Bosque Estatal de Carite

Central Mountains


Bosque Estatal de Carite is a forest reserve located less than an hour's drive south of San Juan. It's most famous for the dozens of lechoneras (restaurants specializing in suckling pig) hugging the northern forest entrance, and for a swimming hole, Charco Azul, in the southern part of the reserve.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Central Mountains attractions

1. Area Recreativa Charco Azul

1.67 MILES

This is a great stop for a picnic if you're passing through the forest, and you can stroll to the Charco Azul natural pool via the appropriately named…

2. Area Recreativa Real Patillas

1.84 MILES

A potential stopping place on Hwy 184 in the southern half of Bosque Estatal de Carite with the standard facilities of areas recreativas (recreational…

3. Area Recreativa Guavate

1.9 MILES

You can stop off at Area Recreativa Guavate at the northern end of the Bosque Estatal de Carite for a spot of sunbathing and birdwatching. It also has…

4. Museo Casa Cautiño

8.81 MILES

On the northern side of the plaza, this museum was built as a criollo-style town house in 1887 to house the wealthy Cautiño family, who profited from cane…

5. Museo del Tobacco

9.17 MILES

Puerto Rico's tobacco industry might be outshone by Cuba's, but the island produced plenty of its own tobacco back in the day, which was then often…

6. Centro de Bellas Artes

9.24 MILES

This fine-arts center stands west of town in the former home of the Puerto Rican High Court. The collection focuses on emerging and established Puerto…

7. Museo de Arte

9.25 MILES

This museum, pleasant for a serendipitous stop, focuses on contemporary art. Most notable is the work by Carlos Osorio, an artist behind the establishment…

8. Centro de Bellas Artes de Caguas

9.29 MILES

On the west side of Calle Luis Padial, spreading along a grand walkway replete with fountains and sculptures, the former premises of the General Cigar…