A United Nations designated International Biosphere Reserve. This forest showcases a historic lighthouse, a lookout tower, 700 types of plants and trees, it has the richest population of birds on the Island (136 different species), a lignum vitae tree that is over 1,000 years old, 14 hiking trails, several beaches and offshore cays where you can kayak and snorkel. The Guanica Forest Reserve is a coastal mangrove forest and has been an UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve because of several endangered species found only in Puerto Rico. No camping allowed.
How to Get There
From San Juan, take road PR-52 towards Ponce. Pass the $0.75 Ponce toll, after which you will reach road #2.. Continue ahead on west direction on road #2 and continue directly towards Guánica. Take exit that reads PORTAL DEL SOL. You will find this exit after the town of Yauco (you can't miss it, it has a nice shopping center with a Big K-Mart). Once you pass this shopping center, continue driving (if you didn’t stop for a pit stop) and pay attention to the signs on your right, one of which will say WELCOME TO PORTA DEL SOL. Take this exit. The reserve is about 2 minutes after the exit, you can't miss the signs.