, and town views.
Ramon Marrero
March 17, 2022•Walking
Was great. You have to be careful of
caimans. We see one but no problem. We only see one. But most of the area was ok.
Victor Dominguez
March 5, 2022•Hiking
Fantastic scenery between beautiful sights of La Esperanza beach and country side trails across what it once was a sugar cane plantation. Moderate to effort considering walking beach side sand and tractor trails. Recommended!!!
Ricky Valentin
February 20, 2022•Hiking
#1 choice
Carmen Wakeska Reyes
February 13, 2022•Hiking
Long hike with beautiful landscapes. Bring water and snacks.
Conditions: Muddy
carlos pinero
February 12, 2022•Mountain biking
Short sweet
Laura Carlos
January 26, 2022•Hiking
My favorite. A long hike with many different landscapes. Very peaceful.
Lourdes Oliveras Ramos
January 4, 2022•Hiking
Cerrado
Jose Rivera
October 29, 2021•Mountain biking
Great trails
Melanie Quiñones Soto
August 21, 2021•Walking
Perfecto, regresaré por más camino
Félix Ortiz
July 21, 2021•Hiking
Very awesome track. I’ve got connected with nature and the beach area as well.
Alexis Sotomayor
July 4, 2021•Hiking
Caminata moderada. Larga y calurosa pero plana. Comienzo muy bonito bordeando el río hasta llegar a la Boca en Barceloneta.
Stacey Smith
April 12, 2021•Hiking
Better for bikes than a hike. Found beautiful beaches along the way. Take lots of water
Margie Cintron
April 4, 2021•Mountain biking
Went with the family on the bikes, everything was so beautiful… I loved it.
Conditions: Great!
Anel Sandoval
March 14, 2021•Hiking
Easy hike/walk, can customize from 3-8 miles.
Jose Hernandez
March 7, 2021•Mountain biking
Beautiful trail with many awesome spots.
Carlos Pabon
February 14, 2021•Hiking
All perfect.
Brenda Marín
February 13, 2021•Hiking
Buenos kilómetros ruta con pocas subidas
David Bush
February 2, 2021•Hiking
South part of the loop is open and sunny. Pretty but not much to see. Good exercise. The North part is awesome along the beaches with plenty of remote beaches to explore. The remoteness makes it ideal for unsavory elements, especially on weekdays unfortunately.
David Bush
January 30, 2021•Hiking
Awesome hike. I played with the waves on a day they were angry and lost. My stupidity aside the hike was easy and beautiful.
Showing results 1 – 30 of 161
9 Best Things to Do in Manatí (in 2022)
Manatí isn’t exactly a touristy city. It’s something so much better! With everything from pristine beaches, hiking trails, and historical sites, you won’t have time to get bored with all the things to do in Manatí.
Known as the Athens of Puerto Rico, Manatí boasts incredible natural beauty with more than ten beaches along its coast so charming that they make it to the list of must-visit places in Puerto Rico.
As someone that’s taken many day trips to Manatí, I can’t believe this city isn’t as popular as San Juan, and you won’t believe it either when you check out all the fun things to do in the city!
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
- 9 Best Things to Do in Manati
- Hacienda La Esperanza
- Playa Mar Chiquita
- Manantial Guayaney
- Piscinas Naturales
- La Poza de las Mujeres
- Hacienda Recreativa Mar Chiquita
- Cueva de las Golondrinas
- Playa Los Tubos
- Manati’s Town Center
Disclosure: Travel Lemming is an independent reader-supported blog. You can support us by purchasing via the affiliate links on this page, which may earn us commissions. Thank you!
Hacienda La Esperanza
Tour an important sugar cane plantation in Puerto Rico
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 722-5882 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 4 pm Wed-Sun, Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
Hacienda La Esperanza was once a prosperous sugar cane plantation in the 19th century. Located in a 2,150-acre nature reserve, Hacienda La Esperanza is a restored historical site that serves as a demonstration of how haciendas worked back in the days, with the highlight being its restored sugar mill with a West Point Foundry steam engine.
The nature reserve also features wetlands, mangroves, estuaries, and beaches, including La Esperanza Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Puerto Rico. To visit Hacienda La Esperanza you need to call ahead to make a reservation.
Playa Mar Chiquita
Swim in a natural pool formed by rock outcroppings
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free | 👉 Book a Tour on Viator
Mar Chiquita is one of the top things to do in Manatí for beach lovers and photography buffs. Mar Chiquita means little sea and it refers to a small cove created by rock formations on the coast.
Mar Chiquita is one of the top beaches in Puerto Rico for a reason. It boasts bright turquoise water with golden soft sand. It’s also a top destination for snorkeling or taking a sunset tour to get the best landscape shots in the area.
👉 Pro Tip: Although Mar Chiquita is a somewhat natural pool isolated from the rest of the coast of Puerto Rico, the tide can get strong depending on the season you visit Puerto Rico. Avoid getting close to the opening between the reefs where the current could drag you out.
Manantial Guayaney
Hike to a hidden water spring with crystal clear waters
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free | 👉 Book a Tour on Viator
Manantial Guayaney is one of those hidden Puerto Rico things many people miss out on. But, if you’re looking for a day trip adventure not far from Old San Juan, then hiking to Manantial Guayaney is a great option. Manantial Guayaney is a natural water spring located in the north karst zone of Manati.
