Lajas, Puerto Rico

Lajas (la-has) is a municipality south west of Puerto Rico east of Cabo Rojo and west of Guánica, about 2.5 hours drive from San Juan and part of Porta del Sol.  Combining some of the clearest waters and best wall diving, this area is not to be missed by the serious diver.

There is a happy place that lives in my heart and it is La Parguera in Lajas, Puerto Rico.  You'll only have to venture around to see the natural beauty of this small village.

Watch a video of Guanica and La Parguera NOW!

The small fishing village of "La Parguera" has developed into a popular resort center while maintaining much of its small town atmosphere. La Parguera is a natural reserve and protected area by the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources. 

On weekends, this is the spot where young people hang out until midnight curfew. It is also where all boats depart at night to see the impressive Phosphorescent Bay or Bioluminescent Bay, where millions of luminescent dinoflagellates light up when disturbed by movement.  The more spectacular Bioluminescent Bay is in Vieques, the island municipality off of the main island’s northeastern shore.

Advise: It is recommended that you go to the Phosphorescent Bay as part of a group. If you are going alone, DO NOT take a small boat or charter that will get you alone pitch-dark on the middle of the ocean. Use one of the bigger boats that accommodate a big group, even if it means paying a bit more. These are often crowded and offer less trips in and out the bay, but the general experience will be more satisfying. Also, try to go to on the early hours of the night, between 7 and 8 pm.

If this is not enough, in Lajas you can go kayaking in the Boquerón Forest mangroves west of town, join in one of the nature tours, try bird-watching, go deep-sea fishing, suit up and snorkel or just hang out at one of the small islands south and east of the village that the locals favor on the weekends.

Bathers and picnickers visit Rosada Beach or Cayo Mata la Gata. Snorkelers and scuba divers explore nearby reefs and spectacular outer shelf walls that lie up to seven miles offshore. Not to be missed.

Caracoles Cay in Lajas is about 15 minutes trip by boat from La Parguera's malecón and arrive at a little coral and sand cay, surrounded by mangroves and the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Where to stay

Parador Villa Parguera.  One of the most attractive Paradores (Country Inns) of Puerto Rico. Seventy-four beautiful and comfortable rooms bordered by the imposing Caribbean Sea that comes in through our patio between tropical palm trees and gardens that give a natural enchantment to our Parador.

Magnificent pool with transparent water with a picturesque structure of two decks for sun bathing during the day and contemplation of our enchanting starry sky at night.

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