(Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico)
It’s really all about the views at the Cabo Rojo Los Morillos Lighthouse in Puerto Rico!!!
I mean, just look at this view of Playa Sucia from the lighthouse…
And this view…of the limestone cliffs that the lighthouse sits upon…
So I guess this will mostly be just a picture post. And I’m okay with that. :))
After picking up our week-long sporty (aka tiny) rental car from the Enterprise in Mayagüez, we spent one awesome afternoon last week checking out the views at the famous lighthouse. We also hit up the fun little beach town of Boqueron the same day (but I haven’t even begun to edit those photos yet).
And shoot, just driving to the lighthouse was pretty darn interesting. The drive along Route 301 takes you past miles of salt flats. It was quite the sight to see with all the dump trucks and excavators actively removing the sea salt from the area. Jereme says this was his favorite part of the day. And why am I not surprised?
But anyhoo, back to the lighthouse.
Built in 1881 by the Spanish government and located on top of 200-foot limestone cliffs overlooking the Caribbean Sea, the Cabo Rojo Lighthouse marks the southwest tip of Puerto Rico. The lighthouse has been renovated over the years, and is still operational, helping ships navigate safely through the Mona Passage.
Now, making your way up to the lighthouse is a bit of a trek. It was insanely crowded the day we went, but we somehow managed to grab a spot in the nearest parking lot (that is, after chatting with some very friendly Puerto Rican police officers who, at first, were blocking the entrance to the so-called “full” lot and then decided to basically escort us to the best parking lot there is!). Once we snagged a spot in the closest lot, it was still quite a hike to the actual lighthouse. We walked over to Playa Sucia first (where most of the parking lot crowd could be found) and then hiked our way up the hillside to check out the lighthouse and cliff views.
Though the lighthouse was interesting in itself, the surrounding limestone cliffs on which the lighthouse is perched are really the main attraction I would say! And quite breathtaking.
I honestly couldn’t believe how exposed lighthouse visitors are able to get to the cliff edge. I guess it’s one of those see-at-your-own-risk types of places. And for someone who isn’t the biggest fan of heights, I still managed to get close enough to take in the full experience (and of course snap a few photos) without risking anything too crazy. I mean, one slip and you’re definitely a goner. :((
I’d say our first full day with the rental car in Puerto Rico was a success! We didn’t get lost or in an accident, and found a few awesome spots to visit in Cabo Rojo! The rest of our week was spent checking out more of Puerto Rico’s west coast and preparing for stupid Tropical Storm Bertha. But more on that later.
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Hi Kim
We are finalizing a trip from St Petersburg to the BVI’s at the end of October and I came across your blog when I was surfing around, looking for info on our trip.
While looking at your blog, I recognized your boat, as the former owners are good friends of ours, so we know your boat and therefore have a little kinship with it. That piqued my interest about your whole adventure and I went back and ended up reading your blog from the beginning and have enjoyed the continuation of your story. I would have given up after your trip from St Pete to Naples. You are not only an adventurous trooper but also both a good photographer and an entertaining writer.
We are on a totally different adventure than you, as we are much older, make that much much older and are not sailors, we are making the trip in a fairly good size Sportfish with 6 aboard and are greatly looking forward to the trip. While at least theoretically have the ability to make the trip much quicker, if the weather will cooperate with us we plan on taking our time and moving at closer to sailboat speed and anchoring a fair amount to smell the roses along the way.
I am not a photographer but plan on taking a lot of pictures. If you find a couple minutes to answer I would like to ask you some questions about your photos.
I have a Nikon D90 with an 18-200 lens that I use exclusively in “auto” mode. I keep saying I am going to learn more about the camera but it takes good photos in that mode and I am lazy so it hasn’t happened. I am thinking about also getting a Gopro for the trip.
I know you have a Gopro and I am interested if you use that for very many of the photos you post and if so maybe you could point out some. It kind of seems that it can also be used sort of in an auto mode. I am also attracted to its smaller size when we are out and about and not on the boat.
I am also interested in how you store all your photos. You must be eating up a lot of gigs, particularly if you do many videos.
My final question is are you reducing the resolution of the photos you post and if you are using anything other than Photoshop or elements to edit with. They look quite hi res.
Any tips you can give a lazy novice would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance for the help and good luck on your continuing journey, I will continue to follow. Maybe you will still be in the area when we get to the BVI,s in November. Among other things we are planning on being at Foxy’s for “old years night”
John
I know I should be commenting on your beautiful photos, of which they are, but instead I have to comment on your outfit, which I loooove. You.are.too.cute!
You are too funny Jessica! And thank you! 🙂 xo. -Kim
[…] was the quaint anchorage on the western side of the Cabo Rojo Lighthouse and Playa Sucia. We had scoped out the lighthouse back in July while we had a rental car and a long list of sight-seeing to-do’s…and now we got to see […]
[…] outings we partook in…like horseback riding on the beach in Rincon, trips to Old San Juan, Playa Sucia, Ponce, La Parguera, Coffin Island, Joyuda, dinghy rides around the bay, and so much […]