Six Days of Underwater Adventures in La Parguera

Day one: Road trip to La Parguera

Getting to La Parguera is a road trip. After you’re all settled with your rental car, head south (if you arrived through SJU) to begin your oceanfront escape. Depending on your arrival time, you can experience iconic places if you make a few pitstops along your trip to Lajas.

A few detours before taking on your aquatic vacation can include Caguas Botanical Garden, a true testament to the island’s history and flora. You can explore 60 acres of land made up by gardens and the remains of Hacienda San José — a 19th-century sugar plantation. This place is ideal for instagramable memories to share with friends back at home. 

While in Caguas, grab a bite at La Mordida, an authentic Mexican taquería where you can find some of the best al pastor tacos and chilaquiles in a family-friendly environment; or visit El After Lounge for a varied menu ranging from BBQ-style burgers to pasta. You can also drive a little further into the mountains of Cayey for authentic Puerto Rican cuisine at El Mesón de Melquíades, a mesón gastronómico known for their upscale take on local dishes.

After your meal, continue your drive to La Parguera and settle down in your lodging place for the week. You can choose between independent rentals like Hacienda Tres Casitas and El Bañito de Abi; or a parador or small inn like La Jamaca, Parguera Plaza Hotel, and Parador Villa Parguera, which are all just steps away from El Malecón. If you’re not too beat from your day trip, take a walk around El Malecón – where all the nightlife action is, and stroll in and out of souvenir shops and local artisans’ stores.

Day three: Relax by day, sparkle by night

Another day of adventure awaits, and you should start it off with breakfast at M&M Bakery Deli for a local experience. Before heading out for today’s water adventure, make sure you have your camera ready, as the green and blue colors of the location will enchant you.

Since you went scuba diving yesterday, today you get a “relax for the day” pass to Isla Mata la Gata, a mangrove island perfect for a traditional day at the beach. Catch a boat ride departing from La Parguera and bring everything you might need for the day (snacks, water, sunblock) as the only facilities on site are picnic tables, BBQ pits, changing rooms, and outdoor chairs. A visit to Mata la Gata’s natural pool is the perfect opportunity for sunbathing, snorkeling, or picnic by a crystal-clear water Caribbean beach. There is also kayak rental available so that you can practice other watersports. 

After you’re done splashing around in the water, you can walk along the mangroves and observe the unique ecosystem surrounding La Parguera Nature Reserve.

A trip to La Parguera will not be complete if you don’t visit the bioluminescent bay. After your day at the beach, head back to your parador or vacation rental, and get ready for the experience of a lifetime. At the bio bay, you’ll witness the magical spectacle of glow-in-the-dark water as you kayak or paddle your way. This portion of La Parguera is one of the three bioluminescent bays in Puerto Rico and one out of five in the entire world. Some guided tours provide you equipment so you can dive and swim after dark (this is the only bio bay where swimming is allowed), or you can book a crystal bottom kayak, so you don’t miss the “stars” underwater.

Pro tip: Book your tour on the darkest night possible to make the most of this rare ecosystem’s visit.

Once you dock back into La Parguera, head to El Malecón, where you can have a night of chinchorreo, hoping from dive to dive eating frituras and sipping on piña coladas.

Read more about the island's bioluminescent bays here

Day Five: Detour to Cabo Rojo

Since you’re in the southwest region of the island, it would be a shame not to visit the neighbor town of Cabo Rojo on your day before departure. This town has some of the most dramatic landscapes and natural wonders you’ll find throughout Puerto Rico.

After having breakfast (which we recommend you do at a local bakery), drive to Los Morrillos Lighthouse, an elegant neoclassical building set atop a cliff that overlooks the Caribbean Sea. Once there, you can hike or bike the many trails that lead to the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge, where you’ll find the colorful pink salt flats and a stunning stone bridge that will make your Instagram feed pop. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes and comfortable clothes, bring plenty of sunblock and water, as there are no kiosks in the area.

A visit to the lighthouse can be paired with a beach day, and Cabo Rojo has many locations to choose from. Playuela, which is easily accessed through the lighthouse, is one of the most popular spots for visitors and locals and is a crescent-moon shape, white-sand beach ideal for swimming. 

Other postcard-ready beaches in Cabo Rojo include Buyé, Combate, and the Balneario de Boquerón. These beaches offer complete relaxation complemented by the tranquil crystalline waters. 

Before returning to Lajas, you should enjoy another traditional dinner at Nautica by Poly’s or Annie’s Place, where you’ll find fresh seafood dishes and unbeatable beach views. Don’t forget to try the mofongo! 

Discover more things to do in Cabo Rojo

Day six: Heading back!

On your last day, take a final walk around El Malecón for some last-minute souvenir shopping and grab breakfast or brunch before heading to the airport. Depending on your flight’s schedule, you can hit a few extra spots on the way back. For instance, take a slight detour into Ponce and walk around Plaza Las Delicias and la Fuente de Leones, or pay a quick visit to El Parque de Bombas — a firehouse turned museum right in the center of the town’s square. You can also grab one of the iconic ice creams at King’s Cream for a quick Ponce experience. Once you’re at the airport and have returned your rental car, take some time to share all those pics with your family and friends and tag @Discover Puerto Rico.

Until next time! 

A street art tour of Ponce