Ponce & South Coast - Puerto Rico - page 300

The coastal barrio of Playa Salinas fares a bit better. The name is a bit of a misnomer
since there's no actual sand, but the geographical features of its harbor make it an important
port for the northern Caribbean. With deep water and a dense barrier of coastal mangroves,
it's an ideal 'hurricane hole.' Even when the seas are still, the port attracts scores of yachts,
and though many of them are captained by retired Americans and Europeans, locals will be
wont to gab about frequent celebrity sightings.
Following Rte 701 along the coast you'll pass a cluster of candlelit surf-and-turf joints
and arrive at the Marina de Salinas, a complex that includes the Posada El Náutico hotel.
Travelers looking for a berth aboard a cruising sailboat headed to the Dominican Republic,
the Bahamas, the US, Cuba or Jamaica will do well to check the bar within the Marina de
Salinas, especially in late March and early April. If you can't get a ride, it's still a good
place to watch the boats roll in and out of the harbor.
Sights & Activities
Even if you don't stay at the Posada El Náutico, most activities in the water are available
through the front desk of the Marina de Salinas ( 787-824-3185; 8-G Playa Ward)
, where you can rent kayaks ($20 half day) and water bikes. They'll also help arrange day
trips, deep-sea fishing expeditions and jaunts to the local cays.
With a blasting stereo and boisterous families, trips on the La Paseadora (
787-824-2649; dock near El Balcón del Capitan; tours $3, trips to local cays $5) leave
weekend mornings in good weather. They offer snorkeling tours and round-trips to a nearby
island with a beach.
East of town on Hwy 3 is the office of the Departamento de Recursos Naturales (De-
partmentofNaturalResources; 787-864-0105;PlayaWard) , which can provide in-
formation and a place to pay fees for the many surrounding natural areas.
Sleeping & Eating
The mess of streets leading to Playa Salinas is a bit confusing to navigate, but Rte 701 leads
to the small commercial district of Playa Ward. From here, you can navigate around the
bay via largely unmarked roads.
Marina de Salinas & Posada El Náutico HOTEL, MARINA $$
( 787-824-3185; www.marinadesalinas.com ; Playa Ward; r $95-135;
) This is the best coastal hotel east of Ponce, part of the all-in-one marina complex that has
clean rooms decorated with some tropical flair, a pool, playground, cafe and a slightly more