The drive along the southwest coast of Puerto Rico is almost reason enough to visit the area: the extreme contrast of sea and mountainside can be arresting, with surf pounding alongside the road to the south, and a surge of rockface to the north. At times, the light gets very clear and bright here, both ethereal and spooky when a faint mist hovers over the mountains.

Besides the staggering views, the southwest of Puerto Rico is known for two significant troves of historic architecture, in Ponce and San Germán . It also has some of the island's prettiest beaches and the Bosque Estatal de Guánica , a vast subtropical dry forest. Not to be outdone, the bay at La Parguera boasts excellent diving at The Wall along with Puerto Rico's second highest concentration of bioluminescence in La Bahía Fosforescente.

Positioned mid-way between Ponce and San Germán, Guánica , and nearby La Parguera, make the best hubs for exploring the southwest, offering the more appealing accommodation options in the region.