The Best Snorkeling in Puerto Rico - Try Fajardo!

 Puerto Rico                                Snorkeling!!

Face it, do you want to be here?  (Nooooo!)  

Where you want to be is HERE!!!

Ok, so worst case scenario - there maybe there is a little freshwater run-off from tropical outbursts feeding into the sea that can momentarily cloud the ocean's waters - but that can happen anywhere! The most important thing is - in most places, visibility extends from 50 to 75 feet (15-23m) - that's like a 5-story building!

One of the best ways to experience this wonderful sport, even if you are staying in San Juan, is to take one of the day trips on one of the several luxury catamarans plying the waters off the coast of Fajardo, which make for some of the finest snorkeling in the Caribbean. They usually anchor on the beach of a small cay for lunch and some sunbathing and swimming. Transportation from San Juan area hotels is often provided. It's worth the trip even if you don't want to snorkel.  Not the one for you?  Then try:

Mona Island: This remote island off the west coast of Puerto Rico also offers the best snorkeling possibilities. The reefs here, the most pristine in Puerto Rico, are home to a wide variety of rainbow-hued fish, turtles, octopuses, moray eels, rays, puffers, and clownfish: the single largest concentration of reef fish life in Puerto Rico. You must bring your snorkeling equipment to the island, however, as there are no rentals available.   OR ...

Caja de Muertos: The best snorkeling off the coast of Ponce is on the uninhabited coast island of Caja de Muertos (Coffin Island). This island got its name from an 18th-century French writer who noted that the island's shape resembled a cadaver in a coffin. Over the years there have been fanciful legends about the island, including tales of necrophilia, star-crossed lovers, and, of course, piracy. Several outfits will take you to this remote spot for a full day's outing, with plenty of snorkeling.  OR..

La Paguera: The reefs surrounding the offshore cays just off La Paguera in southwest Puerto Rico are another fine spot for snorkeling. Several boat operators right in town will either rent you a boat with a guide or drop you off on one of the islands and return at a prearranged timed.

Fajardo: On the eastern coast of Puerto Rico, the clear waters along the beachfront are the best on mainland Puerto Rico for snorkeling. The best beaches here for snorkeling are walking distance from the Seven Seas public beach: Playa Escondido and Playa Convento. The snorkeling at Las Cabezas de San Juan nature refuge is also spectacular

Where ever you decide to go, you'll enjoy some of the best snorkeling in the world!  So grab those fins and grab that snorkel - what are you waiting for!!!   Come to Puerto Rico and enjoy the "wild life"!

Splish Splashing in Playa de Ponce

The beaches in Puerto Rico aren't usually known for their peace and quiet, but Playa de Ponce is a little bit further from the crowds, making it an ideal spot for travelers seeking a beach away from the tourist crowds. Playa de Ponce is a beautiful beach to visit if you are looking for a place to swim because of its calm waters and easy tides or you can just relax on the warm sandy beaches. If you get hungry while at the beach, no worries, they are many food vendors that set up shop near the beach. When it gets dark or if you just get tired of the beach for the day they are also museums, theatres, parks and many other attractions local close to Playa de Ponce.

 

Also, you can’t go to the beach without getting a bite to eat. Playa de Ponce has many regional favorites from American, Asian to international Spanish. One of the closest restaurants is Cold Stone Creamery Ponce which is just about .6 mi from Playa de Ponce. Here is just a few facts and interest about Playa de Ponce.

 

 

   With a population of 194,636, Ponce is Puerto Rico's second largest city (San juan is the first and Mayaguez is the third). Ponce is commonly known by several names: "La Perla del Sur" (Pearl of the South), "La Ciudad de los Leones" (City of Lions), or "La Ciudad de las Quenepas" (Genip City). Ponce is also known as the "Ciudad Señorial" (Majestic or Noble City), because of its many beautiful neoclassical buildings and facades.

Ponce was founded in 1692 by Juan Ponce de León's great-grandson - Loíza Ponce de León. Ponce was Spain's capital of the southern region until it fell to the U.S. in 1898. The annual precipitation is approximately 36 inches on the coast and 48 inches in the interior and the average temperature is 75°F.

   Flag
The flag consist of a rectangular cloth divided by a diagonal line, creating two equal isosceles triangles, starting from the top left hand corner and ending on the lower right hand corner. The top triangle is red; the bottom triangle is black. In the center of the flag sits the shield of the municipality. Under this shield is the number 1877, the year of the founding of the city, and above the shield is the word Ponce

 Coat of arms

The coat of arms of the municipality is based on the design of the official mayoral seal that was adopted in 1844 under the administration of mayor Salvador de Vives.^[218]

Coat of arms of Ponce.

The coat of arms of Ponce consists of an escutcheon (shield) in the Spanish tradition. This shield has a field with a party per bend division. The division runs from top left to bottom right. The field is red and black, bordered with a fine golden line. In the center of the shield is the figure of an erect lion standing on a bridge. The top of the bridge is a golden, the middle is red bricks, and the base foundation is gray rocks. Under the bridge there are gray wavy lines. Over the shield rests a five-tower golden stone wall with openings in the form of red windows. To the left of the shield is a coffee tree branch with its fruit, and to the right of the shield is a sugar cane stalk. The symbols of the shield are as follows: The field represents the flag of the municipality of Ponce, divided diagonally in the traditional city colors: red and black. The lion over the bridge alludes to the last name of the conqueror and first governor of Puerto Rico, Juan Ponce de Leon. The waves under the bridge allude to the Rio Portugues, on the banks of which the city was born. The coronet in the form of a five-tower mural crown above the shield allude to the Spanish crown, through which the settlement obtained its city charter. The coffee tree branch and the sugar cane stalk represent the main agricultural basis of the economy of the young municipality.

