# Manatí (Puerto Rico)

Manatí is a city and municipality of Puerto Rico located along the island's Atlantic coast. The city is famous for its many beaches and seafood.

## Understand

Manatí was founded in 1799 by Don Pedro Menendez Valdes and is named after the manatee, a sea mammal found throughout the Puerto Rico archipelago and the Caribbean. The town is located in the middle of Karst Country (carso norteño) a topographic zone composed of limestone famous for its hill formations, canyons and caves. In the coast, Manatí has many beaches and a tidal pool.

## Get in

* San Juan: Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
* Aguadilla: Rafael Hernández Airport
* Ponce: Mercedita Airport

### By car

Expressway PR-22 and highway PR-2 connect Manatí with San Juan in the east and Arecibo in the west. Highway PR-149 connects Ciales and Puerto Rico's mountainous region to Manatí.

## Get around

As with most of Puerto Rican cities, public transportation in Manatí is very limited and driving is considered the best way of moving around town.

## See

* 18.431718-66.486511 Manatí Pueblo (downtown Manatí). See the historic Roman Catholic church, Spanish-style recreational plaza, and the municipal buildings surrounded by streets and shops. You can drive around the pueblo or park your car and walk around the square and into the plaza. The Spanish law, which regulated life in Puerto Rico in the early 19th century, stated the plaza's purpose was for celebrations and festivities. The Art Deco-style Plaza de Mercado, the Neoclassical-style La Colectiva Tabacalera Building, the ruins of the Brunet–Calaf Residence, and Church of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria y San Matías dating to 1729, are in the pueblo. (updated Apr 2022)
* Cueva de las Golondrinas (Las Golondrinas Cave), The cave cannot be reached by road, only through a hiking path off Poza de las Mujeres Beaches at the end of Road #6684. This is a small cave in a limestone cliff by a small secluded beach. (updated Oct 2021)
* Hacienda La Esperanza (Central La Esperanza Ruins), 616 La Esperanza Street, ☏ +1 787-722-5882. W-Su 8AM-4PM. Historic sugarcane plantation dating to the 19th century, at one time the largest sugarcane plantation in Puerto Rico. (updated Oct 2021)
* Mar Chiquita Cove (or simply Mar Chiquita) (Mar Chiquita Beach at the end of Camino de la Playa). Although the name "Mar Chiquita" and "Mar Chiquita Beach" are often used interchangeably, Mar Chiquita Cove is a beautiful yet dangerous natural cove at the end of Mar Chiquita Beach semi-protected by limestone rocks with a single opening to the Atlantic Ocean. The topography of the cove makes it dangerous for swimming as it creates a strong funnel-like current that can pull and drown even the most experienced swimmers into the Atlantic. (updated Oct 2021)
* Punta Boquilla, Road #6684 next to Las Palmas Beach (can also be accessed from Mar Chiquita). Punta Boquilla is a cape and limestone cliffs famous for its natural pools (the most famous one being "Jacuzzi of Manati") and its numerous caves. (updated Oct 2021)

## Do

* 18.43522-66.477131 Casino Atlántico Manatí, Expreso 22 Salida #48, PR-2 (PR-2 to Exit 48 / PR-149), ☏ +1 787-854-7373. 8AM-midnight. This casino is in the Hyatt Place Manatí. (updated Apr 2022)
* Go to one of the many beaches in town:
** Boquillas Beach. Small secluded beach close to Las Golondrinas cave and Poza de las Mujeres Beach. (updated Oct 2021)
** La Esperanza Beach, Camino Playa La Esperanza (Close to Tómbolo Beach). 24 hours. Secluded beach protected from the rough waves by a natural seawall, although swimming is not advised during high tides or rough weather. (updated Oct 2021)
** Las Palmas Beach, Road #6684 next to Poza de las Mujeres. Large sandy beach immediately to the east of the famous Poza de Las Mujeres. (updated Oct 2021)
** La Poza de las Mujeres (Poza de las Mujeres Beach), At the end of road #6684, ☏ +1 939-865-0531. One of the most famous beaches in town. Although considered dangerous, the beach sits between a cove and a limestone breakwater, creating a natural pool protected from the rough Atlantic waves. (updated Oct 2021)
** Las Golondrinas Beach. Small beach by Las Golondrinas Cave often considered an unofficial nude beach (although nudists can be cited for public indecency). (updated Oct 2021)
** Las Marias Beach, Camino Playa La Esperanza. 24 hours. Sandy beach immediately to the east of Tombolo Beach. This beach is rockier and has limestone reefs. (updated Oct 2021)
** Los Tubos and Tortuguero Beaches (Located along route PR-686). Although the beach washrooms and gazebos are closed (as of Oct 2021), Los Tubos, together with Tortuguero, make up the largest beach in town. The ocean can be rough at times so swimming is advised only during ideal weather conditions, otherwise great for surfers. (updated Oct 2021)
** Mar Chiquita Beach (not to be confused with Mar Chiquita Cove), Camino de La Playa (close to PR-686/685 routes). This is one of the most famous and busy beaches in town. It has parking, bathrooms, showers and gazebos for picnics. Mar Chiquita Cove (or simply Mar Chiquita) is located on the easternmost edge of the beach although the water there is not safe for swimming due to the strong water currents. (updated Oct 2021)
** Tómbolo Beach, Camino Playa La Esperanza. Th-Su 6AM-6PM. Pleasant beach located in a natural harbor protected by natural limestone breakwaters. As with most beaches along the Atlantic coast in Puerto Rico, it is not advised to swim during high tides and rough weather. (updated Oct 2021)
** Water Spring Beach (Pata Pata Beach), Route PR-686 (north of Tortuguero Lagoon). Small secluded beach full of limestone rocks and reefs, popular for its peacefulness and vistas. (updated Oct 2021)
* Los Tubos MTB Trail (Los Tubos Park), Route PR-685/686 (south of Los Tubos Beach). Open 24 hours. Small nature reserve next to a mangrove forest with short hiking trails and mountain bike courses. (updated Oct 2021)

## Buy

* 18.44188-66.45811 Walmart Supercenter, Plaza Monte Real, ☏ +1 787-970-8100. 6AM-11PM. Department store and grocery store. (updated Apr 2022)
* Manatí Plaza. Daily 9AM-7PM. (updated Oct 2021)

## Sleep

* Hyatt Place Manatí, 122 PR-22 road, ☏ +1 787 854 1000. (updated Oct 2021)

## Go next

* Barceloneta
* Ciales
* Florida
* Morovis
* Orocovis
* Vega Baja