What are Puerto Rico's best kept secrets?
Apr 25th, 2003, 12:19 AM
#2
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None of these are really secret, but they were the best part of my trip to PR. San Juan is fun, but there are just too many tourists and all the evils we bring (outlet shopping in OSJ?? - bah!). I get the impression that most tourists don't get out of OSJ or the beaches immediately to the east. Go just about anywhere else and you will see progressively fewer tourists - particularly to the south and west.
Ponce the second city of PR, and much more interesting as a living city than San Juan IMO. Go down to the plaja in the afternoon/evening for food and music on the boardwalk. There is a nice city museum, good restaurants and a generally more cultured and low key attitude. It was one of the favorite spots for me. It also has the benefit of giving you a chance to drive some highways with great views.
I also liked the Banos de Coamo. It's a hot spring outside Coamo with an attached Parador (hotel).
The Caves at Camuy - didn't see too many tourists there. You get a good look at some rainforest in a valley and then into the caves. The drive from SJ to Camuy is also spectacular.
The dry forest at Guanica makes for a good morning hike (not difficult, but it does get hot later in the day).
Vieques is great. I can't imagine a more laid back place than Esparanza. And the bioluminescent bay made it worth the trip.
El Yunque is just about a must-see. There are some short and long hikes through the forest. See http://www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/caribbean/ for more info.
Fajardo and Luquillo beach are cool. You can take sailing trips from Fajardo to see some smaller islands and generally get away from things. Luquillo was a highlight - very relaxing public beach with great food stands.
Have fun in SJ as well - I'm not really knocking it. But then get out and see everything else.
Ponce the second city of PR, and much more interesting as a living city than San Juan IMO. Go down to the plaja in the afternoon/evening for food and music on the boardwalk. There is a nice city museum, good restaurants and a generally more cultured and low key attitude. It was one of the favorite spots for me. It also has the benefit of giving you a chance to drive some highways with great views.
I also liked the Banos de Coamo. It's a hot spring outside Coamo with an attached Parador (hotel).
The Caves at Camuy - didn't see too many tourists there. You get a good look at some rainforest in a valley and then into the caves. The drive from SJ to Camuy is also spectacular.
The dry forest at Guanica makes for a good morning hike (not difficult, but it does get hot later in the day).
Vieques is great. I can't imagine a more laid back place than Esparanza. And the bioluminescent bay made it worth the trip.
El Yunque is just about a must-see. There are some short and long hikes through the forest. See http://www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/caribbean/ for more info.
Fajardo and Luquillo beach are cool. You can take sailing trips from Fajardo to see some smaller islands and generally get away from things. Luquillo was a highlight - very relaxing public beach with great food stands.
Have fun in SJ as well - I'm not really knocking it. But then get out and see everything else.
Apr 26th, 2003, 06:20 AM
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From Farjardo, you can take a ferry to Culebra or Vieques.I went to Culebra. There's a beach called Flamenco. It's in the top 10 beaches of the world. FANTASTIC There's only 1 restaurant, so you may want to pack some goodies. Also,take a beach chair. The ferry ride is about 1.5 hours. I think the cost was $2.50 (not sure). Check departure and return times.
May 3rd, 2003, 07:13 PM
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A few we would consider PR's best kept secrets are the ff:
1. Town of Guavate. About 1 hour from SJU. Basically, if you keep driving on the main road, you will see local stand barbeque kiosks and a few mom and pop restaurants serving "lechon" (roasted pig). Super duper yummy! Great place for lunch on the way down to Ponce or other places.
2. San German. A very historic sleepy town about 1/2 hour from Ponce. A historic town in the verge of being preserved with a lot of character. Basically a ghost town during the week. And when I say sleepy, literally older folks line up the park benches and nod off while waiting to meet their friends.
