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.
Start time.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 1,758 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Jamie_C, Jul 2026
Such a great day. Started out at 7 am (and I’m glad we went early to beat the crowds we had the whole place to ourselves!) drove about an hour and hiked and swam. It was so beautiful and peaceful. Our guide was so knowledgeable about Puerto Rico and taught us so many things while hiking. She showed us how to go over all the rocks safely and best and safest spots for our kids to jump into the water. Then we had a great lunch where she helped us order and then a short nature walk to a small swimming hole. Then back to San Juan. Easily the best excursion I’ve ever taken. Communication before the tour was also excellent. Do yourself a favor and do this tour!!!
Rebecca_T, Jul 2026
Highly highly highly recommend!! Yamile is a wonderful tour guide. She so knowledgeable and fun. She took safety precautions, explained everything, and answered any questions. She has a wealth of knowledge and you can see how much she loves what she does. She is a great steward of the outdoors. I did my homework before choosing this tour and was so glad I did, it was fantastic. She offers several different tours, we did the Arenales Cave, River Trekking and Natural Spring Adventure.
Sonia_O, Jul 2026
Our favorite trip of our whole wonderful vacation to PR! Yamile is the sweetest, most caring and knowledgeable guide you could ask for. The caves were absolutely breathtaking and she took us to places we would have never found if we went on our own. On top of they, she took hundreds of pictures and shared them all! She made sure our day was perfect. Thank you so much!!
Jennifer_G, Jul 2026
10000/10. Don’t hesitate to book this excursion.Yamile was amazing and we truly enjoyed every second of our adventure. Pick up and drop off was very convenient. An absolute must do when you’re in Puerto Rico.
Brian_C, Jul 2026
Yamille was such a fun guide! She was so informative and fun. I highly recommend this tour. Absolutely great value, and she starts early to avoid the crowds and other tour groups. She also picked a great authentic place for lunch that we wouldn't have found on our own, and even gave us some great recommendations of places to stop on our drive to Rincon later in the week. What a great experience!
Viviana_T, Jun 2026
This was an amazing experience. Yamile was a great guide and she had us cracking up the whole time. It was worth going early to avoid the crowds. The lunch was tasty then the walk to the crystal clear swimming hole after was fun. Definitely recommend this tour and we’ll book it again next time we come back.
Aracelis_D, May 2026
This tour is a "must do"!!!! Don't overthink about it, just do it!! This has been one of the best experiences I have ever had in my life, not just because it was fun the whole time, but it was also challenging, in a good way, and what made it even better was Yamile and her joyful, friendly personality who made you feel like family and safe with her the whole time! You will encounter beautiful scenary all throughout and Yamile, who is a certified tour guide ( that makes a huge difference) does an excellent job educating you about the history and nature of the plants and caves you will see. It was an unforgetable experience and Yamile was nice enough to take pictures and videos of everyone. I am not a strong swimmer but felt safe with the life jacket and really enjoyed the entire trip, so if you're not that good of a swimmer don't let that stop you from doing the tour. I highly recommend this tour with Yamile. You will not regret it!! I know I will definitely go back and do other tours with her in the future.
Natasha_B, May 2026
Yamile was an excellent tour guide. She was warm, friendly and very caring. This was my 4th trip to PR and this was my favorite excursion ever! I have never seen anything like the caves and natural springs we saw. Yamile’s knowledge of nature and history left me wanting to learn so much more.
Brina_Y, May 2026
This was so amazing, this tour had so many beautiful scenery! If you want to experience the real deal Puerto Rico please do this tour!
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!
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per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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