Traveling to Puerto Rico can be frustrating if you don't know what to expect. Here is what we learned while we were there.
A Few Travel Tips:
Book with a travel advisor who is certified in Puerto Rico travel and who has traveled to the island.
Rent an SUV or a car. The roads have huge potholes, and the height of the SUV will help, The smaller car is easier to maneuver and will help you zip around the island.
They drive differently than we do. Don't get upset if people cut you off or run stop signs. It's the way of life there. Everyone does what they can to get where they are going, and road rage is non-existent.
Be prepared for loud music. Puerto Rican's enjoy their stereo systems and have speakers on everything including their jet skis.
Get out of San Juan! Visit the city but spend time in other places. San Juan is full of people, tourists and heavy traffic. If you do want to stay in San Juan, then a car rental is not needed, public transportation is abundant, and the parking is limited.
Do NOT ignore Rip Current statements. There were 5 drownings while we were there and no lifeguards. Don't let Rip Currents effect your good time. There's so much to enjoy on the islands without putting your life and others at risk.
Support local businesses. Some of the best lodging on the island is Puerto Rican owned.
If you have never snorkeled, it's a must! You don't need to spend the money on a guide for this. Tamarindo beach on Culebra Island is the perfect spot for snorkeling (even for beginners). There is a wonderful store with snorkeling gear for rent or purchase as soon as you exit the ferry. Stores close at 5pm so buying your gear is better as you are not on a time limit.
Download City Experiences by Hornblower app on your device for ferry information. Get your ferry tickets in advance. They are very busy and only travel at certain times.
Be prepared for an intense ferry ride if you visit Culebra or Vieques. We took a smaller enclosed ferry to Culebra, and it only took 40 mins to get there. It travels fast and against the current so there is a lot of boat movement with the waves and people getting sick everywhere. The island is worth the almost terrifying ride. If you board the larger ferry (One that carries cars) it travels a lot slower and it's a much easier ride (takes about an hour and 15 mins). You do not get to choose the ferry.
When reaching Culebra or Vieques you have the option to rent a Jeep, car, truck, golf cart or take a taxi. (The rental cars from Puerto Rico Island are not allowed to take the ferry.) We spent a total of $30 and got a taxi to the beach and back. The Jeep rentals are about $110 and golf cart rentals are about $90. I would recommend renting a Jeep if you're planning on exploring the island or spending the night there. For us the snorkeling was so magical we didn't want to go anywhere else.
Knowing a little Spanish will get you a long way although it is not necessary in most cases. Google translator will be your friend if you do not know Spanish. There is also an amazing Podcast titled Coffee Break Espanol that is a huge help.
Remember Puerto Rico is an American territory so there are several American businesses including Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Wendy's, Burger King, McDonalds and so many others.
There is no need to upgrade your phone plan to international as you are in American Territory.
There is still some damage from Hurricane Maria in 2017. Expect a power outage or two while you are there. It may or may not happen but if it does just keep in mind, it's normal. We were shopping when the power went out and everyone kept shopping.
Do NOT travel to Puerto Rico during Holy Week (Easter week). This holiday is bigger for them than Christmas for us. Not only is it their celebration of "the resurrection" but also this holiday marks the beginning of summertime fun. If you do visit during Holy Week expect everything to be closed Good Friday, beaches to be crowded, and people reenacting the biblical story of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection in the streets.
Watch out for wildlife! The wildlife is different than the mainland US. The wildlife there consists of dogs, cats, chickens, horses and my favorite Iguanas. The iguanas are the only roadkill we encountered.
Follow Puerto Rico Adventure Travel sites on Facebook. Puerto Rico Adventure Travel was a huge help with information about the Rip Currents.
