ARECIBO, PUERTO RICO. Arecibo is a town located on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, which lies west of Florida. Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, so for those that live in the U.S., you do not need a passport to visit.
For adventures in Arecibo, the outdoors have plenty to offer. One place is Cueva Ventana, a large cave with a beautiful view. In order to get to the top, you have to hike about 15 minutes, but once you are there, there is a stunning view overlooking the Arecibo Valley. Because of the hiking, it is ideal to bring water and wear comfortable hiking shoes or tennis shoes. To get to the cave, take Route 10 at KM 75. The cave is open every day and closes at 5:30 p.m. From Monday to Friday it opens at 10:00 a.m., and on Saturday and Sunday, it opens at 8:30 a.m. Entrance costs $10, and there is free parking and restrooms. For more information and directions, visit their website.
If you are looking for something different to do between Wednesday and Sunday, you can visit the Arecibo Observatory. The observatory has a visitor’s center where there are exhibits on the Earth and Solar System as well as more information on their research facility. They have a gift store called the Galaxy Shop with hats, books, bags, posters and other gifts that relate to the observatory. Additionally, they have programs for students who want to research projects related to space exploration. This is a great 10-week program for those interested in this type of research. These are just a few of the many things the Observatory offers. You can visit the home page here to find more information.
Arecibo Lighthouse and Historical Park | Nothlit
If you want to learn more about the history in Arecibo, you can visit the Arecibo Lighthouse and Historical Park, which was built in 1898 by the Spaniards. There are 10 different facilities that discuss everything from the Indian Village to the Pirate’s ship, and there is also a saltwater aquarium. You can check here for directions on how to arrive. Monday through Friday it is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday it is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The price for adults is $12, and for children it is $10. For more information visit their website.