Welcome to Las Pailas, Puerto Rico! La Isla Del Encanto has a lot of incredible spots. This one is not only fun and close, but cheap! Located only 30 minutes away from Puerto Rico's capital, this became a very popular spot for those travelers who want to have some fun, connect with nature, or just relax under the sun.
Today we will go over everything to know before heading to Las Pailas, Puerto Rico (also known as Las Paylas).
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Las Pailas, Puerto Rico: What is It Exactly?
Las Pailas is a hidden gem, where you can enjoy several activities under the Caribbean sun. The main feature is a natural water slide that's around 30 feet long. The water has carved the stone in a way where there are no sharp edges at all. Instead, you will slide down a smooth path into a natural pool.
People often come here to relax and spend some time with nature. And if there's something we know about people from Puerto Rico, it's that they know how to enjoy what nature gave them. They don't wait for the weekend to enjoy the beauty around them, so every day is a good day to have fun.
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How to Get to Las Pailas, Puerto Rico
Many times we find online these nature paradises that promise cool things. But then you check on a map to try to add it to your travel calendar and...boom! It's in the middle of nowhere. Well, let us tell you that this is not the case.
Las Pailas (Las Paylas) are located in Luquillo, just outside San Juan.
Las Pailas, Puerto Rico can be found only 30 minutes away from San Juan. The entrance is in Luquillo, a small seaside town. This place is also known for their line of different food kiosks with some super tasty local food. So it is definitely worth a stop to grab lunch before or after your visit to Las Pailas!
We suggest renting a car to get to Las Pailas. However, if you want to go by pubic transportation you can grab a bus to Luquillo, and then hop in a taxi or Uber to Las Pailas from there.
Rent a car in San Juan:
Would you like an organized tour so you don't have to drive or get an Uber? Below we have one for you:
Entrance to Las Pailas
The road to La Pailas, Puerto Rico will make you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere. In order to get here, you will have to walk (or park) through private property (a black gate).
Once you get to the gate, you will rely on a little luck, since the owner would have to be around to open the door (it's usually opened).
This may sound a little weird, but since the only way to get down there is through someone's property, it only makes sense that you need the owner to let you in. It was a weird concept for us at first, but then locals told us that it's been like this for years now.
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Las Pailas, Puerto Rico: Price
The owner of the property charges $5 for parking. There are around 6 to 8 spots available, and he will help guide you into one of them. From there, you just walk down two minutes into the area of Las Pailas. There are no bathrooms or tables around.
The $5 fee literally just covers the parking. If you arrived there by walking, you can simply walk through and get to the water slide. Since we had some trouble finding the exact spot the first time, here's an easier way to get there: Map to Las Pailas.
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What to Do in Las Pailas, Puerto Rico
The main reason why people visit Las Pailas, Puerto Rico is its natural water slide. To get to the top you will have to climb through a huge rock (not hard, just a bit slippery).
If you're a beginner or want to test it first, you can get into the slide halfway through, and then go back the second time to the very top. The water may feel a bit cold at first because the whole place is surrounded by trees. Because of this you don't get pure sunlight all day long. But after a minute in the water you get adapted right away.
Las Pailas is a natural waterslide just 45 minutes outside the capital.
Las Pailas, Puerto Rico: Relaxing in Nature
The other great thing you can do here is to enjoy the natural pool that's created at the bottom of the slide. A lot of people just come here to chill for a few hours. They bring their own music, food, and just connect with nature.
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The relaxing sound of the water running down is a great way to disconnect from all the noise we're used to in our lives, and being surrounded by water, trees, and the sun becomes almost like therapy for the body.
If you're one of those who likes to let go of technology for a little bit and just have a fun time in a natural area, then you will really like this place.
Las Pailas is also a great place to relax.
Who is Las Pailas, Puerto Rico for?
Las Pailas, Puerto Rico is really a place for everybody! You can visit with the family, with your significant one, or friends. Something to keep in mind, though, is that you need to walk down a few steps to get to the water slide.
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You will also have to walk on some rocks to get to a spot where you can chill for a picnic. With this in mind, if you can't walk much, or if you have knee problems, we would recommend you to get assistance (or to skip this one).
On the other hand, the level of difficulty for those of you looking for an adventure is quite easy. To get down to the water you only need to walk through a few steps, and you can leave your stuff next to the rocks, so there's really no challenge.
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Packing for a Visit to Las Pailas, Puerto Rico
Now you know almost everything you need to know for visiting Las Pailas, Puerto Rico. Here is a packing list of things to bring with you:
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray
- Bathing Suit
- Towel
- Flip Flops (we personally always get Havaiana flip flops, as they are comfy and long lasting)
- Water Shoes
- Reusable Water Bottle (we use this water bottle from Cafago because it holds the temperature)
- Zippered Bag or Backpack - take a look at these backpacks for travelers!
- Power Bank (we use Anker power banks, as they are super long lasting and sturdy)
- Drone (We use the Mavic Mini Pro 3 because it's super light and doesn't sacrifice quality)
- Action Camera (we use the Insta 360 X3 because it's small & waterproof)
- Waterproof Phone Pouch (we use the Cafago Waterproof Phone Pouch)
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Puerto Rico definitely has a lot to offer. From East to West, there's just so much to do that sometimes it can be hard to find the perfect itinerary. That's why Las Pailas comes so in handy; it's only 30 minutes away from San Juan, right on the side of the road, and it's an incredible half-day trip.
If you're looking for an activity for a quick day trip from San Juan, Las Pailas, Puerto Rico is the chosen one! For those of you, eager travelers, who want to travel all around Puerto Rico, we're going to leave you with some great recommendations around La Isla del Encanto. To see the full list of things you can do, take a look at our Puerto Rico Guides.
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