Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ately 6 miles to the east. The Bosque Estatal de Cambalache is situated 5 miles west of
ManatÃ, a mile or so north of Expressway 22.
Sights & Activities
Laguna Tortuguero
LAGOON
( 844-2587; 8am-4pmWed-Fri,6am-6pmSat&Sun)
This lagoon is the only nat-
ural lake in Puerto Rico, making its protection extra precious. It is also one of the most
ecologically diverse spots on the island, listing 717 species of plant and 23 different types
of fish. Hiking around this pretty spot yields ocean views, and you can also fish and kayak
in the lake - though you'll have to bring your own equipment. Ask the rangers on duty
about the trails, though they're pretty obvious. Some locals use them for jogging. One of
the lake's more surprising problems is a caiman infestation. In the 1990s there was a craze
to buy striped South American caimans. Locals soon discovered they don't make good pets.
Hundreds were ditched in the lagoon, with unfortunate results for the ecosystem. Rangers
have an extermination program to get the population under control. In theory, caimans only
hunt at night, but be alert for them. To get to Tortuguero from Hwy 22, take Exit 41, take a
right on Hwy 2, then left on Rte 687 until you see a big sign for the lagoon on your left.
Bosque Estatal de Cambalache
NATURE RESERVE
Cambalache covers an area of just 1000 acres, making it smaller than a lot of Puerto Rican
resort hotels. The entrance to this compact, out-of-the-way forest reserve lies west of Bar-
celoneta, in front of - wait for it - a Job Corps facility. Despite this rather inauspicious
introduction, the forest is ecologically varied and characterized by distinctive karstic form-
ations; countless
mogotes
pop straight up from the landscape to heights of 160ft. Its many
caves provide homes for fruit bats, which often swarm like bees into the evening sky.
The forest has a picnic area, 8 miles of hiking trails, two designated trails for mountain
bikes (though they're often washed out), one that is wheelchair-accessible, and two camp-
ing areas. Note that a permit is required for cycling, but on our last visit there was no one
checking for them and no way to obtain them in advance, except for calling the Departa-
mento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales (
Click here
) in San Juan in advance. Basic
on-the-ground information can be obtained at the
rangerstation( 878-7279;Hwy682
Km 6.6; 7:30am-4pm)
to the right of the entrance gate. Since the forest only enjoys a
couple of thousand visitors in any given year, the ranger should be very pleased to see you,
if he's there at all.
