UFOs, Lights, and Lajas: My Journey Along Puerto Rico’s Mysterious Ruta Extraterrestre
- Natalija Ugrina
- Jun 15
- 7 min read
If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you know I have a thing for alien mysteries. From my unforgettable visit to Roswell, New Mexico to exploring America’s most bizarre UFO hotspots, I’ve chased some strange lights across the map. But nothing prepared me for what I experienced in a tiny Puerto Rican town called Lajas.
Somewhere between palm trees and sugarcane fields lies a road you probably won’t find in most guidebooks — Ruta Extraterrestre Puerto Rico, or Puerto Rico’s “Extraterrestrial Route.” It’s a 4-kilometer stretch that feels more like a gateway into the unknown than a highway. The alien signage? Real. The sightings? Chillingly well-documented. The vibe? Let's just say… unearthly.
What Is the Ruta Extraterrestre Puerto Rico?
In 2005, the municipality of Lajas officially designated a section of PR‑303 as the Ruta Extraterrestre—Spanish for “Extraterrestrial Route.” A bright green sign marks the start of the route, complete with a flying saucer illustration. This isn’t just roadside kitsch. The area has been a hotspot for unexplained aerial phenomena for decades.
The road runs near Laguna Cartagena and the Sierra Bermeja mountain range, both locations long tied to sightings of mysterious lights, craft, and electromagnetic anomalies. Because of its decades-long history of credible encounters and military interest, locals sometimes refer to it as Puerto Rico’s Area 51.
The Lajas Lights: Puerto Rico’s Ongoing UFO Mystery
One of the most persistent and unexplained phenomena in the region is what locals call the Lajas Lights. These mysterious orbs have appeared in the skies over Lajas for decades—floating, pulsing, zigzagging, or vanishing without a sound.
Witnesses often describe them as amber, white, or bluish lights, sometimes seen hovering low over the fields, other times darting between the hills near Laguna Cartagena and Sierra Bermeja. Unlike distant stars or passing planes, these lights behave erratically—stopping mid-air, moving against the wind, or disappearing the moment you try to film them.
I heard stories from multiple locals who recalled family skywatching nights in the ’90s and early 2000s, when people would gather near the Ruta Extraterrestre just to catch a glimpse. These weren’t just one-time tales—they were frequent events, often witnessed by entire groups.
While skeptics have chalked it up to headlights, flares, or electrical interference, most explanations don’t hold up under scrutiny. The terrain is mostly rural and dark. The sightings often occur on windless, cloudless nights, and the lights don’t follow any predictable pattern.
Interestingly, some researchers have pointed out that the area is located near tectonic fault lines, suggesting that electromagnetic activity deep underground could play a role. But that doesn’t explain the consistency, nor the shape-shifting behavior described by many witnesses.
What remains clear is that the Lajas Lights are part of the region’s identity—mentioned in local lore, investigated by scientists, and still seen today. Whether you believe they're extraterrestrial, geological, or something else entirely, their presence adds another layer of mystery to Puerto Rico’s very own UFO corridor.
The Tethered Radar Balloon Above Lajas
As I stood near the alien-themed road sign, I looked up and noticed a massive white balloon hovering motionless in the sky. It wasn’t a weather balloon—it was tethered, completely still, and strangely ominous.
This is part of the Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It monitors low-flying aircraft—but many locals believe it serves another purpose. Conspiracy theories suggest the balloon also monitors UFO activity or suppresses public sightings.
It crashed in 2011 and was quietly relaunched, adding to local suspicions. Whether coincidence or something more, the balloon has become part of the mystery that defines Lajas.
Real Alien Encounters in Lajas
Lajas isn’t just known for unusual lights—it’s home to several well-documented UFO encounters that continue to intrigue researchers and witnesses alike.
🛸 The 1991 Schoolyard Sighting
A group of schoolchildren and their teacher witnessed a metallic disc hovering silently above their playground in broad daylight. It remained stationary before shooting upward and vanishing. Their reports were consistent and even made local headlines.
🛸 The 2002 Pilot Encounter
A private pilot flying over western Puerto Rico was followed by a wingless, metallic craft. The object was clearly visible but didn’t appear on radar. The pilot filed a report, but no official response was ever given.
🛸 The 1988 Triangular UFO Over Sierra Bermeja
This is one of Puerto Rico’s most famous sightings. On December 28, 1988, more than 100 people reported seeing a massive, silent triangular craft hovering above the Sierra Bermeja mountains. According to multiple witnesses, three U.S. Navy F‑14 jets were scrambled. As they approached, the craft split into two separate lights and disappeared in opposite directions. One jet allegedly vanished, though that detail remains unconfirmed.
