DAY TRIPPIN’ IN LA PARGUERA

La Parguera in Lajas is one of my favorite places for day tripping in Puerto Rico. When I have visitors in town for a short visit, or my friends & I just want to escape & have fun on the water for the day, La Parguera is always a good idea. It’s a nature reserve, there are mangrove islands to explore & the water is crystal clear. It’s beautiful!

One of the reasons I like La Parguera so much is because we get to be on a boat! We rent from Fondo de Cristal as well as Torres Boat Service. They both provide excellent customer service in English & Spanish. The boats are well maintained & if you're over 21 only a driver's license is needed to rent one for the day.* (EDIT: folks with PR licenses are also required to have a boating license if they want to rent a boat. That's according to Ley 430. For people with a driver's license from off the island just a regular driver's license will work.)

MY 5 TIPS FOR RENTING YOUR OWN BOAT & HAVING A FUN DAY OUT AT LA PARGUERA

1a. Reserve a boat in advance, or at least arrive early. You can reserve a boat ahead of time through the Fondo de Cristal website. This is a great option to ensure you get one. It also doesn't hurt to call to make sure the reservation goes through & that you get the boat you want - there are different sizes depending on the number of people in your party. If you choose not to rent a boat ahead of time, I recommend getting to the rental place early to make sure you get the boat you want, especially if it’s a holiday or busy weekend. You’ll need cash or a credit card & a driver’s license.* Read the edit in the previous paragraph about having the proper license. The process to rent your boat may take a little while… it’s island time, RELAX!

1b. Hire a boat taxi. I added this section to the post because I took this option recently & it worked out great! Hiring a boat taxi is a fantastic option if you're with a group of people that prefers, or can't be, in charge of driving a boat. Hiring a boat taxi makes the day at La Parguera easy & carefree. You need to arrange your drop off and pick up times with the boat company - we took Fondo de Cristal. It was also an affordable alternative to renting a boat. We paid about $25 per person for a total of about $150 vs. renting a boat for a group our size would have cost over $450. The pictures below are from our most recent trip to La Parguera using this option.

2. Pack a cooler. There are places to eat nearby when you get off the boat, but if you plan to be on the water for a few hours you won’t regret having a stocked cooler with plenty of drinks & snacks. Don’t forget your reusable items to minimize the amount of trash you create.

3. Wear sun protection. Reef safe sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat & a long sleeved top for when you’re maxed out on sun exposure are my must-haves. Sunburns are never fun.

4. Bring water toys & don’t forget your towels. Snorkeling masks & floats make the day more fun & relaxing out in the water. Some people even bring beach chairs & umbrellas if they plan to hang out in the shallow water by the mangroves.

5. Music & memories – bring a speaker for music & a camera or phone for capturing memories. Waterproof is a plus!

BONUS TIPS 

Follow the laws. There are posted speed limits & life vest requirements for the kiddos. DRNA (The Department of Natural Resources) is vigilant about these rules & enforces them out on the water. I know this from experience!

Post Parguera food recommendations: Everyone is usually ready for a good meal by the time the 3 hour boat rental is over. We usually head over to the nearby town of Boqueron to eat at one of the waterfront restaurants, but recently we tried El Bohío in Joyuda for the first time & it was such a nice experience that I decided to add it to this post. Joyuda has lots of restaurants to choose from & the options can be overwhelming if you aren’t familiar with the area. El Bohío had friendly & attentive waitstaff in addition to fresh & delicious food. We will be going back!

Hope you have fun! x