The valley view
The river through the window.
Jose Murillo jcmu — CC0 · Edgar Torres — CC BY 3.0 · Luisq15 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ligocsicnarf89 — CC BY-SA 4.0
Cueva Ventana, or «Window Cave», is a large cave atop a limestone cliff in Arecibo, overlooking the Río Grande de Arecibo valley. It is known for its huge opening, which acts as a natural frame for the valley, making it one of the most photographed views in Puerto Rico and popular with locals and visitors alike. The land and cave are privately owned. As visitor numbers grew, the owner of a nearby gas station set a fee in 2013, and a guided tour of about 45 minutes with safety equipment was later organised. The cave walls hold old petroglyphs showing faces and circles, a reminder of the island's early people. A boardwalk and then a forest trail lead into the dark, where you use a light among the rocks. The cave then opens suddenly onto a wide green view, with the river winding through farms and karst hills. People standing in the opening appear as silhouettes against the daylight, and the picture gets better when clouds move over the valley. The trail starts next to a gas station on Route PR-10, so a car is easiest. Saturdays and Sundays are busiest, so go early. The ground inside is uneven and damp, so wear suitable shoes, follow your guide and stay back from the edge of the opening, as the cliff is high. Avoid needless flash, and do not touch the carvings.
The river through the window.
Old faces and circles.
Dark before the light.
Route PR-10, Arecibo, northern Puerto Rico
The site is private, and visitors usually enter on a guided tour.
On weekdays, or early at weekends.