Things to see and do Guánica

Although officially part of the Guánica reserve, the island is open to the public. Also known as Cayo Aurora, it is relatively small, extending over an area of 0,18 km ². She owes her name to an American television series of the 1960 s. On site, you will not find any very developed tourist infrastructure. Apart from a few barbecues and health, there is nothing and it is all the better, place to nature. The island is covered with sand and mangroves and offers small beaches of dreams such as the Playa Solitaria. For years, a project of a holiday club threatened the tranquillity and authenticity of this paradise area, but the local popular sling prevailed. A small ferry is available every day and every day except Monday, from 9 am to 17 pm. You will take the boat at the parking at the San Jacinto restaurant in the Playa Gorda area after leaving Highway 333. Tickets to Copamarina and Mary Lee's by the Sea are also available.

The Guanica State Forest, which became a nature reserve in 1985, is known throughout the world for the specificity of its biosphere. For many scientists, it is one of the best illustrations in the world of what is a dry forest in a subtropical zone. For this reason, in 1981, the United Nations recognized the park as the second international biosphere reserve in Puerto Rico, the other being the Yunque Reserve, further east in the country. The reserve covers 9,900 hectares. The most surprising thing for the visitor is probably to discover it when arriving from the tropical forest that covers the heart of the island. The contrast is striking. The cactus have replaced the royal palms, in the space of only a few kilometers. The vegetation then corresponds to the surrounding climatic conditions, with very low rainfall - around 750 mm per year. The thorny shrubs are legion, and scientists have been able to report no less than 700 species of plants, 16 of which are endemic. The land has also changed. It is no longer red as in the heart of the island, but much more white and stony.

The park is also famous for its endemic frog species, called peltophryne lemur. It is in this unique place that it reproduces. The adults live in the stone and regularly lay their eggs whenever it rains, which is quite rarely in the area. Once hatched, the newborns go to bury themselves in the crevices to come out only with the next rain and reproduce in their turn. Scientists also report that of the 111 species of birds that inhabit Puerto Rico, at least 40 live in the Guanica region, which is home to the largest number. A paradise for birders! There are also 48 endangered animal species in the forest.
To enjoy this unique fauna and flora, many trails have been built in the reserve. There are a dozen of them, with different degrees of difficulty. If you are in a hurry, you can take three of them in particular, which will give you an overview of the phenomenon of the dry forest in the subtropical zone in less than an hour. Thanks to the forest guardians, you can arrange much longer routes to access century-old trees.

At the moment, you will not find any accommodation in the park, where camping is prohibited. To sleep, fall back on Guanica.