While scanning the Internet for a new area to explore in Puerto Ricco, I read about Cueva Arenales and Charco Azul on Tripadvisor, Puerto Rico Daytrips and Puerto Rico as a Local. After some discussion with my husband, who is always concerned about keeping us safe on these trips, we decided to go and we are both glad we did.

We headed to Veja Baha at about 8AM on a Saturday in December. The trail entrance is about an hour from our home. The last half hour is on narrow local roads so take your time around the turns. I noticed both Flamboyan and Tulip trees and other bushes in bloom, so this area definitely has its own micro-climate.

We easily found the home/farm that now provides parking and bathroom facilities to visitors for the small sum of $5. Emmanuel was friendly and gave us a tour of his fruit farm, his father sold us pitoro (moonshine rum flavored with fruit – easy to drink but with a powerful punch) and his brother gave us a lunch recommendation.

When we arrived, there was a tour group preparing to set out. While it is convenient to have a guide, we were glad to not be part of a noisy, giggly group of American tourists. And we did not pay over $100 each to be there!

We set off before the group, glad to have brought our life vests which are highly recommended. The walk down to the river was very steep. (We later met a couple who aborted the trip because the husbands’ knees could not handle the descent.) Coming back up was harder, but it is not very long.

We took a backpack with us which got wet, but our phones were in a waterproof sack and did fine. It was nice to have water and snacks with us.

We overheard the guide tell her tour group that they would clap before they entered the cave to scare away any bats. We did but did not see any bats or evidence of them.

Nature is best experienced in silence – we listened to the flowing water and were awestruck by the power it took to create these caverns. Seriously, go early and on a weekday to avoid the crowds. It is not a large space.

We swam through the caves and hiked the river for a bit then headed back. At that point the tour group was in the caves. The guide showed the group a safe spot to jump into the pool. We did not do this, but we climbed into the upper chambers of the cave and looked down on the bluish green water. It was surreal and exhilarating. There was a giant elephant year plant suspended in the air

It was an overcast day, so we did not have to worry about protecting ourselves from the sun. We both wore rash guard shirts that kept us warm. If you are worried about scraping your legs, leggings are helpful. Wear sandals or sneakers with good treads, the rocks were slippery.