Playa La Jungla could be considered one of the best beaches in Guánica. Quiet, calm, adventurous, and clear waters are all great factors as to why beachgoers love visiting it.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about Playa La Jungla in Guánica.
How to Get to Playa La Jungla
Guánica is a small municipality located southwest of Puerto Rico.
According to Google Maps, Guánica is a 1 hour 48 minutes drive from the capital of San Juan; add an extra 12 minutes if you set Google Maps directions directly to Playa La Jungla.
Until you arrive in Guánica, the majority of your time will be spent driving on the highway. To avoid any surprises, it is best to hit the road early in the morning as traffic is common in Puerto Rico.
To get to the beach area, visitors will have to drive through an off-road path. Although we don’t think it’s necessary to have a 4×4 vehicle we do recommend driving slowly until you reach the beach area. If you are not as adventurous, there is a free parking area just outside the entrance. Be mindful that walking could take an extra 15-20mins to get to the beach.
*Roam Puerto Rico Tip: If you are heading to Guánica on highway 52 on the weekends or holidays, you will have to go through the mountainous town of Cayey. Currently, there is some road construction, which may cause some delays if there are a lot of people on the road. So, you might have to be on your way even earlier if you don’t want to be stuck in traffic.*
Is visiting Playa La Jungla free?
As of April of this year, visitors will have to pay $2.00 per person, according to Voces del Sur. Children 12 years old or younger, and residents of Guánica are exempt from paying.
Protectores de Cuencas (PDC), a local non-profit organization created to help “restore and protect watersheds and associated ecosystems such as coral reefs across Puerto Rico”, is in charge of co-managing the Guánica Dry Forest and its nearby beaches including Playa La Jungla.
The income collected by the organization will go towards initiatives that protect and conserve natural resources in the Guánica area.
Best Time to Visit Playa La Jungla
Playa La Jungla might get busy during Puerto Rico’s high season — mid-April until June.
If you live in Puerto Rico, beware the area receives many visitors on weekends and holidays.
Keep in mind Playa La Jungla opens every day from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. Those that visit will get a timely warning from the local volunteers to start heading out around 4:30 pm.
Things to Do in Playa La Jungla
Since the area is full of mangroves, it is common to see people snorkeling or kayaking.
Others might just be looking for a chill spot to set their beach chair, umbrella, cooler, and enjoy the warm weather.
Playa La Jungla is a must-visit for anyone who wants a taste of life in the southwest of Puerto Rico.
As the area is under the supervision of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA), be sure to avoid leaving any thrash behind and damaging the mangroves.
