Explore Puerto Rico

In reaching this natural area you believe that the Sierra Pandura kneels before the force of the waves of the Caribbean Sea. Such is the beauty of Punta Yeguas, with three ropes or tip of sedimentary rock that are imposed on small sandy beaches.

Humid forests that cover the cliffs between the capes will be one of the first impressions of this diverse landscape, which changes to pasture amidst meadows and ravines that make their topography one of the most spectacular views of Puerto Rico. From the top of the reserve you can be seen to the east Vieques Island and to the west the Sierra Pandura, which rises in front of your horizon.

Adentrándote in this landscape you could find up to some 85 species of plants, 37 species of birds, 8 species of reptiles, 6 amphibians and 4 invertebrates that have been documented in this book. One of the most significant species of flora is the Ortegón an evergreen tree endemic to Puerto Rico and endangered which is limited to the southeast. Come and see this tree, whose protected population here is the largest in a reserve in Puerto Rico.

And where the name of Punta Yeguas out? This comes from the use that was given after the southern boundary of place where neighbors still tend to leave their horses grazing. However, the official name of this natural area honors Dona Ines Maria Mendoza, teacher, educator, writer and civic, social and political leader, who was the wife of Luis Muñoz Marín, the first elected governor of Puerto Rico (1949 thru 1964 ). Dona Ines was a member of the first Board of Trustees of the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico, being a pioneer of the conservation and protection of the nature of our islands.

According to documentary sources and oral history, economic development of the southeast region was traditionally dominated by the production of sugar cane. Between 1853 and 1860 the Yabucoa Valley had six (6) sugar estates such as: 1. Laura, 2. Pilar, 3. Black, 4. El Nuevo Cerro, 5. The Union and 6. Lucia . These farms were the most important industries of the time. Therefore, they were linked to the social, economic, urban and cultural social growth of the municipality.

A bioluminescent bay is the result of a delicate ecosystem. Bioluminescent bays only flourish when tiny cells called dinoflagellates (bahamense Pyrodinium) thrive in a protected environment. When shaken, the organisms release energy as light. In other words, they glow, emitting a neon green ethereal aura. And the same goes with everything they touch: fish, hands, rowing boats, even raindrops.

Bioluminescence exists worldwide, but there are only a few bioluminescent bays on our planet ... and one of them is in Fajardo *!

** Reach Laguna Grande in Fajardo is easy. You can drive to the boat ramp at the end of Route 987, where he will meet with their tour guides. Tours start at dusk with a vigorous kayak trip through a mangrove swamp, heading a large and quiet bay. Suddenly, you begin to see that everything that moves in-the-water fish, his oar and even raindrops an ethereal beauty shines with ***. Visit our bioluminescent bay is an unforgettable experience that stands out among the many tours through Puerto Rico.