Honeymoon Pt. 4 – Hiking to the Cabo Rojo Lighthouse

The Cabo Rojo Lighthouse, or Faro Los Morrillos, is a must-do activity for anyone visiting Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge in Puerto Rico. Join us on our hike along the limestone cliffs to the lighthouse during our honeymoon in Puerto Rico!

Hiking to the Cabo Rojo Lighthouse

The hiking trail to Faro Los Morrillos is scenic and moderately challenging, leading visitors through the stunning natural beauty of the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge in Puerto Rico. The trail starts near the visitor center and winds through coastal forests and grasslands, offering stunning views of the rugged coastline and the Caribbean Sea.

The trail is approximately 1.5 miles long and takes 30-45 minutes to complete. While the trail is not difficult, it requires some physical exertion, and visitors should wear comfortable walking shoes and bring plenty of water. Along the way, hikers will pass by several historic landmarks, including the ruins of a sugar mill and the old salt flats.

The hike’s highlight is the Faro Los Morrillos lighthouse itself, which sits atop a rocky cliff overlooking the sea. Visitors can climb the spiral staircase to the top of the lighthouse and take in the breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding area.

During winter, hikers may even be lucky enough to spot humpback whales breaching in the waters below. Overall, the hiking trail to Faro Los Morrillos is an unforgettable experience that combines natural beauty, history, and adventure.

For our full article with tips and everything else you should know, click here!

Cabo Rojo Lighthouse Hike: Photo Gallery

Hiking to the Cabo Rojo Lighthouse: Video Transcript

Another day, another location. After leaving Rincon, we’ve stationed ourselves in La Parguera in the Southwest Corner of Puerto Rico near Cabo Rojo. We’re planning a few adventures here, including a wall dive in the Puerto Rican trench, a hike to a waterfall, and our first adventure today, hiking to a lighthouse in Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge.

Entering Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge

Although needing some restoration, the refuge is filled with cool features, including pink salt flats (once home to flamingos), mangrove salt ponds, limestone cliffs, natural archways, curious yellow warblers, and one super cool lighthouse from the 1800s. Honestly, this might have been my favorite out of everything we did during our trip to Puerto Rico.

Planning for the Hike

If you’re planning a hike to the lighthouse at Cabo Rojo, I recommend getting there early to beat the heat. Many of the peninsulas and coastlines in Puerto Rico are dry, arid ecosystems with very little vegetation to block the sun. Get there early to beat the heat and wear plenty of sun protection, especially UPF clothing.

Most hiking within Cabo Rojo Wildlife Refuge takes you along scenic limestone cliffs. The cliffs have a steep drop into the Caribbean Sea but provide an unbelievable view of the surrounding area. Take note of the eroded blowhole and natural architecture with glimmering blue waters as a backdrop.

The hike to the lighthouse took 45 minutes, with plenty of stops to take photos and videos. There’s a more direct route along a dirt road, but what’s the fun? You’ll miss all the coolest stuff along the way.

Apparently, the lighthouse is open to the public during certain days of the week. Unfortunately, it wasn’t open when we visited, but it was still all fun wandering around the grounds. If I were you, plan accordingly so you can climb the top for the best views in Southwest Puerto Rico.

Playa Sucia

The refuge includes one beach as well. Apparently, it’s called dirty beach, or Playa Sucia, but don’t let the name fool you. I’m sure it’s lovely, given the right time of year. We visited in May when sargassum started accumulating on the beaches in Puerto Rico. It’s a growing problem as more and more shows up yearly.