Travel Guide
History
Step Back in Time at Colmado Soller in Camuy
If you venture deep into Camuy, you'll reach the crossroads of PR-451 and PR-486, where the towns of San Sebastián, Lares, and Camuy converge. Standing quietly at this junction is a weathered sentinel of Puerto Rican history: Colmado Soller. Founded in 1882, it is considered the oldest colmado (corner store) in Puerto Rico. After being closed for years, it reopened in 2025 - as not just as a place to grab a drink and hang out, but as a living museum steeped in nostalgia, inviting visitors to reminisce about the past.
Discover Historic Parque Arqueológico Batey Delfín del Yagüez
It's fascinating to consider all the buried history still waiting to be discovered around Puerto Rico. In 1983, while digging to build ponds, the landowner noticed a row of rocks — some with carvings. This discovery led to multiple archaeological excavations, revealing remnants of an indigenous ceremonial ball court and a village. The site, now known as Batey Delfín del Yagüez, was reborn!
Enjoy Nature and History at Río Guajataca Recreation Area
Nestled along the northwestern coast of Puerto Rico lies a hidden gem that promises an great day for nature enthusiasts and beach lovers alike. The Área Recreativa Río Guajataca in Quebradillas is a local secret! The area is great for cooling down on hot days, and there are a number of neat things to do, like walking through forests to historic sites and nature photography.
Beach, Hiking, History, Nature, North, West, Budget, Off Beaten Path
San Sebastián Street Festival: The Party of the Year
The San Sebastian Street Festival, or Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastian, is a 4 day long celebration - with lots of music, dancing artisans and food/beverages, in Old San Juan.
Dance, Foodie, History, Music, Shopping, Metro, Old San Juan, Budget, Cruise Ship
Discover the Beauty of Bobbin Lace in Moca
Mundillo is a special kind of lace that is handmade using bobbins to weave thread into a pattern. It is an old craft, coming to Puerto Rico via the Spanish settlers. As time goes on, fewer and fewer people know how to make it - at the risk of becoming a "lost art". The Museo del Mundillo de Puerto Rico in Moca is a showcase for preserving this beautiful art. By offering tours, information, and classes, they are trying to help this craft make a comeback in Puerto Rico.
See World War II Defense Ruins in Aguada
Sometimes, you head to the beach for more than sand and water. At Playa Cañones (Cannon Beach) in Aguada, you can see the Panama gun mounts that were part of the Harbor Defense of Puerto Rico during WWII. While not a "must-see", they are interesting to see, especially for history buffs, and worth a stop if you are in the area.
Tour El Yunque with Para La Naturaleza
While exploring this ecological wonder independently can be rewarding, there are distinct advantages to going on a guided tour, where they point out the hidden world of the forest, and give you with a deeper understanding and appreciation of this natural treasure. Para la Naturaleza offers a few different tours of El Yunque. We recently went on their "Mt. Britton – From Ridge to Reef" tour and really enjoyed it. We think that you will enjoy it, too!
Hiking, History, Nature, Rain Forest, Tour, East, First Timer, With Kids
Visit an Old Lime Oven and Casilla Caminero on Route 15
There are some quick, roadside attractions that provide a glimpse of the days when roads where being constructed throughout Puerto Rico. These certainly are not "must see" sites, but if you are driving on Route 15 in Guayama or Cayey - why not make a quick stop?
Relax in Nature on a Lago La Plata Boat Trip
Lago La Plata is a beautiful, man-made lake in Puerto Rico. Created as a water reservoir for the boundary towns of Bayamon, Naranjito, and Toa Alta, it is known for its lush greenery, abundant wildlife, and calm waters. One of the best ways to experience the lake is by taking a boat ride. If you don't have your own boat, Captain Carlos from La Plata Boat Trip. is your ticket! He will provide a nice, relaxing day the whole family can enjoy.
History, Nature, Tour, Water Sports, Central, Off Beaten Path, With Kids
Explore the Historical PR Train System at the Isabela Train Museum
There are some train enthusiasts that formed a non-profit corporation called Amigos del Tren de Isabela (ATI) whose goal is to preserve that part of Puerto Rico's history. They collect all sorts of train memorabilia, and they restore and preserve the old train parts. Much of that is now housed at the Museo del Tren in Isabela. They also staff the museum and give the tours so that everyone can learn about and enjoy this part of Puerto Rico's history.
