Travel Guide
Fun for the Whole Family at Playa Sardinera
The town of Hatillo is known for a few tourist attractions, but I think that the beach Playa Sardinera and the adjacent Punta Maracayo should be at the top of that list. We finally (after 13 years of living in Puerto Rico) took the time to check out this beach and … wow! This beautiful beach was such a surprise to me. Besides being pretty, it has facilities, and it is a protected cove, which keeps the water calm so that people can enjoy the beach year-round.
Closed- Visit Casa Caracoles, for the Shell of It
Want to see something fun and unusual? Make a short visit to Casa Caracoles in Salinas. The owner of this property has covered almost every surface of his house and every item he owns … including his car … with locally collected sea shells. It's worth a quick stop if you happen to be in the area.
Stand on the Edge of the Earth at Cerro el Rodadero
Cerro el Rodadero is high in the green mountains of Yauco, a town in the south western part of the island. From the peak, you can see all the way to the coast and many surrounding towns. If you are a photography buff, this place is a must-see. When I saw some friends' photos of this spot, I knew had to see it for myself. But be forewarned — this place is not for kids, nor the faint of heart. The drive itself is nerve wracking, the hike is really slippery, and the peak … let's just say, you are on the edge and the first step is a doozy! But it is beautiful and well worth the effort!
Hiking, Nature, Central, South, Adventure, Budget, Off Beaten Path
Spend a Half Day on an Exciting Zip Line Tour in El Yunque- Yunque Ziplining
Zip lining is one of those adventure activities that is on almost everyone’s
Hiking, Nature, Rain Forest, Tour, East, Adventure, Off Beaten Path, With Kids
Zika - What You Need To Know
Zika is a mosquito borne virus that can be acquired Puerto Rico and other tropical areas. But you just need to do a little research and understand the facts about the virus. Protection yourself from insect bites and you can enjoy yourselves without worries!
Try River Rafting in Puerto Rico
It has been a while since we have done any white-water rafting … I guess that’s mainly because there was never a company in Puerto Rico that offered it. I didn’t even know there was a river on the island that was suitable for it. But luckily, Puerto Rico Ríos Rafting Company started running trips out of Las Marias on the Río Grande de Anasco river. The river has lots of twists & turns, and ups & downs, to make for an exciting and fun adventure.
Relax A While at Parque Trece
While traveling around exploring Puerto Rico, it is nice to find a pretty spot just to stop and relax for a bit. That is what we found at Area Recreativa El Trece (aka Parque Trece or "Park 13"). Located in the town of Vega Baja, this recreation area is a perfect spot for families and friends to get together and enjoy nature. We found it to be a wonderful picnic stop on a busy day of exploring, and it is extremely popular in the summer and on weekends with families, for good reason.
Get Ready for an Underground Adventure in Lares!
We like nature and adventure, and we were psyched to find Puerto Rico Interior Tours - an adventure company that offers something a little bit different than other adventure companies. Their tour has thrilling zip lines, hiking and cave exploration, but they also have subterranean hikes, waterfalls, and a rappel into a river inside a cave. You don't get to do those things every day!
Bosque Estatal San Patricio: A Little Forest in the City
I think nature is amazing, how it slowly and quietly rejuvenates, and how it always wins. This is true of anything it touches. The Bosque Estatal de San Patricio is a great example of nature reclaiming a concrete jungle. This park is a nice place to walk around, or bike with the family.
Sample Sangría, Hand-Crafted With Love, in Caguas
Sangría is a traditional drink in Spain … and of summer. This delicious and light blend of wine and fruit juices make it a perfect drink to enjoy any time. With Puerto Rico's Spanish heritage, and year round hot weather, it is only natural that sangría is all the rage here. Sangría Los Hermanos is a small (and fast-growing) family-operated business, specializing in hand-crafted sangría. It is a labor of love, and it tastes great! We had the opportunity to visit them for a tasting recently. You have got to try it!
Check Out El Patrón Waterfall
I like waterfalls, so when I see photos of local waterfalls, I make every effort to find them. That is how we found Cascada Patrón. This waterfall looks really nice in pictures, and it is relatively easy to reach. Technically, it is in the town of Morovis, but it is on the boarder with Vega Baja, so it is a quick stop when doing other things in the area. Another plus is that it is not too far from San Juan.
