12 Awesome Things to Do in Manatí, PR

👉 Jump to: Best Things | Outdoors | Off the Beach

With its proximity to the capital city and the variety of things to do in Manatí, it is a surprise the town isn’t as popular as San Juan. 

Located on Puerto Rico‘s north coast, Manatí is a laid-back town with lots of outdoor attractions. You’ll find beaches, water springs, and caves that make it a must-visit place in Puerto Rico.

I’m a Puerto Rico local. In this guide, I’ll tell you everything about what to do in Manati, so you don’t miss out on all the fun things!

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12 Best Things to Do in Manati

Playa Mar Chiquita

Swim in a natural pool formed by rock outcroppings.

📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free | 👉 Book a Tour on Viator

Mar Chiquita is one of the top things to do in Manatí for beach lovers and photography buffs. Mar Chiquita means little sea, and it refers to a small cove created by rock formations on the coast of this city.

It is one of the top beaches in Puerto Rico for a reason. It boasts bright turquoise water with golden, soft sand.

It’s also a top destination for snorkeling or taking a sunset tour to get the best landscape shots in the area.

Keep in mind, however, that depending on the season you visit Puerto Rico, the tide in Mar Chiquita can be strong. Avoid getting close to the rock formations where the current could drag you out to the sea.

La Poza de las Mujeres

Bath on a beach used by women during the Spanish colonial era.

📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free 

La Poza de las Mujeres is one of the top attractions of Manati. Located within Hacienda La Esperanza Nature Reserve, this beach is a natural cove formed by a natural rock barrier.

La Poza de las Mujeres means “the women’s pool,” and it’s said the beach got its name from the multiple noblewomen who used to bathe in it between the 1600s and 1700 during the Spanish colonial era. 

There isn’t any shade on the beach, and space is limited at the shore. During the winter season, tides can be too strong for swimming.

👉 Pro Tip: Access to La Poza is through Las Palmas Beach’s entrance, next to a house destroyed by Hurricane Maria. You’ll need to park on the street.

Playa La Esperanza

Swim at a turquoise cove hidden in a nature reserve.

📍 Google Maps |  Entrance: Free

Easily considered one of the best beaches in Manatí and Puerto Rico, La Esperanza Beach is a natural pool in Manatí’s west coast. Located within Hacienda La Esperanza’s nature reserve, the pool is formed by sandy rock formations in the coast. The waves break against this natural barrier through which the water enters the cove. 

What it lacks in shade and facilities, the beach has in scenery. The parking is limited, which is why you should arrive early. On weekdays, the main gate to the beach’s parking lot is closed, which means you have to walk over 1 mile to get there.

Despite being a cove, during the winter months, the strong waves during the winter months can drag you out to the sea, so swim with caution.

Playa Los Tubos

Surf on a wild beach with beautiful scenery.

📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free 

If instead of having a lazy day at the beach, you’re looking for a spot for surfing, then Los Tubos Beach is for you. 

Located on the north coast of Puerto Rico, Los Tubos Beach boasts a strong surf perfect for catching waves, regardless of whether you prefer surfing or boogie boarding. 

The west side of the beach is a popular Puerto Rico diving site during the low tide season in Summer. 

While not for swimming, this beach offers beach buffs a long beach to explore, and it looks its best during a sunset tour. If you visit on a low-tide day, search for the petroglyphs on the rocks on the shore.

Best Outdoors

Piscinas Naturales

Find the hidden natural pools on Manati’s coast.

📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free 

Travelers who like to seek unique photography-perfect sites shouldn’t miss a visit to the natural pools of Manati.

The natural pools of Manati refer to a series of concave spaces within the coastal rocks of Las Palmas Beach that fill with water from the ocean and form a natural infinity pool.

To get to Las Piscinas Naturales de Manati, you have to hike for 10 minutes up the spikey coastal rock formations from Las Palmas Beach until reaching this beautiful spot. Wear shoes as rocks are pointy and there are sea urchins in the area.

👉 Pro Tip: The natural pools of Manati aren’t a kid-friendly destination. The coastal rocks are steep and strong tides can make the location dangerous.

Cueva de las Golondrinas

Dip in a natural pool inside a coastal cave.

📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free | 👉 Book a Tour on Viator

Visiting Las Golondrinas Cave is one of the top things to do in Manatí and for a reason. You can reach this semi-open cave through Las Golondrinas Beach.

