Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Peer at the endless sea from the top of the
Los Morrillos Lighthouse
(
Click here
), overlooking Playa Santa
Wander along the long stretches of sand before bar-hopping down the strip in
Boquerón
(
Click here
)
Explore historic streets and some of the west's best food in
San Germán
(
Click
here
)
Swim alongside curious manatees at
Playa Santa
(
Click here
)
Get giddy on
Sangria de Fido
(
Click here
), the local punch of Mayagüez
Lunch on fresh seafood in
Playa de Joyuda
(
Click here
), Puerto Rico's 'Gour-
met Golden Mile'
History
The consensus is that Columbus first arrived in Puerto Rico in November 1493 and docked
somewhere off the west coast (though there is some dispute as to actually
where
). Fifteen
years later he was followed by Juan Ponce de León, who landed near Cabo Rojo before
heading off north to found the settlement of Caparra. San Germán, the island's second-old-
est city, was founded near Mayagüez in 1511 and moved to its present site in 1573. More
recently, the west has spawned many great liberal thinkers including Dr Ramón Emeterio
Betances, the inspiration behind the revolutionary Grito de Lares (
Click here
) in 1868.
The details of this abortive rebellion were fine-tuned in a series of safe houses on the out-
skirts of Mayagüez.
Territorial Parks & Reserves
The 4775-acre patchwork of the Bosque Estatal de Boquerón is split into eight different
segments spread around the Cabo Rojo area. Of these, the Refugio Nacional Cabo Rojo is a
favorite of casual outdoor enthusiasts; it's great for bird-watchers, and the flat, guided trails
would be easy for young children. There's a visitors center and guided hikes, and the views
of the Caribbean from its outlooks are excellent.
Two others are also secluded. The Refugio de Boquerón has mangrove wetlands and ex-
cellent bird-watching opportunities, and the Reserva Natural Laguna de Joyuda plays host
to numerous species of waterfowl.
Further east, in the foothills of the Central Mountains, the 3300-acre Bosque Estatal de
Susúa exhibits an interesting blend of dry forest and tropical jungle. Still, the best oppor-
tunity for hiking and nature lovers is in the nearby Bosque Estatal de Guánica.
