Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Boquerón
POP 8000
Boquerón is something of the wild child of west coast fishing towns, a place that pulses
with the colorful beats of the Caribbean, and colorful characters who wander among
wooden-shack restaurants and open-air food stalls. Rightly famous for its sheltered bal-
neario and up-and-coming marina, Boquerón is surrounded by a verdant patchwork of
refuges, nature reserves and state forests - a nuance that lends the settlement a refreshing
small-town, semirural feel. Down here in the island's extreme southwestern corner, a tan-
gible sense of isolation contrasts with the maelstrom elsewhere and many stressed-out
san-
juaneros
happily tackle the three-hour drive from the capital to bliss out on the region's
palm-shaded beaches.
Historically, Boquerón's legacy is possibly even older than Caparra's. Certain scholars
have claimed that this is where Columbus first set anchor when he 'discovered' the island
of Puerto Rico in 1493. However, no town existed here until the 1700s and the new
colony's administrative focus was ultimately centered further to the east.
Boquerón attracts travelers of all types, from wealthy yachters to brightly dressed Rasta-
farians, and has lately become a favorite destination for islanders. But with few restaurants
outside the standard mom-and-pop luncheonettes, the atmosphere remains informal and re-
laxed. There's a lot of fun to be had at the waterfront, particularly at night when the two
main roads are shut down to traffic and people can indulge in the favorite Caribbean pas-
time of
limin'
- hanging out, chilling, and moving from one bar to another with a drink in
hand.
Sights
Refugio de Boquerón
WILDLIFE REFUGE
The western part of the Bosque Estatal de Boquerón is protected as the Refugio de Boquer-
ón, a 400-acre patch of mangrove wetlands, about 2 miles south of town between the coast
and Hwy 301. This is an excellent area for bird-watching; more than 60 species are com-
monly sighted. A number of duck species migrate here in the winter, as well as osprey
and mangrove canary. An excellent way to see this sanctuary is to rent a kayak (
Click
here
) and paddle south across Bahía de Boquerón (Boquerón Bay). The
main office (
787-851-7260; Rte 101 Km 1.1, Boquerón; 7:30am-3:30pm)
can provide more in-
formation and has a 700ft walkway leading into the mangroves. Or stop at Km 1.1 just off
Rte 101 and start walking along the trail you see there. Insect repellent is a must-carry in
dry season, as is water, and always watch where you put your feet: tiny crabs scuttle about.
