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ISABELA

Isabela is the western-most town on the north coast. It offers visitors a bundle of great views and beaches. It is best-known for its beaches and surfing, although Isabela also offers places such as forest reserve, caves, lakes, rivers and historical sites. The very first beach you see when you come from Metro Area is the small bathing resort known as Guajataca. Everybody thinks of Guajataca as part of Quebradillas. Wrong! The rock and the tunnel as well as the bathe is part of Isabela. The Guajataca river is the boundary between both towns.

On the corner of Road No. 2 towards Route 113, you will find a sculpture of Mabodamaca’s face, carved into a rock. Mabodamaca was a native Indian who lived and fought around the Guajataca forest. Then you will find San Antonio de la Tuna, which was the original town of Isabela. San Antonio can be visited if you continue Rd. No 2, you will see the sign almost immediately after the Indian’s face carved into a rock wall.

EL PASTILLO, VILLA PESQUERA & PLAYA PUNTA SARDINERA

Following Rd. 113, the very first beach you’ll find is El Pastillo. That was the place that would have been a resort with 4 internationally known five star hotels during the 70’s. A dream that never came thru but presently is part of a new golf resort that is under construction, which allegedly will be the best and biggest of the Caribbean. As is common in Isabela you won’t find any signs that show you which route to take; so feel free to ask neighbors. Once you take Rd. 113, from Mabodamaca’s face, it is a 3 to 4 minutes car ride, ask. Look out Rd. 466, then quickly turn off where you’ll see Isabela Beach Court, a big condo complex, and go down to Villa Pesquera and Playa Punta Sardinera.

Villa Pesquera used to be the fishing village. Nowadays besides fishing village is a bunch of nice-looking small kiosks, where you can get some good, reasonably-priced local food, drinks and just enjoy the area. During the week you can find some action but when it turns quite interesting is Fridays and Saturdays nights and Sundays afternoons. Live music, cheap food and drinks, motorcycles and locals.

Across from the kiosks is Punta Sardinera beach, a small beach suitable for swimming, especially for children, because it is protected from most of the rough waves. The beach is clean. The sand sometimes has trash.

POZA DE TEODORO

Continue Rd. 466, with the newly Paseo Lineal at your right side or north side of the road, you’ll find to your right side a small unpaved route without any sign, that will conduct you to La Poza de Teodoro. Poza de Teodoro it’s a relative small swimming hole, protected from the pounding ocean waves. Shallow- 2 or 3 feet deep- and the sea water in it is warm. It is great spot for kids to play and swim and family gatherings. The sand is soft and clean, and the view from the beach is great Avoid it during long weekend, lots of four tracks, people and trash. It is beautiful and you may have a great time if you visit it during the week or normal weekends. Going to Montones you can find Middles, famous among the surfers

MONTONES

The next one is Montones where you can swim in the ocean or snorkel in the blue hole just in front of the rock, Montones. There you can find the little houses of Parador Villas del Mar Hau, a small, affordable, clean and great resort for families. You can find there locals, Americans as well as Europeans. Great sunset views from the rock. The next beach is Jobos Beach, incorrectly named by the name of Ward up in the hill. Jobos beach as all the beaches mentioned are part of Bajuras Ward. Jobos is great for surfing but you have to very careful because of the dangerous underwater currents. Jobos is a private property that the Municipality is trying to purchase. Right now the owners, the Gueitz family open a small parking lot for an affordable fee during long weekends and summer, otherwise you have to park in the street. If that’s the case, don’t leave valuables in your vehicle. Next to Jobos beach is the Pozo de Jacinto, a dangerous but beautiful blow hole. Some groups are concerned with the trash generated during weekends and sponsor cleaning campaigns

SHACKS AND CAVES

Straight ahead in the curve, make a right and then make a small turn to your right you get to El Baño de los Bravo [because of the Bravo family] with its underwater caves. It is also called Shacks because of the Americans that used to live in Ramey and the surfers, call it that way. The grand lagoon with its coral reef, variety of fishes and a family of manatees is one of the greatest water attractions of Isabela. There is no parking, no signals except for some sign of Villa Montaña Resort and of Ola Lola, a local bar. Be careful where you park and again, no valuables in your vehicle. If you are planning to snorkel try it safely; if scubas go to one of the local experts.

POINTS OF INTEREST

Isabela and nearby towns have lots of interesting places to visit. If the Municipal Trolleys are working, that’s a ride you shouldn’t miss. There are car rentals in the premises of Ramey Base in nearby Aguadilla, right next to the Rafael Hernández Airport. So, unpack and visit the surroundings!