Guanica, Puerto Rico – Best Things to Do & Places to Visit – 2024

Puerto Rico Things to Do ⎮  Puerto Rico Places to Go – Destinations ⎮ Guanica Puerto Rico

Guanica emerges as the second-best hiking destination in Puerto Rico, following Rio Grande/Luquillo, it is also the best scuba diving spot on the island.  If you found joy in hiking El Yunque, the Guanica Dry State Forest promises to captivate you with its distinct landscape, a subtropical forest recognized as a United Nations Biosphere Reserve since 1981.  

Embark on numerous trails embraced by birders and explore coastal trails and roads leading to quiet, undeveloped beaches, providing a day of adventure away from the crowds and embraced by nature.  Spend a morning at Gilligan’s Island, a mangrove key featuring a vast, clear, shallow natural pool, an ideal haven for swimming and snorkeling.

Experience World Class Scuba Diving at “The Wall”

Serious divers in the know head to this sleepy beach town to dive the “The Wall”, a deep dive with excellent visibility, colorful healthy reefs, and abundant sea life.

Go Beach Hopping in Guanica

Guanica stands out as one of the distinctive beach getaways on the main island of Puerto Rico.  Enthusiasts of hiking and nature will relish the oceanside trails that wind through secluded beach coves, revealing awe-inspiring, unspoiled natural landscapes. The subtropical scenery found here is unparalleled anywhere else on the island. 

During the summer months, locals flock to these pristine shores. Among the best beaches within the reserve are Playa Tamarindo, ideal for bathing and boogie boarding.  Playa Pelicano, a serene relaxating spot, and Bahia de las Ballenas, where you can embark on a scenic hike to Playa Ballenas.  These beaches remain untouched by development and are part of the protected Guanica State Forest.

+ Best Beaches in Guanica, Puerto Rico

Don’t Miss the Bioluminescent Bay experience in the nearby charming village of La Parguera after a day of exploring Puerto Rico’s west coast.

Go Hiking at Guanica Dry Forest

Head to Bosque Estatal de Guánica (Guanica State Forest), commonly known as Guanica Dry Forest.  Guanica State Forest is a subtropical dry forest, hiking the trails will give you bragging rights for visiting a UN World Biosphere Reserve.  Guanica is one of the best hiking destinations in Puerto Rico, offering about 12 trails along in interior of the mountains and along the pristine rugged coastline.  The hiking trails are of average difficulty to walk, some trails are good for families with children.  Be sure to hydrate before the hike and bring plenty of water to drink during the hike, sunscreen to reapply often, and bug repellent during the rain season, it is also recommended you hike early in the morning since Guanica can get very hot midday.  Visit the office for information on guided tours.  You can hike on your own, the office has pamphlets with information on the trails.

Another great place to hike on the west coast of Puerto Rico is the town of Cabo Rojo.

Swim & Snorkel on the Shallow Clear Waters of Gilligan’s Island

We’ll start off with our favorite beach in Guanica which is actually one of the offshore treasures of Puerto Rico, Cayo Aurora is most known as Gilligan’s Island.  Gilligan’s is a pretty mangrove island with crystal clear waters perfect for romantics, nature lovers, and snorkelers, and great for kids.   The waters are shallow, it’s like a giant natural pool with schools of tiny fish swimming at your feet.  The photo below is on a cloudy day when storms were approaching, we show you this one on purpose just to show you how clear the waters are even on a cloudy day.  At Gilligan’s you get to snorkel on slow currents along mangroves where you’ll see a variety of fish.

Smile to the Sunshine Colors at Finca El Girasol

A romantic place to visit is Finca El Girasol, a 10-acre farm where bright yellow sunflowers are grown.  The blue skies and warm Puerto Rican Sun, contrast beautifully with thousands of sunflowers that seem to have a smile.  A donation of $2 per vehicle is requested.  Visitors can walk around the farm, enjoy the fresh air, scenic views and take home the perfect selfies to capture the memories.  Fresh-cut sunflowers are available for sale, a romantic gift for your loved one. Call 939-402-7967 for hours before visiting.  Visit their FB page

Go Snorkeling in Guanica

Guanica is a great destination for families with children who wish to snorkel while on vacation in Puerto Rico.  Gilligan’s Island is like a giant natural pool with shallow waters, perfect for children to learn how to snorkel in safe calm waters.  When the weather conditions are optimal, there is a reef at Playa Tamarindo.  Professional charters will be happy to take you to the best snorkeling spots in Guanica and nearby sites in Lajas.

There are plenty more activities and points of interest to explore in the West Coast Region.  We recommend the following attractions:

Copamarina Beach Resort & Spa

Puerto Rico Things to Do ⎮  Puerto Rico Places to Go – Destinations ⎮ Guanica Puerto Rico