This cold spring boasts clear waters with fish and turtles that swim around. Thrill-seekers like to jump from the right side of the spring into the deepest part of it, but those looking to relax can just spend a carefree afternoon sitting on the spring’s rocks.
Piscinas Naturales
Find the hidden natural pools on Manati’s coast
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free
Travelers that like to seek unique photography-perfect sites shouldn’t miss a visit to the natural pools of Manati. The natural pools of Manati refer to a series of concave spaces within the coastal rocks of Las Palmas Beach that fill with water from the ocean and form a natural infinity pool.
To get to Las Piscinas Naturales de Manati, you have to hike for 10 minutes up the spikey coastal rock formations until reaching this beautiful spot. Wear shoes as rocks are pointy and there are sea urchins in the area.
👉 Pro Tip: The natural pools of Manati are a destination for an adult day trip. The coastal rocks are steep and waves crash frequently against the rocks, so it’s not safe for kids. If the tide is strong, don’t get into the pools.
La Poza de las Mujeres
Bath on a beach used by women during the Spanish colonial era
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free
La Poza de las Mujeres is one of the top attractions of Manati. This popular beach is like a natural pool you can find after hiking for a few minutes inside the Esperanza Nature Reserve. The beach is a natural pool with outcroppings that keep the strong waves from the ocean outside, creating a calm cove for the entire family during the summer season.
La Poza de las Mujeres means “The women’s pool” and it’s said the beach got its name from the multiple noblewomen that used to bathe in it between the 1600s and 1700 during the Spanish colonial era.
👉 Pro Tip: You will find the entrance to La Poza next to the ruins of a house destroyed by Hurricane Maria. There isn’t any shade on the beach and space is limited at the shore.
Hacienda Recreativa Mar Chiquita
Enjoy a family day in a hacienda with go-karts and ATVs
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 567-2833 | Hours: 9 am – 7 pm daily | Entrance: Free
Hacienda Recreativa Mar Chiquita is one of Manati activities for the complete family. This space offers multiple fun attractions like go-karts, pony rides, inflatable bouncers, ATVs, farms, and food stalls.
But, the main attraction of the hacienda is their horseback riding tours along the beautiful beaches of Manati, available only with a previous reservation. While the entrance to the hacienda is free, you have to pay for the attractions you want to use individually.
👉 Pro Tip: Hacienda Mar Chiquita is open daily, but to visit from Monday to Thursday you have to call ahead to make a reservation.
Cueva de las Golondrinas
Deep in a natural pool inside a coastal cave
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free | 👉 Book a Tour on Viator
Visiting Las Golondrinas Cave is one of the top things to do in Manatí and for a reason. You can reach this semi-open cave through Las Golondrinas Beach. The cave has a shallow part where you can stand on the rock formations and appreciate its beauty.
But, the highlight of the cave is the pool that forms inside with crystal clear waters, where you can relax as you appreciate the dozens of swallows flying in and out of the cave.
👉 Pro Tip: Don’t get inside the cave when the tide is strong as waves could easily drag you against the rocks or out to the sea. Wear beach shoes as there are many sea urchins and keep in mind some people like to use this beach as a nudist beach.
Playa Los Tubos
Surf on a wild beach with beautiful scenery
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free
If instead of having a lazy day at the beach you’re looking for a spot for surfing, then Los Tubos Beach is for you. Located on the north coast of Puerto Rico, Los Tubos Beach boasts a strong surf perfect to catch waves surfing or boogie boarding.
The west side of the beach is also ideal to go scuba diving or snorkeling during the low tide seasons. While not for swimming, this beach offers beach buffs a long beach to explore, and it looks its best during a sunset tour.
👉 Pro Tip: Playa Los Tubos is one of the closest beaches to Puerto Rico’s Tortuguero Lagoon, which is known for hosting alligators. Although rarely seen outside the lagoon, while walking the trails to Manati’s hidden beaches, always keep your eyes open for alligators.
Manati’s Town Center
Explore the streets of a historical town
📍 Google Maps
Visiting the town center is one of the Manati things that history buffs and culture lovers can’t miss. The historical district features multiple buildings from the 19th century including the city hall and the Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria y San Matías Cathedral, built in 1729 and an icon in the Manati history.
The Taboas theater is another historical building you can visit to watch local shows. Check out their social media to see their calendar of activities.
***
Now you know all about the top things to do in Manati, Puerto Rico!
Looking for other places for an eco-adventure? Check out Puerto Rico’s popular activities!
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For bookings made from April 6, 2020, we recommend that you evaluate the risk associated with coronavirus (COVID-19) and the measures taken by the authorities to combat it. If you select a non-refundable rate, you will not be able to receive a refund if your booking is cancelled. Your cancellation request will be processed by the hotel in accordance with your rate conditions and consumer protection laws. If in doubt, we recommend booking a free cancellation option. If your plans change, you can cancel your booking without penalty during the free cancellation period.
Check the conditions of your booking
For bookings made from April 6, 2020, we recommend that you evaluate the risk associated with coronavirus (COVID-19) and the measures taken by the authorities to combat it. If you select a non-refundable rate, you will not be able to receive a refund if your booking is cancelled. Your cancellation request will be processed by the hotel in accordance with your rate conditions and consumer protection laws. If in doubt, we recommend booking a free cancellation option. If your plans change, you can cancel your booking without penalty during the free cancellation period.
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