Vinnie recently soaked up some Caribbean fun in the sun, at a meeting hosted by GO Puerto Rico Shuttle and its President Jose Torres. Besides piña coladas and banana daiquiris, Vinnie had a great time exploring all the island has to offer. Here are his top five recommendations:
Old San Juan The old city features two historic fortifications, Castillo San Cristobal and Castillo San Felipe dl Morro with free trolley transportation between them. Both were designed to protect the Spanish colony, founded by Ponce de Leon in 1508. Vinnie also explored the narrow, cobblestone streets with colorful shops as well as the surprisingly sophisticated restaurants on Calle Fortaleza – many with outdoor seating.
El Yunque Rain Forest El Yunque is the sole tropical rain forest in the U.S. National Forest System. You can see giant fern trees and tropical rain birds and listen to the serenade of small tree frogs called coquis. Take a hike to La Coca Falls, an 85-foot fall that ends in a huge rock formation at the bottom. Free, guided nature walks are offered on Wednesdays.
Luquillo Beach Trip Advisor calls Luquillo Beach (located near the El Yunque Rain Forest) the best public beach in Puerto Rico. Showers are available as well as rental chairs, umbrellas, and lockers. Vinnie says to bring your appetite. There are at least a dozen beach-front restaurants that serve outstanding Puerto Rican specialties like mofundo as well as fresh seafood.
Canopy Zip line Tour Toro Verde offers an eight-line canopy tour that takes you over treetops, valleys and streams for $85 per person as well as package trips. Helmets, harnesses and gloves are provided. Knee-length shorts or pants and closed shoes are required. Participants must be at least 4-feet tall and weigh no more than 300 pounds. While Vinnie did not meet these requirements, his friends told him the zip lines were great fun.
Night Kayaking Several different tour companies offer bioluminescent kayaking in fragile ecosystems where single-cell organisms release light energy when agitated. There are three such bays in Puerto Rico, but Mosquito Bay on Vieques Island is said to be one of the most bioluminescent in the world. For Scuba divers. Vieques has at least two beginner-level spots. Vinnie says there is more to do in Puerto Rico than sit by the pool. So get out there and hike, explore, dive and zip over treetops.
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