Arenales River Caving, Waterfall &Tropical Forest Secret Spring
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
San Juan, Puerto Rico
- 7 to 8 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Embark on an adventurous day of hiking, river trekking, and floating through caves and natural pools on this small-group excursion to the Arenales Caves. Experience optional cliff jumping, swim through breathtaking limestone canyons, and explore unique rock formations and lush tropical forests. Discover hidden waterfalls and hike to a secluded natural spring with pristine water, learning about local flora along the way. Note: guests must be able to swim.
- Explore rivers, caves, a waterfall, and a natural spring in one tour
- Life jackets and insightful info from your tour guides are provided
- Avoid the crowds with an early start and discover local spots
- A small group says means a safer and more intimate experience
What's Included
- Life Vests if requested
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Bottled water
- Parking Fees
- Gratuities
- Lunch
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to your preferred meeting point, or request pickup.
Operating hours.7:00 am
Itinerary
Combine nature and adventure, and escape the crowds of San Juan, on this full-day tour with a certified tour guide. With numbers capped at just 13 travelers, you’ll enjoy a more intimate experience.
Pickup from select San Juan hotels is provided to start off your day. Soak up the scenery as you travel by air-conditioned vehicle to Arenales Cave. Don your life jacket and follow your guide along a river trail before jumping in a swimming in the river as it flows downstream, through an underground cave and other interesting formations.
Refuel with lunch at a local restaurant (own expense) in Manati. Afterwards, head to a nature reserve to hike to a hidden natural spring in the forest. Enjoy a refreshing dip before heading back to San Juan.
Pickup from select San Juan hotels is provided to start off your day. Soak up the scenery as you travel by air-conditioned vehicle to Arenales Cave. Don your life jacket and follow your guide along a river trail before jumping in a swimming in the river as it flows downstream, through an underground cave and other interesting formations.
Refuel with lunch at a local restaurant (own expense) in Manati. Afterwards, head to a nature reserve to hike to a hidden natural spring in the forest. Enjoy a refreshing dip before heading back to San Juan.
1
Vega Baja
3 hours • Admission Ticket Free
2
Manati
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
3
Manati
1 hour 15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have a strong physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 13 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
James_W
This is a must on your next trip to Puerto Rico. If you love the outdoors and nature, you will be floored with this one. Its worth doing the 7am one because you get to enjoy before the crowds. Yamile was 100 out of 10 for a tour guide, super fun and nice and answered any questions we had. Swimming in the caves and under the waterfalls, a beautiful nature walk with the nicest swimming hole I've ever seen in my life, the water is clearer than the water coming out of your own homes faucet. Absolutely heavenly.
Reviews
5.0
based on 1,714 reviews
Jarrod_S, May 2026
What did one say about this incredible adventure? We would say it was absolutely amazing! Yamile was an exceptional guide. We had a fantastic ride to and from our pickup spot in the charming old San Juan, in a beautiful and clean van. She shared fascinating insights along the way. Upon arrival, we had an amazing time. Yamile took pictures throughout the day and concluded our journey with a fantastic local restaurant. At the end of the day, she returned us to our hotel, and we now consider her our Puerto Rican cousin. We eagerly anticipate returning with our family next year to experience this adventure once again.
Danelle_H, May 2026
Our guide, Yamile, was so sweet and so entertaining. What we loved most about the tour is that we got to see the real Puerto Rico and not just tourist traps. We saw beautiful caves, rock formations, a natural spring, and stopped at an amazing local-favorite lunch spot for TRUE Puerto Rican food. We lucked out as our fellow travelers were just as nice as Yamile. If you looked like you were going to lose your balance, there was always somewhere there to lend a hand or offer encouragement. Yamile was very thorough with her instructions and ensured we were always being safe. I even received a call from her the night prior to ensure we packed accordingly (change of clothes, towel, water shoes, waterproof phone pouch), and I was briefed on what to expect. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Puerto Rico!
