Inés María Mendoza Nature Reserve

Inés María Mendoza Nature Reserve, also known as Punta Yeguas, is a coastal reserve of approximately 280 acres (110 hectares) located in the Camino Nuevo ward of Yabucoa, at the southeastern tip of Puerto Rico. The area protects rolling pastures, forest-covered sandstone cliffs, and narrow white-sand beaches. Its most notable ecological feature is the largest protected population of the ortegón (Coccoloba rugosa), a very rare evergreen tree endemic to Puerto Rico and restricted to the southeastern region. The reserve harbors 85 plant species, 37 bird species, 8 reptile species, and 6 amphibian species, including 4 endemic vertebrates. The main trail leads to Teresa Beach, a small sandy cove, while a secondary trail reaches the Punta Yeguas headland with views of the Caribbean Sea, Vieques Island, the Punta Tuna Lighthouse, and Cape Mala Pascua. Hurricane Maria made landfall near this location on September 20, 2017, as a Category 4 hurricane. Acquired by the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico in 1975 and formally designated a nature reserve in December 2000 by the DNER and the Puerto Rico Planning Board, it is named after Inés María Mendoza, a teacher, writer, and First Lady of Puerto Rico (1949–1964).