Nearly a decade after Hurricane María, Añasco to bring back El Salto de La Encantada

The municipality of Añasco broke ground June 8, 2026 on the reconstruction of El Salto de La Encantada, a natural recreational area in the Barrio Marías neighborhood that has remained damaged since Hurricane María struck Puerto Rico in September 2017. The project carries an investment of $861,597.50.

El Salto de La Encantada—whose name translates roughly to “the enchanted waterfall”—opened in the early 2000s as a green space offering residents and visitors direct contact with nature, along with playgrounds, gazebos, and a basketball court. The park is considered one of the most emblematic natural and tourism attractions in the coastal municipality of Añasco, located on the western coast of Puerto Rico.

The project includes the full reconstruction and restoration of the wooden structures that form part of the main access to the recreational area, including the replacement of platforms, staircases, safety railings, and benches that were severely damaged by Hurricane María. Additional work will include repairs and replacement of sidewalks, curbs, ornamental posts, and the area’s lighting system.

As part of mitigation efforts, waterproofing sealants will be applied to wooden surfaces and protective coatings added to lighting systems to extend the life of the facilities and strengthen their resistance to future storms.

“Today we take an important step toward the recovery and strengthening of one of our main natural attractions,” said Añasco Mayor Kabir Solares García (NPP). “El Salto de La Encantada is part of the identity of our town and this investment will allow future generations to enjoy a safe, accessible, and renewed space.”

Solares García added that the reconstruction would contribute to the region’s economic and tourism development.

“This project represents our commitment to the resilient reconstruction of Añasco,” Solares García said. “We are investing in quality infrastructure that will protect our natural and recreational resources and continue driving economic activity in our communities.”

The El Salto de La Encantada project joins the reconstruction of Villas del Castillo, the indoor court at Carreras, and Avenida las Palmas as part of the municipality’s ongoing post-María recovery work.

Hurricane María made landfall on Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017 as a Category 4 storm, causing catastrophic and widespread damage across the islands. Recovery and reconstruction efforts have continued for nearly a decade, with federal disaster recovery funding supporting projects across municipalities.