Cerro de Punta
Cerro de Punta
4.5
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The tallest mountain is in the center of the island, which at an elevation of 4,389 feet with an area of 3,515 square miles, offers spectacular vistas of the entire island and Caribbean Sea.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
18 reviews
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lengrano
Boston5 contributions
Dec 2011
Cerro de Punta is the highest peak in Puerto Rico, and there is a fantastic view from the top - well worth a visit, especially since you can drive almost to the very top. But here's the crazy thing: there is no sign at all. The pull-off from the main highway (143) is completely unmarked, despite the fact that this attraction is mentioned in many tourbooks. It's supposedly within Toro Negro national forest, but there are no signs even telling you that you've entered the national forest - at least not if you're coming from the West.
The mountain is marked on most maps, so it's easy to get close. But when you get to the turnoff, you think "this can't possibly be it, because it's completely unmarked". But it is. As you're driving east on 143 (a windy but well-maintained highway), as you are passing by what looks to be the highest mountain around, with radio towers on top, you'll see a large gravel/dirt area on the left, with the start of a narrow paved road up the mountain visible from the highway. Pull into this gravel/dirt area. Now, you can either drive or hike up the paved road.
The paved mountain road is narrow and very, very steep, but is in fairly good shape, and pretty short. We made it up in our Nissan Altima rental car with no problem. When you turn off the highway, you're already pretty close to the top, so it only takes 2-3 minutes to drive up the narrow road the rest of the way to the top. Once you start up the narrow road though, you're pretty committed. There's an easy turnaround at the top, but there's no place to turn around until you get there.
Anyway, at the top, you see the radio towers, and a bunch of ominous signs saying no trespassing, etc. However, walk past the towards, staying to the left of them, and eventually, you'll see (on your left) a metal railing along a steep set of rock/concrete stairs leading to the observation platform at the very top of the mountain. Despite the fact that the stairs are mostly covered with vegetation, and no sign at all saying "this way to the peak", you can go up the stairs. At the top is a 10-foot wide concrete platform that's the true peak. It's the base of the highest radio tower. Anyway, from that point, you can see both the Atlantic and the Caribbean, and pretty much most of the island.
A great view that's actually quite easily accessible once you find it.
The mountain is marked on most maps, so it's easy to get close. But when you get to the turnoff, you think "this can't possibly be it, because it's completely unmarked". But it is. As you're driving east on 143 (a windy but well-maintained highway), as you are passing by what looks to be the highest mountain around, with radio towers on top, you'll see a large gravel/dirt area on the left, with the start of a narrow paved road up the mountain visible from the highway. Pull into this gravel/dirt area. Now, you can either drive or hike up the paved road.
The paved mountain road is narrow and very, very steep, but is in fairly good shape, and pretty short. We made it up in our Nissan Altima rental car with no problem. When you turn off the highway, you're already pretty close to the top, so it only takes 2-3 minutes to drive up the narrow road the rest of the way to the top. Once you start up the narrow road though, you're pretty committed. There's an easy turnaround at the top, but there's no place to turn around until you get there.
Anyway, at the top, you see the radio towers, and a bunch of ominous signs saying no trespassing, etc. However, walk past the towards, staying to the left of them, and eventually, you'll see (on your left) a metal railing along a steep set of rock/concrete stairs leading to the observation platform at the very top of the mountain. Despite the fact that the stairs are mostly covered with vegetation, and no sign at all saying "this way to the peak", you can go up the stairs. At the top is a 10-foot wide concrete platform that's the true peak. It's the base of the highest radio tower. Anyway, from that point, you can see both the Atlantic and the Caribbean, and pretty much most of the island.
A great view that's actually quite easily accessible once you find it.
Written 1 January 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mykey1973
Porter, IN11 contributions
We started out early in the morning to attempt to avoid the afternoon clouds. It worked ! We arrived at the base of the mountain and parked in the large lot below. I suppose you could drive up but it has rained the night before and the road was very slippery. We decided to hike it to the top. It took about 25 min and its a very steep walk. Do not wear flip flops! Once at the top you'll walk past some buildings and on your left you'll find the staircase that takes you to the very top. Amazing views in all directions! Keep in mind the temperature change will be dramatic lol. When we started our drive it was 84 degrees . At the top at the end of our hike it was 60 degrees! It's a good thing it's cool you'll work up a good sweat hiking up! Clean fresh air at the top of the world! :)
Written 9 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dianne C
5 contributions
As the others said; the place is unmarked. The road is quite confusing. Just when we were about to give up, we saw them...the three towers!! BEWARE, there are many towers in this mountainous path, but there are three that WILL stand out. Although some may say it is safe to hike, it could be very dangerous..their isn't an actual trail, it's more of a road. Where you are likely to get run over by speeding drivers. Overall the tedious journey was worth it. If only for that spectacular view at the end. CAUTION, it can get rather foggy on cloudy days, making it difficult to appreciate the scenic beauty. The towers actually kinda block some of the view. Don't think about it twice, once you get there you will feel like you're conquering the island being the highest of them all..
