Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge is a large wildlife refuge in Puerto Rico offering an educational center, beaches, lighthouses, and more.

Located on the southwestern coast of Puerto Rico, Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge offers families a wonderful day of exploring. Start your day at the main entrance, where you can visit the Caribbean Islands National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. Your family can learn a lot of neat facts about local endangered species and ecosystems. As such, this is a particularly great stop for homeschooling or world school families. After taking in all of this new information, get back in your car and head to Faro Los Morrillos de Cabo Rojo (located on the other side of the wildlife refuge). 

On the way to Faro Los Morrillos de Cabo Rojo, check out the island's famous pink salt flats (Las Salinas). If the gates are open, you are welcome to visit inside, otherwise, peak over the gates to check out the unique pink color. Please note, you cannot play, swim, step in, or leave trash in the salt flats.

The final stretch to the lighthouse can be filled with potholes, so be wary. If you're driving a sedan, it is tough, but doable. From the small parking lot, walk up the partially-paved path to the lighthouse. You cannot go inside, but you can meander the grounds and enjoy the striking cliffside views (expect high winds here and keep kids away from the edge, there is no guard rail here).

Bring your swimsuits too, because there are a few nice beaches here! I recommend walking down the path from the lighthouse to Playa Sucia. While this is a no-frills, no-amenities beach, you will certainly appreciate the amazing views of the beach and surrounding area. This beach is very wavy, so likely best for older kids. Younger kids can hang out on the sandy shore, or in the nearby shady areas looking for lizards and birds.