Welcome to Playa La Jungla
Looking for a calm cove beach while visiting Guánica? Playa La Jungla is a little beach that is mostly visited by locals. Located just north-west of Playa Santa, this little beach is more natural and calm, really almost perfect and just beautiful!.
Playa Santa is one of the better known beaches in Guánica — it offers a party atmosphere, with a beach bar and water sport rentals. It is a great place. But sometimes you want something a little more natural or a little more laid-back.
Playa La Jungla is surrounded by mangroves, so the water is clear. The sand is white. There is some snorkeling in the area and it is calm, perfect for swimming almost all year round. And great for kayaking.
There is not a ton of sandy beach (maybe 12 feet wide), but it is long — in fact La Jungla is a whole area that has a number of sandy coves, and some little beaches hidden among the mangroves.
Just be careful not to damage the mangroves or dunes — the Department of Natural Resources (DRNA) and US Fish & Wildlife Service are working to restore the area. They have now made a parking areas inside and outside the gate. The beach/ gate is open Tuesday – Sunday 7am – 5pm (no cars in after 4pm). They are starting a $2 pp “donation” for beach and road maintenance etc. Guanica residents and any kids under 12 yo are exempt from fee. You can park outside the gate and walk in (about 20 min walk to beach area) or before 4pm, drive in to the beach from the parking area. If there is room and they let you drive to the actual beach area, be careful of the the branches on the road sides that may scratch your car (so keep that in mind if you have a rental car)
I hear this area gets very crowded in summer and on weekends and DRNA will limit the number of people if needed. We went during low season, so it was not too crowded.
No facilities or lifeguards, no garbage cans- take you trash home!
There is also a mangrove pond across the road from La Jungla that was great for viewing water-fowl.
Getting there is half the fun
In Guánica, take Route 325 and at the T, turn right. Take this until you get to the parking and gate for the apartment, then look on the right side at the very end- you will see the guard house and Gate for the beach. You can Park in their lot outside the gate and walk in on the road. Or drive in and find parking closer to the beach. The road in is dirt, so it can be bumpy and have some pot-holes. Take it slow.
Click on a placename below to view the location on Google Maps ...
Puerto Rico Day Trips LLC assumes no responsibility regarding your safety when participating in the activities described in this article. Please use common sense! If your mother or that little voice in your head tells you that you are about to do something stupid … then don't do it!
