Ciales

Ciales is a town and municipality of Puerto Rico in the interior mountainous region of the island, in the transition zone between the Northern Karst and the Cordillera Central mountain range. The town is most famous for its coffee heritage, its caves and mountains, and its traditional food. It is referred to as the Door to the Cordillera Central (Puerta De La Cordillera Central).

Understand
Ciales is one of the municipalities in "La Montaña", the mountain. Ciales has its historic pueblo with a Roman Catholic church, a Spanish-style recreational plaza and streets that run perpendicular to the plaza, dotted with quaint shops. The best time to visit is between November and April. Puerto Rico is hot anytime, and temperatures reach well over 30°C in the summer shade.

Get in

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

By car
Getting around Ciales is best done by car.

A word of caution: if driving, you are sharing the road with trucks, and locals. The mountain roads have steep descents and ascents, hairpin turns, and cliff drops that are not always protected by railing. Some roads may look like one-lane highways but are made to handle two-way traffic.



Do
Some of the highest elevations in Puerto Rico are found in Ciales. So if you're adventurous, take a drive and photograph the scenic views, after you've found a safe place to park.

Go next

 * Arecibo
 * Florida
 * Jayuya
 * Manatí
 * Morovis
 * Orocovis
 * Utuado