This itinerary is personally prepared for your trip to West 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.

Harness your inner explorer and explore the shimmering, azure waters, breathtaking coastline and lush tropical forests that ensconce Combate Beach Resort in this secluded, unforgettable region in Puerto Rico. From caves to lighthouses and historical remnants to natural wonders, you’ll have countless adventures awaiting you when you arrive at our tropical paradise.

The city of Cabo Rojo is recognized as the Internal Tourism Capital of Puerto Rico due to its more than 30 world-class attractions and its rich variety of culinary offerings, making it the favorite vacation spot for the locals and its currently becoming a favorite by many international visitors.

Cabo Rojo is situated right on the southwest corner of the island, blessing this town with miles and miles of beaches on the Caribbean Sea.  In the summer months, families from all over the island flock here to enjoy a budget friendly beach vacation.  The town of Boqueron is the most popular beach destination offering a Blue Flag beach with an authentic Puerto Rican nightlife along the beautiful bay of Boqueron.

While the beaches of San Juan offer the amenities and resort experience that tourists love, Cabo Rojo offers travelers a more authentic Puerto Rican beach experience.

Driving time: 2:45 hrs.

Optional to visit:

• 
  Los Morillos Lighthouse (Cabo Rojo) – El Faro or lighthouse was constructed in 1882 by the Spaniards and is one of the most popular attractions in Cabo Rojo. The lighthouse is located over a white lime cliff which is surrounded by salt water lagoons and has a drop over 70 meters into the ocean.
• The Salt Flats “Las Salinas” (Cabo Rojo) – Las Salinas is located on the road to the ighthouse. This attraction is surely worth a stop, the scenery is beautiful and quite amazing to see how the salt is collected.
• Boquerón Beach and Fishing Village (Cabo Rojo) – Boquerón Beach is one of the most
  picturesque beaches in the West Coast of Puerto Rico. Lots of typical restaurants and souvenir shops.
• Playa La Playuela "Playa Sucia" - The most scenic beach location on the main island of Puerto Rico. This beach has won Trip Advisor’s Traveler’s Choice for 3 years in a row as one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. La Playuela / Playa  Sucia is tranquil beach cove with playful waves. From your lounge chair marvel to scenic views of Los Morrillos Lighthouse, and the majestic limestone cliffs.
• El Combate Beach - of the locals favorite beaches with mostly a younger crowd.  Take a dive into the turquoise waters from the dock, swim, play beach volleyball or just relax.  Many boats dock at this beach, the wood pier is a popular spot for afternoon fishing and watching the sunset.
• Buye Beach - If you ask someone about Buyé Beach, you’ll most likely get a sigh of “Ahhh, Buyé”.   Playa Buyé is one of the prettiest beaches in the town of Cabo Rojo and certainly one of the top on the west coast. The waters are calm with gentle waves and the colors of the water range from emerald green to jewel turquoise.  Depending on the weather conditions, the waters are crystal clear with many shallow spots for small children.  The far end to the right is postcard worthy with palm trees on the background, almond trees and less crowds for a quiet relaxing beach day.
• Punta Aguila Beach - has the feel of a beach that you can only find in Vieques and Culebra, crystal clear water, seclusion, different shades of turquoise and emerald green on the water.  The coast is undeveloped, sand is not raked, you see and experience a beach the way nature intended it to be. You can get there by parking at the observation tower at the Salt Flats and using the hiking trail, or you may walk south from Annie’s Place in Combate.

Stay in Cabo Rojo provided by Destinos Turisticos Online, suggested hotel:

Parador El Combate Beach Resort (3*) on the beach.

Cabo Rojo offers more than beaches, here you can walk into a nature reserve where you’ll find the most scenic beach location in Puerto Rico, the elegant Los Morrillos lighthouse sitting atop limestone cliffs with breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea.  The Cabo Rojo Wildlife Refuge offers trails hiking and bicycling trails, a great way to connect with family, nature and stay active.  A short drive from Cabo Rojo, you can enjoy the additional attractions and things to do in the neighboring towns of Lajas, Guanica, San German and just up north you can enjoy the best surfing beaches in the Caribbean in the towns of Rincon, Aguadilla and Isabela.

Places to visit:

• Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge - A wonderful place that’s still considered a secret escape for nature lovers giving visitors a variety of outdoor activities the entire family can enjoy.  Locals adore these trails for jogging, walking and bicycling, however you’ll never find crowds.  “This wildlife refuge is considered the most important stopover for migratory birds in all of the Caribbean.”  Here you can observe a variety of habitats, a very educational experience for school age children and there’s more….
• Natural Arch of Cabo Rojo - One of our favorite secret places for years, is now one of the most photographed scenic spots in Puerto Rico.  A spot worthy of a postcard or a romantic set on Pirates of the Caribbean.  Many call it El Puente Natural, Puente Natural de Piedra and in English “The Natural Bridge”.  The other side goes no where so in reality is an arch, no matter what you call it, it’s gorgeous and worth the trip.   A magnificent natural work of art right on the southwest corner of Puerto Rico.
• Boqueron State Forest - The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Refuge established in 1974, maintains 587 acres of subtropical dry forest.  Here you can enjoy hiking, bird watching and learning about the flora and natural resources.  Boqueron State Forest, offers some of the most breathtaking scenery on the island.  Various tours available for tourists, school groups and the general public.
• Isla Ratones - Is a little gem in Cabo Rojo just off the coast of Joyuda.  Spend the day swimming on clear waters, snorkeling and getting the perfect tan.  After a fun day, stay in Joyuda for fresh fish dinner with a sunset view. You can get to the island on a short boat ride from Joyuda with local charter. 
• Guaniquilla Nature Reserve - This is one special place, one of the gems in Puerto Rico unlike any other on the island.  If you love to hike and experience of “getting away”, this is one place you don’t want to miss.  Walk along the coastline, mangrove forests, narrow wooden trails, small beach coves, with the reward of the awe-inspiring sights of Laguna Guaniquilla at the end of the trail.  Visiting guide coming soon.
• Santuario Schoenstatt - A beautiful place indeed, Schoenstatt translates to “beautiful place”, and this sanctuary is nestled on a scenic peaceful hillside overlooking the Caribbean Sea.  This sanctuary is a replica of the Church of the Apostolic Movement of Schoenstatt in Germany.  Catholic or not, we think you’ll enjoy visiting this inspiring site.
• Isla de Mona, The Galapagos of the Caribbean - This uninhabited island is a nature reserve offering amazing scuba diving, snorkeling, caving and camping experiences.  Swim on secluded beaches and have the most unforgettable stargazing memories.

Stay in Cabo Rojo provided by Destinos Turisticos Online.

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.

Ponce is located in the Southern Coastal Plain region (about 5 km (3 mi) from the south central coast of the island), south of Adjuntas, Utuado and Jayuya; east of Peñuelas; and west of Juana Díaz. The annual precipitation is approximately 36 inches on the coast and 48 inches in the interior and the average temperature is 75°F.

Nearly one half a billion dollars have been spent preserving the colonial core of Ponce. The heart of Ponce dates from the late 17th century and has been declared a national treasure. It consists of plazas and churches and highly decorative colonial homes, some glorious fountains and a unique fire station.

Ponce is an important trading and distribution center, and has a port of entry; Playa de Ponce Port is one of the busiest ports in the Caribbean area, handles tobacco, coffee, rum, and sugar cane.

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 $13.34 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. Admission fee $12.00 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 $3.00 USD.
• Plaza Del Caribe (Shopping Mall in Ponce) – This shopping mall is the largest and most
  important in the southern region of Puerto Rico. It has over 140 stores, including local, American and European stores. Open Monday to Saturday 9:00am – 9:00pm and Sundays 11:00am – 7:00pm.
• The world class Ponce Museum of Art - Designed by Edward Durrell Stone (Museum of Modern Art, NY), is the only museum of stature, houses the most extensive art collection in the Caribbean. Located on the southern coast of Puerto Rico, 90 minutes from San Juan. The museum was donated by a foundation established by Luis A Ferré (Governor 1968-72). The building, with seven interconnected hexagons, glass cupolas and a pair of curved staircases, contains one of the most important pre-Raphaelite collections in the western hemisphere. The museum houses more than 1,000 paintings and 400 sculptures, including the finest collection of European works in the Caribbean, such as works by Velasquez, Rubens and Rodin. Many important Puerto Rican pieces are included in the collection, some Inca pottery and even Thai pieces. The museum also offers exhibits by contemporary Puerto Rican artists. Open daily 10am - 5pm. Admission: Adults $4, children $2, (787) 848-0511 or (787) 848-0505.
• The Museum of Puerto Rican Music - Traces the rich musical history of the island through memorabilia of famous musicians and displays of Indian, Spanish and African musical instruments. Open Wednesday-Sunday 9 am - noon and 1-5:30 pm; free admission; 70 Christina St., 787-844-9722.
• La Guancha Paseo Tablado (the boardwalk) - Is a fun stop where you can loiter with lively local Ponceños-the teen scene, elders and the toddler-mamma set. The pier here is the departure point for a regularly scheduled weekend ferry to Caja de Muertos (Coffin Island or Dead Box Island), a small island of pristine beaches, an old lighthouse (built in 1887) and a marked snorkel trail (under construction). Ferry services: Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 9am and return to 5pm.
• El Vigia Hill - For a incredible view of how the mountains meet the sea at Ponce, drive to the summit of El Vigia Hill, where scouts once scanned for attacking ships. Visitors can ascend "Virgin's Cross" (La Cruz del Vigia), a 100-foot observation tower, and view of Ponce and Caja de Muertos. Built in 1984, the cross is a memorial to the Spanish garrison established atop of the hill to watch for smugglers' ships attempting to unload contraband on the southern coastline of Puerto Rico back in 1801.
• The Museum of the History of Ponce - displays documents, objects and relics related to the historical development of the city. The musuem opened its doors in 1992 and it was the first museum in Puerto Rico totally devoted to the history of the people of a city. Located at 53 Calle Isabel. Open Wed-Mon, 9am-5pm, admission US $3 for adults, US $1 for children, (787) 844-7071.
• City Hall - Other interesting buildings around the plaza include  Casa Alcaldía (city hall), the oldest colonial building in the city, dating to the 1840s. Nearby sits Casa Armstrong-Poventud a magnificent example of the neoclassical architectural heritage of the island.

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

• Ponce Plaza (3*SUP), on downtown.
• Ponce Holiday Inn (3*SUP), on the hill.
• Ponce Hilton (4*), on the beach.

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