Arecibo Observatory
Arecibo Observatory
4.5
This location was reported permanently closed
About
Explore the wonders of the universe at the world's largest radio telescope located in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. Here, scientists from throughout the world use the 305 meter dish to gather radio signals from regions of star formation, planets, distant galaxies and the atmosphere. Visit the Angel Ramos Foundation Science and Visitor Center which includes interactive exhibits. Enjoy the amazing view from the observation deck and don't forget the auditorium and souvenir shop.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,032 reviews
Excellent
504
Very good
366
Average
112
Poor
23
Terrible
27
Nathan Smith Jr
Los Angeles, CA693 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Arecibo is such a massive disappointment. I’ve wanted to go here since I was a little kid. Always wanted to be an astronomer. 15 bucks per person for basically an 8 minute Youtube video and then a decent view outside. Of course there’s a gift shop here to get more money lol. Absolute rip off. You’re honestly better off just spending time watching a YouTube video at home. The drive up the mountain to get to the observatory is the most interesting part.
There is a massive hill to get up to the visitor center as well but all you have to do is ask the security guard to call the van to take you up to the top. A lot of people who write these reviews clearly don’t have common sense lol. If you’re scared to go up the hill, ask for help.
Regardless, a waste of time.
There is a massive hill to get up to the visitor center as well but all you have to do is ask the security guard to call the van to take you up to the top. A lot of people who write these reviews clearly don’t have common sense lol. If you’re scared to go up the hill, ask for help.
Regardless, a waste of time.
Written 17 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas M
Durham, CT18 contributions
Feb 2020
Our visit was limited by precautions undertaken because of the rash of earthquakes in PR during this time. So we were NOT able to participate in the VIP tour that is recommended by so many. The upside is that they are transporting all visitors by car up to the Visitor Center, so no climbing problems. Film is very informative, and necessary for understanding the nature of the Observatory. Concept and scale of the site is impressive - amazing to imagine how it originated. Displays in the Visitor Center are informative and well-designed for children to get, so this is a good family visit.
Written 10 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VGTravelGirl
St. Albert, Canada2,109 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
When you arrive you drive up a small hill and park. If the parking lot is full, you may have to park at the entrance. There is a staircase from the parking lot to the observatory is steep, but not too long. The exhibit space in the entrance has some interesting displays and some are interactive. You watch a 15 minute video before going outside to see the telescope. The guide who spoke after the video and on the viewing platform was very informative. There are lots of clean washroom facilities on site and a small food kiosk. It would be nice if the video was brought up to date.
Written 3 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anna Lisa D
4 contributions
Mar 2022
The visitor's center opened 2 days before we arrived (March 2022). We had to get a reservation online to visit. It was totally worth it. Be sure you arrive a good hour before closing so you have time to walk the steep hill from the parking lot to the visitor's center. The staff was newly trained and eager to help. We showed up just 1 hour before closing and were the only visitors there. The exhibits inside are varied and fascinating. There is a short movie to watch about the history of the telescope, including its collapse and continued study using the old data. You get to go outside and see the remains of the towers and saucer in the sink hole. Very cool!
Beware, the walk up the hill is very steep and longer than you expect. There are stairs. Kids can do it, but it would be tough on people with joint issues or breathing problems. There is an area halfway up to rest if needed. We weren't paying attention to handicapped access so I'm not sure if there's parking uphill closer to the visitor's center.
Beware, the walk up the hill is very steep and longer than you expect. There are stairs. Kids can do it, but it would be tough on people with joint issues or breathing problems. There is an area halfway up to rest if needed. We weren't paying attention to handicapped access so I'm not sure if there's parking uphill closer to the visitor's center.
Written 24 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Willow M
Lake Wales, FL3 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Do not waste your time on 2 hours of winding roads, only to be told that they closed 2 months ago. I called in advance, the recorded message said they were open and how much the entry fee is. The guard was very abrupt, closed. He was not aware of the recorded message on their phone.
Written 11 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sunnyrga
Saskatchewan, Canada95 contributions
Nov 2019 • Couples
Well worth your time though be forewarned the climb from the parking lot can be challenging for anyone with mobility issues. The displays are interactive, fun and well done! It will take you a couple of hours if you like this type of science. It really is quite fascinating even for non science nerds. The structure and building process is interesting as well. The cafeteria and food is quite limited so be prepared.
