Puerto Rico: Arenales River Caving & Cueva del Indio Day Trip

Summary

Swim turquoise rivers explore ancient caves and taste Puerto Rican food

You’ll swim in turquoise rivers surrounded by jungle, float through cool tunnels at Arenales with a local guide, eat real Puerto Rican food for lunch, then walk windswept cliffs at Cueva del Indio where ancient carvings wait in stone. It’s an adventure that lingers long after you rinse off the river water.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the echo — not just from our voices bouncing off the cave walls at Arenales, but from the water itself, slapping softly against rock. We’d barely left San Juan when our guide, Carlos, started telling us stories about the north side of Puerto Rico. He handed me a lifejacket with a grin (“trust me, you’ll want it”), and I could already smell that green, wet jungle air before we even saw the river. There’s something about stepping into cold water when your skin’s still sticky from the drive — wakes you up fast.

I’m not really a cave person (or at least I wasn’t), but floating through that tunnel with sunlight slicing in from above felt weirdly peaceful. The rocks were slick under my hands; I slipped once and Carlos laughed — “¡Tranquila!” he said. The water tasted clean, almost sweet. At one point we all just floated on our backs and watched these tiny birds darting between vines overhead. Lunch came after, somewhere simple but loud with conversation — rice, beans, chicken that tasted smoky and real. I tried to order in Spanish; the woman behind the counter smiled big anyway.

After that we headed to Cueva del Indio. The wind up there is wild — salty from the Atlantic and sharp enough to make you squint. You can see petroglyphs carved right into the stone if you look close (Carlos pointed out faces I’d have missed). There’s history everywhere here; it feels old in a way that sticks with you. My shoes were full of sand by then and honestly I didn’t care. On the way back I kept thinking about how quiet it got inside those caves compared to all that open sky at the end.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore caves and local culture

• Travel north to Arenales Charco Azul
• Explore three cave systems in Indio River
• Swim and float in fresh turquoise water
• Enjoy authentic Puerto Rican lunch
• Visit Cueva del Indio cave
• Learn about native Puerto Rican history
• Explore cave near Atlantic Ocean

Top questions

How long does the Arenales river caving tour last?

The experience lasts up to 8 hours including travel time between locations.

Is lunch included on this day trip from San Juan?

Yes, an authentic Puerto Rican lunch is included during the tour.

Do I need to be physically fit for this activity?

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness.

Are lifejackets provided for swimming?

Yes, lifejackets are provided for all participants.

What caves do we visit on this tour?

You’ll explore three cave systems at Arenales and visit Cueva del Indio.

Does this tour include hotel pickup?

The tour includes transport in an air-conditioned vehicle but check if hotel pickup is available when booking.

Is this suitable for kids or families?

This tour is best for adults or older kids comfortable with swimming and moderate activity.

What’s included

Your day includes air-conditioned transport to both Arenales and Cueva del Indio, all parking fees covered, use of a lifejacket for river caving and swimming, plus a hearty Puerto Rican lunch before heading back in comfort with your guide leading every step.