1. What is the minimum or maximum age to rock climb?

• Minimum age 3 years old. Maximum age will depend on the health and stamina of the person. You should not have injuries or conditions that could be aggravated by the physical exercise of climbing. If you are in doubt ask your doctor.  

2. Can I climb if I have an injury or health/mental condition? or scared of heights?

• You should not climb if you have injuries or a recent surgery. In terms of mental health its well known that outdoor activities such as rock climbing can help anyone looking for nature contact, calming environment, executing physical and balance movements while also practice perseverance, focus and empowerment. If you are in doubt always ask your doctor. 
• Being scared of heights the first time you climb is more common than you imagine because your body is trying something new for the first time. We will do our best to help you get through any uncomfortable situation due to being scared and explain in detail what things you should know to enjoy it.

3. Do I need a reservation to rock climb for the first time as a Guided Climbing?

• YES. Go to the Guided Climbing option and see the details.

4. How hard is rock climbing for a beginner

• Rock climbing for a beginner is a mix of a physical and the mental state of the person. Generally speaking, people who practice sports, regularly exercise and-or are relatively lighter in body weight are more likely to do it easier, if they are not scared of heights or any other mental limitation. However, we have seen MANY people who are not sports practitioners, do not exercise regularly and are relatively heavier in body weight and can successfully rock climb, because they are not scared of heights or have any other mental limitation. Rock climbing has a much more mental component than a physical for a beginner.

5. What is the height a beginner person could climb?

• The highest route for a beginner in Roca Norte Outdoor Climbing Gym in Vega Baja is around 50 ft high. The shortest route for beginner can be 20 ft. However, you don't need to climb all the way to the top, you can always choose the maximum height you want to do and then come back down. 

6. Do I need previous experience in rock climbing in order to climb?

• If you do not have previous experience, you will be guided by a rock climbing guide who will help you get the most of this first experience. You should book the service Guided Climbing.

7. If I have previous experience in rock climbing can I go and climb by my own

• You can only climb by your own if you are properly trained and have a trained partner with you. We have 3 services you can choose depending on your known skills or if you are coming alone:

1)     Top Rope Set Up service: for 2 or more persons who know how to top rope belay each other

2)   Lead Belay service: for 1 person who knows how to lead climb and doesn’t have a climbing partner

3)   Gym Pass: for 2 or more persons who know how lead climb, lead belay and clean anchors

8. Is the climbing gear included in Roca Norte?

• Gear is included in all climbing services except for Gym Pass but you also have the option to rent it during your booking.   

9. How safe is rock climbing for a beginner?

• We use Top Rope technique as it is the safest way to rock climb for a beginner. In this service the rope is set up through the top anchors with a doubled bolted (3,000 pound strength expansion bolt each) anchor. Our climbing routes are protected with stainless steel bolts, continuously monitored for quality and all climbing gear is in excellent state. Also, the guides always use automatic belay devices.

10. Can children do rock climbing?

• YES. Generally speaking, children are flexible, fearless, full of stamina and lighter in body weight. However, we recognize not all children are the same and some may experience this height for the first time and the support of parents is very important. Respect their experience and help them face any situation in calm without discouraging comments will be beneficial not only for this experience but for all others. 

11. Is Roca Norte a gym with real rock walls?

• YES, everything in this gym is natural. Real limestone rock is what you will climb.

12. What are the gym hours?

• Monday to Sunday from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm. However, each service has its own hours sessions, check in the description.

13. Can I enroll myself in a training program without having any rock climbing experience?

• NO. Our beginners service Guided Climbing is focused on other different aspects than the Climbing Training. It is recommended that you try it for the first time in order for you to know if you want to engage with it several times in a month. 

14. Is the gear included in the training sessions?

• YES. However, you can get brand new gear also, if you want!

15. How difficult will the training be?

• We are personal trainers, we will adjust to your pace, see potential and match a training program to get your goals. That being said, your training can have different approaches according to what you want to obtain in a short term and/or long terms. Some people want to have rock climbing as an alternative to train several times in a week or a month in contact with nature. Others need to complement their actual training (running, swimming, CrossFit etc.) with rock climbing sessions in the weekend. It will depend of what you want and we will suggest areas to improve. 

16. How long are the training sessions?

• Training sessions have a minimum of two hours, however in that time you will be doing also stretches, warm up exercises, rock climbing and rest time. 

17. How many sessions can I have in a month?

• It’s up to your availability. We have training sessions for 6, 8, 10 etc. hours a month. You can decide the date and time you want to use the hours before they expire in a 30 day period.