Things To Do & See
Book a tour! We did a cave tour that was out of this world! They will pick you up from the Convention Center in San Juan at 8am and take you on a magical 8-hour journey through the rainforest and an amazing beach with a lot of history. It was $310 for two adults and well worth the money. Be sure to dress according for the adventure you are on. Shoes that can get wet with a good grip are a must as it is steep and slippery. The water is cold as springs are filling the river so a wet suit or long leggings are recommended. Also, bring a towel and dry clothes to change into. The tour guide will message you with information on how to dress, what to bring and tour expectations. The communication was top notch!
We started out in the rainforest on a trail until we arrived at the river where we got in and swam through a dead cave. Then we hiked a little more (not far at all) and had to jump into the water from the top of a 6' to 8' foot waterfall into the river below to make our way to swim through a live cave.
Afterwards we had Puerto Rican natural ice cream and went to a restaurant for an authentic Puerto Rican lunch (You pay for this separately from the tour). After lunch we went to the most amazing beach I have ever seen. This is where Christopher Columbus landed and did some not so nice things to the native people. Pirates of the Carribean also filmed in this location. The waves were the most incredible waves I have ever seen and the area rich in the history of the Taino culture. Here you will visit a cave where the Taino men swam to escape the terror of Christopher Columbus and his crew. There are petroglyphs from this era in the cave.
Visit Culebra Island! Flamenco Beach is listed as the second most beautiful beach in the world, although we don't agree, it is worth the visit. The island was a military training ground which started in 1936 and in 1969 the island was hit with missiles for 228 days as the Navy trained for the Vietnam War. The locals understandably did not want this on their island. The US attempted to evacuate the entire population for their military, but the locals pushed back. By 1975 the military evacuated the island leaving the land and a few tanks to the locals. One tank is located on the shores of Flamenco Beach.
Right around the corner from Flamenco Beach is Tamarindo Beach (named after the sour edible fruit on the trees). This is a magical place to snorkel and the biggest highlight of our trip. We decided to buy the gear we liked it so much. We saw several sea turtles, vibrant colored fish, live coral, sea urchins, a sea slug and a huge sting ray. You can spend the money on a snorkeling tour if you want but it is not necessary. The water wasn't deep, and you can rent a lifejacket to help you float. A little fun fact: Saltwater helps you float better than in fresh water.
Vieques is home to Mosquito Bay, the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world. Here you can rent kayaks and take a guided float to Mosquito Bay to see the glowing water. You are in control of your own vessel so kayaking experience is recommended to ensure a goodtime as kayaking isn't for everyone. It's also important to understand that pictures of the bioluminescent waters will not capture what you see. Please don't be disappointed if you don't get the pictures you want, it's the experience that matters!
Speaking of Bioluminescent Bays, Puerto Rico is home to 3 of the 5 Bioluminescent Bays in the world. (There are bioluminescent waters all over the world that are not in bays).
Ever seen a beach with black sand? You can visit Black Sand beach in Vieques. For the darkest black sand, the time to visit is in the rainy season (May, October and November).
La Pared Beach in Luquillo on the Northeast side of Puerto Rico Island is a great beach to visit. Great waves to play in and several places to eat.
Rincon Beach on the West side is amazing and the best beach on the island to go surfing. Even if you don't surf this is a must-see beach!
We also found a secluded beach that you won't find any tourists at but I can't give out the location unless you book through Nomadical Adventures. Wouldn't want to ruin this beautiful place by telling everybody about it.
Brunchy's Coffee Bar has the best coffee I've ever had in my life! They also offer a great menu with REAL pancakes (Not what we call pancakes). Brunchy's is located in Fajardo and was so good we visited twice. Ask for the Brunchealo coffee.
Puerto Rico was the best trip of my life. One thing that really made me fall in love was all of the flora and fauna. It was amazing to see so many houseplants in their natural habitat. I recommend a drive and a hike if you're able in El Yunque National Forest. I cannot describe how beautiful and magical it is to be in the rainforest and also be able to see the ocean while being surrounded by amazing vegetation.
Contact us today about your Puerto Rico adventure. Denise@NomadicalAdventures.com