Laguna Tortuguero Nature Reserve

Laguna Tortuguero Nature Reserve, designated as a nature reserve by the Puerto Rico Planning Board in 1979, covers approximately 2.43 km² on the island's northern coast between the municipalities of Vega Baja and Manatí. The lagoon combines saltwater marine inputs with underground aquifer and river discharges, creating a unique ecosystem that integrates marshes, swamps, mogote limestone formations, and silica sands. Its flora has been catalogued as the fourth most important on the island and includes endemic and exotic species, as well as endangered fauna. Compatible activities include hiking, canoe trips, birdwatching, and scientific research.