Las Paylas

Location: Luquillo

Getting there: From San Juan, drive 1 hour to the Luquillo countryside. This spot on the Pitahaya River can only be accessed via a local’s property. They charge $5.00 per car and $1.00 per person. You’ll walk down a paved sidewalk path through their yard until it leads to a forested area next to the river where the path ends. This section is often muddy and slippery. Walk straight out to the river, turn left and walk upstream to the waterslide, or follow a path in the forest to the left. To get to the swimming hole, follow the river right, downstream a short way.

Things to do: Slide – The water slide is slightly scary and perhaps mildly dangerous, but everyone does it because it is fun. The trick is to sit like you’re in an armchair with your hands running along the rock on either side to maintain balance. Swim – If you leave the slide area to walk downriver you’ll find a large but rather shallow swimming hole. This is a great place to relax in the water. You’ll probably feel fish nibbling on you.

Heads up: Walking up the side of the water slide is extremely slippery. I’ve fallen once and seen others fall. I have seen some people wear socks that apparently grip the slick rock much better. This is a popular place for tour groups to visit after El Yunque National Forest, so you may encounter large groups. Go later in the day to avoid the tour groups.