Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
a children's park, and camel
rides help keep kids enthralled.
d
Map B4 • Carretera 108, Mayagüez
• 787 834 6330, 787 834 8110 • Open
8:30am-5pm Wed-Sun • Adm
A Walk Around
San Germán
Early Morning
Half a day is enough to
see the main sights of
this historically significant
town. Begin on the east
side of
Plaza Santo
Domingo
(see p24)
with a
trip to the Spanish-mission
style
Iglesia Porta Coeli
(see p24)
.
View the
fascinating collection of
carved wooden saints in
the religious art museum
housed here. Afterwards,
admire some of the
restored 19th-century
gingerbread-style mansions
in the streets around the
plaza and on nearby Calle
Dr. Santiago Veve and
Calle Ramos. A highlight is
Casa Morales
(see p25)
, a
quintessential Victorian
design, on the northeast
corner of the plaza.
(
Isla Mona
This uninhabited isle a few
miles west of the main island
is fringed by soaring cliffs. The
wildlife refuge protects the
nesting sites of boobies, tropic-
birds, and other seabirds, as well
as marine turtles. Iguanas crawl
the sun-baked surface of the
island, which is studded with
cacti and riddled with caves.
One of two trails leads past a
former mine, and you can camp
overnight with a permit. The
crystal-clear waters and coral
reefs guarantee good diving.
Hire a boat in Rincón for the
2-hour trip here.
d
Map A4
)
Cabo Rojo
Mid-Morning
“Red Cape,” named for
its reddish cliffs, is topped by
a hexagonal Neo-Classical light-
house, Faro Los Morrillos, built
here in 1881. The wave-battered
cape shelters a rocky, white-
sand beach that is backed by
marshy salt flats offering great
bird-watching opportunities. It is
advisable to stay away from the
unstable clifftops.
d
Map B6
Back in the plaza, walk
west along Calle Ruiz
Belvis to
Plaza Francisco
Mariano Quiñones
(see
p25)
, passing the
alcaldía
(town hall) en route. The
tree-shaded plaza is graced
with wrought-iron lamp
posts and has benches
where you can relax, study
the park's topiary bushes,
and take in the local life.
Enter the
Iglesia de San
Germán de Auxerre
(see
p25)
, which dates from
1739 - be sure to note the
church's beautiful tromp
l'oeil ceiling. Continue
along Calle Dr. Santiago
Veve to view the
Casa
Lola Rodríguez de Tió
(see p25),
home of patriot-
poet Lola Rodríguez de Tió.
After all the sightseeing,
head to the popular
Mike's
Steak House
(see p79)
for
its excellent chargrilled
steaks and seafood, or
to
Chaparritas
(see p79)
for some Mexican fare.
Faro Los Morrillos, Cabo Rojo
75
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