We enjoyed a lovely morning kayaking on the Guajataca River
with Planeta Kayak. We also hiked up a mountain to an abandoned railroad tunnel
(used long ago for sugar cane, or caña) called el Túnel Negro (the Black
Tunnel, for obvious reasons. Thank goodness for cellphone flashlights!).
Rio Guajataca (pronounced REE-oh Gwah-hah-TAH-kuh) is
located on the border of Isabela and Quebradillas on the northwest coast of
Puerto Rico. The leisurely trip cost $40 cost per person, which included double
kayaks, paddles, life jackets, and a two-hour tour. Although the water was
placid and the pace relaxing, adventure seekers enjoyed a chance to dump into
the river from a rope swing!
Our tour guide Jose spoke in rapid Puerto Rican Spanish, so
we didn’t catch it all. But we saw mangroves and other interesting tropical
trees and plants, fascinating birds, and even a nest with chicks right along
the water. We suggest you wear a swimsuit under your clothes, wear good walking
sandals for the hike, which is short but challenging. Don’t forget sunscreen!
And bring your own water bottle, because our guide brought a cooler but
apparently forgot to fill it with water bottles for his guests.
All in all, it was a refreshing day, and we recommend it!
Afterward, you can head to the nearby beach and enjoy an afternoon under the
palm trees.