Someshwar_R, Apr 2026
Loved loved loved Yamille, she took care of us really well. Can’t fully describe the experience but it’s definite must do for sure
Carlyn_W, Apr 2026
Absolutely unforgettable adventure, through gorgeous forest canyons and water features. The early morning is a must for avoiding the crowds, you get the river and forest to yourselves. Yamile was incredibly knowledgeable, thoughtful, organized and safe. The lunch was delicious and the van was comfortable. She will take great pics the whole way and get them to you before you leave. This tour is well worth the money. If you go outside of summer months I would wear a shirt in the water to stay a bit warmer. She will send lots of helpful info before and call to check in! You are so well cared for on this trip.
Rebecca_H, Apr 2026
DO IT. DO IT. DO IT! probably the best thing you could book. The location is superb and just so beautiful. The water is a bit chilly when you first get in but feels amazing once you are used to it. No mosquitoes or other annoying bugs, just serene nature. The high cliffs and forest canopy keep you cool and out of the sun (no need for sunblock). Yamile is a wonderful guide and super knowledgeable.
Wengfay_H, Mar 2026
Yamile was fun and attentive throughout the experience! She has a lot of experience and insight to share with the group.
If you are someone who tends to get cold easily, I recommend dressing warmly (think yoga pants and a long sleeve athletic shirt). Yamile wore athletic leggings and a wetsuit top. Sunlight doesn't really reach the ravine where you will be and the water is chilly.
We started the day with a ~1 hour drive to the caves. We parked at a house near the trail entrance where there is a bathroom. At this point only take what can get wet. We drank water, went to the bathroom, and left everything in the van, including water bottles and phones (except for those of us with a waterproof phone pouch). We walked down a quite steep paved road to the trail head and headed down into the ravine/creek. We quickly started walking into the water which was cold but not overbearing at first. We kept walking until the water got too deep at which point we swam. The swimming throughout was never too intense and we stopped a lot to look around and take pictures. We first stopped to go up on a water surface level rock and jump into the water. We then swam under the first cave formation and looked around. Then we climbed up on the rock and got the opportunity to jump into the water. These jumps were pretty high, not everyone did it. The rest of the time we walked in and out of water as we moved along the river way and went into different caves. One cave contained bats that we looked at. There was a ~15 minute swim through one cave in the dark (with a flashlight) to see the other entrance of the cave. We got one more opportunity to jump off an overhanging rock into water below before heading back to the van. The rock climb at the very end before heading out is the most precarious as the path isn't very wide and it felt necessary to hold on to the rock face to avoid falling. There is a rope there but it is not securely attached and you should not depend on it. This part took ~2 hours. Back in the van, we changed into clean and dry shoes but kept our wet clothes on. We got limbers (a type of Popsicle) from the house we parked at for a few dollars before driving off to a very casual restaurant where we ate lunch ($10-20) for ~30 minutes. At the restaurant, most of us changed into dry clothes. The trip ended with an easy hike after a quick drive from the restaurant. The feature of the hike was a beautiful natural spring with striking clear and blue water. Some swam in the spring. We spent about 20 minutes there. We then drove back to San Juan which took about 30 minutes.
Ryan_M, Mar 2026
This experience was fun and very enjoyable. The guide was very friendly and knowledgeable (also very talkative, it’s a PR trait) lol. Would recommend for families and travelers a like. Well worth it!!!!
carlyn_c, Mar 2026
We absolutely loved the trip! Enjoyed getting there early and being in the water and caves before the crowds! Also appreciated the tour guides knowledge and that she took so many pictures and shared them with us after the trip for free!
Francisco_C, Mar 2026
Yamile was an absolutely amazing guide on our Arenales River Caving, Waterfall & Tropical Forest Secret Spring tour in Puerto Rico. From the moment we started, she made us feel completely engaged and excited about the experience. Her energy was contagious, and she kept the entire group involved every step of the way.
One of the most special parts for me was how she spoke to us in Spanish throughout the tour it truly made my heart full and added such an authentic and personal touch to the experience. You can tell she genuinely cares about what she does and about the people she’s guiding.
Yamile was also incredibly knowledgeable, sharing so much about the area, while always making sure we felt safe and supported. On top of that, she was funny and brought such a great vibe to the whole adventure.
