Cabo Rojo Lighthouse, Cabo Rojo: El Combate /DEANJOHNC
West April-2007, By:Travel and Sports Staff
Explore the West, Porta del Sol
When you take a trip out west to the area known as Porta del Sol, make sure you discover its major attractions: The legendary Panadería bakery in Quebradillas. Isabela, Aguadilla, Rincón (with its lighthouse park) and Añasco offer some of the world’s great surfing areas and beaches. The small towns of Moca, Aguada and Hormigueros are known for their beautiful handicrafts. San Sebastian, Las Marías and Maricao represent fascinating examples of the mountainous towns dedicated to agriculture. In the port city of Mayagüez, you can enjoy a first-rate zoo, historic theater and beautiful city plaza. The Cabo Rojo area (Joyuda, Boquerón, El Combate and Mona) entices visitors with its beautiful beaches, excellent seafood and the Boquerón Wildlife refuge, a paradise for bird-watchers. Unique architecture helps to define San German; its neighbor Sabana Grande is considered the gateway to the Luis Muñoz Marín Panoramic Route. Lajas (a major pineapple producer) includes La Parguera, which attracts divers and watersports fans. And Guánica offers nature trails in the Guánica Dry Forest (a World Biosphere Reserve) and the clear waters of Gilligan’s Island. Throughout the area, you will find a good supply of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company’s approved small inns and restaurants—the Paradores and Mesones Gastronómicos.
Quebradillas (AB/3)
There is a beautiful beach, Playa de Guajataca, just west of town. The beach may be seen from the overlook on Rt 2 by the Paradores. There is an old sugarcane railroad tunnel at the west side, but the water is reputed to be too rough for swimming.
Isabela (AA/2)
The Isabela trolley takes you to points of interest throughout the area such as Guajataca Tunnel, El Pastillo Beach, El Pozo de Jacinto and Villa Pesquera beach. The Guajataca Forest has a new trail system that is well worth a stop. At the small ranger station you can pick up a trail map for an excellent self-guided tour.
San Sebastián (AC/2)
San Sebastián is at the very center of the Karst region. On the town plaza you will find well-maintained and attractive buildings including a distinctive church facing the plaza from the north side.
Las Marías (AC/2)
Founded in 1871, Las Marías is perched on a ridgeline in the Montañas de Urayoán. This agricultural center is known as the “City of the Sweet Orange” after its surrounding orange groves. As you can imagine, recipes and treats with an orange base abound.
Aguadilla (AB/1)
Aguadilla is known as the “Garden of the Atlantic.” The name comes from the colorful sponges and marine life prevalent in this area. It is also internationally known for its world-class surfing beaches.
Moca (AB/2)
This is the lace center of Puerto Rico. The traditional “Mundillo” style lace (or bobbin lace) is produced and available year-round. These delicate and intricately woven lace patterns are in great demand due to their timeless beauty.
Aguada (AB/1)
Aguada is the Island’s second oldest settlement. Proof of this is the Ermita Espinar Ruins. It was built on behalf of Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepción and is evidence of the effort to convert the Taíno Indians.
Rincón (AC/1)
Rincón, the town of “Bellos Atardeceres” (beautiful sunsets), is so well known in surfing circles that it is mentioned in the Beach Boys’ tune Surfing Safari. One of the main attractions is the restored Rincón Lighthouse and Park. Divers & snorkelers should consider Desecheo Island, due east of Rincón.
Añasco (AC/1)
The city “Where the Gods Died.” Taíno Indians drowned a Spanish soldier to prove the Spaniards were not gods. With proof in hand, this led to the Indian rebellion of 1511. Today Añasco is known for its “hojaldre cake” (filled with brandy and spices) and the second largest plaza on the Island.
Maricao (AD/2)
One of the premier coffee-raising areas in Puerto Rico. Home to the annual Maricao Coffee Festival, the Maricao Fish Hatchery and the Maricao Forest Reserve (a good example of a cloud forest).
Mayagüez (AD/1)
Mayagüez is the Island’s third largest city. Its elegant plaza has a stone walk, fountain, benches and a statue of Christopher Columbus on a globe pedestal. Walk west on McKinley St. one block from the plaza to view the Teatro Yagüez. The newly renovated zoo, the only one in Puerto Rico, is a great place for the kids.
Hormigueros (AD/1)
In the center of town you will find the Basílica Menor Nuestra Señora de la Monserrate. The church was erected to celebrate the legend of the intervention of Nuestra Señora de la Monserrate to save the life of a peasant.
Cabo Rojo (AD/1)
Cabo Rojo includes Boquerón, El Combate and Joyuda areas. Each of the areas has its own special flavor. The area is known for raw oysters as well as a wide variety of seafood coming into the Puerto Real fishing port and served up fresh in the local restaurants.
Joyuda (AD/1)
This area is known as the “Milla de Oro del Buen Comer” (The Gourmet Golden Mile) because of the strip of seafood restaurants along the waterfront road. There is a tiny island offshore, Isla Ratones, which is reached from a small dock on Rt. 102.
Boquerón (AE/1)
This area is an excellent place to unwind and enjoy a slower pace. It contains the office for the Boquerón Forest. The forest occupies a good area south of Boquerón as well as a major section of land running west of La Parguera to the Cabo Rojo Lighthouse.
El Combate (AE/1)
You will find restaurants on the road and the beach area at the end of Rt. 3301. This beach, also called El Combate, is now part of the Boquerón Forest Reserve. Go farther south to reach the salt flats and the 1882 Cabo Rojo Lighthouse.
Mona (AD/1)
Fifty miles due west of Mayagüez and Cabo Rojo floats rugged Mona Island, the Galápagos of the Caribbean, with its 200-foot cliffs, 3-foot iguanas and pirate caves. To get to Mona, you make arrangements with one of the tour operators.
San Germán (AD/2)
Founded in 1510, the town features an unusual two-plaza layout with a church on the east plaza and another church (the Porta Coeli) on the west plaza. The Porta Coeli Church, founded in 1606, is one of the oldest churches in the western hemisphere.
Sabana Grande (AD/3)
This is a gateway for the Panoramic Route and two forest reserves: the Maricao and Susua Forests. The Susúa Forest (off Rt 368) is notable for its mountain bike trail and carbonate formations.
Lajas (AE/2)
The Lajas valley is famous for its major local crop, the big juicy-headed pineapple, the “Piña Cabezona.” If you see a pineapple stand, you might want to get some of your own.
La Parguera (AE/2)
This small village has some of Puerto Rico’s premier attractions: world-class diving, the nature reserve and a bioluminescent bay. Combining some of the clearest waters and best wall diving, this area is not to be missed by the serious diver.
Guánica (AE/3)
Guánica, with one of the most spectacular bays in Puerto Rico, offers beautiful beaches, hiking, diving, snorkeling and forest areas. A unique dry forest, the Guánica Forest is an important international asset, having been designated a World Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations.
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2007-04 Explore the West, Porta del Sol
2005-08 Lajas: La Parguera, Rincón, San Germán
2005-06 San Sebastián, Moca, Mayagüez
2005-04 Isabela, Aguadilla, Hormigueros
2005-02 Cabo Rojo, Las Marías, Maricao, Mona
2004-12 Rincón, Sabana Grande, Lajas
2004-10 Añasco, Guánica
2004-08 Lajas, Lajas: La Parguera, San German
2004-06 Moca, San Sebastian, Rincón, Desecheo, Mayagüez
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2004-02 Mayagüez, Maricao, Las Marías, Cabo Rojo, Joyuda
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