PORTA DEL SOL-WEST Home to some of the best beaches in Puerto Rico, the ocean is definitely the star in the west coast. The region of Porta del Sol is the undisputable surfing capital of Puerto Rico. Rincón is home to several of the best surfing spots in the entire Caribbean. Cabo Rojo’s spectacular coastal cliffs make for some of the island’s most breathtaking beach views. La Parguera in Lajas has one of the few remaining bioluminescent bays in the world. And right before the stars come out at night, any beach on the west coast features some of the best sunset scenes in Puerto Rico. Keep your camera handy. THE BEST OF PORTA DEL SOL Porta del Sol stretches from Quebradillas in the north to Guánica in the south. This area was the first part of Puerto Rico to be explored by Ponce de León. He founded the town of San Germán in 1508, the second city to be established on the island, before he ever knew of San Juan. Today, the largest city in the region is Mayagüez, the third largest city in Puerto Rico and home to the island’s only zoo. Rincón edges the west coast and features some of the most famous surfing beaches in the Caribbean. Farther south, Cabo Rojo boasts roughly 2,000 acres of wildlife refuge, dramatic salt flats and some of the island’s most picturesque beaches. SURFER’S PARADISE The most famous address in Puerto Rico for surfers, Rincón has more than earned its reputation with beaches like Spanish Wall, Indicator, and Steps, just to name a few. This area is also known for its breathtaking beachfront sunsets. Porta del Sol region is comprised of seventeen (17) Municipalities. On the next few pages will find a brief description of each one: Aguadilla Ice Skating Arena (787) 819-5555 AGUADA Las Cascadas Waterpark (787) 819-1030 Aguada is the second oldest of the island’s villages. Proof of this are the ruins of the Ermita Espinar. It was built Aguadilla Bowling Alley (787) 891-3495 in honor of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and is evidence of the evangelization of the Taino Indians. Banyan Tree House (787) 891-1005 Throughout the year you can enjoy swiming and surfing beaches in Pico de Piedra and Playa Espinar. El Parterre (787) 891-1005 Skate and Splash Park (787) 890-7277 ATTRACTIONS Centro De Bellas Artes (787) 868-6242 RESTAURANT Ermita Espinar Ruins (787) 868-0622 Tres Amigos (El Faro) Mesón Gastronómico (787) 882-8000 AGUADILLA Textura (787) 431-2687 Aguadilla is known as the "Garden of the Atlantic". The name comes from the colorful sponges and marine LODGING life of this area. It is also known worldwide as a first class beach for surfing. Courtyard by Marriott Aguadilla ATTRACTIONS West Parade/Belt Road, Ramey Base Aguadilla 00603 Puerto Rico Aguadilla Beaches www.courtyardaguadilla.com Known as the “Garden of the Atlantic” for its spectacular marine life and sponges, Aguadilla features (787) 658-8000 some of the best surfing beaches on the island. Crash Boat, Gas Chambers, Wilderness and Surfer’s Faro Inn & Suites Beach rank among the top surf destinations in Puerto Rico, and the city has hosted numerous interna- Cliff Road Ramey Base Aguadilla, PR 00603 tional surf competitions. Beneath the waves, an underwater kingdom awaits divers and snorkelers. www.ihphospitality.com/farosuites Aguadilla Entertainment Complex (787) 890-9000 Consisting of 4 separate facilities - an ice skating arena, a bowling alley, a skate park, and a water park Hotel Cielo Mar – it provides fun for the entire family, indoors or outdoors, wet or dry. Montemar Ave. #84, Aguadilla 00603 www.cielomar.com (787) 882-5959 Hotel Hacienda El Pedregal Road 111, Km. 0.1, Cuesta Nueva Street, Aguadilla, PR 00603 www.elpedregalpr.com (787) 891-6068 Hotel Villa Forín Road 107, Km. 2.1 Rpto El Faro # 5 www.villaforin.com (787) 882-8341 Parador El Faro Rd. 107 km 2.1 Bo. Borinquen Aguadilla, PR 00603 www.ihphospitality.com/PARADORELFARO (787) 882-8000 GOLF Punta Borinquen Golf Club (787) 890-2987 Cabo Rojo National AÑASCO Parador Combate Beach Hotel LODGING Wildlife Refuge and Salt Flats Rd. 3301, Km. 2.7 Interior, Playa El Combate The city where the "gods died." The legend tells that the Taino Indians drowned a Spanish soldier, in order The salt flats of Cabo Rojo and the Combate Beach HORMIGUEROS Costa Dorada Beach Hotel to prove that the Spaniards were not gods. The result started the Tauno Indian rebellion of 1511. You can go Cabo Rojo, PR 00623 At the town square you will find the Our Lady of coastline trails are a U.S. National Wildlife Refuge www.combatebeach.com Monserrate Basilica. Legend has it that the church 900 Emilio González St., surfing in Balneario Three Brothers. Isabela 00662 and an absolute paradise for bird