I couldn’t have asked for a better guide—highly recommend her to anyone looking for an unforgettable experience in Puerto Rico!
Reagan_D, Mar 2026
This was such an incredible experience! Well worth the price. This was our favorite excursion we did in PR; Yamille was energetic, thoughtful, and made sure everyone was doing well. She was super respectful of everyone’s energy level without letting it get to dull even when we were tired. She provided a wealth of information and we only wish we had done our rainforest tour with her as well. This was so fun but be warned it is a hike. Rocks are slippery, paths are kind of awkward, but it is totally worth it!
Thi_B, Mar 2026
Awesome family adventure! We’ve done many tours, but this particular one stands out because of Yamile, our guide. She’s so passionate about her job, attentive with everyone’s safety, descriptive about all the things we were experiencing. This tour is definitely a highlight of our journey in Puerto Rico. We cliff dived in the caves where my husband lost his Apple Watch. Another guide was able to retrieve it and delivered it to him while we were eating lunch! Yamile was great helping us order lunch instead of us using google translate. We truly appreciate her service and hospitality. She’s also compassionate because she asked us to save our leftovers for all the little stray dogs we saw on our way to the 2nd hike. Hands down, I would 100% recommend this tour because of the exceptional service by Yamile.
Yadi_X, Mar 2026
We had such a wonderful time on the Arenales Caves & River tour. Exploring the caves and river was a really unique experience and a highlight of our trip to Puerto Rico.
Our guide Yamile was fantastic — so friendly, enthusiastic, and welcoming. She made the whole group feel comfortable and made the tour really fun. It honestly felt like exploring with a local friend.
She also helped take beautiful photos for us and made sure everyone was safe and enjoying the experience.
Highly recommend this tour if you’re visiting Puerto Rico!
Michael_S, Feb 2026
Swimming through the caves was an awesome experience and our host Gabriel “Gabo” was outstanding! I recommend this to anyone wanting a unique adventure.
Leonardi_G, Feb 2026
Unique and fun experience to do in Puerto Rico! It does require some physical ability but Yamille is very knowledgeable to guide us through the terrain. Yamille is also very friendly and very passionate about Puerto Rico. As a solo traveller, she also helped the group to take many pictures which is very helpful. Overall one of the best tours in tour!
Anastacia_C, Jan 2026
Highly recommend! We learned so much about the history and tried new things we definitely wouldn’t have tried without Yamile’s guidance. This was the highlight of our 7 day PR trip.
Jamar_K, Jan 2026
I have done multiple tours with Yamile and her company Puerto Rico as a Local over the past few year because of the amazing experience I alway have. Her tours are always the highlight of my time in Puerto Rico. This time I had the pleasure of having Enrique as our guide and he did not disappoint. He is knowledgeable, friendly, and kept the same energy that Yamile provides. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting San Juan, or any tour Puerto Rico as a Local offers.
David_K, Jan 2026
Fantastic! Exceeded my expectations and I had high expectations. The views were amazing. The tour guide was very fun and knowledgeable. We did more than other similar tours. We were the first tour there so we had the place to ourselves for most of the time. We didn’t use tubes like other tours (recommend not using tubes since the tubes take up too much space in the narrow river and look cumbersome). I specifically picked this tour because it didn’t use tubes.
najeeford21, Jan 2026
Our tour guide Yamile was absolutely amazing and very knowledgeable! She was the best tour guide ever I would highly recommend! She keeps it very fun and safe this was the best tour I’ve been on so far in Puerto Rico
Qisi_L, Jan 2026
This was such an unforgettable and fun experience! The water was definitely cold (as expected in the river and caves), but that actually made it even more exciting and refreshing. We swam through the river wearing life jackets, walked through the water, explored multiple caves, and even jumped into the water at certain spots. There were waterfalls inside the caves, which was absolutely beautiful and unique.
Our guide, Yamile, was amazing. She was very friendly, patient, and professional, and made everyone feel safe and comfortable the entire time. She guided us carefully through the water, explained everything clearly, and kept the atmosphere fun and relaxed. You can really tell she cares about her guests and loves what she does.
