Camping

Puerto Rico abounds in sandy beaches and forested hillsides that are suitable for erecting a tent. It is best and safest to camp only in the sites maintained by the government-sponsored Companias de Parques Nacionales. Some of these are simple places where you erect your own tent, although they are outfitted with electricity and running water; some are simple cabins, sometimes with fireplaces. Showers are communal. To stay at a campsite costs between $15 and $25 per night per tent. For more information and an application to rent one of the units or reserve a site, call tel. 787/622-5200.

Many sites offer very basic cabins for rent. Each cabin is equipped with a full bathroom, a stove, a refrigerator, two beds, and a table and chairs. However, most of your cooking will probably be tastier if you do it outside at one of the on-site barbecues. In nearly all cases, you must provide your own sheets and towels.

You might want to camp along or near a lovely beach. On the western coast of Puerto Rico, the best camping site is Tres Hermanos Beach, which opens onto Anasco Bay, lying between Rincón to the north and Mayagüez to the south.

Heading west from San Juan en route to Isabella, there are two excellent beach camps: Cerro Gordo, east of the city of Arecibo, and Punta Maracayo, to the west of Arecibo, both reached along Route 22. The Atlantic waters here can be turbulent, even in summer.

If you'd like to camp in the east of Puerto Rico, the finest site is the beach at Seven Seas to the south of Fajardo.

Arroyo on the southern coast to the east of the town of Guayama is yet another site on mainland Puerto Rico that has both cabins and regular campsites, although this location is a bit bare-boned.

Both Culebra and Vieques offer camping by the beach. The best for camping on Culebra is Flamenco Beach, on the north shore. On Vieques, the best beach camping is at Sun Bay, on the island's south coast.

For information about camping on or near a beach, call tel. 787/721-2800.

Puerto Rico also allows camping in various state forests, provided that permits are obtained. Except for cabins at Monte Guilarte State Forest, which cost $20 per night, camping sites are available at $5 per person. For further information about permits, call the forest service office at San Juan Bay Marina (tel. 787/724-3724).

There are seven major on-island camping sites in various state forests: Cambalache State Forest, near Barceloneta; Carite State Forest, near Patillas; Guajataca State Forest, near Quebradillas; Monte Guilarte State Forest, near Adjuntas; Susua State Forest, near Yauco; Río Abajo State Forest, near Arecibo; and our favorite, Toro Negro Forest Reserve, near Villaba, where you can camp in the shadow of Puerto Rico's highest peaks.

In addition, the Caribbean National Forest/El Yunque allows primitive camping within the rainforest. For more information, call tel. 787/888-1880.

It's also possible to camp at either of two wildlife refuges, Isla de Mona Wildlife Refuge (tel. 787/724-3724), lying some 50 miles (81km) off the rough seas of Mona Passage, and at Lago Lucchetti Wildlife Refuge (tel. 787/844-4660), between Yauco and Ponce.

The Parks and Recreation Association of Puerto Rico (tel. 787/721-2800) can provide you with a map and detailed instructions about how to reach all these sites.