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Odds are, if you’ve found yourself in this corner of the internet, you’re deep in the trenches of planning a trip and have already been bombarded with nearly a hundred different ideas. I’ve always found it easier to work with short lists and straightforward answers. So if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by it all, take a deep breath. I’ve made it simple. One thing to eat, one thing to see, and one thing to do. When we went to Puerto Rico, we were there for only a few days, so we didn’t accomplish much else besides these few things and yet, we always look back on it as such a rich and enjoyable trip. I guess what I’m trying to say is if all you end up doing are these three things, you’re still going to walk away very satisfied.
The #1 Thing to Eat: Pirilo Pizza Rustica
This restaurant is tucked into a charming corner of Old San Juan. The interior is cozy, but the energy. If you’re looking for mouth-watering pizza and pasta, this is the spot. My husband and I are still talking about our meal months later. Now if you’re reading this thinking “you went to Puerto Rico and the best meal you had was Italian food?! I hear you. For some delicious Caribbean-fusion dining, you should check out Zaco’s Tacos on Culebra. The space has such a fun vibe and the food was amazing. (A tad on the expensive side in my opinion, but I still walked away feeling satisfied.)
The #1 Things to See: Bioluminescent Bay
Puerto Rico is one of the top destinations for viewing bioluminescence! We took a tour with Yokahu Kayak Trips, which is located on the main island. However, our tour guide informed us that the very best spot is actually located on the island of Vieques in Puerto Mosquito. If you’re unfamiliar with bioluminescence, essentially, in certain regions of the world, there’s a type of aquatic algae that emits light due to a chemical reaction in the water. It is a spectacular phenomenon to witness! During the tour, you’ll kayak through mangroces until reaching an open bay. You’ll do all of this at night far from any light pollution. Here, you’ll get to witness those magical glowing waters you’ve seen from the photos. During our tour, the guide covered the entire group in a tarp so that there was no light pollution whatsoever. This allowed us to see those glowing water in their brightest form. It’s truly a once in a lifetime experience in my opinion. While there are places around the world that they can be viewed, you’ll rarely be somewhere where they are as prevelant as they are in Puerto Rico so I highly recommend taking advantage!
The #1 to Do: Rent a Golf Cart & Visit Flamingo Beach
The day we spent on Culebra can be summed up in a just a few words: Pure. Caribbean. Magic. To reach the island, you’ll take a ferry from Ceiba. While tickets aren’t very expensive, you’ll pay in the form of motion sicknesses. If you’re particularly prone to nausea, I would ensure to bring along some dramamine. I can assure you that your day on the island is well worth any physical maladies you may suffer in journeying there. The island is relatively small, so most tourists rent a golf cart to get around during the day. While there are certain roads you’re not allowed to take them on, you can easily access some of the best destinations with it. Carting around in the sunshine, hopping from beaches to restaurants to bars was just insanely fun. A 15-minute golf cart drive will take you to Flamingo Beach. This is without a doubt, one of the most stunning beaches I have ever visited. Picturesque white sand, turquoise water, and a palm-tree lines shoreline are what you greet you ehre. They also have a little village of small businesses selling refreshing treats and beach gear to rent. We spend a few bucks on beach chairs, plopped them under a palm tree and spent hours reading int he sun and swimming in the clear, warm waters. The sunburns we received from this day were well worth the experience. (That being said, do not be like me and REAPPLY EVERY 2 HOURS. The sun is on another level out here.)
HAPPY TRAVELS!
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