Cabo Rojo Salt Mines

Cabo Rojo Salt Mines

The Cabo Rojo Salt Mines was one of the most interesting places we visited while we were in Puerto Rico.  It wasn’t on our Roadtrippers itinerary, it was really just a quick stop we made as we passed by.  A spur of the moment decision because I thought it was super cool.

The water in the area was a red color and I inquired about it as we drove by.  My parents explained to me that it was due to the nearby salt mines and that it was how their town, Cabo Rojo, got it’s name.

We stopped at an observation tower in the area that allowed my son and I to get a bird’s eye view of the salt flats.  It was so pretty.  I loved this stop and my son was fascinated by the science of it.

It was a quick stop, we were only there for about 10 minutes and it was free to climb up the observation tower and look at the surrounding area.

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About Cabo Rojo Salt Mines

Las Salinas, also known as Pink Beach, are salt flats in the town of Cabo Rojo.  They are underappreciated natural resources in Puerto Rico as they are very near La Playeula Beach (Playa Sucia) and Los Morrillos Lighthouse.

Community agencies in the area wanted to help protect and conserve the Salt Flats, so they became part of the Cabo Rojo Wildlife Refuge in 1999.

Comprised of 1,249 acres, Las Salinas is a fantastic place to stop and admire nature on the west coast of Puerto Rico.  This nature reserve contains 6 ecological systems including mangroves, subtropical dry forest, salt marshes, hypersaline lagoons, marine lagoons, and coral reefs; all of which are equally necessary for the protection and conservation of Las Salinas.

The interpretive center and observation tower at the salt flats are open Friday to Sunday from 8:30am to 4:30pm.  Admission is free and you can purchase trail tours for $6 per adult, $4 per child or senior but you can walk them on your own for free.  Las Salinas is located at PR-301 Km 11, Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico.  Phone: 787-851-2999.

Summary

I had never seen salt mines before and I was fascinated with how red/pink the water was.  The natural ecosystems in the area were absolutely gorgeous.  My only regret was not walking the nature trail and visiting the visitor’s center to learn more.  It would have been a great learning opportunity for my son.

I would definitely recommend visiting Las Salinas if you are in the Cabo Rojo area.  The stop for us was only about 10 minutes but if I had it to do over again, I would plan an hour or two to see everything.

Have you been there?  I’d love to hear what you thought of it.  What was your favorite part of the whole experience?

Please drop a few lines in the comments box below and let me know how your visit went.

In the meantime, safe travels!

~Kris M.

P.S.  If you happen to use travel journals, be sure to check out the travel journal I created for my future Puerto Rico Road Trips.

Written by Kris M.