This tour was adventurous, well organized, and suitable even if you’re not an experienced swimmer because of the life jackets and guidance. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Puerto Rico — it’s a perfect mix of adventure, nature, and fun. Thank you, Yamile, for such a great day!
BRIAN_B, Jan 2026
Yamilla is an amazing and passionate tour guide with a lot of experience. I’ve been on many excursions in San Juan and highly recommend this tour!
James_B, Jan 2026
Yamile was awesome. Best tour guide we've ever had. She made us feel welcome and like we were part of the family. The tour was really fun and informative and we learned about Puerto Rican food and culture as well. We liked that the group size was not too large. Definitely recommend!
Alan_S, Dec 2025
Yamile is excellent! She’s knowledgeable, friendly, and very organized. This was a wonderful experience! Please read all of the information given; Yamile is very thorough. We would go again!
Amanda_S, Dec 2025
Our river and cave experience with Enrique was excellent. He’s very knowledgeable and shared a lot about the history and culture of Puerto Rico, and it’s clear how proud he is of where he’s from. That perspective really added depth to the experience.
I brought my son on this trip as something special for us to do together and as a way to push him a little outside of his comfort zone. Enrique created an environment that made that possible — supportive, encouraging, and never pressured. We ended up cheering each other on and jumping into the river from a small cliff (not very high, but still a little scary), which turned into one of the highlights of our trip.
What stood out most was Enrique as a person. He brought real care and energy to the group and genuinely wanted everyone to have a meaningful experience. During a reflection exercise about our travel companions, I jokingly suggested he do one about us — and he did, thoughtfully and sincerely. That kind of emotional presence isn’t something you expect on a tour, and it made the experience especially memorable.
We learned a lot, felt well taken care of, and left with great memories. Enrique is a fantastic guide, and I’d highly recommend this experience.
Nehal_D, Dec 2025
The guide was so friendly and made this an excellent experience! The natural caves were very cool and we could not have navigated them alone
Kimberly_M, Dec 2025
We took a day excursion to the caves. Jamille was a fantastic guide! Very nice van for our transportation. She was very friendly. She helped us along the trip on where to step more safely, what local food we might like, and also taught us about different trees and plants native to the area.
Stephanie_B, Nov 2025
This is one of the best tours I’ve been on… and I travel a lot!
We unfortunately had a tire blow out on the highway, while on our way to the excursion and while it did take a few extra hours to rectify the issue, the owner did not cancel the tour and deferred to us if we wanted to wait and still do the tour, which we all did! Most other tour companies would have canceled ending up with it being a waste of a day. She was extremely kind and gracious during the situation and I’m so glad we continued with the tour!
The hike was definitely not for amateurs or anyone with endurance or walking challenges but very doable and enjoyable if you are physically able! Stunning scenery and being able to swim through caves and see multiple waterfalls was phenomenal!
Stefanie_T, Nov 2025
Physical ability is not an issue, you walk up and down wet rocks and through winding tree formations also with slippery terrain, so agility and balance are imperative.
Paola_K, Oct 2025
This tour was so magical I’ve been to Puerto Rico many times but I have never seen it like this. The nature is breathtaking and swimming in the caves was surreal. Our amazing tour guide Yamile treated us like her family she educated us, fed us( at the most authentic local spot), took care of us through every turn and gave us so many pictures that we will hold forever. 10/10 recommend,reach out directly to Yamile for this tour and other tours she does on the island.
Tamra_L, Oct 2025
What a blast! We have taken this tour twice! It was so fun the first time we did it again with some friends. Each time was a little different as the time of year was not the same, made it an exciting trip both times. Swimming into caves and hiking through rivers, such a cool way to see some of the most beautiful parts of Puerto Rico. We also learned so much about the area, people and culture.
Ivy_F, Oct 2025
Enrique was awesome, he went above and beyond. Our family had a great time. We highly recommend them.
From $125.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Arenales River Caving, Waterfall &Tropical Forest Secret Spring
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