Observatorio de Arecibo
A radio telescope built in 1963 inside a natural karst sinkhole near Arecibo, for decades the largest single dish in the world. Its suspended platform collapsed in December 2020 and the great dish no longer exists. Visitor access has been closed or limited since then, so check the current status before building a route around it.
Example
If a guidebook lists it as a classic northern stop, check the guidebook's date. The site changed completely in 2020.
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Related terms
Nature
Región cárstica
A belt across the island's north made of eroded limestone, with rounded hills called mogotes, sinkholes and caves. It...
Nature
Cueva Ventana
A cave near Arecibo whose mouth opens like a window over the Río Grande de Arecibo valley. The visit is guided, with...
Nature
Cavernas del Río Camuy
A cave system carved by one of the largest underground rivers in the hemisphere, in the island's north. The public...
History
Viejo San Juan
The historic core of San Juan, founded in the sixteenth century on an islet and still partly ringed by its walls. It...
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit today?
The great dish is gone and general access has been closed or restricted since the collapse. Check the official status in your travel month.
Why was it famous?
For its size, its role in radio astronomy and signal searches, and for the films shot on site.
