La Parguera
La Parguera
4
About
This fishing village is home to nature reserves, pristine cays, and one of Puerto Rico’s three bioluminescent bays—the only one that you can swim in. Here, you can grab some food at the town's main square, enjoy views of the Caribbean Sea, kayak around Cayo Caracoles and Cayo Mata La Gata, go wildlife spotting, and snorkel and dive in the tropical waters rich with marine life. The main highlight here is the bioluminescent bay—join a boat tour to see the glowing waters and dive in for a swim. Visit during a new moon and the warmer months when the bay glows the brightest. – Tripadvisor
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
303 reviews
Excellent
170
Very good
74
Average
34
Poor
10
Terrible
15
Jose Antonio A
West Palm Beach, FL2 contributions
Jan 2022 • Couples
Totally run down town. Not worth the long drive to see nothing. I guess if you own a home there and own a boat it may be worth going there. But it is definitely not a destination worth traveling to. There is nothing to do there. We could find no accessible beaches everything is private and closed to the public. There is literally one block along the water that has a few overpriced restaurants and shops. Nothing worth a 1-2 hours drive depending upon where you are driving from. You have been fore warned.
Written January 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carmen L
Camarillo, CA154 contributions
Apr 2022
Been coming here since I was 5 years old as my parents owned a vacation home on the water. Memories can only last so long, however, the town has evolved and kept up with the times. There's a nice water-front hotel (Villa La Parguera) and several AirB&Bs. Many restaurants and pubs. Traveling on a boat day or night is very reasonably priced. The water is beautiful and the Bioluminiscent Bay, though not as bright as it used to be, is an experience in itself. Every time I'm here I meet people from all over the world.
Written May 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BeachYogi858
San Diego, CA13 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
I live on the island and this is the #1 thing we take visitors to do. People in the reviews are complaining about the town and lack of beaches, but no one who’s done any research goes to La Parguera for those things. The real treasures are in the water. I prefer taking a boat charter but you can also grab a water taxi. Bring some floaties and beverages for a good time at Caracoles, find a sandbar to have all to yourself, spot miniature dolphins swimming in the mangroves and snorkel over coral in crystal clear water. It’s truly a unique experience. Go during the week if crowds aren’t your thing or on the weekdays if you’re looking to party.
Written September 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
honest_axe
Kansas City, KS212 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
Fun little plaza with restaurants/bars and souvenir shops. You can book any kind of tour from here. Must do: eat at Isla Cueva burgers and take the Sunset and Bio Bay cruise. The Bio bay was the highlight of our trip. It was just the 6 of my family on the boat so a very personal experience! So worth it!!
Written August 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Departure39528193869
4 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
Went to Puerto Rico for a wedding in Ponce and were told Bio tours were one of the top 3 things to do to see nature in PR. As luck would have it we were in PR during a new moon so it was almost totally dark the night we went out for our Bio tour . Our captain was very knowledgeable about the harbor, the town and the people and did a mini tour as we motored out with kayaks in tow in calm conditions to the bioluminescent bay. You could definitely see the water light up and sparkle in front of our boat and the kayaks also created a wake of sparkles. We also got to swim in 80+ degree water which was really nice . Overall a fun side trip and well worth the money.
Written March 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
elsker217
New Haven, CT6 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
In the morning, we did the pedal kayaking, which was fantastic! Gabriel was a wonderful guide and did not rush us at all. The views were amazing and the water crystal clear. In the evening we did the swimming in the bioluminescent bay and that was excellent! we had so much fun seeing our T-shirts sparkle from the plankton. It was as if they had glitter on them.
