Cerro de Punta Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Cerro de Punta
Cerro de Punta as seen from Museo de Arte de Ponce, Ponce, Puerto Rico
Highest point
Elevation	4,390 ft (1,340 m)
Prominence	4,390 ft (1,340 m)
Listing	North America isolated peaks 43rd
Geography
Cerro de Punta Location in Puerto Rico
Location	Ponce and Jayuya, Puerto Rico
Parent range	Cordillera Central
Climbing
Easiest route	PR-143

Cerro de Punta or just Cerro Punta is the highest peak in Puerto Rico, rising to 1,338 meters (4,390 ft) above sea level. The mountain is part of the Cordillera Central and is located in the municipality of Ponce.

Location
Geology
Best view
Wildlife and flora
Nearby roads
Hiking and access trail
Gallery
See also

Location

The mountain is part of the Cordillera Central and is located on the border between the municipalities of Jayuya and Ponce. The access road to the point closest to the highest elevation is from the municipality of Jayuya. It is part of the Toro Negro Forest Reserve, and it has been described as "an alpine runt." It is located on the western end of the Toro Negro State Park. The mountain is just north of east-to-westbound Route 143. It is located at coordinates 18.172458 and -66.591839W. The nearest populated place to Cerro de Punta is Urbanization Vega Linda, located 3.3 miles away.

Geology

Unlike many Caribbean mountains, Cerro de Punta is not a volcano but simply the highest point in the Cordillera Central. Cordillera Central is the central mountain range that divides the island by running in an east-west fashion.

Best view

View from Cerro de Punta, highest point in Puerto Rico

The view from atop Cerro de Punta is said to be "the best view in all of Puerto Rico". On a clear day, it is possible to see virtually the entire island, including as far as San Juan, which is over 75 miles away. There are a number of radio and television transmission and re-transmission towers just off the top of the mountain. There is an observation platform at the top of the mountain.

Wildlife and flora

The mountain is home to an abundant amount of wildlife, lush vegetation, flowering shrubs and trees, and numerous waterfalls. The mountain is covered by palm trees. Various plants, including some endangered species are found here. The endangered fern Elaphoglossum serpens is found only on this mountain and nowhere else in the world.

Weather chart for Cerro Puntas (Climate - Sub-Tropical Highland (Cfb))

3.4

2.7

2.8

6.1

7.8

9.9

7.7

temperatures in °F
precipitation totals in inches

Metric conversion

J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
86 19 5	69 20 5	71 20 8	154 21 13	311 23 16	199 24 17	285 24 17	335 26 17	257 24 17	251 24 16	318 21 14	196 18 8
temperatures in °C • precipitation totals in mm

Nearby roads

Driving in mountain roads tips

The area consists of many steep mountains. The nearest road is PR-143, which is a winding two-lane mountain road that must be travelled very slowly as it is not possible to see traffic coming from the opposite direction for any significant length. Off Route 143 is the road that actually leads to the mountain's top. Route 143 can be accessed via the better-traveled Route 10. Route 143 is part of the Ruta Panorámica.

Hiking and access trail

View of roadway from Cerro de Punta

A nearby inn called Hacienda Gripiñas, has a trail that leads to the top of the mountain. Hacienda Gripiñas was a coffee plantation, but has been turned into a country inn. It actually still grows some coffee. The inn operates under a contract with the Government of Puerto Rico. The trails, however, are not well marked and often suffer damage from storms. While people can hike their way to the top of the mountain, there is a paved road that leads to the very summit. The Toro Negro State Forest has 12 miles of hiking trails some of which lead to the top of Cerro de Punta.