3. A lot of Americans frequent and buy condo time shares at Boqueron (outside Cabo Rojo) and about 1-2 hours from Rincon. although I personally didn't like it that much, others have obviously liked it. They have a wide beach lined with coconut trees but I didn't think it was that great because it wasn't white sand and aquamarine color waters of San Juan. Tons of beachside kiosks and vendors also selling fresh oysters and other bbq stands. It's sort of too downtowny for our taste, but very laid back and typcial beachside atmosphere.
Hope these helped!
1. Town of Guavate. About 1 hour from SJU. Basically, if you keep driving on the main road, you will see local stand barbeque kiosks and a few mom and pop restaurants serving "lechon" (roasted pig). Super duper yummy! Great place for lunch on the way down to Ponce or other places.
2. San German. A very historic sleepy town about 1/2 hour from Ponce. A historic town in the verge of being preserved with a lot of character. Basically a ghost town during the week. And when I say sleepy, literally older folks line up the park benches and nod off while waiting to meet their friends.
3. A lot of Americans frequent and buy condo time shares at Boqueron (outside Cabo Rojo) and about 1-2 hours from Rincon. although I personally didn't like it that much, others have obviously liked it. They have a wide beach lined with coconut trees but I didn't think it was that great because it wasn't white sand and aquamarine color waters of San Juan. Tons of beachside kiosks and vendors also selling fresh oysters and other bbq stands. It's sort of too downtowny for our taste, but very laid back and typcial beachside atmosphere.
Hope these helped!
May 7th, 2003, 10:15 AM
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Susan,
There is also the falls of San Sebastian, great mountain refreshing waterfall and natural pool to go swimming in. Also the highest mountain in P.R. Toro Negro is a great pleace to go. The beaches of Rincon ( great surfing beaches and swimming beaches) Rincon is a very laid back town without traffic lights and the hustle of the larger cities. It has some beautiful resorts and friendly people.
There is also the falls of San Sebastian, great mountain refreshing waterfall and natural pool to go swimming in. Also the highest mountain in P.R. Toro Negro is a great pleace to go. The beaches of Rincon ( great surfing beaches and swimming beaches) Rincon is a very laid back town without traffic lights and the hustle of the larger cities. It has some beautiful resorts and friendly people.
Nov 9th, 2013, 02:01 PM
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The Dreamcatcher Guest House in Ocean Park, San Juan is an amazing little Bed&Breakfast right at the beach.
My friend and I stayed at the Dreamcatcher Guest House for about a week and we absolutely loved every minute of it. Sylvia is a great host and so are her two amazing dogs Malda and Pipa. The three of them truly make you feel at home while on vacation. The House is incredibly beautiful and serene. The Garden is full with flowers and fruit trees, there is a water fountain and lanterns are dangling from the trees. Buddha Statues and vintage collectibles are to be found everywhere. There are two lounges and one sun deck, all of them are furnished with either hammocks, sofas and/or rocking chairs. There is also an outdoor shower and though our room had a private bathroom I decided to take showers under the stars instead. The beach is literally right around the corner, I would say a 2 minute walk! What we enjoyed most about this side of the beach: it is far from the crowded touristy area and it almost felt as if we lived on our own private island! At night many of the guests are coming together for small gatherings or even dinner parties. Also there are Outdoor Yoga classes once or twice a week. If you feel like going out, there are plenty of restaurants and bars not far from the Dreamcatcher and Condado (where most of the tourists stay) is also just a 15 mins. walk. The area felt very safe, especially since Ocean Park is an access restricted neighborhood and there are security patrol cars at night. To sum it all up: YOU GOTTA STAY AT THIS PLACE! We definitely will be back..
