RoadTrip: Puerto Rico

Day 1: Arrive at San Juan airport.  We arrived a little later in the day and decided not to rent a car for that night.  Uber is easy to use in the capital so we just Ubered to our hotel, The Hampton Inn and Suites, where we were very pleased with the price and the accommodations.  There is a fun little local touristy restaurant across the street which was reasonably priced and good: Lupi’s Mexican Grill. Day 2: Go pick up your car!  We chose SIxt to rent from as I’ve rented from the before and been pleased.  This time however the line was over an hour and they hit us with some hidden charges that nearly doubled the cost of the car.  Double check all these things before you do it!  Head into town and find a good parking spot in Old Town San Juan.  There is so much to see, you’re going to easily spend most of the day here.  Start in the south and work your way north!  Strolling along the streets there are some notable spots that you MUST get to:

• Barrachina – the birthplace of the Pina Colada… A must have if you enjoy them!
• Bari Pizza – excellent pizza served in a secluded courtyard atmosphere
• Castillo San Felipe – the castle on the north west side of the area
• Castillo de San Cristobal – the castle on the north east side of the area

At the end of your day if you’re there on the weekend make sure you head to Paseo de la Princesa where as you walk along the bottom of the city wall you’ll see local artists and have a chance to experience local street foods.  Make sure to leave in plenty of time to get to your next destination as it will take an hour plus to drive to Manti and get checked into the hotel… We stayed in the Hyatt Place there.  It was nice and in a great location.

This is going to be an adventure!!  We found a local tour guide that will give you one of the most exciting experiences you can have in PR.  Contact our friends at Altura Puerto Rico to book your waterfall repelling and via ferrata adventure in the mountain jungles.  This adventure is not for the faint of heart.  You’ll be climbing through waterfalls and walking up the creek.  You’ll be using the via farrata holds to help you scale small cliffs as you ascend higher and higher along the mountain side.  The jungle is beautiful and the guide gives you plenty of instruction as well as lots of information about the area.  The highlight of the trip though is the repelling.  This isn’t a guy at the top of the waterfall lowering you down on a rope.  You’re going to have to do the work as you descend down waterfalls over 100’ high and plunge into cool water pools at the bottom.  There are a series of descents culminating with a leap into a pool which feels great after a long day of climbing in the jungle.  At the end of the day you’ll get an opportunity to enjoy a local dinner at one of the restaurants and recant the adventures of the day.  Take your time to get to know the guides here, they’re full of good information and a lot of fun to hang out with!  They gave us an alternative route to next hotel which led us to more water falls, if you ask they can give it to you too! Although it is a windy mountain road which will stress out people who aren’t comfortable with these types of conditions.  If you want to take this route program in Las Delicias and  Chorro de Dona Juanna Waterfalls as a way point on your route to the next hotel.  It adds at least an hour to the drive though well worth it.

Drive to La Parguera and check into your next hotel.  We chose Parador Villa Parguera.  It was a fun local hotel located right on the edge of the downtown area and on the harbor.  Lots of large iguanas stroll casually on the grounds of the hotel and are fun to watch and photograph.  There are several restaurants in the downtown area as well as a supermarket.  For coffee in the morning M&M Bakery is the place to go, good breakfast and lunch and coffee isn’t too expensive.

Today is going to be a water day!  There are two options for the first half of the day.  I chose to dive.  I used a company that is located right downtown (about 2 blocks from the hotel) called Paradise Scuba.  They had some great gear, knowledgeable and safe instructors and master divers.  Although the reef and the visibility isn’t the best, I was able to see some amazing things like stingrays, spotted eels, a dolphin, a friendly manatee, lots of fish, and more!  Judy decided to go and find a cliffside beach which she claims was one of the most beautiful places she has found.  If you want to hike along the cliffs over turquois water, Cabo Rojo is for you. It’s about 45 minutes west of La Parguera. As you get to the parking area there is a short walk forward to the beach. It is a beautiful beach with calm, clear blue water. It would be a great place to relax, get some sun and go for a swim. But if you are up for a little hike go to the end of the beach to the right and there is a trail that that starts to lead you to the cliffs above. as you head up you will have amazing views of the water. Go up the hill and you will find the lighthouse adn a trail that leads around the cliffs that have spectacular views. As you flow the trail you can find some hidden beaches to enjoy!

In the afternoon/evening is when the real fun begins.  Book the snorkel and bio bay tour with Paradise Scuba.  You won’t be disappointed.  The snorkeling was good and fun, there is lots to see along the reef.  The guides are smart and prepared.  After the snorkeling is over you will be treated to some local empanadas for a lightish dinner.  They have drinks on board the boat so there is always something to quench your thirst.  The real gem of this tour though is the bio bay.  IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU CHOSE A DARK NIGHT WITH LITTLE TO NO MOON.  The bioluminescent bay is amazing if you have a dark night.  You can see so much.  MAKE SURE YOU SWIM IN THE WATER WITH YOUR SNORKLE ON.  It’s an experience the defies words, I’ll just say this:  It is unlike anything I’ve ever done before and will go down as one of the most amazing things I’ve ever done.  DO NOT MISS IT.