Written June 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PapunPuertoRico
La Parguera, Puerto Rico1 contribution
Planning a trip to PR?. Planning to go to La Parguera?. Well let me tell you some great places to go, and things you can do and avoid when visiting our small but friendly town of La Parguera. First, you will be asked if you want to go for a boat trip, or to see the Bay!!!!. Politetly say no and keep on to the PARKING FACILITIES. Once there, some people who work for the boat companies here; CANCEL BOATS,JOHNNY"S BOATS,PEPE'S BOATS and TORRES BOATS, will aproach you again with the same offer. Again and politelly say no, "maybe latter", "we are going to eat first", or some excuse to get them off your back. They get paid for the people they get for any boat company. Take your time and see the town. Don't forget to visit us at the PASEO SAN PEDRO. Ask for TITA or PAPUN. We'll be glad to serve you and provide you with FREE information. No rush or hurry!!!. SEcond thing to have in mind; WHERE TO STAY, easy one!!!. Avoid BIG EXPENSIVE HOTELS. Is better to relax and spend less than to spend a lot and don't relax at all. The night life is great but you will need to sleep sooner or latter, and there's when your choices are in command. Try some small Guest Houses ,like GLADY'S GUEST HOUSE,ANDINO'S GUEST HOUSE, and some others you will find in or close by the town. The place is friendly and safe. Ok, lets eat, but where?, HMMM!!, how about some shrimp,fish,conch,lobster!!, a cold piña colada, a glass of SANGRIA COÑO, or maybe some native food. There are some great places to enjoy a great meal. Go to the "KARAKOL". Is right in the middle of the town and the food is fresh , made daily by its owner and very friendly and polite employees. Here's the famous SANGRIA COÑO", enjoy!!!!!. I miss the time between your arrival and your depart. Well, how about snorkeling,fishing, diving, pool,dance, trip to the bay,sun tannig, sandy beaches, or just plain relaxation!!!!!. My recomendations are:
To rent a boat, TORRE"S BOATS
To see tha bay, JOHNNY"S BOATS
To eat!!!!, your choice, but I recomend "EL KARACOL"
To stay, GLADY"S GUEST HOUSE, one of many good to excellent and affordable places.CALL FOR RESERVATIONS!!!!
Friends!!, TITA and PAPUN
NEED HELP!!!, WRITE ME AND I WILL GLADDLY GIVE YOU ALL YOU NEED. HEY, I EVEN ASK AND LOOK FOR A GREAT PLACE TO STAY. No catch, no expenses , just will like to serve and help as i can. I have my own bussinees . I sell souveniers for living. I don't get any pay for my services, since I love to make new friends everyday. What more pleasure and PAY than that one!!!!. There are some other places that i might have forgotten, but never less, they are great and I will remember them when you write or arrive in our lovelly PARGUERA. This is only my personal point of view and in now way it should be taken as the only resourse for information. If you take in consideration that I was born and raised here, am 46 years old, and my playground have allways been La Parguera, you can guess I know my town, and hopefully YOURS.
To rent a boat, TORRE"S BOATS
To see tha bay, JOHNNY"S BOATS
To eat!!!!, your choice, but I recomend "EL KARACOL"
To stay, GLADY"S GUEST HOUSE, one of many good to excellent and affordable places.CALL FOR RESERVATIONS!!!!
Friends!!, TITA and PAPUN
NEED HELP!!!, WRITE ME AND I WILL GLADDLY GIVE YOU ALL YOU NEED. HEY, I EVEN ASK AND LOOK FOR A GREAT PLACE TO STAY. No catch, no expenses , just will like to serve and help as i can. I have my own bussinees . I sell souveniers for living. I don't get any pay for my services, since I love to make new friends everyday. What more pleasure and PAY than that one!!!!. There are some other places that i might have forgotten, but never less, they are great and I will remember them when you write or arrive in our lovelly PARGUERA. This is only my personal point of view and in now way it should be taken as the only resourse for information. If you take in consideration that I was born and raised here, am 46 years old, and my playground have allways been La Parguera, you can guess I know my town, and hopefully YOURS.
Written October 24, 2004
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trek12622
New York, New York1 contribution
La Parquera is on the Southeast corner of the Island. Between Ponce and Mayaquez. I go there every summer and next year plan to move there. It is a beautiful quaint fishing town with hotels, cabanas, and weekend lodgings. Wonderful restaurants to accomodate your very taste. Seafood is the specialty. You can go diving, water skiing, jet skiing or just rent a boat and take a trip around the mangroves the natural resources of La Parguera were you will find beautiful birds mating and feeding upon them.Go hangout at Karakoles (another mangrove which is aptly named), where the water only reaches your hips. Where you will find people from the Dominican Republic, Florida, Jamaica, and the Virgen Islands on yachts which arrive and stay for weeks. Eating, drinking, swimming and playing dominoes in the water are the best relaxations you can find. As my brother says you will find anything as beautiful as his "Parguera."
