Just a two-hour drive from San Juan, many Porta del Sol towns are ideal day-trip destinations—and all are perfect for longer stays. The easiest towns to reach from the north are Isabela, Aguadilla, Aguada, Rincón, and Añasco—great for surfing, golf, horseback riding or even ice-skating! The mountain towns of San Sebastián, Moca, Maricao, and Las Marías merit an extended visit. Mayagüez, the largest city in the region, has a major University of Puerto Rico campus, casino hotels, and a 45-acre zoo. Cabo Rojo is much visited for its nature reserve, salt fl ats, beaches, picturesque lighthouse, and seafood restaurants.
Information:
Puerto Rico Tourism Company
Rafael Hernández Airport in Aguadilla: 787-890-3315 & 787-890-3090
Porta del Sol Regional Offi ce: 787-851-7015
Serving: Aguada, Aguadilla, Añasco, Cabo Rojo, Guánica, Hormigueros, Isabela, Lajas, Las Marías, Maricao, Mayagüez, Moca, Rincón, Sabana Grande, San Germán & San Sebastián
Attractions
Aguadilla Ice-Skating Rink, 787-819-5555 ext. 221. Aguadilla. 9:30 a.m.- 11:00 p.m. daily. The first ice-skating rink in the Caribbean.
Biobay, 787-899-1660. La Parguera, Lajas. On weekends, this is the place for young people to hang out (until the midnight curfew) and on dark nights for boat trips to the fascinating biobay.
Cabo Rojo Salt Flats & Los Morrillos Lighthouse, 939-630-5180 or 787-851-2999. Cabo Rojo. Stop by the visitors’ center near the salt flats for tours of the area. A bit further out is the renovated lighthouse overlooking limestone cliffs.
Crash Boat Beach, Aguadilla. Perfect for surfing and sunbathing.
Dr. Juan A. Rivero Zoo, 787-834-8110. Mayagüez. 8:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Wed.-Sun. & holidays. Features lions, tigers, giraffes, monkeys, and other animals in a natural tropical setting. Exhibits include an aviary and a butterfly house.
Guánica Dry Forest, 787-821-5706. Guánica. 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. Tue.-Sun. This United Nations Biosphere Reserve features 10,000 acres and is inhabited by over 600 types of plants and animals. Its 12 trails are perfect for hikers and cyclists.
Monte del Estado Ecological Park, 787-873-5632. Maricao. 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Fri.-Sun. Features campgrounds, trails, and plenty of room in which to enjoy the scenery and observe the island’s native flora and fauna
Porta Coeli Religious Art Museum, 787-892-5845. San Germán. 8:30 a.m.- 4:15 p.m. Wed.-Sun. The former convent chapel, built in 1606, is one of the oldest in the New World.
Rincón Lighthouse & Park, 787-823-5024. Rincón. 8:00 a.m.- 9:00 p.m. daily. The tower is a great photo-op and the park is a perfect place for whale-watching. It has a visitors’ center and picnic areas.
go back
