Rio Abajo Forest

About

Covering nearly 3,600 acres of tropical karst forest, the Rio Abajo State Forest is a National Natural Landmark dotted with mogotes and sinkholes. The lush jungle is a favorite among bird watchers who flock here to try to spot some of the 34 bird species that live here, including the endangered Puerto Rican broadwing hawk and Puerto Rican parrot (populations of which are so low that they had to be bred and reintroduced into protected parts of the island). The wet climate paired with limestone landscape has also created a number of caves and rock formations. There are a few hiking trails in the park, two of which lead to caves, but we wouldn’t recommend trying these unless you’re an experienced hiker since the trails aren’t maintained and are only marked with tape. Instead, stretch your legs on the concrete path past the restrooms for an easy-to-follow loop trail through the forest. Some of the trees have informative signs, and you’re sure to see plenty of birds.