watching enthusi- (787) 254-2358 was built to celebrate the intercession of Our Lady ATTRACTIONS asts. This arid landscape, almost an alien world of Montserrat to save the life of a man. While work- (787) 872-7255 amid Puerto Rico’s lush vegetation and azure Parador Joyuda Beach ing in the field, the farmer was hit by an enraged bull. Hotel Ocean Front El Castillo Water Park (787) 826-6088 beaches, is home to 25 species of migrating shore- Road # 102 KM 11.8 The man prayed to the Virgin to save his life and Rd. #4466 Bo.Bajuras Sector Playa Jobos Isabela Salto De La Encantada (787) 826-3100 birds. In fact, this is the most important point of Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico suddenly the bull fell and the farmer was saved. www.oceanfrontpr.com convergence for migrating shorebirds in the www.paradorjoyudabeach.com Since then, the people of the town are known as (787) 872-0444 LODGING eastern Caribbean. The salt flats are also (787) 851-5650 great devotees of the Virgin Mary. Also in the town is Parador Villas Del Mar Hau Rincón Beach Resort frequented by over 90 resident and migratory the Márquez House. This historic home is a good LAS MARIAS Parador Perichi’s Rd 466 , Sector Bajuras, Montones Beach Road 115 KM 5.8, Añasco Puerto Rico 00610 birds, and are part of the designated critical habitat example of the architecture of the time, and is Las Marias was founded in 1871. This agricultural HC-02 Box 16310, Cabo Rojo 00623 www.paradorvillasdelmarhau.com www.rinconbeach.com of the yellow-shouldered blackbird, an endangered preserve as it was in the eighteenth century. center is known as the "City of the sweet Orange" for www.hotelperichi.com (787) 589-9000 species. Trails available from the salt flats, Com- (787) 872-2045 its orange grooves. It is also known for its coffee (787) 851-0590 bate Beach, visitor centers, and Laguna Cartagena ATTRACTIONS Royal Isabela history, which is found in the archives of the Library Refuge. (787) 851-2999 Western Bay Boquerón Beach Hotel Basílica Menor La Monserrate 396 Ave Noel Estrada, Isabela PR 00662 of the State Historic Preservation Office. This is also www.royalisabela.com an area of archaeological importance. Cabo Rojo Salt Flats Road 101, Boquerón Public Beach Entrance Built in the small town of Hormigueros in the (787) 609-5888 A stark contrast to the beaches and forests of www.westernbayhotels.com west coast, this basilica dates back to the late Puerto Rico, the salt flats of Cabo Rojo present a (787) 851-7110 16th century as a dedication to the Virgin of Villa Montaña Beach ATTRACTIONS bleached, barren landscape. It’s a popular destina- Montserrat. Its architecture combines Roman- Rd. 4466 KM 1.9 Interior, Barrio Bajuras tion for birds and birders alike, and a walk along the GOLF tic elements and features a bell tower with Isabela, Puerto Rico 00662 Hacienda Palma Escrita (787) 210-8252 flats leads to a lovely stretch of white-sand beach. Club Deportivo del Oeste (787) 851-8880 Arabic elements. www.villamontana.com It is estimated that 40,000 birds visit this area (787) 872-9554 yearly. It has an interpretative trail with panels, LODGING MARICAO Villas de Costa Dorada gazebos as well as birds and butterfly watching Paradise Guest House Historically, Maricao was a haven for Spanish and GUANICA 900 Emilio González St., trails and mountain bike route. Guánica offers one of the most spectacular bays in Puerto Rico, beautiful beaches, hiking, diving areas, Rd. 345, Km 2.2, Hormigueros 00660 Taino Indians where they were protected from Isabela 00662 snorkeling, and forests. Guánica Dry Forest was designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. (787) 849-2679 attacks by pirates and Carib Indians. Today it is (787) 872-7255 RESTAURANTS known as one of the most important sites for coffee ATTRACTIONS Perichi's Steak and Sea GOLF coffee producing area in Puerto Rico and is known Mesón Gastronómico (787) 851-3131 Guánica Dry Forest as the “City of coffee”. There is also a fish hatchery and the forest of Maricao. Restaurante La Cascada This subtropical dry forest is very different from the lush rainforest of El Yunque. Designated as a United ISABELA Royal Isabela Nature lovers will find rivers, lakes and caves to Mesón Gastronómico (787) 851-2158 Nations Biosphere, the Guánica forest is home to more than 600 types of flora and fauna and 48 endan- (787) 609-5888 explore. Guajataca Forest has a system of walking ATTRACTIONS CABO ROJO gered species, 16 of which are endemic to the island. A visit here includes a trip to the idyllic and Restaurante Tino's trails that are worth exploring. Isabela beach is There are two theories about the origin of name of Cabo Rojo.