Lajas Puerto Rico – Best Things to Do, Tours & Travel Guide – 2024

Puerto Rico ⎮ Lajas Puerto Rico

Lajas… a very special town on the southwest coast of Puerto Rico for its valleys, the most delicious and freshest pineapples you’ll ever taste, warm friendly locals, and the lively nights, beautiful keys of La Parguera, and of course… the magical waters of the bioluminescent bay.  Yes… Lajas is that special… both to Puerto Ricans and visitors seeking an off-the-beaten-path charming place to vacation and enjoy the pleasures of island life with a less touristy feel.  Lajas is a boat lover’s paradise with various marinas, welcoming sailors from other islands seeking great food, safe harbor, and exploration of treasures on Puerto Rico’s west coast.

You can find dozens of great beaches near Lajas along the west coast, and while Lajas has no beaches with sandy shores, locals are quite ok with that, a quick 5-minute boat ride gives access to dreamy cays, islets, and mangrove islands with the clearest water where one can swim, snorkel, float and play completely surrounded by the Caribbean Sea while taking in 360 degrees of scenic breathtaking beauty.

Lajas can be chosen as your place to vacation, there are various small inns at budget-friendly rates, allowing you to spend more of your vacation dollars on fun activities and exploring more of the west coast of Puerto Rico.  If you come to Lajas for a day trip you can pack great experiences in a full day.

Don’t rush through this guide so you don’t miss out on a wonderful experience.  In summary, the top things to do in Lajas are: exploring the keys of La Parguera, snorkeling, scuba diving La Pared, the food at the fishing village, and of course, the greatest attraction… the bioluminescent bay.  We know and love Lajas, and we were one of the first guides to feature this enchanting place, we regularly visit and enjoy it with our family, and we are happy to share it with you and the rest of the world. 

Bahía Bioluminiscente de La Parguera / “Bioluminescent Bay” of La Parguera

The bioluminescent bay is this bright at Mosquito Bay in Vieques, the brightest in the world.

Experiencing this phenomenon is a must for every visitor to Puerto Rico.  We want to help you plan a great experience and have realistic expectations, so don’t miss our in-depth and honest guide for La Parguera Bioluminescent Bay.

+ La Parguera Bioluminescent Bay Guide

Explore the Mangrove Channels, Keys & Cays at La Parguera Nature Reserve

La Parguera is in the town of Lajas and attracts sea lovers, scuba divers, sailors, eco-travelers, and foodies.  La Parguera offers visitors a full day of beautiful experiences under the Caribbean sun.  During the day, enjoy various activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, and swimming on some of the most transparent waters on the southern coast.  After dinner, book a tour to watch the sunset over the water… and then when the skies turn dark and the stars shine, get ready for the magical experience of the bioluminescent bay.  We are confident that a day in La Parguera will be one of the highlights of your Puerto Rico vacation.

+ La Parguera Nature Reserve – Lajas, PR

Caracoles Cay

Caracoles is known for its shallow and clear water, excellent for swimming and snorkeling, however, there is no place to sit or stand, making it a popular spot for boaters and water taxi stops. The best time to visit is during the winter months through early spring on weekdays, with the least crowds.

+ Caracoles Island, Lajas, Puerto Rico

Go Scuba Diving at The Wall

Eat, Dance & Mingle with Locals at La Parguera

Foodies love coming to La Parguera, there are many family-owned restaurants and laid-back pubs offering delicious Comida Criolla (Puerto Rican traditional food) at non-touristy prices that won’t break your wallet.  Try delicious traditional treats such as empanadillas, surrullitos, and the freshest local seafood.  On weekend nights La Parguera attracts locals and travelers who wish to have a cultural experience with live music and dancing on the square.

Go Snorkeling at La Parguera

Go Fishing at La Parguera

If you love fishing, you ought to come to Lajas where you can enjoy some of the best deep-sea fishing in Puerto Rico, the clear waters are known for mahi-mahi, marlin, and wahoo.

Mata La Gata Cay

This little cay takes picnicking to another level, although simple, it offers visitors picnic facilities with 360-degree scenic views, a natural pool, and hideaway spots for those that prefer more solitude.

+ Mata La Gata, Lajas

Kayaking & Paddleboarding (SUP)

Kayaking and Paddleboarding are excellent ways to explore the mangrove channels of La Parguera Nature Reserve.  The waters are calm along the mangroves, kayakers of all levels can enjoy the waters.  At night, kayaking is the best way to experience the bioluminescent bay.

Drive Through the Agricultural Valley of Lajas

Lajas is known for having some of the most fertile ground in Puerto Rico where farming has not ceased.  As you drive towards La Parguera, go through the valley to observe rice fields and the famous pineapple farms.  You’ll pass stands that sell fresh produce, and cold coconuts filled with coconut water.  Don’t miss the opportunity to buy a fresh-cut pineapple, you’ll be spoiled for life after tasting one.

Piscina Rosada

A really fun concept, a man-made pool right on the Caribbean Sea.  The shores of Lajas are framed by mangroves, so officially there are no beaches in Lajas, the waters are gorgeous, so the concept of a pool was created and it is a must-visit.

+  Piscina Rosa – Lajas, Puerto Rico

Picnicking

If you love to picnic with family, friends or dream of a romantic picnic just for two, La Parguera Nature Reserve will not disappoint.  Mata La Gata is the only cay with land and picnic facilities.  Although you have to bring everything you need, the scenery and setting certainly make up for it. You may also head to Playita Rosada, located along the coast with picnic facilities and a unique natural pool the whole family will enjoy.  You’ll have no problems getting a table during weekdays from September to mid-March.  The busy season is during the summer months every day of the week.

Laguna Cartagena

Laguna Cartagena is a nature reserve, one of the few fresh water lagoons in Puerto Rico.  Although not the body of water that it once was, US Fish & Wildlife is has taken on the challenge to improve the lagoon to create a better habitat for migratory and aquatic birds. Visit for a nice hike and birdwatching. Download brochure.

Tourism is mostly locals from around the island.  The west coast is not heavily promoted by the government agencies because there are no major resorts in Lajas,  we believe they should because the experiences are unforgettable.  Travelers seeking the unbeaten paths of Puerto Rico and the special places that make this island so special will love La Parguera.  The first hotel was built in the 1950s and today you can find condo communities available as rentals and a handful of small inns and hotels.

Lajas is a neighbor to the towns of San German, Cabo Rojo, Guanica, and Ponce giving visitors easy access to a long list of natural attractions and interesting places to visit.