Views-A-Plenty at Arbol Solitario
The hike to Arbol Solitario, though difficult, rewards your effort with an amazing 360° bird's eye view of the central mountain range, the towns of Cayey and Salinas, and the Caribbean Sea. The tree itself is not the reason for the trek. It's the photo opportunity that awaits you at the peak. Strap on your hiking boots, slap on on sunscreen, grab a bottle of water, and get ready for a great cardio workout with a prize at the end!
Visit the Vieques Biobay by Electric Boat
While Puerto Rico has a number of bio bays, Mosquito Bay on Vieques is the brightest and most protected. It is worth planning on spending at least one night on Vieques to see it. You used to be able to get to Vieques and see the bio bay without spending the night. But that is no longer true. Now, you need to stay overnight. But that is not a bad thing … Vieques has loads of beautiful beaches, and some other interesting things to do to keep you busy. And at nightfall, an easy way to visit the bio bay is by electric boat with IslaNena Biobay Boat Tour.
River Treking & Petroglyphs in Utuado
The Rio Caonillas in Utuado has a mystical feel to it. The river, the large rock cliffs, the majestic mountain in the distance … it's all really inspiring. I don’t think that I am the first person to feel this way … In numerous places along the river you can find a number of beautiful pre-Columbian petroglyphs carved into the rocks. Of all the places I have been in Puerto Rico, this is one of my favorite spots.
Farmers' Markets: A Growing Trend
If you are looking to buy fresh, locally grown or made items, then a Farmers’ Market is for you. These markets are where you will find some really unusual and wonderful stuff. And it is not just for health nuts. Buying fresh and local is a win-win for everyone — you get fresh food or some local and handicrafts, and you help support the local economy.
Explore Salto de Jiménez Waterfalls & Pools
We are lucky enough to be able to call El Yunque rain forest “our backyard”. We have explored many areas of it, and still we have not seen everything there is to see. When talking with some friends who live in our area, they mentioned the really nice waterfalls just up the road. What!? We’ve lived here 10 years … how did we miss them? We once did a little exploring down river, but obliviously didn’t go far enough! We’ll let you in on this little-know secret!
Nature, Rain Forest, East, Adventure, Budget, Off Beaten Path
Go In Search of Sea Glass in Rincón
Sea glass hunting is a hobby I enjoy whenever we go to a beach. Some areas and beaches are more fruitful than others. Rincón is one of those bountiful places that have a number of different beaches that offer a variety of shapes, sizes, and some unusual colors of sea glass. I'll tell you where to look, and what we have found.
River Fun at Los Pilones Falls & Charco de los Caballos
You gotta love a pretty waterfall that is close to your home. Here in Puerto Rico, once you get out of the city, it is not too difficult to find some beautiful falls. We recently went to Los Pilones Falls and Charco de los Caballos, located just in the next town over from where we live. The river (Río Canóvanas) is actually a very pretty and interesting river that starts way up in El Yunque, and runs to the sea, with many waterfalls and swimming holes along the way. People have been enjoying this river for hundreds (if not thousands) of years, as evidenced by petroglyphs that we have found in other locations in this river. It was a real nice place to spend some time and cool down.
Relax Surrounded by Nature at Reserva Tortuguero
Laguna Tortuguero Nature Reserve is a large, natural body of water that is in the towns of both Vega Baja and Manatí. Just off the north coast of Puerto Rico, it is home to many species of plants and animals. Though the lagoon is known mostly as a fishing and kayaking area, the marsh and sandy land around it has other diversions like bird watching, trails for mountain biking and walking, and picnic pavilions. Managed by the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, it is a nice place to spend some time exploring.
Mona Island 101 - A Primer
Mona Island, or Isla de Mona, is often referred to as the Galápagos of the Caribbean. It is a natural, uninhabited island, surrounded by crystal clear water, coral reefs, soaring cliffs, ample marine life, and the occasional white-sand beach. Top-side, the island is filled with caves, historically significant artifacts, and endemic plants and animals, some of which are endangered. The trip to Mona Island is not for the average person, but it is a remarkable place that is worth visiting if you are able.
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