Activities in Southern & Western Puerto Rico
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Island Ventures
You can reach Isla Caja de Muertos through Island Ventures. The name - which translates to Coffin Island - seems cribbed from the script from a swashbuckling adventure flick, but the big lizards here run a lazy show, trotting across dusty, cacti-lined trails and over the mangrove marsh. The morbid moniker itself even has a tame origin; it's thought to have come from an 18th-century French author's observation that the island's silhouette looked like a body in a casket.
But the opportunity for a refreshing, day-long escape from the congestion of Ponce is key, starting with some of the best snorkeling around and plenty of tranquil, if somewhat rocky stretches of beach. Day …
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Ferries Del Caribe
Mayagüez is Puerto Rico’s gateway to the Dominican Republic, at least by sea. Ferries Del Caribe, on the docks of Mayagüez north of the tuna canneries, offers the serious ‘off-island’ adventure across the Pasaje de la Mona. Its massive M/S Caribbean Express sails every other day across the Pasaje de la Mona for Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic (a 12-hour trip). On board you will find a restaurant, cafeteria, bar, casino and disco, as well as conference rooms, private cabins, a sauna and a Jacuzzi. There is room for 250 cars along with 1125 passengers.
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Refuge
This refuge is about a mile north of the Hwy 3301 turnoff to El Combate. Its visitors center contains displays on local wildlife and wildlife management techniques. Outdoors you will find bird-watching trails among the ruins of an old farmstead in the Valle de Lajas (Lajas Valley). This area around the coastal plains and shores of Cabo Rojo is a major winter ground for migratory ducks, herons and songbirds, and more than 130 bird species have been sighted here. You can arrange guided hikes through the refuge at the Centro Interpretativos Las Salinas de Cabo Rojo.
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Scuba Dogs
You will find spectacular 150ft visibility (or better) in the waters around the island Isla Mona. There are excellent barrier and fringe-reef dives filled with lagoons and ruts on the south side of the island, with eight different kinds of coral. Divers particularly enjoy the sharp drop-off along one reef that creates an overhanging wall; some fascinating creatures come to drift in its cool shadow. Scuba Dogs is a San Juan–based diving outfit that organizes diving trips to the island.
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Tourmarine Adventures
For trips or tours around the area on a 33ft lobster boat, try Tourmarine Adventures. If you’ve got a big enough group (10 or more people), the owner will arrange trips to Isla Mona for approximately $150 per person. There are also snorkeling trips offered around the nearby cliffs ($40 without equipment), deep-sea fishing in the Pasaje de la Mona ($375 per half-day charter) and diving off Isla Desecheo ($75 per person).
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Taíno Divers
Located inside the little marina on the north side of town, Taíno Divers is probably the best outfit on the west coast. Guides are responsible, professional and very environmentally aware. They do almost daily runs to Desecheo (8am to 2pm) and shorter trips to nearby reefs (8am to noon). Snorkel trips, one-tank dives, whale-watching and sunset cruises are also available, as well as chartered deep-sea fishing trips.
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Paradise Scuba Center
It's possible to travel offshore to Cayo Enrique or Cayo Laurel with Paradise Scuba Center on a four-hour snorkeling excursion. The fee includes drinks and snacks, homemade by the wife of owner Luis. You can also take a sunset snorkeling trip that includes swimming after dark in Bahía de Fosforescente. Many scuba fanatics use this service to dive places like the Wall and Trench Alley and night dives are possible too.
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Mona Aquatics
Next to the club náutico (marina), west of the center of town, Mona Aquatics has a 40ft dive boat – Orca Too – that takes you on local dives ($125) or longer excursions to Isla Desecheo ($150). Prices include snack, weights, instruction and two dives. Mona Aquatics also rents out snorkeling gear and operates boats to Isla Mona.
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Makaira Charters
Captain Pepi Alfonso is a licensed US Coast Guard who runs Makaira Charters. He does deep-sea fishing charters for up to six people and can sometimes split charters if your party is smaller. Drinks are included, but bring your own food – no bananas (an old fishing superstition) !
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Aleli Kayak Rental
Across the street from the El Muelle shopping center is Aleli Kayak Rental, which is the most ecologically conscionable way to see the magical waters. They also offer a chartered catamaran tour, and ecotours through the mangrove channels. For any rentals, call ahead; their hours are variable.
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Club Deportivo de Oeste
Near the intersection of Hwy 102 and Hwy 308 in Cabo Rojo (El Pueblo) is Club Deportivo de Oeste. It’s a Jack Bender–designed 18-hole course with a panoramic view along its 3360yd. Greens fees vary depending on the time you play.
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Parguera Fishing Charters
You can fish the reefs for grouper, snapper and mackerel, or head into deeper water for blue marlin, tuna and dorado. Parguera Fishing Charters runs half- and full-day trips on its 31ft Bertram out of a well-marked dock at the west end of town.
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Ann Wigmore Institute
You’ll find this retreat and spa 4 miles northeast of central Rincón on Hwy 115 (on the way to Aguadilla). Clients are drawn here for wheat-grass therapy, ‘internal cleansing’ and lots of organic gardening.
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Ventolera
La Parguera's sheltered waters and reliable breezes make it a prime destination during the peak of the windsurfing season. See Eddie 'Gordo' Rodríguez at Ventolera, a water-sports shop in the Muelle plaza.
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La Paseadora
With a blasting stereo and boisterous families, trips on the La Paseadora leave weekend mornings in good weather. They offer snorkeling tours and round-trips to a nearby island with a beach.
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Acampa
If you want to go to Isla Mona, Reserva Forestal Toro Negro, El Yunque, Río Camuy or any other adventure spot on the island, Acampa has all the latest gadgets to give you a spectacular trip.
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Cancel Boats
Cancel Boats, at the town docks, has a lot of loyal customers renting its 15ft whaler-type boats with 10HP engines. Competitor Torres Boat Service nearby has similar prices.
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Boquerón Kayak Rental
Boquerón Kayak Rental has pedal boats and surf bikes, as well as kayaks (all from $15 per hour). Boat rides are also available. Cash only.
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Hot Wavz Surf Shop
Hot Wavz Surf Shop is on the lighthouse road and can rent you a surfboard to fit conditions for around US$20 to around US$25; boogie boards cost about $15.
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West Divers
West Divers has beefed up their operation in the area. They offer three-hour snorkeling trips ($35) and two-tank trips to the Wall ($80).
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Kaipo Kayak Rentals
Kaipo Kayak Rentals rents out boats, kayaks and surf bikes (half surfboard, half bicycle) at hour and day rates.
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Adventures Tourmarine
The esteemed Captain Hernández is based in Joyuda in Cabo Rojo and is an old Mona hand; call for prices and availability.
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Capital Water Sports
You can rent kayaks from Capital Water Sports for approximately $25 an hour for use around the balneario.
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Pino's Boat & Water Fun
Pino's Boat & Water Fun rents kayaks and paddle boats. You can also arrange boat tours and banana-boat thrill rides.
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Wheel Shop
You can rent a bike at the Wheel Shop in Cabo Rojo (El Pueblo). Expect to pay from $20 per day.
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