By Bianca Davis
We arrived at Guanico Dry Foresst in the morning however the heat of the ‘desert’ sun made it seem like high noon. Surrounded by small shubs, cacti, and familiar trees I felt like I was at home in the Central Texas Hill Country.
Francisco, our guide from Aventuras Puerto Rico, knowingly led the way down a rocky path noting that the rocks here were not native to the area but had been imported to create a trail of sorts. We made frequent stops to learn about the various vegitation and how they have adapted in order to thrive in such an aridd climate. The further down towards the coast the more the cool breeze from Guanico Bay could be felt giving relief from the scorching sun.
Having made our way all the way to our destination, an 850 year old Guyacan Tree, we stoped for a group photo. I was able to talk to Francisco on the walk back because there were fewer stops since he had already pointed out most of the points of interest on the trip in.
Francisco, who owns his own tour company Aventuras Puerto Rico, has been giving tours for 5 years now. However, tourism was not his original choice in career. Francisco said he used to work as an acountant, but was unhappy with his work. On a recommendation from a friend and a big leap of faith, Francisco studdied for two and a half years more after already graduating from college in order to earn his certification from the Puerto Rican Tourism board, a task he said that was not easy. Eventually he bought a van, and as time progressed he has been able to operate a successful tourism company out of Ponce. Francisco said prior to the cration of his company, all the tour guides in the south were sent from San Jaun because there were no tour guides from Ponce, he found his niche.
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