We visited this site yesterday during our Christmas vacation to Puerto Rico. It's smack-dab in the middle of the island so it's a road trip commitment from the typical sun and fun tourist sites. But Wow, what a ride! Hairpin turns on tiny roads, beautiful tropical forests and awe-inspiring mountain views the entire way.
Once there, practically hidden from view, is a gated parking lot and a beautifully preserved historic site and a small museum. This is a Taino version of stone henge. Carefully placed stone markers denote fields used for ceremonial purposes including possibly ballgames called "bateys."
There are petroglyphs outside and a few artifacts inside that are well-displayed and informative. The on-site guide Michael who speaks both English and Spanish, is passionate about the site and helped us envision what it may have been like hundreds of years ago. So peaceful and beautiful.
Cafe Gran Batey Coffee Tour is just up the road, but was closed during our visit. We continued our journey that day to Gozalandia Falls about an hour away. It was great spending a day digging a little deeper into Puerto Rican culture and exploring some of its amazing landscapes. read more