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
eileen d
Vienna, VA8 contributions
Feb 2022
We hoped to maybe see the dish from an observation platform, but the whole site is still closed to visitors (we were there on Feb 14). It was an interesting curvy road to get up there, though, and see Puerto Rico away from touristy areas. We saw some towers above the trees. The karst landscape is impressive. The security guard was very nice. There were clean restrooms at the gate. Get confirmation from the site before you go. The guard thought it might reopen in a month or two, but I very much doubt it.
Written 20 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jenny M
Ankeny, IA486 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
Neat to see the dish and columns. Need to have an understanding of science. There are hands on experience for kids. Purchase tickets in advance online $15 for adults. It is not hard to find, there are signs from Arecibo which is approximately 30 min away. There are a lot of steps and steep hill to climb to get to the observatory. There is a small gift shop. You can watch an 8 min video of the history. You can learn a lot by going. There are actual remnants of the antenna.
Written 30 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrea M
Barre, MA111 contributions
Jan 2020
This is the largest radio telescope in the world. It is free to go. I must warn you tho. The hike from the parking lot up the to observatory is quite exhausting but if you need help there is a shuttle. We were so impressed the visitor center, our tour guide and the immense size of the dish. Don't fall for tours. It is free to go unless you're a large group.
Written 29 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wine Rulz
San Diego, CA105 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
It was interesting to visit and I would have loved to see it before the incident. There are few things to do inside and an outside area, but generally I wouldn’t go out of the way for just this site. We went to see Camuy River Cave Park, which is about 20-30 drive and had a couple of hours to kill before our reservation so it worked well.
Written 9 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, do we need to book in advance the regular tickets or just purchase over there?
Written 21 December 2018
We will be in PR during X'mas and want to know if the Observatory is going o be open on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 and Wednesday 26 of December? Do you need a reservation for the tour?
Written 31 October 2018
I didn't make a reservation, I bought the tickets on site. I am not sure of how crowded it may be during the holiday. I recommend you call them, they will help you.
Written 4 November 2018
Friends,
I want to see the observatory and the Camuy caves today (Saturday June 9 2018), but can't find out if they have opened the caves since the hurricane. Does anyone know?
Thanks very much.
Written 9 June 2018
Camuy Caves are closed until further.
Written 29 August 2018
Is it open again after Hurricane Maria?
Written 25 January 2018
AreciboObservatory
Arecibo, Puerto Rico
Hello Marie,
Yes, we already opened after the hurricane.
Wednesday - Sunday & Holidays
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Mondays and Tuesdays Closed
Written 26 January 2018
SLizC
Wilmington, Delaware
My son will be 6 when visiting and is very interested in science and all things about outer space. Is this appropriate for him? Or should I wait until he is older? I am a native Puerto Rican and was born in Arecibo.. So looking for fun things for us to do together.
Written 24 January 2018
For sure! They have a great science center and the huge dish will be very cool for little ones. Fun for all!!
Written 25 January 2018
Is there any way to get a person who is in a wheelchair there?
Written 23 June 2017
yes, speak with entrance guard. they allowed us to drive up to the top, where my wife's mother could access by walker.
A wheelchair will also work.
Written 4 July 2017
I'm a solo traveler who enjoys bus adventures and would love to avoid renting a car. Can I get to the observatory without a car?
Written 20 June 2017
I don't know of any way to get there without a vehicle. It is 50 to 60 miles from San Juan and I am unaware of any public transportation that goes there. There are tour groups that go out there but it would cost about the same as renting a car.
Written 20 June 2017
We will be in Puerto Rico on June 9 and 10th are you open and how far are you located from San Juan?
Written 6 June 2017
Hy According To the WAZE GPS which i highly recommend in the island is aprox 61-69 miles from San Juan, it will take you right to it, it is 100% acurate in the island, hope it can help.
Luis Castr
Written 9 June 2017
AreciboObservatory
Arecibo, Puerto Rico
Regular Calendar
(August 1 to December 14 ) and (January 16 to May 31)
Wednesday - Sunday - Holidays ... 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Mondays and Tuesdays Closed
Summer Season
(June 1 - July 31)
Monday - Sunday
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Winter Season
(December. 15 - January. 15)
Monday - Sunday
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Closed on the following 8 Holidays
Good Friday, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year and Three Kings Day.
Written 14 March 2017
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