The beaches on either side of the lighthouse peninsula are very scenic, however, you cannot swim in them because of the dangerous undertows. This little fishing bay could be the exception. The entire area of Maunabo is extremely scenic.
Below: From San Juan head East past the Isla Verde Balneario, on rd# 187 through the Piñones Forest Reserve. There are many very lovely beaches to your left. Good surfing at 'Aviones' Beach, good swimming at Vacia Telega.
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Vacia
Telega Beach in Piñones rt. #187
* Due to the frequency of theft in this area do
not walk away from your car and leave valuables obviously inside.
You should stick to areas with other people, this is not a good
area to be all alone in. Tourists areas are notably prone to theft.
Continue
on rd# 187, across the bridge over the Loiza River. Just after
the bridge you could make a right onto a small road, the first
block, of which, is still in town (# 951). It follows the Loiza
River out to highway #3. Or
you could continue past Loiza on the coast road until the road
turns right towards Rio Grande. There is a seafood restaurant
to the left down a small road just before you get into Rio Grand.
see photo below.
Seafood
Restaurant 'Villa Pesquera' on the Loiza River. A few miles towards
the coast from the town of Rio Grande, on road # 187 km. 1.6 there's
a turnoff between an abandoned house and a cement garbage drop
off. The street is lined with coconut trees and a beautiful view
of the El Yunque mountains. At the end of the road is a river, fishing
co-op, boat storage and this lovely seafood restaurant on the
rivers edge. They are open for lunch 5 days a week and early dinners
on the weekend. tel 787-887-0140.
Once
you get onto highway #3 drive (left) East, towards Mameyes, Fajardo
(ferries) and Naguabo. The town of Mameyes (also called Palmer)
is where you turn right and this leads you into road # 191 and
up to the top of the El Yunque rainforest. You can spend a great
afternoon walking the trails in the rainforest. You can swim in
the waterfalls and pools. You must leave the forest by 5:30 PM.
Gate closes at 6.
Your options for the first night out of San Juan are many. The town of Luquillo
has the new Luquillo Sunrise Beach Inn across the street from the beach ( balconies look out to sea). The beaches of Luquillo town and the Luquillo Balneario
are among the best in Puerto Rico, so you could easily spend several
days here. See the rainforest lodging page for Sues Villas in the hills above Luquillo or nearby Bills' Rainforest Inn. La Casita de Las Olas is a 2 bedroom villa rental near the ocean in Luquillo.
Luquillo
beach
From
any location in or near Luquillo you can visit: Luquillo Beach, Seven Seas Beach, Las Croabas Fishing Village
(Day trips to Cayo Icacos , Night trips to the bioluminescent lagoon)
and visit the Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve (with prior reservations
and a fee). Accommodations range from the most luxurious El Conquistador
Resort and Golf Club to the nicely run, Fajardo Inn. Las Croabas
Fishing village has fishermen who will take you to the beautiful
Sandy Key called Icacos Cay.
The
scenic highway # 53 from Fajardo to Naguabo offers beautiful views
of the mountains. Get off on the exit AFTER Naguabo. It says 'Rio
Blanco- Juncos - exit 22'. Turn right a few miles on rd #31 then take a
right onto road#191, just before crossing the metal suspension
bridge. This very beautiful area is still unspoiled countryside
and the road follows the Rio Blanco. Turn left over the next suspension
bridge and wind your way up to the top. (Two great places to stay
there, see lodging page, Casa Cubuy Ecolodge and Casa Flamboyant. ( One should spend two nights up here to be able to hike in the
lovely, gentle forest or just walk down the path to the river
pools).
Panoramic
Roads East Continued on page 2
VIDEOS OF THE PUNTA TUNA LIGHTHOUSE AREA
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