Looking for a place to keep your kids entertained for a few hours; then look no further. The Arecibo Lighthouse & Historical Park located about 60 minutes west of San Juan will have your children climbing 1/3 scale replica’s of old world sailing ships, visiting a Taino Indian Village, a pirates hideout, small zoo , playground and not forgetting the Arecibo Lighthouse itself. Oh and by the way, your kids won’t be the only ones enjoying the park, you will too.
This is not a huge park, but the grounds are extremely well kept and the coastal and inland views are superb. Unfortunately some of the exhibit descriptions are in Spanish, but there is also information on the guide pamphlet that you receive when you enter the park.
Once you enter the park you receive a guide map (available in English and Spanish). The first area of the park is the small Taino Village. The village consists of seven huts, one of which is the chief’s hut, a stone marked area which would have been the Taino Indians ‘ball field’. The hut at the head of the ‘ball field’ is that of the tribe’s chief and is represented by life sized mannequins of the chief and family.
Next up are the three 1/3 scale replica’s of Columbus’s ships that represent the Spanish Conquest of Puerto Rico. The three ships that are available to board are the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa MarÃa . Your kids will love being able to climb the steps onto the deck of each ship to meet the ships mannequins and pose for photographs.
Just above the three ships is the slightly larger replica of Black Beards Pirate Ship ‘Queen Anne Revenge’. This colorful ship stands out in the park and is sure to be a hit with your kids. Again they can climb the stairs and hangout on the deck.
Note: All four replica ships only allow access to the ship’s deck; there is no option to actual venture into the innards of the ship or climb to the crows nest. Having said that, hanging out on the deck of the various ships is pretty cool and the views of the park and surrounding area are really nice.
Once your kids have had their fill of the ships, it’s time to brave the darkness of the Pirates Cave (Guaride de Piratas). Once inside the cave, you walk along dimly lit tunnels that have various displays depicting pirates doing pirate stuff; drinking, fighting, counting gold, you get the picture. 
Half way through the cave system you arrive at a central aquarium that houses several small sharks and fishes all swimming around a sunken galleon. There are also some smaller aquariums on the wall housing small fish and reptiles.
A WORD OF CAUTION. As you walk passed the first section of the aquarium you will see a large display of the deck a pirate ship. On our cave adventure there was a pirate figure sitting in front of the ship. We initially thought this was just another mannequin until we got closer and it made a sudden hand movement that gave our son a bit of a fright. Turns out this was one of the park employees dressed as a pirate (looking back the extra large head of the pirate should have given the game away). 
Any way, if you have very small kids, you might want to be cautious if you encounter the same pirate figure.
The tunnel continues past a few more displays and ends walking over a wooden bridge with a display of rays in shallow water. The pirate adventure ends at a small gift shop selling pirate gifts and plush animals etc.
Continue up the path to the refreshment area (with bathrooms). This is a small cafeteria selling drinks and typical park foods; nuggets, burgers, fries and various Puerto Rican snacks. Even if you don’t plan on eating, make sure you venture onto the large wooden deck. The views of the Atlantic Ocean and rock formations are impressive (especially if the sea is a little rough). The deck is also a great spot to view the Arecibo Lighthouse.
Once you have had your fill of food and or ocean views, it’s time to make the trek up to the Arecibo Lighthouse. This is a MUST see. 
The walk up to the lighthouse is fairly steep, but the views from the various sections of the lighthouse make the walk really worthwhile. Note: the park has several electric golf karts available that you can request to be taken up to the lighthouse if you think the walk would be too much.
The Arecibo Lighthouse was originally built in 1898, and is in very good condition. The lighthouse is open and there are typical nautical displays including; a divers suit, artifacts and a replica sailing ship. The lighthouse spiral staircase is open to allow you to climb to the observation deck level (but not unfortunately to the actual light). Our 2 year old boy LOVED climbing the spiral staircase and again the views from this deck are impressive.
Note: The lighthouse would make a really great spot to watch the sunset (clouds permitting).
After walking back down towards the main park area, you will pass a replica canon, a small wooden Jibaro house and tiny ‘zoo’ that houses a few different birds, turtles, donkey’s and some small horses.
The final part of the park is the play area. Here your kids will find a small helicopter (not able to actual enter the helicopter), several swings, slides and a couple of small roundabouts. There is also seating so that you can keep an eye on your kids playing.
The play area is probably more geared to smaller children rather that teenagers, but there is also a couple of refreshment machines and an ice cream shop (unfortunately this was closed during our visit).
Make a day of it – Nearby attractions:
The Arecibo Lighthouse Park is close to the Arecibo Observatory, Camuy Caves and also the Barceloneta Outlet Mall. If you start your day early enough, you could plan to check out one or more of these on your daytrip.
What: Arecibo Lighthouse Park
Where: Arecibo
Cost: The entrance fee is $10.00 for adults (13-64 years old), $8.00 for children (2-12 years old) and seniors (65+). There is a parking fee of $2.00 per car.
Opening Times: The park is open 9:00am – 6:00pm Monday to Friday, and 10:00am – 7:00pm on weekends
Directions: From San Juan take Route 22 west (one toll both) and take Exit 71 (signposted Domingo Ruiz / Bajadero). At the end of the ramp turn right and continue until the intersection with Route 2 (traffic lights). Turn left and continue along Route 2 until you reach the next set of lights (Gas Station). Turn right and then turn right again along Road 681. At the intersection with Road 655 turn left, continue until you reach the park. (Once you are on Route 2, you will also see brown signs for the Arecibo Lighthouse Park).
