Mabodamaca Community Nature Reserve

The Mabodamaca Community Nature Reserve is a protected coastal area in northern Isabela, stretching from Playa Las Golondrinas to Playa Shore Island, north of Highway PR-4466. Its name reflects the deep ecological, historical, and cultural value of the land.

The reserve is the result of over 25 years of community-led work by CoCo PR. From the 1970s through the 2000s, the area's dunes were 95% exploited and the land was used as a landfill. Starting in the early 2000s, residents and academics drove its restoration, replanting more than 100,000 endemic plants and rehabilitating the coastal dune system.

The ecosystem supports four mangrove species found throughout the Caribbean, coral reefs with elkhorn coral colonies, ancient fossilized dunes, and nesting areas for three sea turtle species: hawksbill, loggerhead, and leatherback. The reserve also features family-friendly trails and bike paths, and more than ten surf breaks recognized among local and international surfers.