Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Hiking
Thorn-lined paths, endless dry scrub and unrelenting sun might scare off the crowds, but
Guánica's lengthy system of hypnotic trails yields a million surprises - private vistas of the
Caribbean, a flutter of exotic birds and the shocking color of cacti flowers.
The 1-mile
Camino Ballena
trail starts from the dusty parking lot of the ranger station,
descending on a partially paved old road through some gnarled and wild scenery and even-
tually ending at a beautiful stretch of beach. As you leave the forest office, you'll pass a
mahogany plantation and deciduous forest, passing chalky limestone scrub and cacti. A
small side trail at the 1km marker will send you to the cool ravine where the 700-year-old
'Centenario' Guayacán tree lives, before you continue on an easy downhill hike past agave
and twisted gumbo limbo trees and eastward along Rte 333 toward Camino Cueva. After
relaxing on the shore, the most challenging part of the hike is the return.
The best for bird-watchers is the 2-mile circular hike on the
Camino Julio Velez
, leav-
ing from the ranger station and following a broad path through several areas inhabited by
big birds. With a short detour to La Vígia, a fabulous lookout, it can be completed in a leis-
urely hour.
TOP FIVE CARIBBEAN VIEWS
»
Fuerte Caprón
(
Click here
) A hike through the brushy hills of Puerto Rico's
bizarre dry forest brings you to a fort overlooking the turquoise horizon.
»
ElVigía
(
Click here
) This huge concrete cross on a Ponce hilltop takes in the Pearl
of the South and the sea.
»
Rte333
After a white-knuckled drive around Guánica, pull over to chill out on tiny
beaches hidden by mangroves.
»
LaGuanchaPaseoTablado
(
Click here
) Watch the ships roll in and out of the port
at this boardwalk observation deck.
»
La Casa de Los Pastelillos
(
Click here
) Swing on a hammock between palm trees
and enjoy endless views at this hidden-away lunch favorite.
Ending at an observation tower built by conservationists,
Fuerte Caprón
doesn't go
through the most eye-catching vegetation, but it's an easy, meandering 2.5-mile walk with
changes in gradation to get your heart pumping. It takes about 60 minutes to get to the CCC
tower lookout, then the trail continues for another 30 minutes before coming to a dead end.
