La Parguera is a small picturesque fishing village located in the southwestern town of Lajas, Puerto Rico.
La Parguera is one of Puerto Rico’s top nature tourist attractions, mostly due to its famous bioluminescent or phosphorescent bay (click to watch video). Millions of tiny micro-organisms called dino-flagellates glow in the dark in this bay when something disturbs the water. On moonless nights, one can even see fish and if lucky, manta rays glowing under water while moving.
More on La Parguera
La Parguera has one of the best snorkeling sites in the western hemisphere called La Pared (the Wall), located five miles offshore.
The harbor has numerous colorful houseboats (houses built on stilts along the canals) and many mangrove cays, channels and islets.
La Parguera Fast Facts:
Origin of the name – The name “Parguera” derives from the Spanish fish name “Pargo”. The official translation in English is “porgy,” but this fish name is also translated as “snapper”. Therefore, the word La Parguera means the “Land of pargos” given the large varieties and amounts of pargo fish off the coast of La Parguera.
Population – About 3,100 people
Beach – Playa Rosada
Nightlife – La Parguera town is mostly a collection of night pubs and small restaurants that usually get packed with people of all ages on weekends.
The main industries are fishing and tourism.
Must visit Parguera cays / mangrove islands
- Isla de Magueyes – This is the most well-known and largest cay. It was a zoo, but it closed. Now the University operates and manages it. This tiny island is inhabited by hundreds of iguanas. During our tour, students get to feed the iguanas (from a safe distance). They love to eat “pan” (bread). Keep in mind that no one may be on the island without permission from the Department of Natural Resources or from the university.
- Isla Caracoles and Mata la Gata – Less than half a mile offshore, these two mini-islands are perfect for snorkeling, sun bathing on a boat, and/or having a picnic lunch. Caracoles has a superb inner channel where you can swim and enjoy good snorkeling.
- Los Canales, near Cueva Ayala island – On the opposite direction of Caracoles, and a bit farther, you can sail through beautiful interconnected mangrove channels. Not to be missed!
National Parguera Fiesta – Festival de San Pedro – last week in June.