It is believed the island is only some 4,000 years old, and stone art left on the island attests it has been visited by man over milennnia.
Taíno natives made frequent trips to the island on fishing expeditions, and when they were colonized by the Spanish during the 1511 battle of
Spanish–Taíno War for Borikén, the natives attempted a retreat to the Caja de Muertos but shortly afterwards they were either captured or killed. During much of the 17th century, the island is known to have been used as a hideout by pirates and mutineers. For example, in 1599-1600 it was used by a group merchants-turned-pirates who, after learning of a Portuguese ship filled with gold, silver, precious stones, other treasures, attacked it and appropriated its contents. As they attempted to travel back to England, though, they faced an attempted mutiny and, surviving it, they took refuge at Caja de Muertos. Venturing to the Puerto Rico mainland for provisions, they were killed, except for one, who later confessed to the existence of the hidden treasure. The Spanish colonial governor then appropriated the remaining treasure for construction projects among other uses. In 1842, the first known map was drafted using the name of the island as it is known today. In 1880 the Spanish government started construction of a lighthouse on the island, completing it in 1887. During the 19th century, the island was also hideout for Puerto Rican patriots who sought independence from Spain. Some of the patriots who hid there include
Ramón Emeterio Betances and
Segundo Ruiz Belvis. During these decades it was the secret meeting places of
masons when they were persecuted on the mainland. In 1898, at the time of the
American invasion, the island had a population of 64 permanent residents, and a decade later only 16 residents remained. These residents had no fresh water in the island, so water was brought in from the mainland when, during periods of little rain, it could not be collected from the rainfall. there was no longer a need to have lighthouse keepers and the island became deserted. After this, the island became a day-trip vacationing spot for some owners of private vessels who might venture to the island for a day trip or for fishing. On January 2, 1980 The lighthouse was restored by the
Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources and for a while it housed a museum. The
Puerto Rico Ports Authority had public transportation to the Island until 1993; shortly thereafter a company called “Island Venture” started offering daily trips. Service was interrupted twice, after
Hurricane Maria and after the
2020 Puerto Rico earthquakes, both of which badly damaged
La Guancha, the area on the mainland where passengers boarded the
catamarans to the island. The
Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources built a dock, barracks for reserve personnel, as well as a small museum, trail signs, and compost bathrooms for tourists. In 2009, the government of Puerto Rico announced plans to make development of the island and its restoration of its lighthouse, both for tourism purposes, a priority of the DRNA. By the summer of 2012, there were three businesses making tour trips there, including one for charter trips only. In 2010, Playa Pelícano received the
Blue Flag beach certification. However, government inaction following the
2019–20 Puerto Rico earthquakes left the reserve without DRNA rangers for over a year, since the housing structure was severely damaged and not timely repaired or replaced and they limited to maritime patrolling despite having obsolete equipment and expired bulletproof vests. In 2021, the last of three vehicles assigned for this task broke down and the rounds stopped altogether. This had several repercussions on the natural reserve, leading to tourists illegally breaching the perimeter, anchoring in the sand, riding jet skis, camping, hosting parties and vandalizing the remains of the fallen structure. The preservation program that monitors and protect the reproduction habitat of the
hawksbill sea turtle was halted, due to the rangers being unable to follow up on their nesting habits, leaving 25 stations unattended. When queried about the situation in April 2022, the DRNA claimed that the housing structure would be eventually reconstruct since disaster mitigation funds had been approved for that purpose. However, the process was still in the early stage, since the government had yet to name a contractor for the project. The agency also claimed that patrolling had taken place when the boat “was available”. ==Location==