This itinerary is personally prepared for your trip to Southwest zone. The program includes accommodation, transfers or car rental and excursions. During your stay, you’ll be provided with accommodations, you’ll take the excursions accordingly and we’ll provide suggestions to visit attractions independently.

Check-out from your hotel in the morning and head west to Guánica. Guanica was the entry point of both, the Spanish in the early 16th century and the Americans at the end of the XIX century. Guanica is famous for its harbor, dry forest and beautiful natural reserves.

Driving time: 2:15 hours

Optional:

• 
  Guánica Dry Forest (Guánica) – A World Biosphere Reserve, it’s as subtropical dry forest located in the southwest, is the best example of a dry forest in the Caribbean. Ideal for bird watching; you can find also beautiful beaches, picnic areas and a visitor center.
•  El Faro Ruins (Guánica) – Part of the Guanica Dry Forest, this ruin was a spanish colonial lighthouse. The walls and the core of the lighthouse are still standing, but the immediate area is fenced off. The lighthouse marked the entrance to Guanica Bay. It was listed in the United States National Register of Historic Places.
• Cayo Mata la gata (Guánica) - You’ll love this place, a little, little cay / island off the coast of the town of Lajas on the southern coast of Porta del Sol. This cute island’s colors are blue, green, turquoise and coral, a nature lover’s tiny paradise surrounded by more sister islands, everywhere you stand on the island, the views are gorgeous. Mata La Gata Island is part of Reserva Natural La Parguera which include 4 other mangrove islands managed by Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA).
  During the week in high season months (December – April) you may have the island to yourself. High season for locals is the summer months and on weekends it gets very busy on the island, so make sure you get here early to claim a picnic table. We recommend tourists to visit elsewhere in the summer months. Hours: Tuesday – Sunday from 9am to 5pm.

Stay in Guanica provided by Destinos Turisticos Online, suggested hotel:

Copamarina Beach Resort (3*SUP), on the beach.

Optional to visit in Guanica:

• Gilligan Island (Guánica) – Cayo Aurora, also known as Gilligan’s Island, is part of the Biosphere Reserve of Guanica and managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DRNA). The water around the island is crystal clear, very good for snorkeling. Arrangements to get there can be made in the hotel.

 Stay in Guanica provided by Destinos Turisticos Online.

Copamarina Beach Resort - 3*SUP (on the beach)

Check-out from your hotel and head to the city of Ponce.

Driving time: 40 minutes

Ponce is the second most important city in Puerto Rico outside the metropolitan area and features many points of interest for visiting tourists.

Optional to visit:

• 
  Ponce City Tour – Visit the famous Parque de Bombas or firehouse ; here you’ll get the tickets for the Ponce Trolley for just $2 and the trolley will take you to a ride visiting Plaza de Las Delicias, Our Lady of Guadalupe Cathedral, plenty of museums, churches, “Ponce Creole” architectural style homes, fountains and the picturesque neighborhoods that makes Ponce a destination within the destination. Aprox. 3 hour tour.
• Serrallés Castle – Constructed in the 1930’s on a hill that overlooks the entire city of Ponce, is a visual testament to the sugar-boom in the early 20th century that made many families in Ponce very rich. It’s a masterpiece of Spanish Revival architecture. Entrance fee – Adult $3.34 USD / Children $ 5.73 USD per person.
• Cruceta del Vigía (Watchman Cross) – It’s a 100 foot-tall cross shaped observation post that over looks the entire city of Ponce and the Caribbean Sea. It houses a visitor center and a horizontal sky-bridge with a wonderful panoramic view. Free admission
• La Guancha Boardwalk – Day and night entertainment and a great place to mingle with locals. Free admission.
• Caja de Muerto Island or Coffin Island – “Superb beaches” – Need to take a boat for an
  unforgettable experience in a secluded island in the Caribbean facing the city of Ponce. Price starts at $25.00 USD per person.
• Hacienda Buena Vista (Historic site) - A 19th Century coffee plantation or hacienda and living museum. Reservations are required. Very educational and entertaining. Open from Wednesday to Sunday. Admission fee – Adult $ 12.00 USD / Children $ 9.00 USD.
• Tibes Indian Ceremonial Park – Historical site. Is the largest Indian Ceremonial Center in the Caribbean and the best preserved; you can go back through time and live the experience of a typical Indian Village in the Caribbean before the arrival of Christopher Columbus. Open from Thursday to Sunday. Admission fee $3 USD.

Stay in Ponce provided by Destinos Turisticos Online, suggested stay:

• Ponce Plaza (3*SUP) on downtown.
• Holiday Inn (3*SUP) on the hill.

Check-out from your hotel and transfer to the International Airport provided by Destinos Turisticos Online.

Or, Return the car to Europcar / Avis / Budget Car Rental and Transfer to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport.

End of tour

*** The amount of nights may be extended as desired ***

Extension Program - Vieques & Culebra Zone

Puerto Rico is an archipelago and two of its islands are Vieques and Culebra, having the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. In 2015 TripAdvisor acknowledge Flamenco Beach in Culebra as one of the “Top 25 Beaches” in the world. Vieques and Culebra, together with various small islets, make up the Spanish Virgin Islands, sometimes known as the Passage Islands.

Reference our Vieques and Culebra Brochure, see all excursions and alternatives to do in both islands and be prepare your own package:

• Vieques & Culebra Basic
• Vieques & Culebra Express
• Vieques & Culebra Only
• Vieques & Culebra Total
• Vieques & Culebra Spanish Virgin Island