Website: Arecibo Lighthouse and Heritage Park
Bonus: If you are feeling hungry before entering the park, check out one of the roadside stalls that you will pass on Road 681. You will be able to find staple Puerto Rican snacks such as: Bacalito’s, Empanadillas, Alcapurria’s etc.. well worth the calorific intake.
12 Responses
Great site here – found you via StumbleUpon!
I visited Arecibo this past weekend and went to a couple of nice places but the best experience was at Salpicon Restaurant located on Rd #681 km 13.7 Between Barceloneta & Arecibo. The view is amazing of the Atlantic ocean, they have a very nice casual elegant dining room. (Don’t be fooled by the exterior which looks rustic) The service is excellent and I don’t know where to start on the food. I have had fried snapper in many costal restaurants in this area but by far this is the BEST. There Mofongo filled with shrimp and creole sauce is to die for. The desserts were so equisite..just loved the whole experince, I am recommending this restaurant to all my friends and family because this place is GREAT!! A+++
Thanks for the restaurant recommendation, have added it to our list of ‘must try’ places. We usually go to Salitre Restaurant when we are in the Arecibo area,
MUST READ Lighthouse park. Nice views of the atlantic and good atractions for kids to play and nicce small aquarium. Yet i think its overpriced. We were a big group of more than 30. So that means almost $300 in entrance fees only and there was only 3 employees in the park. Im local so i know that pirate and colonial history and indian history is rich in this area so a guide would be nice. Nice aquarium but pirate manequins aufull
Lighthouse restaurant. Dont even consider it as an option. You wont believe it. 2:15 hours for some appetizers not even all of them. One excuse after another. We asked for the kids food first and the small pizzas were boxed microwave pizzas. Even worst they came out RAW. Instead of being sincere they just kept lying to us. Lack of respect. We left and cancelled. Worst They decided to charge for the raw boxed pizzas. $27 for 3 disaster pizzas that could have sent my nephews to the hospital.
Hi John we have never used the on site cafe as we always buy something from the roadside food stalls. Sorry you had such a bad experience with the cafe.
We have been a couple of times to the park and agree the views are great especially from the Lighthouse.
Thanks for the comment
Hi John. I work at the Arecibo Lighthouse & Historical Park for nearly 10 years. And respectfully I REALLY found you comment outrageously out of reality, let me tell you why. First, group over 15 people get a guide automatically, and also get a “group discount†that reduce the entrance fee and never would be $300 for a group of 30 as you stated. When traveling in groups it is also recommended to have previous reservation. Also let be honest a park this size cannot be operated with 3 employees. We have the ONLY saltwater aquarium in Puerto Rico with sharks, eels, rays, and others from over the World, their maintenance are not cheap; they eat every day a lot of seafood as well, we paint the facilities almost daily. If you compare the entrance fee of $7.00p/p-$8.00p/p (groups) to expend a few hours in the park considering all services that we provide to our clients vs. a $15.00 for 20 minutes car wash (water, soup and 1 employee); also as a local you say you are, must compare Aquariums Fees and other similar attractions with ours, you will notice that we are not overpriced.
In reference to the restaurant, if a group more than 30 people arrive at the SAME TIME to ANY restaurant, please you will get some acceptable delay, but saying that your group waited 2:15 hrs for appetizer is too much exaggerated. First we did not receive any group that size in December without previous reservation, so I know them all, and I have all evaluations and were “excellentâ€. All groups and all tables at time of payment receive a 10% discounts with the lighthouse entrance receipt also a small evaluation form that gives the opportunity to all guests to express about the experience and service received. We approximately get 98% of “excellent†the other 2% percent “Goodâ€. And if something is not right in a table we fix it. We please our genuine customers. That is why we have repeated clients from all over the island. No business can please in a 100% to all of his or her clientele but we never had the situation as you stated in this comment. I believe that competition between businesses is good, but what is not right is to talk bad about one place just to cause some damage or to promote traffic to another nearby. If you or somebody else needs to contact directly about this comment or anything else can call me at 787-880-7540 ext 230 Cynthia Cordero – Operations. If I don’t answer is because I am supervising and interacting with our clients, please leave a message and I will return your call.
Hi Cynthia
Thanks for the detailed comment. Hopefully John will give the Lighthouse another chance. We have been a couple of times and had a great time there.
DO NOT SPEND YOUR MONEY HERE THIS PLACE SUCKS!!!!
MINI-ZOO??? MORE LIKE A CRAPPY BACKYARD RANCH.
The Restaurant? Not even with 10% off I’ll go there….
I suggest Salitre Restaurant or roadside food….
Allen sorry about your experience there – maybe try to contact the management and let them know
Agree re Salitre
We’ll I am very unpleased with the management of this park. I went the other day helping a friend of mine who is a leader of a kids organization to take the children to a nice day. We witness a disrespectful supervisor mistreating an employee. My friend went with the employee to the manager (female) or what it seems the boss to let her know how her supervisor was mistreating the employee in front of the kids and my friend was very mad because the incident happened in front of the kids and the employee had done nothing wrong… (by the way, the children applauded to the employee because he defended himself from the verbal abuse of the supervisor) any who, my friend was very very unpleased because he noted that the manager or boss didn’t care for the complained he made as if she was in a love-affair with that supervisor because she didn’t care that that son of a b**** mistreated that humble employee. Any way, he noticed that those people there actually don’t care for the enjoyment of the clients, they are gritty, all they want is the money…. As for me and my friend and all of the kids that went there, we are never going back and as I can, I will warn anyone I can to not visit this place with such a heavy environment, and the view might be pretty, but I can get better views for free and this place needs a fix up, urgently. Out of 10 I give it a 4.
Hector – your best bet is to contact the management directly and let them know
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