Travel Guide
Explore or Relax on Beautiful Isla Caja de Muertos
I had heard that Isla Caja de Muertos (or Coffin Island) was lovely, but I think it has been kept a secret just how fantastic it is! It is a beautiful island and it is too nice to be missed, especially since it is an easy day trip.
Beach, Hiking, Nature, Snorkeling, South, Off Beaten Path, With Kids
Glimpse History at the Luis Munoz Marin Foundation
The minute you make your plans to come to Puerto Rico, you know his name — Luis Muñoz Marín. You might wonder Who was this guy that the airport is named after? Luis Muñoz Marín was the first elected Governor of Puerto Rico, and he changed Puerto Rico forever. A Foundation has been set up to preserve his legacy for future generations. While this is not a must do for most people, his home is an interesting place that deserves some attention.
Black Sand Beach at Playa La Esperanza in Manatí
We've been to a number of beaches along the northern coast of Puerto Rico, and I've rarely been let down by their rugged beauty. Playa La Esperanza was no exception. Located in Manatí, it is a remote and beautiful place. Not only did it have a great cove for cooling off in the water and beautiful views, it had a surprise — a black sand beach area.
The Cisterns Beneath Fort San Cristobal
The forts of the San Juan National Historic Site are hundreds of years old, and they hold many secrets from the past. One of those areas is the water cisterns located below Fort San Cristobal
Relive the Sugar Era at Hacienda La Esperanza
The sugar era played a huge role in the history of so many Caribbean islands to make them what they are today. As the remains of the sugar mills disappear, a huge part of our local history goes with them — lost, not preserved, not discussed … forgotten. Recently, the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust has completed the first phase of the restoration of the old sugar plantation Hacienda La Esperanza in Manati. They are now offering tours to help educate people on this forgotten part of Puerto Rico’s history.
Walk the Talk at Tropic Ventures
Everybody these days is talking about "going green" or being "eco" something or other. But, if you are really interested in learning about how to actually live green, and especially about sustainable forestry, Las Casas de la Selva is a place you should visit. This off-the-beaten path homestead is a an example of how you can live in and with nature, while still sustaining it.
A Perfect Zipline for Kids & the Less Adventurous
Rain Forest Zip Line Corp is a new zipline company that offers a zipline experience, just seconds off the road that leads up to El Yunque National Forest. While not the largest nor the most modern zip line facility on the island, it offers a zip line experience that the whole family can enjoy. It would be great for kids or those people in your group who are "less adventurous" but who still want to try a zip line activity.
Playa Puerto Nuevo - Another Beautiful Beach
Playa Puerto Nuevo is another must-visit beach. I would have to say it is on my Top-10 list of beaches in Puerto Rico. Located on the north coast, in Vega Baja, about 45 minutes west of San Juan, it is has something for everyone.
Thrilling Toro Verde Nature Adventure Park
Toro Verde Nature Adventure Park is the place for adrenaline junkies on vacation in Puerto Rico. They have plenty of ziplines (the longest on the island), mountain biking, and hanging bridges. You would need almost 2 full days to do everything in this park.
The Tunnels Tour at Fort San Cristobal
The forts in Old San Juan are amazing architectural marvels and defense systems, full of secret tunnels and passages. The National Park Service offers a guided Tunnels Tour at Fort San Cristobal on which you can learn about the fort and its defense systems. This tour also provides the opportunity enter a tunnel under the outworks that is normally off-limits to visitors.
Partially reopened - Relish the Ponce Museum of Art
The Ponce Art Musuem (Museo de Arte de Ponce) was renovated in 2010. It is larger and it has more than 800 art objects on display. I think it is the nicest art museum on the island, that I have visited, and it is a must-visit for anyone who has even a remote interest in the arts. Sadly, it was heavily damaged in the earthquake, so only a small part is open.
Mar Chiquita - A Beautiful Beach in Manati
The north shore of Puerto Rico has miles of beautiful shoreline and it is one of my favorite spots for great views on the island. Mar Chiquita is a small cove of a beach protected from the rough Atlantic by a rocky wall. This picture-perfect beach, located in the town of Manatí, is not always good for swimming, but it is always beautiful.
Discover the Fountain of Youth in Coamo
The Coamo Thermal Springs is another one of those natural wonders that makes Puerto Rico a pretty cool place. For hundreds of years people have been enjoying these natural hot springs, which are said to have healing powers. And now, with the recent completion of a refurbishment of the public area, everyone can enjoy the springs in clean pools.
Mercado Agricola Natural Viejo San Juan& Organic!
More than 150 years ago, the Plaza del Mercado in Old San Juan was the place to go to shop for food stuffs, fruits and veggies. Once again, it is open and, similar to in olden days, it is full of only organically grown and homemade organic products. Today, it is called the Mercado Agricola Natural Viejo San Juan and it is a treat for the eyes and the taste buds, for locals and visitors alike.
Casa Jesus T. Piñero - A Slice of Puerto Rican History
Here is another example of a local historical spot that is way under-visited. The Museo Casa Jesus T. Piñero is located right on Route 3 in Canovanas. Ray and I have passed this place literally hundreds of times and never have stopped in. We finally went for a visit recently and got a special tour of this beautifully restored home that has historical significance for Puerto Ricans.
History, Museum, Rainy Day, Tour, East, North, Off Beaten Path
Bugging Out in Puerto Rico
Right across the streets from the UPR Botanical Garden in Rio Piedras is a little-known museum all about insects. Called the the Museum of Entomology and Tropical Biodiversity, it houses the largest collection of insects in Puerto Rico. While I am not a big lover of insects, I understand their place in the world. So while we were visiting the botanical garden, we thought we would check out the "bug museum".
Museum, Nature, Tour, Metro, Budget, Off Beaten Path, With Kids
A Visit to the Little Museum on Campus
The Museum of History, Anthropology and Art on Rio Piedras campus of the University of Puerto Rico contains a diverse collection of fine art, sculptures, Egyptian mummies, and pre-Taino archaeological remains. All in all, it was an interesting way to spend a couple of hours on a hot day in August.
Lionfish in Puerto Rico
Lionfish are beautiful fish that have distinctive red, maroon, brown and white stripes on their head and body, and fan-like fins. They are native to the Indo-Pacific oceans, but have started to show up in the waters of the Atlantic and Caribbean. There have been numerous Lionfish sightings reported around Puerto Rico and the surrounding islands.
Go Diving with Sea Ventures in Fajardo or Humacao
We had some guests staying with us last week, and I discovered that the husband brought his SCUBA gear and wanted to fit in a couple dives during their stay with us. As it turned out, he was the only SCUBA certified member of the family, and he would need a dive buddy. So I made some calls, and was able to hook us up for a 2-tank dive mid-week with Sea Ventures. It turned out to be a nice morning of diving for both me and our guest.
Discover the Wild Side of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has lots of wonderful things to do, see, eat and listen to. One thing it is lacking is any form of "exciting" wildlife. I know that when you hear El Yunque rain forest you think of all sorts of colorful and exotic animals — like monkeys, jaguars, and macaws. You are not going to see those here, but we do have some critters that are worth being on the lookout for.
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