Written June 9, 2003
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Renate D
3 contributions
My boyfriend and I visited La Parguera area for 2 days this past Memorial Day week-end. We wanted a quick, inexpensive getaway with quiet beaches and perhaps some snorkeling. We spent the other two days in Fajardo area. The drive down to the area was easy and scenic- and we explored the southern coast from Ponce to La Parguera. We found several lovely little beaches off Guanica area- past Cana Gorda beach and went for a quick swim before checking into our hotel. We stayed at Hotel Torres La Parguera- which was lovely. The next day- we drove to Cabo Rojo lighthouse, hiked the coastline going northwest- beautiful views and not another soul in sight. Great water, waves, rock formations. Then we went over to the east side of the lighthouse, to one of the nicest beaches I've seen in puerto rico. That is, if you like, quiet, secluded, shaded beaches with clean, calm water. No high palm trees here, but still plenty of shade if you look for it. We spent the day swimming there, and many other people arrived later in the day(we had it to ourselves for the morning). However, we never felt it was crowded or noisy. La Parguera, the town- was lovely and we had a great time walking around, and sampling the food from various outdoor establishments. We did go on a bio-bay tour, however this was disappointing. The boatride itself was very nice, but apparently(we were told) that the luminescence is not great anymore due to the dying dinoflaggeletes(sp?) that have died due to pollution/building on the water. We did want to go over to Boqueron, but did not have time. Overall- the area is beautiful and I can see why many of the folks from San Juan vacation down there.
Written June 1, 2004
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Odyssey7220
La Parguera, Puerto Rico1 contribution
On the 45 years i ahve spent in L a Parguera, none have been boring or bad at all. As a native from the town( La Parguera) i can tell you a lot. Fisshing is great to excellent( the ocean is big!!), tha PHOSPHORECENT BAY is fair. It was better when i was 18, but in a really dark night and good weather , you will enjoy something just a few have experience. Need any really great place to stay on, just e mail and i will book you on a great hotel and tell you where to go around, what to see and so on. I live and make my living selling shell lamps and souveniers, but my pleasure is to make people get the best of the little we have. if you come to La Parguera an stay on land, ypu will miss a lot. The real fun is offshore, on a sandy bar, swiming, diving, snorkeling, UFFF, to many to describe. E mail me at papun5880pr@aol.co papun5880pr@hotmail.com
Written January 20, 2004
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashley G
Cedar Hill, Texas
where can you smoke at the resort? I know that the rooms are nonsmoking but I'm not sure if you can smoke outside the buildings or at the beach.
Written September 5, 2020
Hi you said the bio bay tours are less than 20USD. Can you please recommend a few.
Written August 29, 2018
aleliecotours is one of the tour companies out there. The TripAdvisor list probably includes more along with some reviews.
Written August 30, 2018
Matilde C
Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Hola, Matilde: ¿Qué te gustaría saber sobre esta atracción? cuanto es el costo de los viajes que debo hacer voy por primera vez mi esposo y yo queremos pasear por diodo lo que podamos el dia dar un viaje de dia y si podemos en el viaje de noche en bote con piso de cristal queme aconsejas pienso ir el sábado mi nombre es Matilde y mi teléfono es 7875903564 gracias
Written August 31, 2017
Hi! Do you think thats good spend how many hours there? all day? How much did you pay for a taxi boat per hour? thanks in advance!
Written July 11, 2016
On the weekend, yes, you could spend the day. Not sure about during the week. I did not take a taxi boat. We went for a snorkeling and bio-bay tour. It was great.
Written July 31, 2016
Kacey B
Wilkesboro, North Carolina
Hey. So the boat ride you took for $8 was this locals? Where do you sign up to do this? Is it a business with an address, if not could you tell me how to find it. Thanks
Written July 14, 2015
The glass bottom was original for locals that enjoy a boat trip and but not too concern about the Bio Bay...when you want to enjoy the Bio Bay you ask for a small boat and go swimming or kayaking...off course you pay a from 40 to 60 dollars for a one hour to 2 hours tour.
Written January 14, 2015
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