Pack your things and get on the road.  You’re going to venture into a town called Ponce.  There are two areas that might interest you.  The harbor area where they hold festivals and have street foods.  Here you can hit the beach (it isn’t the best beach) feed some pelicans sardines (be careful they’re very aggressive), grab some fresh seafood, and see local crafts.  Just head to Playa de la Guancha in order to have a little fun.  After you’ve had your fun there head to the old downtown area where you can find an old cathedral, an exciting firehouse, and a beautiful square.  The area is surrounded by souvenir shops as well.  Make sure that you don’t miss Kings Cream ice cream shop and also make sure to get a coffee from the café inside Ponce Plaza Casino.  Both of these were the best we found in Puerto Rico!

Jump back into the car and head to the next hotel… Four Points Caguas.  It’s a nice hotel with a casino attached.  The cost was reasonable and the location was good for us.  The town hosts a sangria factory which offers a sampling opportunity.  You MUST make reservations though and we were unable to attend.  You can grab a great local style dinner at a small place called Raices.  It is a little pricy but make sure you try the Mufungo and the stuffed avocado.  So good!

Get an early start so you can be sure to get to El Yunque rainforest as soon as possible.  You’ll want to make reservations.  There are two groups they allow in one morning and one afternoon.  You don’t need to leave at the end of your window but you do need to be there by then.  If you’re up to it, there is a great hike you can take.  Drive up to Palo Colorado information center.  You’ll have to walk 100’ or so back down the road to a trailhead called El Yunque Trail.  You’ll follow this trail all the way up to the lookout castle.  Just keep going and you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful trail, great views, and a little castle at the top.  Take the road back down and hit up Torre Britton on the way.  Take the shortcut trail back to Torree Mount Britton trailhead parking and then the road to the left back to your parking area.  It’s a good day’s hike but very rewarding!  Make sure to stop at Juan Diego Falls on your way out.  Hike up to the first waterfall.  Look for a trail off to the right and hike up there.  The upper waterfall is beautiful and not quite as crowded.  Afterward if you’re up for it there is a local natural waterslide just outside the park.  A little research will give you the exact location.  Unfortunately, we spent too much time hiking and it was a bit late when we finished.   Head to the Roosevelt Roads area for tonight.  We hooked up with an Air BnB which turned out ok but wasn’t in the best location so I’m not going to list it here.

That night book a kayak tour though the mangroves.   MAKE SURE TO EAT BEFOREHAND.  We waited until we got to the area and there were a few restaurants but they were painfully slow and we didn’t get to eat our food before heading out.  The food from El Pescador was good though, even cold.  We used a company called Pure Adventure.  They did a good job and were well organized.  Paddling through the mangroves in the bioillumanecent bay was really fun.  Every now and again you can see or even catch a glowing jelly fish.  It is a little work to get through it but it’s a lot of fun.  Another unique experience you can have.

For your final full day contact a company called Kayaking Puerto Rico and book their full day snorkel and kayak trip to Culebra.  It’s a little pricy but worth the effort.  They provide the ferry tickets and shuttle you around once you’re there.  Make sure to eat a good breakfast as there aren’t many opportunities to eat once you’re on the island.  First up is snorkeling.  The place they take you is amazing and if you love sea turtles you’re in for quite a treat.  Tamerindo beach not only has a nice reef to kayak and snorkel to but also has an area where juvenile sea turtles congregate.  You’ll see many turtles as well as quite a few rays in the area.  The reef is nothing to scoff at either.  It is colorful and beautiful.  Make sure you take a waterproof camera as you’re going to want to take so many pictures.  After a generous amount of time here you’ll be swept over to Flamenco beach.  Well known as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world you’ll find some great swimming, discover the painted tanks, and enjoy some relaxing time in the beautiful crystal clear picturesque water.  After heading back to the ferry be careful if you order food or drinks.  Remember it is on island time so if you don’t have over half an hour for the ferry don’t do it.

For our final night we chose to stay in old town San Juan.  Our hotel, La Terraza, was well located.  It was nice but maybe not nice enough for the cost.  You’ll have to find a place to park as there is NO parking on the streets for non-locals.  The parking lot Dona Fela is several blocks downhill from the hotel so be careful here.  The city really comes alive at night and it is fun to be there during that time.  Make sure to hit up some good places to eat (ask for a recommendation) and walk along the city wall.  Its beautiful and safe down here.  You may want to even get another Pina Coloda as you contemplate how fun your Puerto Rican adventure was.  Enjoy your night as you have to head home tomorrow.

Make sure you get some good breakfast from the local vendors including fresh fruit and coffee. We enjoyed Puchy’s Café for coffee and fruit from street vendors.  Pick up some last min souvenirs but be advised that the stores mainly don’t open until after 10am.  We found a great little local artist store called The Handcraft store.  It is one of only 2 places where you can find crafts that are from Puerto Rico.  The other local stores sell items crafted in Haiti.  Make sure to swing by and check it out.  Sadly your adventure is pretty much over and it’s time to return the car and head to the airport.