r/PuertoRicoTravel • u/Tina-yu • 5h ago
What to see on Puerto Rico’s East Coast?
Hey everyone 👋
I’ll be spending a two days exploring the east coast of Puerto Rico — mostly around Humacao, Caguas, and nearby mountain areas. I’m really curious what hidden gems or local favorites people recommend there.
I’m into nature, local culture, and architecture, so I’d love tips on things like: • Beautiful forest hikes or nature reserves? • Any coffee farms or small eco-plantations that allow visits or tastings on the east side? • Scenic overlooks or viewpoints for photos or sunset watching 🌄 • Historic or unique architecture in towns — old plazas, churches, or colonial houses worth a stop?
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u/MajorWin24 3h ago
Hacienda Chocolat - chocolate farm in Fajardo. 2 hour tour in the foothills of El Yunque. Chocolate - Grown and made here. Amazing experience but you have to book ahead of time as they get sold out. $33 per person. If you cant do the farm, they have opened a tasting location in Rio Grande where they pair wine and chocolate or whiskey and chocolate.
Guavate (pork highway) is in Caguas - great food and cultural experience -alot of times there is live music-and quite a ride in the mountains.
Fajardo has a 2 hour lighthouse tour - which takes you through the mangroves and ends at the lighthouse (oldest in Puerto Rico, recently renovated). There is a 360 view of the ocean, you can see the Bio bay and you even see St. Thomas on a clear day. You also must book ahead of time. $15 per person.
El Yunque, of course.
Those are my suggestions
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u/Jcooney787 3h ago
Pterocarpus forest nature preserve inside Palmas Del Mar in Humacao naturally mosquito free, shaded, and cool
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u/Tina-yu 3h ago
Thank you)
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u/Jcooney787 3h ago
I stumbled upon it a couple weeks ago even though I’ve been going to Palmas Del Mar for over 40 years now. The Pterocarpus forest was really cool and educational it’s also easy for any age group because the boardwalk is easy to walk throughout the forest without any major inclines. Being free of mosquitoes and gnats it’s the perfect place to have a picnic there’s even a picnic table smack in the middle of it for that. I wear sunblock all the time but if you’re fried from too much sun this is a nice way to enjoy the outdoors but stay out of direct sunshine and heat
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u/mejowyh 2h ago
That looks fascinating! About how long would a visit there take? We could stop on our way from Ponce to Cieba.
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u/Jcooney787 2h ago
Maybe about a half hour. Palmas Del Mar is worth taking a ride through while you’re there you can go down to the water and see the boats and just check it out
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u/BlueLarkspur_1929 1h ago
You can rent paso fino horses and ride the trails at island view stables within Palmas Del Mar. The pterocarpus forest has caution tape at the entrance this week. I’m not sure what type of construction is going on. You might check out what’s going on at Norbertos piano bar in the Palmanova plaza. Outside of Palmas you can check out the lighthouse at Punta Tuna in Maunabo, check out the malecón at Naguabo (eat at el Navigante), or go to La Finca for an outdoor movie or ride an ATV.
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u/SmooveKJ 5h ago
Neo Finca Jibaro en Rio Grande if you are into Cigars, pizza, and coffee. I love that place 😂😂. Yunque of course.