The primary reason to visit the area is for its long stretches and private pockets of deserted beaches gently lapped by the Caribbean Sea. The most popular one is Playa Punta Tuna (Carr. 760, km 3, Maunabo), where the low-lying hills of the Cordillera Central [1] kiss the sea. In addition to a nice wide mile-long beach and great surfing, this is where you’ll find picturesque Faro de Punta Tuna, a lighthouse perched atop a hilly point that juts into the water.
Other beaches in Maunabo [2] are Los Bohios (Carr. 760, Bordaleza), which offers a wonderful view of the Punta Tuna lighthouse and great surfing, and Los Pinos (Carr. 901), northwest of Playa Punta Tuna. Playa Lucia (Carr. 901, km 4) is a small beach in Yabucoa [2].
Faro de Punta Tuna (follow the signs from Carr. 760, Maunabo, 787/861-0301, Wed.–Sun. 9 a.m.–4 p.m., free) is a neoclassical-style lighthouse built in 1863. Stop by the office for information on the history of the lighthouse and the surrounding community, available in English and Spanish, then stroll the shady 0.25-mile path toward the octagonal tower high on a cliff offering 180-degree views of the ocean and mountains.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/puerto-rico/cordillera-central
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/puerto-rico/east-coast/yabucoa-maunabo-and-patillas