Cabo Rojo Salt Flats or Las Salinas are among the most beautiful destinations in Puerto Rico. Visiting Las Salinas is quite surreal due to the views of pink water in the ponds framed by the bright blue sky and turquoise ocean. Cabo Rojo Salt Flats that have been used for the production of salt occupy about 1,250 acres (505 ha).
Start your hike at the visitors' center near the observation tower to capture the panoramic views of the colorful salt flats. The color of the water in the ponds is changing all the time depending on the concentration of salt, from bright to pale pink. From there, you can either choose a trail that leads to Los Morrillos Lighthouse or go for a swim at one of Cabo Rojo's best beaches, La Playuela Beach (Playa Sucia).
Cabo Rojo Salt Flats are also among the best birdwatching locations in Puerto Rico. They host about 40,000 migrating birds during winter. In addition, saline ponds have brine shrimp which serves as great food for the birds.
Cabo Rojo Salt Flats also have historical significance since the first salt production operations were started by Taino people in 700 AD. The lakes are pink all year round; however, you should visit them on a sunny day to enjoy the water in its most vibrant colors.
Practical info
When is the best time to visit Cabo Rojo Salt Flats to see the pink ponds?
Cabo Rojo Salt Flats remain pink all year round. However, the ideal time to see the vibrant shades of the ponds is on a sunny day. With an average temperature of 80°F, sparse chances of rain from December to April, and a tropical climate, the best time to visit is from December to May. Show more
Where is the observation tower located in Cabo Rojo Salt Flats?
You can find the observation tower near the visitors' center at Cabo Rojo Salt Flats. Begin at the visitors' center to enjoy panoramic views of the colorful salt flats, access the Los Morrillos Lighthouse trail and Playuela Beach. The salt flats have marked trails for easy navigation and location finding. Show more
What makes Cabo Rojo Salt Flats an excellent birdwatching destination?
Cabo Rojo Salt Flats serves as a feeding and rest stop for over 40,000 migratory birds each winter. Saline ponds here provide brine shrimp, which serve as a food source for the birds. The reserve offers ideal birdwatching opportunities during migration. Various species of shorebirds alongside herons, wood storks, and yellowlegs migrate to the area each year. Show more
What is the history behind the salt production operations in Cabo Rojo Salt Flats?
The Cabo Rojo Salt Flats have a long history of salt production, starting from around 700 AD by the Taino people. Operations were halted during colonial-era before local peasants resumed the activity in the 20th century. By the mid-20th century, over one million pounds of salt was produced annually and exported to the United States. Unfortunately, production ceased in the 1950s due to economic and hurricane-related challenges. Show more
When is the best time to visit Cabo Rojo Salt Flats for birdwatching opportunities?
Go birdwatching at Cabo Rojo Salt Flats during the migration period between October and April. This period sees a massive influx of 40,000 migratory birds that come to the saline ponds for food and rest. Visiting early in the day is best, as the birds are typically more active and visible closer to the edges of the ponds. You can capture and observe a diverse range of bird species with a camera and a pair of binoculars at this premier birdwatching destination. Show more
