Plan your trip to La Parguera

Directions

La Parguera is in the municipality of Lajas, on Puerto Rico's southwest coast. You get there by car; there's no practical public transportation to town.

Reference address: Carretera 304 k-3.2 interior, La Parguera, Lajas.

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Parking

This is what surprises first-time visitors the most. La Parguera has narrow streets and very little curbside space, and on weekends, holidays and in high season the town fills up with cars.

There are three listed parking lots in town. Two of them are on Calle Ángel Luis López, the street that runs down to the waterfront.

• Arrive early on weekends. After noon, space runs short.
• Don't park on the narrow streets or in front of driveways: it's a residential town and cars get towed.
• If you stay in town, you park once and get around on foot for the rest of your visit.
• Night tours come back late; having your car close by — or not needing it — makes a big difference.

See the parking lots and map →

What to bring

• Mineral sunscreen. Chemical sunscreen damages the reef.
• Water shoes. There's rock and coral on the bottom.
• Water and food if you're going to a cay. There are no stores.
• Cash. Not every operator takes cards.
• A dry bag for your phone.
• Bug spray for the mangrove areas, especially at sunset.
• A change of clothes if you're doing the bay tour.

Weather

Southwest Puerto Rico is the driest part of the island, with sun most of the year. That also means the sun is strong on the water: shade and sunscreen aren't optional.

What to do by day and by night

By day, the cays are the destination: swimming, snorkeling, kayaking. By night, the waterfront and the bioluminescent bay. Almost every La Parguera itinerary is built on those two blocks.