Utuado, Puerto Rico
What to do in Utuado
Visit an important archaeological site and enjoy the Tanama River.
The municipality of Utuado, located in the mountainous central area of Puerto Rico, houses the most important archaeological site in the Caribbean called Parque Ceremonial Indígena de Cagüana, as well as a variety of outdoor adventures and some of the best coffee farms on the island.
Here is some of the best things to do in Utuado during your visit:
Tanama river
Along the Tanamá River you will find a range of activities available, whether you want an adventure or simply enjoy beautiful natural surroundings.
Through companies like Tanamá River Adventures you can practice cave tubing, rappelling, caving, kayaking, jumping from the waterfalls and walking in the forest to see caves. In the meantime, with Batey Zipline Adventures you can choose between walking on a hanging bridge, zip lining, horseback riding through a quaint coffee farm, and more.
All these are family-friendly activities led by experienced professionals whose priority is the safety of their group, first and foremost. Please note that there are alternatives to choosing based on the level of challenge you want. If you want to have fun in an atmosphere away from the beaches, definitely consider one of these excursions.
Parque Ceremonial Indígena Caguana in Utuado
Parque Ceremonial Indígena Caguana in Utuado
Parque Ceremonial Indígena Caguana
The studios estimate that the place was built over 800 years ago by the Tainos, the native ethnicity of Puerto Rico. The historic site has a small museum with Taino artifacts and historical information, a gift shop, more than 20 large and well-preserved petroglyphs and 10 plazas, known as bateyes, which were used for ceremonial purposes or to play for about 300 years, until the Spaniards arrived.
It is believed that the Caguana Indigenous Ceremonial Park is the largest ceremonial site created by the Tainoans anywhere in the Antillas. This is a beautiful, peaceful place where you feel a connection with a much deeper history of the region.
The park is open every day from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Utuado is approximately an hour and a half drive from San Juan and about an hour from Ponce.
Farmers Market Cartel at Finca Horizonte en Utuado.
Horseback on the 100 acres of Finca Horizonte in Utuado.
Horizonte farm
The Horizonte estate is a piece of paradise owned by the popular Puerto Rican singer and songwriter Draco Rosa. You can book a horseback riding tour of the 100 acre estate and try the incredible organic coffee grown on the property. Horseback riding can be adapted to different levels of experience, so you can ride at your own pace and enjoy the experience. At Finca Horizonte, you can learn about the local fauna and flora, taste coffee, and learn more about the life of Puerto Rican Jíbaros.
Coffee beans on a tree at Cafe Gran Batey in Utuado
Coffee beans in a tree at Cafe Gran Batey in Utuado.
Cafe Gran Batey
This is another coffee farm in Utuado that belongs to a family that has worked the land for more than 45 years. At Café Gran Batey, you'll meet a local family, take a tour to learn about the coffee farming and roasting process, and then enjoy an exquisite cup of fresh Puerto Rican coffee with a piece of homemade cake. The visit, tour and coffee sample are free. At the end of the tour, if you wish, you can buy coffee to take home, which is a great souvenir!
The estate is open to the public from Wednesday to Sunday between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
