Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bosque Estatal de Guánica
The immense 10,000-acre expanse of the Guánica Biosphere Reserve is one of the island's
great natural treasures and a blank slate for the outdoor enthusiast. Trails of various lengths
and difficulty make loops from the visitors center, lending themselves to casual hikes,
mountain biking, bird-watching and broad views of the Caribbean.
This remote desert forest is among the best examples of subtropical dry forest vegetation
in the world - a fact evident in the variety of extraordinary flora and fauna - present at
every turn. Scientists estimate that only 1% of the earth's dry forest of this kind remains,
and the vast acreage makes this a rare sanctuary, crossed by 30-odd miles of trails that
lead from the arid, rocky highlands, which are covered with scrubby brush, to more than
10 miles of remote, wholly untouched coast. Only a two-hour drive from the humid rain-
forests of El Yunque, this crumbling landscape and parched vegetation makes an unexpec-
ted, thrilling contrast.
In 1981 the UN acknowledged the value of this dry forest by designating it a Unesco
'biosphere reserve.' This accolade, Unesco says, makes it one of 529 such preserves in 105
countries around the world, where scientists and local people work with government agen-
cies to create model land management.
To get to the eastern section of the reserve and the
Ranger Station ( 787-821-5706;
9am-4pm)
, which has some photocopied trail maps and brochures, follow Hwy 116
southeast toward Guánica town from Hwy 2. Turn left (east) onto Hwy 334 and follow this
road as it winds up a steep hill through an outlying barrio of Guánica. Eventually, the road
crests the hills, ending at the ranger station, a picnic area and a scenic overlook of the forest
and the Caribbean.
The southern extent of the eastern section of the forest - including Bahía de la Ballena
(Whale Bay) and the ferry to Gilligan's Island - is also accessible by Hwy 333, to the south
of Guánica. Parking is free.
There are no hotels in the forest but the nearby towns of Guánica, La Parguera and Ponce
have many places to stay. Bring food and water for hikes; there are no kiosks or food stands
anywhere inside the forest.
Climate
The dry forest owes its unusual microclimate to the presence of the nearby Central Moun-
tains. This mountain range creates, guides and exhausts tropical rainstorms as the easterly
trade winds drive warm, moist air over the cool peaks. As a consequence, the cordillera
gets totally inundated with rain while Guánica, located to the south, gets very little - usu-
ally about 35in a year, which mostly falls from June to September.