18. Is this training for beginner climbers or more experienced?

• BOTH. However, we use the difficulty of the rock itself which means that people who want to develop climbing techniques in the grades range YDS 5.8 to 5.12a will definitely have enough playground.

19. Will I be with other people while I train?

• Training sessions are private or with at least other person you may know and your trainer. This will depend on the case but people with similar training capacities or goals could be in the same session.  

20. Are these training sessions on a month basis?

• YES. You don't have to stick with year-round contracts! If you will be traveling, get sick or something else happens you don't have to renew it!

21. If I'm an experience lead climber, how can I find the routes?

• EASY. Our climbing routes are tagged with a number at about eye level, that same number matches the route number in Mountain Project.

22. Are the climbing anchors chains? Should I clean anchors?

• IT DEPENDS. Many routes have gym anchors at the top (or carabiners) and you don’t need to clean anchors, just clip through it. Is widely known in other countries or climbing areas where you are not supposed to do that to avoid too much wear down, however, remember we live in Roca Norte and we are in charge of only 39 routes which are inspected and replaced as needed. Those rules or ethics are reinforced in areas where there’s nobody in charge of their maintenance or its very limited.

23. If I will use the Top Rope Service, should I use only automatic belay devices?

• NO. You should use the belay device that you know how to manage for safety reasons. 

1. Do I need a tent to stay in one of the campsites?

• NO. You don't need if you will be camping in any of the available campsites in Roca Norte since we provide it.

2. Do you provide of glamping experiences?

·        YES. Please visit our camping section and choose Fairies Tiny House in Cayey.

3. Do I have to walk/hike to get to the campsites?

• YES, if you choose any of the Roca Norte campsites. NO, if you choose the Fairies Tiny House in Cayey.



4. Do all campsites have bathroom/shower?

• YES.

5. Are the campsites located in a safe area?

• YES. As in any other place you are not exempt of the possibility of some crimes or any other situation. However, Fairies Tiny House is located in the lowlands of Carite Forest, at the end of a non-trafficked road, with a few neighbors. Roca Norte campsites are located also in private land secured by a gate.

6. Is there a minimum age for the campsites?

• DEPENDS. Roca Norte campsites are kid friendly, except for Refugio Caney which has a 10 ft ladder with no handrails, choose wisely according to your particular case. As in any other place adults should pay attention to children at all times and identify any potential danger such as campfires, trips, falls, etc. 

7. What are the prices for camping?

• Prices vary per site in a range of 30$ up to 50$ per person depending where you choose. 

8. Will I share the campsite with other persons?·        

• NO. Each of the campsites are private. However, those located in Roca Norte may only have some spaces shared such as the kitchenette and bathroom.
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1. Is the rented gear in good condition?

• YES. We take excellent care of all the gear, inspect it before and after each use and replace it with new ones way before any visible or palpable damage. You have the right not to take it OR ask to be replaced for another if you are not satisfied at pick up time. 

2. Can I rent the climbing gear to take with me to another location?

• YES. We will ask you several questions including where you will be using the gear as well as asking for your climbing experience and providing with any information you may need. 

3. What type of climbing shoes do you rent?

• DIFFERENT STYLES, from aggressive to non aggressive ones. We keep a good inventory of climbing shoes with well known brands such as La Sportiva and Tenaya, among others. 

4. What size of crash pads do you rent?

• LARGE ONES. All crash pads are 4 ft x 3 ft, and 5 inches thick. Brands: Trango, Madrock and Evolv 

1. What is the workshop focused on?

• GEOLOGY of Puerto Rico. We will discuss main rock types, their distribution, how to identify and much more.

2. What ages are recommended for the workshop?

• The workshop is adapted to the ages of the group. Ages 5 or older are the most benefited however, is their own curiosity and will to learn that makes this experience unique.

3. Is the workshop outdoor or indoor?

• If you are coming to Roca Norte to take it, it will be 100% outdoor. If you want us to go to your school (all over PR) it will be where you choose, either outdoor or indoor.

4. What other workshops can be offered?

•  Besides of the workshop Geology of Puerto Rico, we can offer: Coastal Geology, Sedimentary environments, Karst and Cave Geology, Fossils of Puerto Rico, Earthquakes and Tsunamis and much more. You can request a topic too.

5. What is the duration of the workshop?

•    For an outdoor setting in Roca Norte typically 2 hours and it will include a short hike, but will also depend on the interest of the audience.

6. What is the cost of the workshop?

•   DEPENDS. We work special rates for schools, please check the description of this service in the GEO-Room.