Travel Guide
Jardín de la Princesa Park in Old San Juan
The Jardín de la Princesa park in Old San Juan was opened to the public in October 2014. It features five bronze sculptures by Jose Buscaglia representing the Source of the Heritage of the Americas. There is a small garden, and a playground for the kids. It along Paseo de la Princesa, not far from the cruise ship piers … so it's an easy stop on your tour of Old San Juan.
Coffee Flavored Rum - A Great Puerto Rican Libation
Coffee-infused Puerto Rican rum is a tasty treat that is quick and easy to make. It can be used in other recipes as a substitute for Kahlúa, added to coffee, or enjoyed as a shot or on the rocks. Make a bunch of bottles to give away as gifts, and be sure to keep one for yourself!
Visit Loiza for Some Authentic Hand-Crafted Souvenirs
The town of Loiza has a long and interesting history. The African heritage of the area is seen all around town — in the music, dance and art. The Loizeno people are proud of their ancestry, and the local artisans often use it as a primary theme in their artwork. If you really want to take home a meaningful and authentic hand-crafted souvenir from Puerto Rico, skip the Made in China stuff that you'll find at the airport. Instead, take a short trip to Loiza where you can learn a little history, and buy directly from the artists.
Take a Hike on Vieques- Vereda Cerro Playuela
If you are looking for something to do on Vieques other than go to beaches, the US Fish and Wildlife Service has made 3 new hiking trails. Called Vereda Cerro Playuela, they opened these trails in mid-2013. The trails offer the experience of going through a few different types of forests, great views, and remote beaches that are so beautiful you will be so happy for this diversion.
Currently not available: Volunteer to Help Save Puerto Rico's History
Archaeologists have found evidence of pre-Taino people living in what is now Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve in Fajardo. They have uncovered human skeletons, bones, shells, tools, and clay pots that date back to 300-600AD. But now, this historical site is at risk of being lost due to actions of the waves and wind, and the rise in sea level. It is a race against time to save the remains - and they need your help!
Playa Grande Beach on Vieques
Vieques is known for it's beautiful, white-sand beaches with calm, sparkling blue water that are perfect for sunbathing and swimming. There are other beaches on the island that have rugged beauty and seem to go on for miles. Playa Grande is that kind of beach. It's perfect for long walks, sunbathing, and countless photo ops.
Vieques: More Than Just Beaches - North Side
What do you do when you've had too much sun or are simply tired of lounging around on beautiful beaches? You take a road trip! Even though Vieques is known for it's beautiful beaches, there are still some non-beachy things you can do to pass the time. Here is a list of things you can do on the north side of Vieques that don't involve a beach blanket.
Chikungunya - What You Need to Know
Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne virus that causes fever and intense joint pain. Primarily found in Africa and Asia, the first cases of Chikungunya in the Caribbean were detected in December 2013. This article provides a run-down of the symptoms and what you can do to help prevent the Chikungunya virus.
Try Some Puerto Rican Moonshine Rum and Other Artisanal Rums!
Here in Puerto Rico, alcohol made in your backyard is called Pitorro or Cañita. La Destileria (was Destilería Cruz) produces a brand of legal Pitorro, called PitoRico, that is available plain or in various local fruit flavors. They also make other rums and delicious alcoholic beverages. Their factory is in Jayuya, and the public is welcome to stop by to see them making it, have a taste of local moonshine, and pick up a few bottles to take back home.
My Favorite Beaches on Vieques
Vieques is a small island located in the Caribbean. And guess what? It is loaded with beaches! And not just any beaches - some really amazing beaches. They come in all shapes, sizes and sand colors. I bet everyone that visits Vieques has a few that stand out for them as favorites. With so many beaches to choose from, it is hard to choose which one is the best!
Visit The Historical Park Maria de la Cruz in Loiza
Parque Historico Cueva Maria de la Cruz in Loiza is a historical area, a cave that contained evidence of some of the earliest inhabitants of Puerto Rico. This small, historically significant cave is a short drive from Isla Verde, and is worth a quick visit if you happen to be in the area. The added cultural workshops make it fun and educational.
Hacienda Santa Ana: Home of Ron del Barrilito
I love old, historic buildings and rum, so of course I had to make a point to visit Hacienda Santa Ana - the home of Ron del Barrilito, one of the local Puerto Rican rum producers. Their rum is made and aged here, on the family’s property, which used to be an old sugar hacienda. They offer a variety of tours, all start with a Historic Tour which will show you around the property and explain the process. You will have a great time and get some good photos of this historic site.
Experience Coffee at Café Gran Batey
We recently went on a tasting tour at Café Gran Batey in Utuado, and we fell in love. We got to see coffee growing in their fields, and how they process the coffee at every step … all the way up to bagging the freshly-roasted, warm beans for sale. This is not to be missed if you are in the area and have a couple hours to spare.
Experience Mosquito Bay Biobay in a Kayak
There are only a few bioluminescent bays left in the world, and Puerto Rico is fortunate enough to have three of them. Mosquito Bay in Vieques, is the brightest of the three. We visited Mosquito Bay for a kayak tour and had a great time!
Visit Playa Caracas on Vieques, With a Car or Not
Vieques is known for its remote and secluded beaches. Now, thanks to some relatively recent road improvements on Vieques, Playa Caracas (aka Red Beach) is a beautiful white-sand beach in the US Fish & Wildlife reserve that is accessible by the local public transportation. No Jeep required!
Casa Cortés ChocoBar: Indulge Your Senses
Fine chocolate and fine art … what is not to love? Casa Cortés ChocoBar is a restaurant & art gallery in Old San Juan operated by the Cortés family. This chocolate-producing family has opened this venue to allow the rest of us in on some of their greatest family treasures — meals that incorporate their amazing chocolate, and pieces from their amazing art collection.
Art, Foodie, Museum, Rainy Day, Old San Juan, Budget, Cruise Ship
Chill Out on Secluded Playa Larga
Culebra is loaded with amazingly pretty seaside spots. Some are very popular and crowded, while some are little, hidden gems. For us, one gem is Playa Larga on the north-east tip of the island. Playa Larga is not easy to get to, and it is not a spot to go to for swimming, but it is our favorite quiet spot to just sit and enjoy the view.
More Exploration in Guánica Dry Forest
The Guánica Dry Forest has loads of hiking and biking trails, and it offers a number of different sights and opportunities for viewing nature. Our most recent hike on the Ballena Trail was no exception. Besides the amazing cactus and easy bird viewing, we found small cave, ruins, and a 700-year old tree.
Spend Some Time Exploring Culebrita
Culebrita is a tiny cay located off the north-east corner of Culebra. It is uninhabited, visited only by a few people every day, and holds many wonderful “secrets” waiting to be explored. You can only get there by boat, but it is totally worth the effort in order to experience this unspoiled island.
Beach, Hiking, Nature, Snorkeling, Culebra, East, Off Beaten Path, With Kids
Tembleque - A Typical Christmas Dessert
Tembleque is a coconut dessert that is like a cross between Jello and pudding (tembleque translates to trembling or jiggly). It is fast and easy to make, and it is a sweet (but not too sweet) and delicious way to end a meal.
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