Isla de Mona e Islote Monito, Island group and natural landmark in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.
Isla de Mona and Islote Monito form an island group located in the Mona Passage, featuring dramatic limestone caves, towering cliffs, and rocky terrain. The islands support varied ecosystems both on land and in the surrounding waters with many plant and animal species.
People first settled on these islands thousands of years ago, as shown by findings from past excavations. European settlers arrived later and left their own marks that remain visible today.
The limestone caves hold petroglyphs and Spanish colonial writings that tell the story of the Taíno people and early European settlers. These marks remain visible as a record of who lived here before.
Visiting requires special permits from local authorities, and private yachts are the main way to reach these islands. Planning well ahead is necessary since visits cannot be spontaneous.
A small gecko species lives only on Monito Island, while the larger island holds the largest population of a rare cactus found in Puerto Rico. These two islands are therefore important for keeping these special species alive.
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