Their website:
www.DreamcatcherGuestHouse.com
My friend and I stayed at the Dreamcatcher Guest House for about a week and we absolutely loved every minute of it. Sylvia is a great host and so are her two amazing dogs Malda and Pipa. The three of them truly make you feel at home while on vacation. The House is incredibly beautiful and serene. The Garden is full with flowers and fruit trees, there is a water fountain and lanterns are dangling from the trees. Buddha Statues and vintage collectibles are to be found everywhere. There are two lounges and one sun deck, all of them are furnished with either hammocks, sofas and/or rocking chairs. There is also an outdoor shower and though our room had a private bathroom I decided to take showers under the stars instead. The beach is literally right around the corner, I would say a 2 minute walk! What we enjoyed most about this side of the beach: it is far from the crowded touristy area and it almost felt as if we lived on our own private island! At night many of the guests are coming together for small gatherings or even dinner parties. Also there are Outdoor Yoga classes once or twice a week. If you feel like going out, there are plenty of restaurants and bars not far from the Dreamcatcher and Condado (where most of the tourists stay) is also just a 15 mins. walk. The area felt very safe, especially since Ocean Park is an access restricted neighborhood and there are security patrol cars at night. To sum it all up: YOU GOTTA STAY AT THIS PLACE! We definitely will be back..
Their website:
www.DreamcatcherGuestHouse.com
Nov 16th, 2013, 11:43 AM
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Hi Sassa, no of course not. I mean I do want to support them as they are pretty new and the place is very magical. The pictures on the website and their Facebook (www.facebook.com/dreamcatcherguesthouse) don't do the House justice at all. Until not too long ago the Dreamcatcher only offered it's rooms on airbnb and when you look them up they have a 100% positive reviews!
Nov 16th, 2013, 11:45 AM
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sorry link above doesn't work:
http://www.facebook.com/dreamcatcherguesthouse
http://www.facebook.com/dreamcatcherguesthouse
Dec 2nd, 2013, 01:22 PM
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Comments from exploring the island years ago and more recently. Yes, San Juan has El Morrow and old city, but a traveler must explore in various directions. I'll summarize a little trip. To the east of course El Yunque which has an ethereal beauty and the national forest. Enroute is nice Luquillo Beach. Further on to Ceiba.
To the west a long stretch along the coast over to Arecibo with its air base and then inland to Camuy Caves...haunting beauty in a sinkhole cavern. Might backtrack east to see Arecibo Observatory.
Heading south to lighthouse at Rincon and surfing if you wish. And on to city of Mayaguez seeking renovation (once stayed there some months) and also inland to San German with its expanding university in the mountains. Beautiful coast and beach at Boqueron and from La Parguera a boat into Phosphorescent Bay. Less illumination nowadays due to shore lights.
Next traveling east along the south coast...Guanica once center of sugar plantations but that and coffee no longer such important cash crops. Nice beach at Cana Gorda. City of Ponce has the unusual fire house and a collection of ceremonial masks. Nearby inland Tibes Indian Ceremonial Center is worth a visit, the Tainos culture before Spanish intrusion.
Back up into the interior through some rugged mountains. At one place is a jibaro monument honoring the working peasant. And arriving San Juan.
To the west a long stretch along the coast over to Arecibo with its air base and then inland to Camuy Caves...haunting beauty in a sinkhole cavern. Might backtrack east to see Arecibo Observatory.
Heading south to lighthouse at Rincon and surfing if you wish. And on to city of Mayaguez seeking renovation (once stayed there some months) and also inland to San German with its expanding university in the mountains. Beautiful coast and beach at Boqueron and from La Parguera a boat into Phosphorescent Bay. Less illumination nowadays due to shore lights.
Next traveling east along the south coast...Guanica once center of sugar plantations but that and coffee no longer such important cash crops. Nice beach at Cana Gorda. City of Ponce has the unusual fire house and a collection of ceremonial masks. Nearby inland Tibes Indian Ceremonial Center is worth a visit, the Tainos culture before Spanish intrusion.
Back up into the interior through some rugged mountains. At one place is a jibaro monument honoring the working peasant. And arriving San Juan.
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VirginTraveler
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Jul 14th, 2003 03:49 PM
