Puerto Rico’s Top Springs
There’s so much to do when visiting the beautiful tropics of Puerto Rico. Top attractions include the historic Old San Juan, the unique El Yunque National Forest, and stunning beaches like Flamenco Beach. But there are also a few springs that most people never see.
Several accessible freshwater springs on the island are worth visiting. Four are relatively small pools of cool, fresh water located close together. One is a waterfall, and the other is a developed hot spring facility. These locations often fly under the radar of visitors to the island.
Coamo Hot Springs
Coamo thermal pools located in the southern city of Coamo are the only hot springs in Puerto Rico. An employee will greet you and check you in at the entrance. They’ll direct you to the shop to pay the entrance fee – five dollars per person ($3.50 for residents).
The property is well-landscaped and located next to a small stream. Decorative trees, bushes, and flowers surround the two pools. One pool is around 95º and the other 105º.
Go in the spring and everything is in bloom, butterflies and hummingbirds fly from flower to flower. Hidden speakers play calming spa music like chimes and ambient noise.
They encourage guests to speak softly. It’s a genuinely relaxing experience. Despite pavilions providing shade for both pools, I would skip this spot in the heat of the day and instead visit in the morning or evening.
There are plenty of guest houses to stay at nearby. But for families, we loved Villa Las Tres Gaviotas I in Salinas which offers a spacious villa with three bedrooms and three bathrooms. The property features a living room and family rooms, ensuring comfort for all guests.
The villa provides free WiFi, air-conditioning, and a fully equipped kitchen with a refrigerator, microwave, oven, stovetop, and toaster. Additional amenities include a washing machine, balcony, patio, and dining table.
Salto Collazo
This waterfall is fed by a natural spring in the mountains of San Sebastian. The cold water fills a shallow pool and runs under a bridge before dropping off in a much taller waterfall into a deeper pool below. I’m not sure if the lower pool is accessible.
You can park right on the bridge and walk down to the base of the falls. What makes this spot unique is the impressive buildup of calcium carbonate under the falls and downriver. Where you would expect to find a stream bed filled with river rocks, instead you find a smooth surface that looks more like a paved road with an inch or two of water running over the tan rock.
Stay at Hotel Libertad in Lares which offers air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms, tea and coffee makers, work desks, showers, and TVs. Each room includes a balcony with pool or city views, a dining area, and a wardrobe.
Tortugero Spring
A freshwater spring down a rocky dirt road in Vega Baja, not far from the other natural freshwater springs. The clear, cool water pumps out of a hole in the rock to fill a pretty large spring.
It looks like a short, circular wall was constructed to trap the water before it runs into the rest of the pond where it quickly gets murky.
You can see tropical fish swimming around, it seems like they prefer to stick close to the mouth of the spring. After 20 or 30 min of lounging in the spring by myself, I turned around to see a caiman cruising through the water behind me. Stay alert and enjoy!
Stay Steps from Where Bad Bunny Once Studied! in Vega Baja this place offers a one-bedroom apartment with a balcony. The property features air-conditioning, a fully equipped kitchen, and a TV.
Nearby you can hike/swim through a blue water Caynon in Charco Azul, do cliff jumps and explore caves
Zanja Fría
This natural spring is located the furthest west, in the municipality of Arecibo. It is fairly large, second only to Ojo de Agua spring. The water was clear and refreshing. The hike to get there was around 15 minutes. The water from the spring runs into a nearby lagoon.
The natural pool is formed from springs, and this spring water is clear and cold. The pool is not huge, but you can easily swim, play, and cool off no problem! It is about 4-5 feet deep.
Near Arecibo you can also visit Cueva del Indio, Gozalandia Falls, and one of Aguadilla's beaches.
Stay overnight at Casa cayito l which offers direct beachfront access and stunning sea views. The pet friendly apartment features air-conditioning, a fully equipped kitchenette, washing machine. Additional amenities include a dining area, sofa bed, and free WiFi, ensuring a comfortable stay.
Guayaney Spring
A natural spring flows from the ground in Manatí that fills a crystal clear pool. It is not deep – around 7 feet deep at the deepest spot. The hike to it is short and the spring is easy to miss as the sign marking it was removed.
Look for it on the right of the trail. If you arrive at some caves you have gone too far. If you walk for over 15 min you have likely gone too far. The parking is a little tricky, there is a city ordinance making it illegal to park in all the closest spots. We parked on a side road a short walk from the trailhead.
Stay nearby at the El Flamingo Beach Club in Manati, then take a canoe trip nearby at the Tortuguero Lagoon Natural Reserve, where you can see birds, monkeys, alligators, sloths, manatees.
