Reserva Natural Cabezas de San Juan
Reserva Natural Cabezas de San Juan, Nature reserve in Fajardo, Puerto Rico
The 316-acre protected area contains seven ecosystems, including mangroves, coral reefs, dry forests, beaches, and the bioluminescent Laguna Grande bay.
The El Faro lighthouse, constructed in 1882, stands at the northeastern point of the reserve and continues to guide maritime navigation through Puerto Rican waters.
Para La Naturaleza manages this conservation site, offering educational programs and scientific research opportunities focused on Puerto Rico's natural heritage.
Visitors can explore the reserve through guided tours from Wednesday to Sunday between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM, with advance reservations required for all activities.
The reserve's bioluminescent bay contains microscopic organisms that emit blue light when disturbed, creating natural water illumination during night tours.
Location: Cabezas
Location: Fajardo
Address: Carr. 987 Km 5.9 Las Croabas, Fajardo, 00738, Puerto Rico 00738 Fajardo
Opening Hours: Lundi-Samedi 06:00-14:00
Phone: +17877225882
Website: https://reservaciones.paralanaturaleza.org
GPS coordinates: 18.37655,-65.62282
Latest update: March 2, 2025 23:09
Puerto Rico offers more than the beaches and colonial fortresses of San Juan. The island contains dozens of natural swimming pools, remote coastal sections and protected forest reserves. The northern coast holds limestone caves with pre-Columbian petroglyphs, while the southwest region includes bioluminescent bays and extensive salt flats. The interior features waterfalls cascading over volcanic rock and hiking trails through mountain canyons with native vegetation. Historic sites include 19th-century lighthouses on rocky promontories, Spanish fortifications guarding harbor entrances and archaeological sites like the indigenous ceremonial center of Tibes near Ponce. Coastal areas offer natural swimming holes separated from the sea at low tide, including Las Paylas in Luquillo and Pozo de Jacinto in Isabela. The dry coastal forests of Guánica and the wet rainforest of El Yunque show the range of the island's ecosystems. Visitors reach these locations via local roads that are often unpaved and poorly marked. Many natural pools and waterfalls require short hikes over uneven terrain. The best conditions occur during the dry season from December through April, when river flows run lower. Some locations like Reserva Natural Las Cabezas de San Juan require advance booking for guided tours, while others remain freely accessible year-round.
Flamenco Beach
32.8 km
Pico El Yunque
19.3 km
Roberto Clemente Stadium
34.5 km
Yokahú Tower
17.1 km
Cape San Juan Light
701 m
Puerto Del Rey Marina
10 km
El Toro Wilderness
24.8 km
Humacao Nature Reserve
27.7 km
Cathedral of St. James
6.4 km
Vieques Fort
32 km
Las Paylas
12.3 km
Cabras Island Light
18.5 km
Reserva Natural de Humacao
27.1 km
Casa Roig Museum
33.2 km
Los Picachos
18.9 km
Punta Mulas Light
31.1 km
Bridge No. 122
23.6 km
United States Customs House
4.6 km
Frenchman's House Estate
34.4 km
San Juan Ecological Corridor
4.1 km
Villarán Bridge
28.5 km
El Fortin de Conde Mirasol Museum
32.1 km
Cayo Lobo
26.7 km
Cape San Juan Light
747 m
Northeast Ecological Corridor
4.1 km
Cascada La Mina
18.1 km
Luis Peña Beach
31.5 km
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