The Beautiful Rio Abajo Forest Reserve

If you are looking for a great weekend spot, the Rio Abajo Forest Reserve is an excellent place to go. This massive reserve covers more than 5000 acres of land and it features limestone caves, underground rivers, beautiful forests and an abundance of wildlife. The Rio Abajo Forest Reserve is quite easy to find since you need only head out on Route 621 then follow the turn off to the reserve. The reserve has a reputation for being a great camping spot and it offers visitors as many as 70 different walking trails that will better enable you to observe as much of the plant and bird life in the area as possible.

The Rio Abajo Forest Reserve was established in 1935 by Puerto Rico’s Reconstruction Administration. The massive reserve is situated between the Dos Bocas Lake and the Tanamá River and this lends itself to the unusual topography of the region. It is quite common to find caves, sinkholes and small hills within close proximity to each other in the reserve. The hills are largely made of limestone and many of them house a number of subterranean cavities that are tempting to explore. However, if you are inexperienced this is not recommended unless you are accompanied by a guide who can keep you safe and prevent you from getting lost. One popular option is that of taking a guided tour of the underground rivers that flow through the region. If you prefer to concentrate on what is above the ground instead of what is underneath it, you will find that the Rio Abajo Forest Reserve is home to more than 200 plant species and as many as 175 different species of wildlife.

The walking trails will take you along dirt roads and forest paths where you will be surrounded by all sorts of plant and birds species. At certain points you will even find yourself next to giant bamboo plants that make for great photographs. The camping facilities are modest but a refreshing swim in the natural spring-water swimming holes more than makes up for this. What’s more, the Camuy Caves are not too far away and can easily be visited if you are looking for a nature-orientated outing whilst camping at the reserve. If you want to visit or camp at the Rio Abajo Forest Reserve, you will have to get permission for your group from the forest supervisor who is quite friendly and full of helpful advice. This excellent reserve is a part of Puerto Rico that every eco-friendly tourist should be sure not to miss!

User Comments & Reviews: 5 Comment(s)

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Team PuertoRico.com - 2011-03-01 08:16:59

Thank you for posting your comments on PuertoRico.com. We appreciate feedback and personal experiences (good and bad) from visitors to our site. Be sure to explore the rest of PuertoRico.com and let us know what you think. -- Best wishes, Team PuertoRico.com

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Sonya - 2011-02-28 05:03:50

Just would like to chime in on this place and probably bring some truth to both sides. I was very disappointed that the visitor center was closed during my visit but that does seem pretty par for the course here. Puerto Rico has so many spectacular attractions that get sidetracked because potential visitors can't even get basic maps or information on how to get there and get around. I spent a few hours here today and was able to find two awesome caves that I was able to explore all by myself - that is the benefit of hidden attractions I suppose. If everyone knew about it, I wouldn't find quite as appealing. This reserve is definitely a hidden gem and has been one of the highlights of my trip. I would strongly suggest getting some more information from either a guide or just someone in the know on the place before your visit so you can really make the most out of it. It will be well worth your time.

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Frank - 2010-11-11 18:19:09

I hate being called close minded! I will try again...but, compared to the other forests in PR, this is the poor cousin.

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Annette - 2010-05-20 16:21:01

I differ somewhat from Frank. I went and found the manager very kind. He told us about a cave and even took the time to mark the path for us. The camping area is nice, clean, quiet and has good facilities. I especially enjoyed the privateness. The whole family (22 of us) enjoyed it alot. So much we already reserved to go again. The only this that I concur is that signs should mark paths, and places of interest to facilitate hiking and adventuring. Frank don't be closed minded all forests are different its all about new experiences and getting to know our beutiful island.

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Frank Flanagan - 2009-09-08 00:19:29

I visited today and was greatly disappointed. The Visitor Center was closed, so I tried to tool around the forest myself. Big Mistake. If you follow 621 in all directions, you can pretty much see the whole forest, which does not appear to be very interesting. The trails are not at all marked, and there is no place to park-forget trying to park a truck. If you're a boyscout, there is a great camp area, but nobody else has access. The worst part about this "forest" is that there are so many people living in it! Lots of houses, and wild dogs. And they actually stare at visitors since, I am guessing, they are country folk and do not get a lot of visitors. Wonder why. It is strange visiting a nature reserve and seeing so many people, but I am guessing it is a cultural difference; Puerto Ricans like to be around, close by, other folks; Americans not so much-certainly not when visiting a forest. This "forest" may be big, but it does not feel big, and it is not as nearly interesting as El Yunque, Cartite, Gaunica, or any of the other fantastic forests on the island. This forest needs a facelift, and a rethink; it is not friendly, interesting, or easy to navigate. I will probably never visit this forest again, and I will advise others not to do so unless they are camping with the boy scouts. This feels like a second-rate, under-funded, ghetto rainforest experience, but it does not have to be; I would look to hire new management for a new vision. The place needs a facelift.

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