Centro Educativo Amigos de las Tortugas Marinas

El Yunque & East Coast


A project of the nonprofit ATMAR, this one-room nature center is jam-packed with exhibits on Puerto Rico's various sea turtles. Skulls, shells and even unhatched eggs help to round out the written information and videos. Bilingual staff guide visitors through the room, sharing facts and anecdotes. ATMAR also conducts night patrols to spot nesting leatherbacks in season (weekends from mid-April to mid-June), and in June and July they release the newborns into the sea. Email for dates and times.

The center also has a conference room that accommodates 25 people and two bedrooms for interns and researchers; it's possible to volunteer during the nesting and hatching season.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby El Yunque & East Coast attractions

1. Reserva Natural Humedal Punta Tuna

0.42 MILES

This lush wetland reserve spans 1.4 miles of coastline, just north of the Faro Punta Tuna. Interpretive trails through the mangroves and along the beach…

2. Faro Punta Tuna

1.25 MILES

Named after the prickly pears that once covered the area, this historic lighthouse makes for a scenic stop. Built in 1892, it is perched high above the…

3. Balneario

11.17 MILES

A scruffy but uncrowded strip of beach near the Centro Vacacional Punta Guilarte. Be aware that the waters here do suffer from pollution. It’s about 3km…

5. Area Recreativa Charco Azul

12.2 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…

6. Antigua Casa de Aduana

12.73 MILES

The elaborately carved former customs house is filled with Morse memorabilia. Call ahead as hours vary and the building is often closed for ‘renovations.’

7. Area Recreativa Real Patillas

12.77 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…

8. Playa Humacao

13.44 MILES

Where the letters spell out 'Punta Santiago' you leave Naguabo for Humacao and a long sweep of windswept beach, including Playa Punta Santiago and Playa…