Para La Naturaleza is the new website for the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico, which is a private nonprofit organization whose mission is to protect lands of high ecological value, with the goal that by 2033; 33% of Puerto Rico’s natural ecosystems will be protected.
My family and I recently did the Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Tour and it was awesome. You can see my favorite photos from the tour here.
If you are looking for places to see in Puerto Rico, I STRONGLY recommend that you check out the Para La Naturaleza website to see the great tours that they offer.
Available Tours
The Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico (CTPR) not only protects areas of high ecological value, they also protect buildings of historical importance too. Para la Naturaleza offers regular tours of their protected areas as well as volunteer opportunities, workshops and special events. Here is a quick look at some of the available tours:
Hacienda Buena Vista, Ponce
Hacienda Buena Vista was one of the major coffee plantations in Puerto Rico. Today, it is a historical site containing century old bu8ildings and working machinery that gives visitors a look at life at the hacienda.
Tours of Hacienda Buena Vista are available in both English and Spanish
Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve
Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve in Fajardo is home to several different eco systems and Para la Naturaleza offers some cool ways to explore the lagoon, mangroves, coral reefs, dry forests, sandy and rocky beaches.
You can take the traditional trolley tour around the reserve or if you a feeling energetic how about a bike tour. You can even snorkel here or take a evening tour to explore the Laguna Grande BioBay located within Las Cabezas de San Juan.
The main trolley tour of Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve is offered in English and Spanish. The various other tours may only be offered in Spanish.
Hacienda La Esperanza Nature Reserve
Hacienda La Esperanza Nature Reserve located in Manti on the north coast of Puerto Rico contains 10 different ecosystems and was the home of one of the largest sugarcane haciendas in Puerto Rico. Today you can tour the various buildings at Hacienda La Esperanza including the Manor House and Sugar Mill as well as learn about its rich history.
Tours of Hacienda La Esperanza are offered in English and Spanish. A tour of the coastal forest at the nature reserve is also offered in Spanish.
Canon de San Cristobal Natural Protected Area (San Cristobal Canyon)
The San Cristobal Canyon is located in the towns of Barranquitas and Aibonito and has an elevation of between 748 feet to 2,140 feet with an overall length of 5.6 miles along the heart of Puerto Rico’s Cordillera Central (central mountain region). One of the highlights of Canon de San Cristobal is Salto La Vaca; Puerto Rico’s highest waterfall with a height of some 300 feet.
Various tours of San Cristobal Canyon are available including: viewing the canon from the top, canyoning (descending down into the canyon) and hiking down into the canyon. All tours to the San Cristobal Canyon are offered ONLY in Spanish.
Other Protected Areas
RÃo Encantado
RÃo Encantado is located in the northern karst region of Puerto Rico and is home to the RÃo Encantado Underground River and Cave System.
Casa Ramon Power y Giralt, Old San Juan
Casa Ramon Power y Giralt is the birthplace of Ramon Power y Giralt, the first Puerto Rican delegate to the Courts of Cadiz in Spain
Medio Mundo y Daguao Natural Protected Area
Medio Mundo y Daguao is located in Puerto Rico’s Eastern region near Ceiba and Naguabo. It is home to the second largest mangrove forest in Puerto Rico and provides shelter for the manatee, turtles, the Puerto Rican Boa and the Yellow Shouldered Blackbird
Inés MarÃa Mendoza Nature Reserve
Inés MarÃa Mendoza Nature Reserve is also known as Punta Yeguas in the municipality of Yabucoa. The reserve is made up of rolling hills, sandstone cliffs and white sandy beaches. The reserve is also home to the very rare Ortegon tree.
Sierra Pandura Natural Protected Area
Sierra Pandura is located along the Pandura Mountain Range in Puerto Rico’s eastern region. The area is home to the are and endemic Puerto Rico Rock Frog known as the coquà guajon.
Jorge Sotomayor del Toro Natural Protected Area
The Jorge Sotomayor del Toro area is located in the Sierra de Cayey ridge at an elevation raging from 1,765 to 2,830 feet.
Dorado Pterocarpus Forest Natural Protected Area
The Dorado Pterocarpus Forest is located along the north coast of Puerto Rico and is home to the Pterocarpus freshwater swamp. Due to its unique nature the area is home to plants and forest habitats that are rarely found elsewhere.
El Convento Natural Protected Area – Cueva El Convento
El Convento Natural Protected Area is located in the south region of Puerto Rico within the municipalities of Guayanilla and Penuelas. It is home to one of the largest underground cave-spring system in Puerto Rico’s southern karst zone, where you will find El Cedro gorge and El Convento Cave.
Las Lunas Natural Protected Area
Las Lunas is located in the the subtropical wet forest zone of the Sierra de Cayey near Caguas.
Cerro Las Mesas Natural Protected Area
Cerro Las Mesas is located in Mayaguez at an elevation between 590 to 935 feet
La Parguera Nature Reserve
La Parguera Nature Reserve in Puerto Rico’s southern region is home to La Parguera Biobay, a coastal mangrove fringe, coral reefs and sea grass beds.
Finca Los Frailes
Finca Los Frailes is located in the LoÃza municipality. The area includes estuarine lagoons, mangroves, Pterocarpus forests, herbaceous swamps, and coastal plains.
As you can see Para la Naturaleza is working hard to protect the varied eco systems located throughout Puerto Rico and you can help to, by joining one of their tours, volunteering or attending one of their workshops.
If you have the opportunity during your time here in Puerto Rico, I strongly urge you to consider one of the various tours offered by Para la Naturaleza. They are a great way to learn about the various areas of Puerto Rico and you will also be helping to ensure that those areas continue to be protected.
If you have been on one of the tours why not share your experience in the comments below.
Information
Hacienda Buena Vista, Ponce
Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve, Fajardo
Hacienda La Esperanza Nature Reserve, Manati
Canon de San Cristobal Natural Protected Area (San Cristobal Canyon)
Note: Volunteer, special events and workshops also offered at their offer protected areas
