Some places make you work for the shot. Puente de Piedra in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, was one of those places.

While on a family vacation in Puerto Rico, I had my sights set on capturing the legendary sunsets along the island’s west coast. The plan seemed simple: drive from San Juan to Cabo Rojo. What I hadn’t accounted for was how impossible it would be to drive straight through without stopping. The island’s roads are lined with temptations—quaint cafés serving strong, rich coffee, roadside stands offering mouthwatering local cuisine, and breathtaking waterfalls begging for just one more photo. We tried multiple days in a row but never made it in one push.

The solution? We packed up and switched our Airbnb to stay on the west coast, making Cabo Rojo more accessible. But even then, the journey wasn’t a straight shot. More small-town charm, more scenic pull-offs. By the time we neared the iconic Puente de Piedra beach, the sun was already threatening to dip below the horizon, and we were running out of time. To make things more interesting, Anna had a scheduled appointment and needed an internet connection—something we couldn’t find anywhere near our location.

With minutes to spare before golden hour, my son Q and I made a split-second decision. Anna dropped us off, and with my camera bag and trusty Benro tripod in hand, we sprinted down the trail. I had preloaded an aerial screenshot of the topography, so I had a general idea of where we needed to go. Along the way, we ran into a group of photographers. They were all packed up, heading away from the lighthouse. Odd—golden hour was just beginning. I asked if they knew about the location I was after. They had never heard of it.

I trusted my research and instincts, veering off onto a small, faint trail that led down to the coastline. As we navigated the final turn, the scene I had envisioned finally revealed itself. The composition was perfect. But there was one problem—getting there. “Well, looks like we’re going to have to downclimb this cliff,” I told Q.

With adrenaline pumping, we scrambled down to the beach and set up. As the sky ignited with fiery oranges and purples, I knew I had saved the best composition for last. I waded out along the left sea wall and perched my Benro tripod on the edge of a volcanic boulder. Two legs braced against the stone, one leg secured on top. Q became my lookout, calling out as waves crashed over the rocks. “Here comes a big one!” he’d yell, and I’d instinctively shield my Nikon Z8’s 14-24mm lens with my hat to keep the salt spray off.

Timing was everything. I was shooting long exposures—15, 20, and 30 seconds—to smooth out the ocean and bring the vision to life. The moment the sun aligned perfectly, bursting through the horizon, I clicked the shutter. And just like that—viola. We had it. Another sunburst masterpiece.

As we packed up and climbed out of the cove, we ran into Anna and Adam on the trail. They were heading toward the lighthouse. I had to show them what we had just experienced. Together, we made our way back to Puente de Piedra’s overlook, capturing a few more final frames of the stunning natural bridge from above.

This adventure was more than just a photography mission—it was a journey, a chase, and a reminder that sometimes the best images come from the moments where everything seems just on the edge of impossible.

Fine Art Prints Now Available The photographs captured from this unforgettable evening at Puente de Piedra are now available as fine art prints. Whether you’re looking for a breathtaking sunset to hang in your home or office, these images embody the magic and adventure of Puerto Rico’s rugged coastline. Visit MichaelKlingerJr.com to explore these limited-edition prints.