8 Best Must-Have Experiences in Puerto Rico
April 20, 2012
Few places can provide the entire package quite like Puerto Rico can. This is an island destination that offers so much for a wide range of preferences, and the fact that it’s easy to get to, makes this a winning vacation combination!
This is my list of “musts” that Puerto Rico vacationers should make every attempt to experience: (Curated by Travel Impressions’ Veronica Vega)
1. Kayak the Bioluminescent Bay at Laguana Grande in Fajardo. This is one of the most magical things I’ve ever experienced. You’ll glide on calm waters through the mangroves in your kayak in the evening dark, as you reach a clearing where you’ll see the diamond like effect of the waters that glitter when stirred.
2. Stroll around Old San Juan. It’s the oldest city under the U.S flag and with its paved cobblestone 7-square-block area, and carefully restored 16th and 17th-century Spanish colonial buildings, this area oozes charm. Great unique shopping and many fabulous restaurants, make this a favorite pasttime.
3. Taste local food favorites. I can’t say enough about the food in Puerto Rico! It’s local delicacies range from rice and beans, fresh seafood, pork or much more. Try mofongo – one of my favorites! It’s a garlicky dish made in combination of plantains and options such as pork or shrimp. I enjoy mofongo with veggies. Of course you can choose from a wide array of local drinks. Did you know the Pina Colada is said to be a Puerto Rican invention? Legend has it, that it was created by a Caribe Hilton bartender.
4. Explore a Tropical Rain Forest. Visiting the El Yunque rain forest is inspiring owing to its natural beauty. You’ll also take in the myriad of living things, sounds, smells, and textures.
5. Zip line Toro Verde. When I visited Puerto Rico this past December, I had the chance to experience the zip line for the first time. I’m not an adrenaline junkie, but if you are, this really fits the bill. They switch it up here a bit, and I experienced a customized grouping of lines along with the infamous Bestia, which means Beast in Spanish. You will be secured into a large body harness, as you lay down to get attached to the cables from your back. Flying through the air like a bird (or, in my case, a screaming loon) was a most exhilarating experience!
6. Experience Rio Camuy Cave Park. The world’s third-longest known subterranean stream has created a sinkhole deep enough to swallow a 30-story building. National Geographic Travel says, “You won’t forget it… ever.” I agree!
7. Paint the town red. This special Caribbean island offers a fantastic cosmopolitan nightlife. Salsa and merengue might be the spice of this awesome little island’s evenings, but there is so much to do in Puerto Rico, and you can find something every night into the wee hours.
8. Rent a car. Some of the best sites and activities I have seen or done in Puerto Rico weren’t researched before I visited; they were surprises I stumbled upon. Driving here is a breeze. Arranging a car rental beforehand is not only effortless but recommended. Puerto Rico is an easy island to explore and every time I visit, I find new reasons to love it!
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Veronica Vega, Travel Impressions’ Associate Director of Caribbean Marketing.
Profile: Veronica has visited Puerto Rico 6 times and is a huge fan of the island!
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