Southern Region
The south coast of Puerto Rico is boarded by the warm Caribbean Sea. There is virtually no landmass between the largest city on the south coast, Ponce, and Caracas, Venezuela. What separates them is 520 miles of some of the warmest ocean water on the planet. Compared with the Atlantic Ocean that crashes against the north side of the island, the Caribbean Sea is warmer, calmer, and has lower salinity levels. The water temperature fluctuates from 80º to 85º on average throughout the year. The whole south side of the island looks very different from the north, in that there is much less rain here and the ecology reflects it. The landscape from Salinas to the west coast looks like wine country California at best and Aruba at worst. When there’s been rain, the grassy hills are green and beautiful. However, in periods of drought the grass turns brown and the countryside wilts into a brown, dead thing. Long, thin cactus dot the landscape with a few other species of trees being prevalent.
The most visited spot on the south side of the island is also the 2nd largest city on the island, the gem of the south, Ponce. Ponce is alright, but really only a stopping point if you happen to be driving through the south. It has some of the best museums on the island, a quaint plaza with an old fire station turned museum, and other cultural attractions, but that’s about it. You may hear about La Guancha, a spot on the coast that’s apparently popular, don’t go. It has a lot of grass next to a sad, boring coastline, a few food trucks serving mediocre fried stuff, and that’s it.
The only natural hot springs on the island that I am aware of are the Aguas Termales de Coamo. The springs are down a long road that looks like you’re going the wrong way. It’s nicely paved, but there’s not much around. When you arrive, park anywhere on the street. As you enter, there will be someone at a booth where you will tell them your name and where you’re visiting from. They’ll let you know the house rules and direct you to a gift shop where you’ll need to pay the entrance fee – five dollars per person. Coamo residents only pay $3.50. You’ll immediately notice that the property is well landscaped and located next to a small stream. Trees, bushes, and flowers cover the property. When I was there, April 2023, many of the trees were bursting with flowers and everything seemed to be in bloom. Butterflies and hummingbirds fly from flower to flower. Hidden speakers play relaxing music like chimes and ambient noise. It’s genuinely very relaxing and really improves the experience compared with the alternative of every party setting up their own speakers to blast Bad Bunny like on every beach. I visited in the morning on a Tuesday. There were 3-5 other older adults that looked like they visited often. I only stayed for about 45 minutes tops in the morning, and then stopped there for another 45min on my way home. While not an attraction to spend all day on, I think the Hot Springs are a worthwhile visit. Despite pavilions providing shade for both pools, I would skip it in the heat of the day.
Inches Beach usually has pretty small waves or is altogether flat. When you see 2-3 ft on Surfline, it’s on. Inches is a true reef break. The reef is so shallow that there is even a section sticking out of the water. Wait for waves parallel with the exposed coral. The part you surf over varies in depth, most of it is safe if you fall flat on your back or stomach. There are, however, sections that are extremely shallow and if you fall over them, you are eating coral. I have done this twice but I’ll keep coming back. The view from your board looking to the shore will make you grateful to be alive.
There are many keys surrounding the main island of Puerto Rico. Off the coast of Salinas, there are multiple mangrove islands you can visit via chartered boat. I went with a friend, we anchored in a channel between islands where we fished, dove for lobster, and BBQ’d. We found a spot to anchor in a channel with no one else around, the popular spots fill up with boats on the weekend. I saw four or five lobsters snorkeling and a good amount of fish. The current was pretty strong where I was, so it required a lot of swimming.
For information on these charcos and to see how they rank with other spots check out Waterfalls & Rivers.
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