Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
787-742-0115)
manages the trail here; call for directions to the trailhead. Monte Resaca,
the island's highest point, is characterized by an ecologically unique boulder-strewn forest
on its upper slopes that harbors rare types of flora and fauna (mainly lizards). It's a decept-
ively tough (and sometimes prickly) climb. Bring lots of water and sunscreen and don't try
swimming from the beach.
Playa Brava
SECLUDED BEACH
The beauty of Brava lies in the fact that there is no road here; you
have
to hike - make
that bushwhack - about 30 minutes along a little-used trail that is often overgrown with sea
grape and low scrub. The rewards are immense when you finally clear the last mangrove
and are confronted with an isolated but stunning swath of sand that glimmers with a fierce
but utterly enchanting beauty.
To get here, travel around to the eastern side of Ensenada Honda. Pass the Km 4 marker
and turn left a little way past the cemetery. Follow this road until the pavement ends and
you come up against a chain gate near a few small houses, some of which are fashioned
from shipping containers. This is the entrance to a cattle farm, but it is also a public right-
of-way, so park your car or bike and head due north on the trail beyond the gate. The second
half of the trail leads through a grove of trees that sometimes attracts butterflies.
Playa Zoni
SECLUDED BEACH
Head to the extreme eastern end of the island and you'll eventually run out of road at Playa
Zoni. It's a straightforward 20-minute drive - but the road can be treacherous after heavy
rains: it's paved, but sometimes large chunks wash away, with one steepish section that can
rattle the nerves of flatlanders. There's a small parking spot next to the sign alerting you
to the fact that endangered turtles cross the beach. Zoni is long and straight, with beauti-
ful Caribbean islands popping up in the distance, but again, it's an isolated place, so don't
swim alone.
Some locals think this is a better beach than Flamenco; it doesn't have quite the same
soft sand and gentle curves, but it certainly is stunning in its own right and is usually less
crowded. Be careful entering waters for a few days after a storm: sometimes the heavier
currents will have pulled sand away from the shoreline that usually covers rocks; it will
eventually wash back in, but until then there's the distinct possibility that you can bang
your shins on some very sharp projections.
Punta Soldado
FAMILY BEACH
