6 Reasons You Should Visit Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico

Cabo Rojo is one of our favorite parts of Puerto Rico! If you are visiting the island, it is the furthest point from San Juan, being about 3 hours away in car. But don't let this discourage you! This place is definitely worth the drive. Here are 6 reasons you should visit Cabo Rojo Puerto Rico.

Reason to Visit Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico # 1: The Beaches

It's no secret that there are some beautiful beaches in Puerto Rico, and some of our favorites are located in Cabo Rojo. Here are a few of them.

Playa Sucia

Head down to the very south western corner of the island and you will find Playa Sucia, also known as "dirty beach". But don't worry though, this beach is anything but dirty!

The beach is almost like a giant natural pool! Here you will find locals making their own barbecues, having drinks, and just floating in the crystal clear waters.

Please Note: Parking is free, but can get a little bit crowded. There are no amenities or even trash cans, so make sure you bring something to put your trash, and don't leave anything behind! This way this natural beauty can stay the way it is.

Puente de Piedra

Located just a 5-10 minute walk from Playa Sucia, you will find the hidden gem of Puente de Piedra. We were surprised to learn that this beach is actually not very well known by even some locals! 

The parking lot is the same one for Playa Sucia, and you just need to follow a small path the right from the lot. You will then find the stunning natural rock bridge arching over the turquoise waters.

We have seen people walk along the top of it. However, we don't recommend it. In order to get a shot below, you can climb down the rocks and hang out on the beach. Keep in mind the waters can get pretty rough. So just be careful, because there are a lot of rocks you could potentially hurt your feet on.

Playa Buye

This is one of the most popular beaches in Cabo Rojo Puerto Rico, and tends to get very busy. Unlike Playa Sucia, there are plenty of restaurants, a beach club, and vendors selling food in the area.

This beach is known for its stunning waters, and a great places for locals to set up with their family and friends. Because of this, it is definitely one of the best things to do in Cabo Rojo.

Please note: The tide can get high very fast, therefore we suggest going early if you want to catch the sunshine. Also, make sure not to sit too close to the water, as you may end up having a wave crash over you like we did!

Reason to Visit Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico #2: The Lighthouse

Located right near Playa Sucia and Puente de Piedra, is an adorable little light house. It isn't a very traditional looking one, but it is definitely worth stopping by. It is right between the two beaches we previously mentioned, and is just a short walk from the parking lot.

Reason to Visit Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico #3: The Salt Ponds

The salt ponds at Cabo Rojo are the real reason that we came to the area in the first place! Also known as "Salinas de Cabo Rojo", this is one of our favorite things to do in Cabo Rojo.

Here you will find ponds with various shades of pink and blue located right on the side of the road! They are free of charge to enter, and parking is just along the street.

Please note: You CANNOT swim in the waters! The colors vary throughout the year. However, we found them to be much more vibrant in July, than when we visited them again in February.

Reason to Visit Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico #4: Experience Bioluminescence

Bioluminescence is truly one of the natural wonders of the world, and checking it out here is one of the coolest things to do in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. The crazy thing is that there are only a few places in the world where you can experience the magic! Three of them are on the tiny island of Puerto Rico!

Don't have time to read the whole article and want to save it for later? Just pin it!

Right next to Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico is one of the spots that you can witness the twinkling microorganisms. Head over to La Parguera in Lajas and you will be able to check out this once in a lifetime experience!

It's not as easy as just jumping into the water though. Give a read to our full Bioluminescense article about how to witness this phenomenon in Puerto Rico.

Want to book an excursion to experience the bioluminescent bay in La Parguera? Here are some excursions that you can book:

Reason to Visit Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico #5: The Cute Towns

Puerto Rico is seriously one of the cutest islands! Everywhere you turn there is color and art. Here are a couple of towns we particularly liked nearby:

Boqueron

This adorable beach area is like one big rainbow! Every corner you turn there are colorful buildings, flags, and murals. Also, we even saw a local rapper shooting a music video here!

La Parguera

This spot isn't actually located in Cabo Rojo, but right next to it. This is the same place that you can take the boat ride to experience the beautiful bioluminescent bay. Here you will find tons of shops, art, and restaurants on the water.

Reason to Visit Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico #6: The Food

One of our big deciding factors for rating our travel experiences is by the food! Here are a couple of things we really enjoyed in the area of Cabo Rojo Puerto Rico.

The Seafood

Being that Puerto Rico is an island, it's no wonder that the place is full of great seafood. Although many places are closed due to Covid, there are still some options in Cabo Rojo. Moreover, in the beach towns of Boqueron and La Parguera there are plenty of places to choose from!

The Pinchos

At most of the beaches and the beach towns you can find plenty of "pinchos" (shish kebab). They make for the perfect snack, and are quick and easy! Our personal favorite is the tiburon! (shark).

The Fresh Acai & Smoothies

There's nothing like beating the heat with some Acai or a smoothie. There are plenty of great spots to stop for this nutritious and refreshing option. Although Acai isn't native to Puerto Rico, it is definitely easy to find.

Green Bowls

Speaking of Acai, Green bowls is a great place for that! Not only acai, but they have such an impressive menu of breakfast items, flatbreads, sandwiches, and coffee concoctions!

Don't have a car and want to experience all that Cabo Rojo has to offer? Here are a few tours that you can choose from:

Have we convinced you to go to Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico yet? All you need is to rent a car and head over on your next trip! Don't worry- renting a car in Puerto Rico is easy. Here is everything you need to know.

Need help planning your next trip? Let us help! We're dedicated to helping travelers explore more and save money in the process. Unlike normal travel agents, we don't have hidden fees, and use only family run boutique spots. Want to learn more? Take a peak at the different  travel planning packages that we have.

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