ESTATAL BOSQUE DE GUÁNICA

The Guanica State Forest, which became a nature reserve in 1985, is known throughout the world for the specificity of its biosphere. For many scientists, it is one of the best illustrations in the world of what is a dry forest in a subtropical zone. For this reason, in 1981, the United Nations recognized the park as the second international biosphere reserve in Puerto Rico, the other being the Yunque Reserve, further east in the country. The reserve covers 9,900 hectares. The most surprising thing for the visitor is probably to discover it when arriving from the tropical forest that covers the heart of the island. The contrast is striking. The cactus have replaced the royal palms, in the space of only a few kilometers. The vegetation then corresponds to the surrounding climatic conditions, with very low rainfall - around 750 mm per year. The thorny shrubs are legion, and scientists have been able to report no less than 700 species of plants, 16 of which are endemic. The land has also changed. It is no longer red as in the heart of the island, but much more white and stony.

The park is also famous for its endemic frog species, called peltophryne lemur. It is in this unique place that it reproduces. The adults live in the stone and regularly lay their eggs whenever it rains, which is quite rarely in the area. Once hatched, the newborns go to bury themselves in the crevices to come out only with the next rain and reproduce in their turn. Scientists also report that of the 111 species of birds that inhabit Puerto Rico, at least 40 live in the Guanica region, which is home to the largest number. A paradise for birders! There are also 48 endangered animal species in the forest.
To enjoy this unique fauna and flora, many trails have been built in the reserve. There are a dozen of them, with different degrees of difficulty. If you are in a hurry, you can take three of them in particular, which will give you an overview of the phenomenon of the dry forest in the subtropical zone in less than an hour. Thanks to the forest guardians, you can arrange much longer routes to access century-old trees.

At the moment, you will not find any accommodation in the park, where camping is prohibited. To sleep, fall back on Guanica.