8 Nature & Parks in Loiza That You Shouldn't Miss

Playa Vacia Talega is a crescent-shaped beach in Pinones where the water is calm and the sunsets are spectacular. This beach is very popular among locals, so it tends to be crowded during the weekend or on holidays. Make sure to eat at the nearby kiosks (where you can find some of the most delicious fritters in Puerto Rico) or go to Loiza Aldea to learn more about Pinones, its people, and its culture. Moreover, this beach has a beautiful forest of seagrape that can lead you to more remote, secluded beaches and caves--and yes, it's one of our favorite secret spots.

The Rio Grande de Loiza is Puerto Rico's largest river, volume-wise. This river is especially known for having served as a source of inspiration for Julia de Burgos' poetry. You can walk along the river by visiting Loiza's Paseo Julia de Burgos', where there is a monument that commemorates Puerto Rico's greatest poetess and her beloved river. The sunset at the Rio Grande de Loiza is one of the most memorable experiences in all of Puerto Rico.

In 1948, historical and archaeological evidence was found in the cave, as artifacts in rustic pottery, remains of archaic human bones that predate the time of Christ, animal remains, fruit seeds and marine fossils. Currently, the area serves as the recreational center of the municipality of Loiza. You can get to the highway on the PR-187 and PR-188, in the La Cueva sector. Nowadays, this historic park offers a tour of the cave and three different workshops (Bomba dance, beekeeping, and turban-making) when you pay the $6 entrance fee. Fun fact: The Cueva Maria de la Cruz fosters one of the largest bee sanctuaries in all the Caribbean, harboring thousands upon thousands of bees. Moreover, the park sells the honey it collects from the cave's bees.

If you love to catch some waves and surf until sunset, Playa Aviones is the right place for you. This beautiful stretch of beach livens up once the surfers start coming (often in hordes throughout the year). But, beware: this is not a beach for beginners. Although the waves may not look too menacing at 3- or 4 ft-high, there is a stone slab that can be quite dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. Try to observe (or ask!) the surfers, and check out how they ride the waves so that you know where's the safe area. Come to visit Playa Aviones and have the time of your life!BONUS: This beach is right across the street from Kiosko El Boricua, so you can grab a bite after riding some gnarly waves.

If you're an expert surfer, we definitely recommend Playa Chatarra! This beach, whose name translates to "Scrapiron Beach", got world-class waves, but they crash some mere feet away from the reef, so you need to know exactly how and where to land. This beautiful beach is often surfed by locals and international pro-surfers alike, so even if you're not as experienced you can still sit on the sand, enjoy the show, and even learn a few tricks!