Reserva Natural Cueva del Indio, Nature reserve in Islote, Arecibo, Puerto Rico
This coastal nature reserve feels quiet and fresh with rugged limestone cliffs, natural rock arches, and the constant sound of ocean waves crashing against the rocks below.
The reserve holds ancient petroglyphs carved by the Taíno people hundreds of years before Columbus arrived, making it one of the most significant sites for indigenous history on the island.
Walking among the stone carvings gives you a sense of connection with the island's earliest inhabitants, whose symbols and figures still tell stories of their rituals and daily lives.
Parking is available along the roadside for free or in a small lot for a few dollars, and the best time to visit is during daylight at low tide.
From the cliffs you can see seven natural arches lined up along the coast, and if you're lucky, dolphins or sea turtles sometimes appear in the clear water below.
Location: Islote
Location: Arecibo
Address: Arecibo, 00612, Puerto Rico
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 09:30-17:00
Phone: +17875507012
GPS coordinates: 18.49256,-66.63929
Latest update: December 2, 2025 14:56
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.
Birth of the New World
1.4 km
Obispo Beach
6.2 km
Arecibo Light
6.4 km
Cueva del Indio
240 m
Cambalache State Forest
7.1 km
Casa de la Diosa Mita
8.8 km
Paseo Víctor Rojas
8 km
Edificio Oliver
8.3 km
Palacio del Marqués de las Claras
8.2 km
Cambalache Bridge
7.8 km
Corregimiento Plaza Theater
8.3 km
Gonzalo Marín 101
8.3 km
Casa Córdova
8.2 km
Playa Caza y Pesca
5 km
Playa El Muelle
6.6 km
Teatro Oliver
8.3 km
Arecibo Centro Plaza
8.8 km
The Seven Archs
98 m
Playa Caracole
1.4 km
Aëdes
8.8 km
Estatua de la Libertad
8 km
Busto de Rubén Otero Bosco
7.7 km
Work of art
8.4 km
Work of art, sculpture
7.9 km
Work of art, sculpture
8.4 km
Statue, Work of art
7.7 km
Statue, Work of art
7.7 km
Scenic viewpoint
54 mReviews
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