To this day, the 1988 incident is cited by researchers as one of the most credible and unusual UFO sightings on the island.
🛸 Mutilated Livestock Near Laguna Cartagena
Farmers in the area have reported finding cows, goats, and chickens with blood completely drained and organs missing—no signs of predators or struggle. These cases echo the classic signs of animal mutilations linked to unexplained aerial phenomena in other countries.
🛸 The Aguadilla UFO Case (2013)
On April 25, 2013, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection aircraft recorded thermal infrared footage of a low-flying object over Aguadilla. The object moved at high speed, entered the ocean, then re-emerged and appeared to split into two separate entities.
The footage has been studied extensively by independent experts, who concluded that the object’s behavior defied conventional aircraft technology. It’s now considered one of the most credible government-documented UFO cases in the world.
🛸 El Yunque Rainforest and Alien Lore
Across the island in the northeast, the lush and misty El Yunque National Forest has its own paranormal history. Visitors and locals have long reported sightings of strange lights and even humanoid creatures. Some believe there are underground facilities hidden deep within the forest.
With its electromagnetic anomalies and history of mysterious encounters, El Yunque is often considered a companion hotspot to Ruta Extraterrestre Puerto Rico.
The Chupacabra Connection
During the mid-1990s, Puerto Rico experienced a wave of livestock mutilations that led to the rise of the Chupacabra legend. Many animals were found with surgical-like incisions, completely drained of blood, and no signs of predators—strikingly similar to classic UFO-related mutilation cases. While often dismissed as folklore, the timing of these attacks overlapped with intense UFO activity in Lajas, suggesting a possible link between alien sightings and mysterious livestock injuries.
Interestingly, this pattern of cryptid-related intrigue isn’t unique to Puerto Rico. In my previous post on the Super Weird Florida: Skunk Ape Research Headquarters, I explored Florida’s own cryptid hotspot. The legendary skunk ape—Florida’s version of Bigfoot—is surrounded by its own mix of eyewitness reports, mysterious footprints, and local lore. That blog digs into how cryptozoology and regional myths interweave, creating real-world mysteries that echo those in Puerto Rico.
The similarities are uncanny:
Both settings have vocal communities of locals and enthusiasts drawn to the unexplained.
Each features unverified creature encounters—be it Chupacabras in Puerto Rico or skunk apes in Florida.
Both include research hubs built around personal stories and collected lore.
And in each case, scientific ambiguity fuels ongoing fascination.
Visiting the Ruta Extraterrestre
My own visit was both peaceful and unsettling. The road itself is scenic—lined with banana trees, grazing cows, and distant mountains—but the atmosphere changes around dusk.
I parked near Laguna Cartagena, a known sighting location. The air was still. The birds quieted. Then, for just a moment, I saw a flicker of light move across the sky. I can’t say for certain what it was—but I know it wasn’t ordinary.
What Else to Explore Around Lajas
If you make your way to Lajas, don’t stop with just the alien stuff. Here’s what else is worth exploring:
Laguna Cartagena National Wildlife Refuge – Ideal for birdwatching and stargazing
La Parguera Bioluminescent Bay – A magical, glowing lagoon
Local alien-themed stands – Grab snacks, souvenirs, and stories from people who’ve seen things they can’t explain
Alien vibes don’t stop at the roadside—La Parguera even has a burger bar with its own mural tribute to the UFO culture of Lajas.
Final Thoughts
I’ve visited a lot of strange places in my travels—ghost towns, abandoned castles, alleged alien crash sites—but Lajas felt different. Maybe it was the stillness in the air, the way the banana trees swayed just a little too quietly, or the sight of that strange white balloon anchored in the sky like it was watching us.
Whether you believe in UFOs or not, there’s something about this stretch of road in Puerto Rico that makes you pause. The stories aren’t just rumors—they’re deeply rooted in local memory. Grandparents, farmers, pilots, schoolteachers… people who have nothing to gain from making things up all report seeing the same things: lights that don’t behave like planes, objects that vanish without a sound, and moments that make you question everything you thought you knew.
And when you start connecting the dots—from the eerie Lajas Lights to the Chupacabra sightings and the tethered balloon that just hovers without explanation—it’s hard not to wonder if this quiet corner of Puerto Rico is hiding more than it lets on.
Visiting the Ruta Extraterrestre Puerto Rico isn’t just about chasing UFOs. It’s about curiosity. It’s about stepping into a place where the sky seems just a little bit closer—and asking, what if the truth really is out there?
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Looking for Your Own Close Encounter?
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Have a Story of Your Own?
Have you seen something strange in Puerto Rico—or somewhere else around the world? I’d love to hear your story. Message me on Instagram or leave a comment below.
No, only if it's given to me from someone for another planet