Manati Natural Pools | Travel Puerto Rico

Explore the natural pools of Manati, Puerto Rico. Travel guide and directions to find these spectacular natural pools and beautiful golden sand beaches of Puerto Rico.

JenThereDoneThat at La Poza del las Mujeres Manati Puerto Rico

Manati is the perfect area to enjoy spectacular natural pools and beautiful golden sand beaches of Puerto Rico. The natural rock forms a protective barrier against the rough Atlantic Ocean while creating these natural pools.

Multiple Natural Pools to Choose From

There are several natural pool areas ranging from small, personal pools of Piscinas Naturales to the larger pool of La Poza del las Mujeres, and the extra large natural pool of Mar Chiquita.

Piscinas Naturales of Manati are the small, shallow natural pools hidden deep within the rocks. You will need sturdy water shoes or hiking boots to access these tiny pools. Do not attempt to reach these pools when the seas are rough or during a storm as the water splashes and can be dangerous on the rocks.

Small natural pools of Manati, Puerto Rico
JenThereDoneThat
Small natural pools of Manati

La Poza del las Mujeres (translated as the Women’s Pool) is a larger pool with easy beach access.

La Poza del las Mujeres, Manati Puerto Rico Natural Pools
La Poza del las Mujeres

Mar Chiquita is the most well know natural pool in the area and is the largest of the natural pools in Manati. This beach has plenty of free parking and some shade trees. There are slick rocks around most of the edge of the extra large natural pool, so watch the locals for the best spots to enter & exit the water.

Mar Chiquita, Manati Puerto Rico
Mar Chiquita, Manati

Once again, the natural rocks from a protective barrier for this extra-large natural pool. Just beyond the rocks, you will typically see surfers. Mar Chiquita offers the best of both worlds for relaxing in the calm water, and great waves for surfing beyond the rocks.

Location and Parking

Manati is located 50 kilometers (31 miles) west of San Juan along the North coast of Puerto Rico.

Natural Pools and designated parking in Manati, Puerto Rico
JenThereDoneThat

There is a parking lot and free parallel parking along the street with access to the Natural Pools of La Poza del las Mujeres and Piscinas Naturales. Police frequent this area on the weekends to give out parking tickets so make sure that you are parked legally. When in doubt, pay for the parking lot. At only $7 per vehicle, the parking lot is a much cheaper option than a parking ticket, trust me!

Estacionamiento La Poza, paid parking lot with access to the Natural Pools of La Poza del las Mujeres and Piscinas Naturales, Manati, Puerto Rico
JenThereDoneThat
Estacionamiento La Poza, paid parking lot with access to the Natural Pools of La Poza del las Mujeres and Piscinas Naturales, Manati, Puerto Rico

Once you reach the golden sand beaches of Playa Las Palmas (also known as Playa Mujeres), there is plenty of room to spread out. The La Poza del las Mujeres natural pools are a short walk to the left and more small, shallow pools of Piscinas Naturales to the right!

Playa Las Palmas (Playa Mujeres), Manati Puerto Rico
JenThereDoneThat
Playa Las Palmas (Playa Mujeres), Manati Puerto Rico

What to Bring

There are no facilities along the beach of Playa Las Palmas or surrounding natural pools. There are no bars, restaurants, or kioskos. Bring everything you need for your beach day. And if you bring it in, be sure to clean up after yourself and pack up your trash.

Bring cooler for drinks and snack, umbrellas, and chairs for La Poza del las Mujeres and Mar Chiquita.

  • Drinks
  • Food/Snacks
  • Chairs or beach towels
  • Beach Umbrella – warning: it gets very windy so be careful where you set up
  • Dry bag to keep your phone, keys, and other items dry

Piscinas Naturales is quite the hike over slick, sharp rocks so bring only essential items in a dry bag.

What to Wear

The rock cliffs that create each of these natural pools are sharp and slick from water splashing.

  • Water Shoes/Hiking Boots
  • Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunblock – reapply every few hours to avoid sunburns!
  • Swimsuit
Finding the Natural Pools of Manati, Puerto Rico with JenThereDoneThat

Whichever natural pool you choose, get there early as these beautiful spots can get crowded in the afternoon, especially weekends.

3 thoughts on “Manati Natural Pools | Travel Puerto Rico”

  1. Visiting the great sand beach and Manati natural pools sounds great if we ever get back to Puerto Rico. Very cool that there are pools of different sizes. And thanks for the tip about bringing water shoes. Great to have a spot to enjoy the outdoors.

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