"In Lajas, Puerto Rico, wealthy newcomers drive up land prices and bring construction that reduces the bay’s oxygen levels".

"Every year, tourists from across the globe flock to the south-west corner of Puerto Rico to witness a phenomenon found in only a few select locations worldwide.

Here in the idyllic coastal region of La Parguera in Lajas, the main attraction is a bay by the same name: filled with microscopic plankton that can glow in the dark, the bay turns into a sparkly blue lagoon after sundown. This is one of the only bioluminescent bays in the world; nighttime visitors rush to see it up close, pushing off into the shimmering waters in kayaks.

The delicate spectacle of light has long been a local treasure – but it’s been threatened by a demand for housing by locals and tourists alike who desire a front-row seat to the show."

Coral Murphy Marcos reports for the Guardian October 9, 2023. [2]