Written 15 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edwin_Almodovar
Puerto Rico74 contributions
One of the few places were you can breathe fresh air, enjoy the scenery and be as close to the clouds as you can get in Puerto Rico. It is the highest peak in the island at 4,389 ft (1338 m). The way to the peak is unique so you are up for a thrill.
Written 23 March 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gringuilla
Puerto Rico19 contributions
Jul 2012 • Family
As mentioned in another review, the place is unmarked. However, if you follow the highway 143 (coming from Ponce/Adjuntas), there is a parking lot on the left about 5-10 minutes after you pass the intersection with 511 on the right. You can see the three towers from this point. You can take your car up the road from the parking lot, but it is a little steep. If not, it's a 20-25 minute hike for someone who is in decent shape. After passing the three towers, there are some stairs that will take you to the summit. We got there around sunset and there was a fog rolling in, so we could only see the sea to the south. However, the smell of the greenery, the sound of the coqui, and the view was definitely worth the hike. The place is very solitary but seems quiet enough; that said, you may want to drive up or walk in a group for security reasons.
Written 7 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Evelyn C
Warwick, RI137 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
I found this place because we where lost looking for something else... And let me tell you the finding where remarkable. Wow! The view and the beauty is very secretly kept at heart. I wish to have had a great camera on hand because this place blew me away. The more we kept climbing up the air was cool and refreshing. I did hit some dense fog but this was Jurassic Park all over again for me. You will find some places to dine and enjoy a drink but never mind that it is the view that has capture my heart. You must hit these mountains.
Written 20 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Olivia P
Denver, CO33 contributions
Nov 2014 • Family
We came from the north side of the island (took i10 south to 143), it was a really pretty drive. The parking lot for the last bit to the top can be a little confusing to find. You'll see a gravel parking lot to your left and there are 3 antenna towers above you. We thought that the road to the top would be too bad to drive, so I sent my husband and sister hiking to the top to check it out while I waited in the car with our toddler. It was a steep hike up and the road was actually not that bad. The worst part of it is right at the beginning, if you get past that first bumpy part, it's not bad at all. My husband called from the top and said to drive up. I made it up there pretty easily in an Elantra. The view from the top was really pretty, but we could only see a limited distance because of the fog, and one direction was completely foggy :(. We figured it would be that way, it was still a fun drive! Definitely try and plan to make it up there as early in the day as possible to miss the fog. It was about a 1 hour and 15 minute drive from Arecibo.
Written 9 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eric P
San Juan, Puerto Rico58 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
After spending the night at a coffee plantation nearby, we decided to try reaching the top of Cerro Punta, tallest peak on the island. The plantation owners said it should be no trouble reaching the top by car....Wrong!!! Try it Only if you have a 4 wheel drive with good tires. You can easily reach the access road from Route 143, right at boundary between Ponce and Jayuya municipalities. I tried driving up, but the tires started spinning on gravel once I had only driven about 100 meters. Luckily I had enough room to turn around; had I been stubborn enough to push onwards, could have gotten stuck with no place to go. It’s easy enough to climb by foot from the base, if you’re in decent shape physically. Don’t try it if you’re easily fatigued, as you have to walk up a steep slope for 30 minutes. Bring a water bottle per person. At the top you’ll have a panoramic view of the island, next to 2 huge antenna towers. Go in the morning for clearer and cooler weather. Stop frequently in the shade and look at the plants and wildlife.
Written 31 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BearMom8
Boynton Beach, FL8 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Park by the main road. Hike up is about a mile. Do not attempt to drive up. The road is very narrow and looks washed out. Huge craters and loose gravel.
I am sharing the photos of the road for those who are thinking of driving up.
I am sharing the photos of the road for those who are thinking of driving up.
Written 27 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aaron R
6 contributions
Oct 2019
We added this to the end of a day at the Arecibo Observatory, however, it was almost 2 hours from there! The section of 143 leading to this is now littered with severe potholes. The road up to the top is partially washed out in some sections and it would be very easy to get a regular car stuck up there. I would recommend a 4-wheel drive vehicle using low gear. The road is pretty slick and gravel-ridden, so if you're going up in the rain (or going to go down in the rain) 4-wheel drive with low gear is NECESSARY. We rented a Wrangler, so this was no problem. The view at the top was pretty spectacular. One side of the high point was obscured by cloud cover, but it was still quite beautiful up there. The temperature difference was more substantial than we imagined! It was 60F in the early evening and 78F down in San Juan when we got back a couple of hours after dark. There are several points on the switch-backs where you could fit two vehicles. So if you encounter a vehicle while driving up or down, It won't be too difficult to find a place for either of you to pull out. Just remember to honk around the blind corners so they know you're coming. We also caught a pretty incredible sunset on the way out. You'll enjoy the view if you make it up there!
Written 14 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How do I get there using public transportation?
Written 30 May 2015
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