Cacti
On the hills.
Oquendo from Freeport, NY — CC BY 2.0 · Abnel-gonzalez — CC BY 4.0 · Steven Isaacson — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Steven Isaacson — CC BY-SA 2.0
The best-preserved subtropical dry forest in the Caribbean, on Puerto Rico's south-west coast, declared a forest reserve in 1919 and a United Nations biosphere reserve in 1981, covering some four thousand hectares, the largest state forest on the island. It looks nothing like El Yunque's rainforest in the north: short, twisted trees, thorny scrub and columnar and globe cacti on dry rocky hills sloping to a turquoise sea. Rare birds and lizards live here, among them the Puerto Rican nightjar. Walking trails cross the hills, one leading to a centuries-old guayacán tree and others dropping to small quiet coves such as Tamarindo and Jaboncillo, so walks can end with a swim. The trails have little shade and the heat is fierce, so walk early in the morning and carry plenty of water. The sun is strong all year, so carry water, a hat and sunscreen.
On the hills.
Centuries old.
Tamarindo and Jaboncillo.
South-western Puerto Rico, about 45 minutes west of Ponce
El Yunque is a wet rainforest in the north-east; Guánica is a dry forest of cacti and scrub in the south-west.