While making a beeline for botanical gardens when there are flora-rich mountains beckoning might seem counterintuitive, this verdant area on a meander of the Río Caguitas, 4km west of the center on Rte 156, is the rival of any San Juan park. The highlight is an arboretum of plants known and utilized by the Taíno.
Jardín Botánico y Cultural de Caguas
Central Mountains
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
18.45 MILES
El Yunque National Forest is one of Puerto Rico’s crown jewels with nearly 29,000 acres of lush, mountainous terrain scattered with waterfalls, rushing…
Cabezas de San Juan Reserva Natural
29.72 MILES
A nodule of land on Puerto Rico’s northeast tip, this Para La Naturaleza–run reserve protects the Laguna Grande bioluminescent bay, rare flora and fauna,…
16.44 MILES
A star of Old San Juan, brooding El Morro sits atop a headland, deterring would-be attackers. The 140ft walls (some up to 15ft thick) date to 1539 and it…
16.02 MILES
The city's second major fort is one of the largest Spanish-built military installations in the Americas. In its prime, it covered 27 acres with a maze of…
16.15 MILES
This museum presents an impressive overview of cultural development in the Americas, including indigenous, African and European influences. Four permanent…
15.76 MILES
This sheltered arc's raked sand, decent surf breaks, local action and a 17th-century Spanish fort shimmering in the distance are the hallmarks of what's…
15.8 MILES
The St Christopher canyon is so unexpected – both in location and appearance – that it takes many a breath away. The deep green chasm seemingly drops out…
14.37 MILES
San Juan boasts one of the largest and most celebrated art museums in the Caribbean. Housed in a splendid neoclassical building that was once the city’s…
Nearby Central Mountains attractions
1. Centro de Bellas Artes de Caguas
1.67 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…
1.71 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…
1.72 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…
7.93 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…
9.42 MILES
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 …
6. Jardín Botánico de la Universidad de Puerto Rico
10.3 MILES
This 75-acre urban green lung has hiking trails through arches of bamboo leading to a lotus lagoon, an orchid garden with more than 30,000 flowers and a…
7. Museo de Entomología y Biodiversidad Tropical
10.34 MILES
This small but fascinating museum houses one of the largest collections of insects in the Caribbean. The three rooms contain case upon case of winged…
8. Area Recreativa Charco Azul
10.39 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…