History, Museum, Rainy Day, Tour, West, Off Beaten Path, With Kids
Walk or Hike to Guaniquilla Train Tunnel
Puerto Rico used to have a train system that went almost completely around the island. It was mainly used for sugar cane transportation, but people also used it. I guess, due to the terrain, the north-western and western coastal towns still have a few of the tunnels that were built, such as Tunel Negro and Guajataca Tunel. I recently was able to see Guaniquilla Tunnel in Cabo Rojo. It is the shortest of these tunnels, but still nice to see.
Step Back in Time at Hacienda Los Maldonado
Hacienda Los Maldonado is a family run "museum", offering a glimpse into the earlier times of Puerto Rico. The Maldonado family has set up various buildings, featuring the jíbaro (country people), the indigenous culture, and the Spanish and African history of Puerto Rico. It is a world (and about 80 years) away from the hustle and bustle of modern times.
Tunnel of Rincon - A Drainage Culvert that Makes Nice Pix!
Back when sugar production was a thriving industry in Puerto Rico, there was a railroad system that circled most of the island. Though the railroad is gone, there are some reminders of that by-gone era. In the Rincon area, there are a number of "tunnels" whose purpose was to divert rainwater away from the railroad tracks so that the tracks didn't wash out. Today, those "tunnels" serve a different purpose - Instagram-ready photo spots!
Discoveries In Cayey's Town Plaza
Cayey is a pretty town in the east central area of Puerto Rico. The town was officially founded in 1773, though people lived there long before that. Back in the day, the town plazas across the island were the main place for people to meet, shop, worship, do business - basically the center of activity. As in most towns, Cayey's main church is located on the plaza, where you will see the beautiful Spanish Colonial style Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. The original plaza was built between 1850 and 1853.
Enjoy Nature Free to Grow at the Ceiba de la Libertad
This Ceiba tree was planted on 18 February 1898 as part of a large celebration to commemorate the 1897 Autonomous Charter granted by the Spanish government to Puerto Rico, which gave Puerto Rico the right to self govern their local affairs. The tree was planted high above the town, on Cerro De La Libertad (Freedom Hill). It makes a nice stop if you are in San Germán doing something else.
ClosedCasa Doña Bisa - A Wonderful Surprise
After seeing a photo of the Casa Doña Bisa (or the San Sebastian Museum of History), I had to see it in person. I am so glad we did! It is one of the prettiest and well preserved houses I have seen in Puerto Rico. The fact that they offer a free, bilingual guided tour, with docents in period costumes was the topping on the cake. It is really worth the trip!
Art, History, Museum, Rainy Day, Tour, West, Budget, Off Beaten Path, With Kids
Discover Beautiful San José Church in Old San Juan
San José Church (Iglesia de San José), in Old San Juan, is the second oldest church in the Americas. This beautiful church, was constructed on land given to the Church by the Ponce De León family in 1532. It was one of the first "permanent" (stone) buildings built in Puerto Rico. This church lasted almost 500 years, through hurricanes, wars, and fires, but the ravages of time eventually took its toll on the structure. In 2000, the church was closed and restoration began. This restoration took almost 20 years to finish — the church reopened to the public in March 2021.
Not so Easy-to-Find Petroglyphs and Swimming Hole in San Lorenzo
Puerto Rico has many places to see these carvings, and some towns and rivers seem to have many more than others. San Lorenzo is one of these prolific places. There are many petroglyphs in the rivers of San Lorenzo, but most of them are a bit hard to get to. So when I saw this set marked on Google Maps, I set out to see them.
Learn about the History of Trains in Puerto Rico
There was once a time that trains traveled almost completely around the island of Puerto Rico. There were multiple trains used to move people, cargo, and sugar cane from place to place. But that all ended in the 1950s, and today almost nothing remains of the railroad system. However, Vega Baja has restored their old train station and turned it into a museum. It is really interesting to learn about this forgotten piece of Puerto Rico’s history!
Search Out Historical "Graffiti" at the Forts in Old San Juan
To me, finding petroglyphs and any old "markings" is a way of having the past speak to us today. I have always been interested in the historical drawings and markings (graffiti) found at El Morro Fort and Fort San Cristobal in Old San Juan. These markings were made by bored soldiers who once lived and worked inside those walls. But sadly, with time, weather, and the changes that have occurred at the forts over the years, many of these historical images are disappearing. I suggest that you embark on a "treasure hunt" to look around and find as many of these as you can!
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