About Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge
Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge protects coastal wetlands, salt flats and associated habitats on the western tip of Puerto Rico near the town of Cabo Rojo. The refuge conserves habitat used by migratory shorebirds, resident seabirds and other coastal species.
The refuge includes saline lagoons and mangrove stands that support concentrations of wading birds and shorebirds, and it is managed for wildlife conservation and low-impact public uses such as birdwatching and nature study.
Located near the small towns and coastal communities of western Puerto Rico, the refuge sits along the island’s southwestern coastline and is accessed from the roadway network serving Cabo Rojo and adjacent tourist areas.
- Birdwatching focus: Protects coastal salt-flat, mangrove and lagoon habitats that are important for migratory shorebirds and local wetland species, making it a core birdwatching area on Puerto Rico’s west coast.
Best Time to Visit Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge
Best visited for birdwatching and coastal nature year-round; crowds peak on holiday weekends.
Weather & Climate near Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge
Tropical climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 19°C to 33°C. Abundant rainfall (1038 mm/year), wettest in September.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 19° - 30° | 24° | 34 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 19° - 30° | 24° | 29 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 19° - 31° | 25° | 40 mm | - | - | 4.6 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 20° - 32° | 26° | 61 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 21° - 32° | 27° | 109 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 22° - 33° | 28° | 74 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 22° - 33° | 28° | 91 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 22° - 33° | 28° | 135 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 22° - 33° | 28° | 159 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 21° - 33° | 27° | 142 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 21° - 32° | 26° | 112 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 20° - 30° | 25° | 52 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge
The refuge lies on Puerto Rico’s southwest coast near Cabo Rojo pueblo. From PR-100/PR-301 in Cabo Rojo follow signs to Los Morrillos and the refuge; parking is available at main trailheads near the salt flats and the Boquerón area. The closest town center (Boquerón) is about a 10-15 minute drive; from Mayagüez airport it’s roughly 45-60 minutes by car.
Tips for Visiting Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge
- Arrive at dawn to see the salt flats and migratory shorebirds at their most active.
- Bring binoculars and a scope if possible-endangered avocets and migrating plovers are often out on the flats.
- Follow posted signs and stay on marked trails: many areas are fragile nesting habitat and are seasonally closed.