Guajataca Tunnel

The Guajataca tunnel was cut through the headland in the early twentieth century for the railway that ran round the island carrying sugar, and when the line closed in the 1950s the tunnel was left. It is short, lit at the ends by daylight, and it opens onto a rocky shore where waves break against the cliffs. A boardwalk and steps lead down. The setting, a tunnel mouth framing the sea, is the reason it is one of the more photographed spots on this coast.

History

The American Railroad Company of Puerto Rico began the tunnel around 1904 while extending its northern line west, linking Quebradillas and Isabela across the Guajataca canyon with two tunnels joined by a steel viaduct 76.2 m long, 40 m above the river. In 2000 the Government of Puerto Rico declared it a historical monument (Wikipedia, Guajataca Tunnel).

The main sights

• The tunnel - a short railway cut through the headland, walked in a few minutes.
• The sea opening - the tunnel mouth framing the rocky coast beyond.
• The shore - waves breaking against cliffs and rock platforms.
• The old railway line - the route the tunnel was built for.

When to go

December to April is the drier season and the calmest sea. High surf makes the shore dangerous and it is best watched from above then. Weekends are busy.

Practical notes

The rocks below are slippery and the surf here is powerful. The tunnel is unlit in the middle and the floor is uneven. Parking on PR-2 is awkward and break-ins have been reported.

Nearby

Lago Guajataca is inland, and Isabela is west along the coast.

Key facts