Caja de Muertos Island, Ponce

2 hours ago

5 min read

This week, with the popular theme of the Night of the Dead or Halloween, I will tell you about a very special dead box. Taking advantage of the holiday, I prepared an excursion to Caja de Muertos Island with my family and friends. Caja de Muertos is located 8 miles off the south coast of the town of Ponce, Puerto Rico, and its shape looks like an old coffin. The island has a territorial extension of 1½ miles (2.41 km) long and ½ mile wide at its widest point.

Turquoise tropical bay with a green hill island, small house on the left shore, and a bright cloudy blue sky. — Isla de Caja de Muertos, Puerto Rico - This week, with the popular theme of the Night of the Dead or Halloween, I will tell you about a very special dead box. Taking advantage of the holiday, I prepared an excursion to Caja de Muertos Island with my family and friends. Caja de Muertos is located 8 miles off the south coast of the town of Ponce, Puerto Rico, and its shape looks like an old coffin. The island has a territorial extension of 1½ miles (2.41 km) long and ½ mile wide at its widest point.

It has been a nature reserve since 1980, protecting the nesting areas of sea turtles (hawksbill and leatherback). To reach this tropical paradise, you have to take a roughly 45-minute boat ride. The boat to the island departs from the La Guancha boardwalk in Ponce.

Lighthouse Visit

Once on the island, we set off for the lighthouse, which was designed by Manuel Maese and began operating in August 1887. The boat crew recommended visiting the lighthouse early in the day, as it gets extremely hot in the afternoon for the hike. The day was windy and hazy, so our photos aren't quite as stunning as the ones you see on social media.

Faro de Caja de Muertos, Puerto Rico - Once on the island we went to the lighthouse that was designed by Manuel Maese and began operating in August 1887. The boat staff recommended us to go early to the lighthouse because in the afternoon it is extremely hot to make the walk. The day was windy and foggy so our photos are not as impressive as the ones you find on the web. — Faro de Caja de Muertos, Puerto Rico - Once on the island, we went to the lighthouse that was designed by Manuel Maese and began operating in August 1887. The boat staff recommended us to go early to the lighthouse because in the afternoon it is extremely hot to make the walk. The day was windy and foggy, so our photos are not as impressive as the ones you find on the web.

The hike took about 35 minutes (at a brisk pace) to reach our destination. The path is rocky, especially as you approach the lighthouse, so make sure to wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes. You'll be able to spot various dry-forest plant and animal species and read about them on the educational signs along the way.

Those of you who read us regularly know that we are absolute lighthouse lovers wherever we go. Puerto Rico is home to 15 lighthouses that you should definitely visit soon; each has its own special charm and breathtaking views. In previous posts, I talked about the following lighthouses: Guánica, Arecibo, Maunabo, and, of course, the lighthouse in my hometown, Cabo Rojo.

In the Ponce area, there are two lighthouses: one on Caja de Muertos and another on Isla Cardona. The Caja de Muertos lighthouse is architecturally unique, as it is the only lighthouse in Puerto Rico with an H-shaped building. The building measures 81 feet (24.6 meters) long by 51 feet (15.5 meters) wide, with the tower standing in the center at 41 feet (12.5 meters) tall.

In the Ponce area there are two lighthouses: the Caja de Muertos and the Isla Cardona. The Caja de Muertos lighthouse is very special architecturally because it is the only lighthouse in Puerto Rico that its H-shaped building is. The building is 81 feet (24.6 meters) long and 51 feet (15.5 meters) wide. The tower is located in the center with 41 feet (meters) high. — In the Ponce area, there are two lighthouses: the Caja de Muertos and the Isla Cardona. The Caja de Muertos lighthouse is very special architecturally because it is the only lighthouse in Puerto Rico with an H-shaped building. The building is 81 feet (24.6 meters) long and 51 feet (15.5 meters) wide. The tower is located in the center with 41 feet (meters) high.

You cannot enter the lighthouse for safety reasons. However, you can walk around the observation deck area, take in the extraordinary views, and imagine the lighthouse's unique architecture and majesty in its heyday.

La puerta de entrada del faro. - The lighthouse cannot be entered for security reasons. You can walk through the area of the observation tower, enjoy the extraordinary views and imagine the majesty and unique architecture of the lighthouse in its best times. — La puerta de entrada del faro. - The lighthouse cannot be entered for security reasons. You can walk through the area of the observation tower, enjoy the extraordinary views, and imagine the majesty and unique architecture of the lighthouse in its best times.

The hike is totally worth it! The view from the lighthouse is spectacular and breathtaking. It truly recharges your soul!

La vista desde el Faro de Isla de Caja de Muertos- It is worth the walk! The view from the lighthouse is spectacular and impressive. Recharge your soul!

Right on the edge of the trail, we ran into this little surprise.

En el borde de la vereda nos encontramos con esta sorpresita. — On the edge of the path, we find this surprise.

Hiking Recommendations

Prepare for the heat, dry environment, loose ground, and Caribbean sun:

Visit the lighthouse early in the day.
Wear comfortable clothes, sturdy shoes, sunglasses, and a hat (or cap).
Apply sunscreen.
Bring plenty of water and stay hydrated at all times (there are no water sources at the lighthouse or along the trail).
Bring snacks or energy bars.

Recommendations for the Walk Prepare for heat, dry environment, loose soil and the Caribbean sun: Take the excursion to the lighthouse early. Wear comfortable clothes, sturdy shoes, sunglasses and a hat (hat or cap). Apply sunscreen. Bring lots of water and stay hydrated at all times (there is no water source in the lighthouse or on the path). Take snacks or bars. The building seen in the photos is a museum where you can learn about the history of the island and the sea turtle conservation project. — Recommendations for the Walk: Prepare for heat, dry environment, loose soil, and the Caribbean sun: Take the excursion to the lighthouse early. Wear comfortable clothes, sturdy shoes, sunglasses, and a hat (hat or cap). Apply sunscreen. Bring lots of water and stay hydrated at all times (there is no water source in the lighthouse or on the path). Take snacks or bars. The building seen in the photos is a museum where you can learn about the history of the island and the sea turtle conservation project.

The building seen in the photos is a museum where you can learn about the history of the island and the sea turtle conservation project.

Pelícano Beach (Playa Pelícano)

We spent the afternoon enjoying the crystal-clear waters of Pelícano Beach. It is the island's main beach and was the first in a nature reserve in the Caribbean to receive the Blue Flag award. This certification, granted by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), establishes that this beach meets its strict standards, which include water quality monitoring.

Playa Pelicano, Isla Caja de Muertos, Puerto Rico- We spent the afternoon enjoying the crystal clear waters of the Pelicano Beach. It is the main beach of the island that received the first Blue Flag award in a Natural Reserve in the Caribbean. This certification granted by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) establishes that this beach meets its strict standards that include monitoring water quality. — Playa Pelicano, Isla Caja de Muertos, Puerto Rico- We spent the afternoon enjoying the crystal-clear waters of Pelicano Beach. It is the main beach of the island that received the first Blue Flag award in a Natural Reserve in the Caribbean. This certification, granted by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), establishes that this beach meets its strict standards that include monitoring water quality.

Playa Pelicano, Isla Caja de Muertos, Puerto Rico — Playa Pelícano, Isla Caja de Muertos, Puerto Rico

There are other beaches on the eastern side of the island, but they are fenced off—especially during the nesting season of the sea turtles that visit the island every year. In that area, the surf is quite rough, so swimming there is not recommended.