The cave has a shallow part where you can stand on the rock formations and appreciate its beauty. 

But, the highlight of the cave is the pool that forms inside with crystal clear waters, where you can relax as you appreciate the dozens of swallows flying in and out of the cave. 

Make sure to wear water shoes during your visit, as there are sea urchins in the area. If the tide is strong, avoid getting inside the cave.

Playa Machuca

Catch waves at this black sand beach.

📍 Google Maps |  Entrance: Free

Playa Machuca is one of the secret surfing spots in Puerto Rico. Located next to Rio Grande de Manatí, this beach has both left and right waves you can ride, although you do need to paddle out to get to point break. 

Some surfers paddle from the shore at Machuca, and others from the other side of the river, from Barceloneta.

Like Esperanza Beach, you’ll need to walk about 1 mile to get to this beach from the parking lot. On days the gate is closed, you’ll need to walk about 20 minutes.

Visit only during daylight hours, and if possible, visit in a group.

Manantial Guayaney

Hike to a hidden water spring with crystal clear waters.

📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free  | 👉 Book a Tour to Manantial Guayaney

Manantial Guayaney used to be one of those hidden Puerto Rico attractions, but now it’s even included in tours!

Manantial Guayaney is a natural water spring located in the north karst zone of Manati. This cold spring boasts clear waters with fish and turtles that swim around.

Thrill-seekers like to jump from the right side of the spring into the deepest part of it, but those looking to relax can just spend a carefree afternoon sitting on the spring’s rocks.

Keep in mind, however, it can get very crowded, especially on Sunday and Saturday afternoons!

Best Off the Beach

Hacienda La Esperanza

Tour an important sugar cane plantation in Puerto Rico.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 722-5882 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 4 pm Wed-Sun, Closed Mon-Tues 

Hacienda La Esperanza was once a prosperous sugar cane plantation in the 19th century.

Located in a 2,150-acre nature reserve, Hacienda La Esperanza is a restored historical site that serves as a demonstration of how haciendas worked back in the day.

One of its highlights is its restored sugar mill with a West Point Foundry steam engine.

The nature reserve also features wetlands, mangroves, estuaries, and beaches, including La Esperanza Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Puerto Rico.

The area is administered by Para La Naturaleza, which offers tours through the hacienda, as well as through the surrounding wetlands and beaches. I took the turtle nest counting tour here, and I loved it.

Manati’s Town Center

Explore the streets of a historical town.

📍 Google Maps 

Visiting the town center is one of the Manati attractions that history buffs and culture lovers can’t miss.

The historical district features multiple buildings from the 19th century, including the city hall and the Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria y San Matías Cathedral, built in 1729 and an icon in Manati’s history.

The Taboas Theater is another historical building you can visit to watch local shows. Check out their social media to see their calendar of activities.

Frutos del Guacabo

Tour a local farm and enjoy a farm-to-table lunch.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 884-4216 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 2 pm Mon-Fri, 7 am – 1 pm Sat, Closed Sun

Frutos del Guacabo is a farm founded in 2010 in Manatí by Efrén David Robles y Angelie Martínez. The farm offers farm-to-table experiences that you will rave about if you’re a foodie.

Kids will love feeding the farm animals and exploring the multiple greenhouses on the farm. During your tour, you’ll also learn about sustainable farming.

Stop at the site’s shop to buy cheese or jam to take home. Call ahead to make a reservation for your tour and farm-to-table lunch

Hacienda Recreativa Mar Chiquita

Enjoy a family day in a hacienda with go-karts and ATVs.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 567-2833 | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Saturday & Sunday | Entrance: Free 

Hacienda Recreativa Mar Chiquita is one of Manati’s activities for the complete family. This space offers multiple fun attractions like go-karts, pony rides, inflatable bouncers, ATVs, farms, and food stalls. 

But, the main attraction of the hacienda is their horseback riding tours along the beautiful beaches of Manati, available only with a previous reservation.

While the entrance to the hacienda is free, you have to pay for the attractions you want to use individually.

👉 Pro Tip: Hacienda Mar Chiquita is open daily, but to visit from Monday to Thursday, you have to call ahead to make a reservation.

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Now you know all about the top things to do in Manati, Puerto Rico! Looking for other places for an eco-adventure? Check out our guide to Puerto Rico’s popular activities!