Nestled in the north-west of Puerto Rico, Isabela is a coastal town famed for its wildflowers and banana leaf-wrapped cheese. A Spanish hermitage was established here in the 17th century on the site of an earlier Taíno settlement and the area has grown to become a popular weekend destination due to its beautiful beaches, forests and caves.
Things to do in Isabela
For a day at the beach, head to Playa Jobos, which is one of Puerto Rico’s most famous surfing spots. To the east is Playa Montones with its shallow swimming waters while to the west are the snorkelling reefs of Shacks Beach. When the conditions are right, the beaches of Isabela attract windsurfers from near and far.
Isabela makes a good base for visiting the Hermitage of San Antonio de Padua de la Tuna, which comprises the ruins of a church dating back to 1730. It was abandoned in the early 19th century and is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Combine your visit with a stop at the Cara del Indio, a rock-carved sculpture depicting the Taíno chief Mabodamaca.
Sprawling south-east of Isabela is the Bosque Estatal de Guajataca, an ecologically diverse tract of forest renowned for its karst caves. It encompasses an extensive network of hiking trails, with one of the most popular routes accessing the spectacular limestone formations of the Cueva del Viento. Nearby is the man-made Guajataca Lake where you can kayak and fish.
Getting around Isabela
Rafael Hernandez Marin International Airport is around 20 minutes’ drive from Isabela and has flights to destinations across the United States. By road, San Juan is 1.5 hours away. Renting a car is the most convenient way of accessing Isabela’s beaches and historic attractions.