Boquerón State Forest, State forest in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
Boquerón State Forest is a protected woodland in Cabo Rojo featuring limestone cliffs and mangrove wetlands spread across three neighboring municipalities. The landscape displays multiple ecosystems side by side, from coastal zones to forested uplands.
The area received protection status in 1918 and was later expanded in two additional phases to safeguard more land. This step-by-step expansion reflects growing recognition of the ecological value of this location.
The name refers to a natural geological feature, and traces of salt harvesting remain visible throughout the landscape as a reminder of activities that shaped daily life here for centuries. Walking through the area, visitors notice how this former livelihood is woven into the natural environment.
The best starting point is the office in Poblado de Boquerón, where visitors can get information about activities like hiking, kayaking, and birdwatching. The driest months offer the easiest access to trails and the best chance to spot wildlife.
The forest shelters one of the largest populations of a rare bird species found almost nowhere else in the region. Additionally, all four native mangrove species grow here together, a combination that is uncommon elsewhere.
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