Beginning in January of 2023, my wife Zoraida and I started visiting a different town in Puerto Rico every two weeks. That means that it will take us over 3 years to visit all 78 municipalities (taking into account unforeseen events such as climate and health issues. We started in the town of Carolina, going clockwise around the municipality of San Juan. Why didn't we cover San Juan (you might ask)? Because that's where Puerto Rico By GPS started, so we thought we could give it a rest and return in a near future as needed. As of June of 2025 we have covered 40 municipalities and the adventure continues.
Curated by: Puerto Rico By GPS (PRXGPS) (56 videos)
Get Our Exclusive Guide: “10 MISTAKES FIRST-TIME PUERTO RICO VISITORS MAKE” here: https://accrm.com/s/4849 Lajas, Puerto Rico sits on the island’s sunny southwestern coast and surprises visitors at every turn. Known for the wide-open Lajas Valley, one of the largest agricultural regions in Puerto Rico, this municipality is anything but dull. In this video, we explore Lajas beyond first impressions, uncovering rich history, iconic landmarks, and unique attractions that make it a must-visit stop for independent travelers. From colonial roots tied to San Germán to modern-day tourism, Lajas blends open land, culture, and coastal adventure. Our day begins in the town center at Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria Parish, a beautiful twin-tower church mixing neoclassical and baroque details. Built in the late 19th century and renovated in 1918, this modest yet elegant temple faces east, following Spanish Catholic tradition. Just steps away is Juan Ramírez Ortiz Square, framed by City Hall and monuments honoring local heroes, including Cardinal Luis Aponte Martínez, the only Puerto Rican ever named cardinal. Nearby, the Lajas Museum Gallery offers a deep dive into the town’s history, famous residents, and cultural identity. Beyond the plaza, Lajas opens up into experiences you won’t find anywhere else. The town is famous for its oversized “piña cabezona,” proudly featured on flags, signs, and the town seal. A short drive away is La Parguera, a lively coastal area known for seafood restaurants, boating, snorkeling, and one of Puerto Rico’s three bioluminescent bays. While moon phases and tourism pressure can affect the glow, La Parguera remains a key highlight of southwestern Puerto Rico travel. Lajas also leans into mystery along Puerto Rico Highway 303, better known as La Ruta Extraterrestre, or the Alien Route. This dark stretch of road near Sierra Bermeja has fueled decades of UFO stories and sightings, now embraced as a quirky tourist attraction. Whether you come for history, nature, food, or a possible close encounter, Lajas proves that wide valleys can still deliver big adventures. VIDEO CHAPTERS 00:00 - Welcome To Lajas 04:21 - Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria Parish 06:09 - Juan Ramírez Ortiz Square 06:32 - Monuments at Juan Ramírez Ortiz Square 07:02 - Lajas City Hall Building 07:30 - What are “Lajas” 07:56 - Lajas Museum of History 09:00 - This associated with Lajas 09:43 - Bioluminescent Lagoon 11:50 - Road 303 (The Alien Route) And of course, as in all our videos, every attraction includes the GPS coordinates for your convenience. ================= RELATED CONTENT Why I Do What I Do? — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jr0pHfFfMJM&t=66sæ La Vuelta Del Bobo”, A Traffic Jam That Puerto Ricans Actually Enjoy — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H434m-b9v7A&t=4s Does GPS Work In Puerto Rico? [Complete Guide] — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6N9CcvsEC0 Is Puerto Rican Food Any Good? — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNtZz7j0NvE&t=8s Are Puerto Rican Beaches Any Good? — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n6PatNovTI 7 Facts About Puerto Rico And The Puerto Ricans — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=138AF0oIB44 When Is The Best Time Of The Year To Visit Puerto Rico And Why? — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEWRwu3bfXQ&t=23s ================================ SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHANNEL HERE: https://www.puertoricobygps.com/YouTubeSubscribe ========== HASHTAGS #laparguera #aliens #lajas #puertorico #orlandomergal =========== DISCLAIMER: DISCLAIMER The content provided by Puerto Rico By GPS is intended solely for informational and entertainment purposes. By viewing or relying on this content, you acknowledge and accept full responsibility for your actions and any associated risks. Puerto Rico By GPS, its owners, contributors, and affiliates make no representations or warranties of any kind regarding the accuracy, completeness, or safety of the information provided. ======================== ORDER OUR TRAVEL BOOKS “The Old San Juan Walking Tour” A step-by-step guide around Old San Juan presenting the city’s most important attractions. This book is available in traditional printed form and for the Amazon Kindle platform. It includes a detailed map showing each attraction with GPS coordinates and over 2 hours of video (only available to readers) that you can watch over and over again. ENGLISH: https://www.puertoricobygps.com/TheOldSanJuanWalkingTour “Puerto Rico Beach By Beach” A step-by-step guide to Puerto Rico’s most beautiful beaches. This book is available in traditional printed form and for the Amazon Kindle platform. It includes color photos of every beach, a detailed description and GPS coordinates so you’ll get there with ease, an online GPS map and an online video of each beach. ENGLISH: https://www.puertoricobygps.com/PuertoRicoBeachByBeach SPANISH: https://www.puertoricobygps.com/GuiaDelCaminanteDelViejoSanJuan