Northern Region
The Northern Region is characterized by unique beaches facing the Atlantic Ocean, and it’s exotic limestone hills. It seems like every time I drive down the freeway along the north coast, I look out at the limestone hills and I have the irresistible urge to say something like, “This looks like China, or Thailand!” I’ve never been to China or Thailand but I inevitably give in to the urge every time. My wife mutters an exasperated and tired response like “Yeah, it really does.”, without looking up from her phone. These limestone hills make up around 1/5 of the topography of the island. They are full of caves containing vast populations of bats – largely unexplored. Most of the islands freshwater springs are located in this region. Four of them are easily accessible. This is a wonderful part of the island that deserves more attention.
The westernmost municipality of the northern region is Camuy. Famous for the Camuy caverns – Parque Nacional de las Cavernas del Río Camuy. The park is one of the largest cave systems in the world and attracts thousands of visitors each year. The Cavernas del Camuy were formed over millions of years by the Camuy River, which has carved out a network of underground caves and passageways. The park features over 10 miles of caverns, including a large chamber called the Cathedral, which is over 200 feet high and 600 feet wide. Visitors to the park can take a guided tour of the caves that includes a video introducing the caves ecology and history, a walk down to the mouth of the cave through the forest on a paved road where the tour guide will point out local flora and fauna (the tram that used to run here no longer runs), and a headset that plays information on the different areas of the tour that you play when arriving at numbered locations.
When you reach Arecibo you’ll find a surf spot with sea turtles navigating around the coral below you next to a rocky section of coast that juts out from the land around it. This rocky point is the Cueva del Indio Nature Reserve, the most important Taíno site on the island. The indigenous people that populated the island before the Spanish found it carved hundreds of markings all over the inside of a rocky cove. To see them face to face isn’t for the faint of heart. Sneak through a small slit in the rock, spiderman-walk the two walls, and hop to a rock dodging a steep fall. If thats not for you, you can still see markings looking down into the cave, but not nearly so many as when you are down there. I believe there used to be some kind of ladder but that is gone now and can not be replaced due to laws protecting the site. Entrance fee is steep at $10.00 per person because you must park on and cross private land.
Continuing west from Manatí, if you take the longer route to follow the coast, you’ll pass a massive statue of Christopher Colombus that is bigger than the statue of liberty. It’s in a rather remote location and the gate to get to the foot of it is always locked when I visit. When driving along Highway 681 it is clearly visible. Try going here to see the statue.
The so-called sand caves could be a gateway to Narnia, they look so magical. A short hike along and through the riverbed brings you to a high ceilinged cave. The cave goes all the way through revealing a smaller, clear stream on the other side. Natural clay deposits can be found on the stream bed here that you can rub on your skin, treat yo’ self! Inside the cave you can climb up the rock and jump into the water running through the narrow cave from about 20 feet up. Parking costs $5 on someone’s property, park on the road closer to the trailhead at your own risk as theft is apparently a problem here.
Freshwater Springs
The Northern Region contains four of the six freshwater springs I know of on the island. They are Manantial De Guayaney, Manantial Tortuguero Spring, Manantial Ojo de Agua, and Zanja Fría. For more information on them, check out my page on the best freshwater spots.
Beaches
The Northern Region will always be a favorite of mine for its incredibly unique and beautiful beaches. My wife and I have had many great day trips driving along the north coast and still there is much I have not seen. Check out my Beach Hopping Guide for in depth information on visiting these beaches and see them ranked on my Beaches page.
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