Isla Southwest Region, Puerto Rico

Bodega y Viñedo Andreu Solé of Guanica

The Winery is an absolute oasis of charm and service.

A ‘must see’ when touring the west side of Puerto Rico.

We had been wanting to come check out Puerto Rico’s only winery, ever since we found out about it. Some friends of me First Mate were here on vacation so we set a date to meet there. We also did the tour of the vineyard.

I only wish we lived closer, I would be coming back here more often. It’s about a 1 hour, 10 minute run from our place so that makes for a pretty good jog each way. Definitely worth it, though.

Bodega Andreu Solé is on the road leading to Guanica so it’s easy to find. Plus there are lots of signs too. Specifically, they are located on PR-3116, at km 2.6 in Barrio Ensenada, Guanica, PR. It is a short run off Highway 2 via highway 116, to get there. Stay on 116 until you see 3116 splitting to the right where it curves downhill to pass under 116. A look-up on GoogleMaps will put you right there, though some maps show the older designation of PR-325. The signs you will see are marked as 3116.

Though Guanica is notoriously hot, we were there in early March so it’s still pretty reasonable. It was slightly overcast the Sunday we were there. In fact, we got a very light bit of rain, but it was nothing to fret about. It was over before it ever got going.

The Grounds

The winery is right on the bay with their own wooden dock. [Read more…] about Bodega y Viñedo Andreu Solé of Guanica

La Parguera, a Little Jewel on the SW Coast

As mentioned in my last post, we made a quick dash through La Parguera while checking out the area around Guánica. La Parguera is most famous for its bioluminescent bays, followed by its seafood. Our plans precluded sticking around until after sunset so we gathered contact info for later.

You can reach La Parguera from Lajas via Hwy 116, then take Hwy 304 on into town. Hwy 324 would take you from La Parguera to Guánica which is how we got there.

La Parguera is actually a sector of Lajas and falls within it’s jurisdiction (Fixed/thanx Sdog). It even has its own police station and Post Office. The bay is part of the La Parguera Nature Reserve established in 1979.

We were there on a Saturday afternoon and it was pretty busy. It is as popular with the locals and San Juan as it is with tourists.

In some respects, it kind of reminded me of Lahaina on Maui, minus the upscale art galleries and boutique shops.

From a Google Maps satellite view, you can see how built-up La Parguera has become. The main road through town (Hwy 304) takes you down past the waterfront. On the bay side, there is a small Plaza with a formal public arcade/promenade next to it. From the arcade there is access to several shuttle boat and tour services. [Read more…] about La Parguera, a Little Jewel on the SW Coast

Guánica, Kicked Back on a Saturday

I had previously reported about the Dry Forest of Guánica, but did not make it into town. Now I’m back to fill in some details.

This IS by far the driest, hottest place on the island.

Closeup Detail of Quenepas on Tree in Salinas, Puerto Rico It was a clear day in August so yes, it was hot, but not muggy. There was also a nice breeze too, since we were right on the coast. If you are from the Southern United States, you’ll feel right at home. Ya’ll got that?

So my goal this time was to hit the Plaza of Guánica, check out the old abandoned Sugar Mill, retrace the point of entry for the US troops landing here in 1898 and check out a couple more places within the Dry Forest Preserve.

I also made it over to Parguera, up the coast, west of Guánica, but I’ll save that for me next post… Arrg!

Since we were coming from Ponce, we took Hwy 2, to Hwy 116. Hwy 116 runs right past the Plaza.

This time of year, you will see lots of folks along the highway selling bunches of Quenepas. Quenepa trees grow all over PR. These shots were taken in Salinas last month. I have a Quenepa sprout I started from seed last Fall. The fruit are about the size of big grapes. The first place we stopped wanted $5 bucks for a bunch.. ridiculous. [Read more…] about Guánica, Kicked Back on a Saturday

San German, Puerto Rico, the Real Deal

History preserved for the 21st Century

San German lies between Ponce and Mayaguez off Hwy 2 via Hwy 122.
Its also in the Southwest part of the island as mentioned in my last post.

San German (pronounced Her-mon) is commonly referred to as the 2nd oldest town in PR. The locals would like to argue the point, but like the original settlement at Caparra which had to be abandoned because of attacks, so was the original town site of San German. Records date the establishment of San German on the Bay of Añasco to 1506. Through A Spanish decree in 1514, the island was divided between Puerto Rico (later renamed San Juan) and San German establishing two separate governing regions.

In September of 1531, Empress Isabel of Portugal allocated substantial funds for the Dominican Priests to build a monastery at this 1st location. This set the stage for a convent and school to follow. After several brutal attacks by the French and Caribe indians, the towns folk had no choice, but to relocate inland to its current hill-side site in 1570. In 1609, the Dominican Priests were back with a more rustic, primitive structure at the new town site. [Read more…] about San German, Puerto Rico, the Real Deal

Cabo Rojo, Bosque de Boqueron & Puerto Real

The Great Diversity that is Southwest Puerto Rico

Here’s a hot tip- Where do Puerto Ricans go on vacation or a weekend trip? Into the mountains to cool off or the gorgeous beaches on the southwest coast of the island. For good reason!

The Southwest region includes Sabana Grande, San German, Hormigueros, Cabo Rojo, Lajas, Yauco and everything in between, all the way out to the coast. As mentioned in my last post about UFOs, its mostly flat to rolling pasture with occasional hills and mostly dry. I saw a lot of cattle ranches out this way. Its always in the mid ’80’s there, but I never felt like it was too hot. After having studied National Weather Service maps of PR for the last year, I can say with certainty that this is the driest, least humid area of Puerto Rico. [Read more…] about Cabo Rojo, Bosque de Boqueron & Puerto Real