Luquillo Beach (and a Really HOT and Steamy Puerto Rico secret!!!! )

     Luquillo...Puerto Rico's most photographed beach….

     Located just 31 miles East of San Juan, Luquillo Beach is the island's best and most popular public stretch of sand.   When you find yourself almost falling asleep lazing on the gentle blue waves of this paradise, you know you're on vacation!   Luquillo Beach does not disappoint! Soft sand, clean blue tropic water, no huge waves to knock you down, a long row of palm trees, and lovely views of the greenery of El Yunque- (rainforest) what more could you ask for?  Some consider this the best beach on the main island. The waters are calm, the wind isn't crazy like it is on Playa Azul, it's safe to swim out. The sand is nice. There are facilities - little places to eat, restrooms, showers. There are amazing natural fruit ice creams being sold from little carts.   Passion fruit flavor! is very yummy and refreshing.  The sign to Luqillo beach is not as prominent as some,  so you be on the look-out or you may miss it. Look for the brown signs with "Balneario La Monserrate."    

     Here’s our “insider’s tip”:  If you want the place to yourself, go early on a weekday--and snag a spot under a palm tree. Luqillo is government maintained and has restroom access, convenient parking, food/drink vendors, and lifeguards on duty. Walk to the eastern part of the beach if it's not closed off. There's a sign that says "Puerto Rico" under a palm tree which makes for some great photo ops.  If you still have time left in the day, make sure you hit the Luqillo kiosks/ food stands as well.   Luqillo's not too far from Fajardo, so if you have time, you can squeeze that in as well. On the way back to San Juan, take the scenic route through Loiza and Pinones on PR-187. 

     OK, .. If you've spent too much time at the beach and used too little sunscreen and need a break (sunburn - ouch!) - or if you want to see more of what Puerto Rico has to offer (and there's a LOT!!!)... then here's an idea..what we like to call ..

Puerto Rico's HOT STEAMY SECRET!!!

                 Coffee!

      Did you know that Puerto Rico and Hawaii  are the only places in the United States or its territories that coffee if grown, processed, and sold for local and international consumption.

     Before there was a Starbucks or Keurigs, coffee produced in Puerto Rico's cool mountain region was internationally beloved -- so much that Puerto Rico, was among the world's largest coffee exporters. All of Europe fell in love with Puerto Rican coffee in the 19th century - it was served to the elite everywhere - even at the Vatican.

    Puerto Rican coffee comes from ripe beans grown high in the cool, moist mountain regions of the Toro Negro mountain range.  There are a number of coffee Haciendas in the towns of Jayuya, San Sebastian, Ponce, Adjuntas, Las Marias and Lares. It takes over 2 hours to drive to many of these places from the San Juan area, on some twisting, curving roads. So take your time, and plan on it being a full-day trip, or maybe even plan on an overnight stay in the area.  Tip:  the best time to go on a coffee tour is during harvesting/processing time (which is October to December). During that time, you can see the whole production process from field to roaster.

     Here’s a YouTube site that features a short story of Coffee in Puerto Rico…. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLnJF66KhB0

Coffee Tours

     In 2008, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company started promoting a Coffee Zone, where a number of the small gourmet Haciendas open their places to the public.  The PRTC provides information and you can call each of the Haciendas on their list to get current information about tours. Some are free, some are low-priced, most offer coffee tastings, and all of them really hope you buy some of their coffee!  You need to call first for reservations and to ensure an English-speaking guide if your Spanish is more Spanglish than fluent. You can drive yourselves, or if you don’t want to brave the roads, there are some tour companies that can make the arrangements and provide transportation.   Note: Allow at least 2 hours for the drive from the San Juan area and, remember, it is cooler up in the mountains so you might want to take a sweater.

Hacienda Pomarrosa in Ponce — Tours are by appointment only. $15/person. Allow 2 hours for the tour. They also have 2 cottages on the plantation for nightly rentals. Phone: 787-844-3541 or 787-460-8934 or 787-461-8493. Web: www.cafepomarrosa.com.

 Hacienda Buena Vista in Ponce — This restored mid-19th century coffee plantation is owned by the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust. Guided tours are offered in Spanish and English. It’s more of a musuem tour than a "plantation". We visited here years ago, and recommend it. You can read our review for more details and contact info.

 Hacienda San Pedro in Jayuya — They offer 2-4 tours/day, on Saturday and Sunday only. They have a long tour for $20/person that includes the fields and the production areas. They also may have a shorter tour that only goes through the production areas (its about $10-15). Tours are usually every 2 hours from 10am until 4pm. Reservations are required, especially if you need an English-speaking guide or if you want a tour at a specific time. They also have a small museum and coffee shop that are open Friday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Phone: 787-828-2083

Hacienda Palma Escrita — Open for tours Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. $5/person. 45-minute tour with tasting. They also have a gift shop/store and a cafe (but you need a reservation for lunch). Phone: 787-210-8252

Hacienda Monte Alto in Adjuntas — Offers a free tour from field to machinery and tastings. Phone: 787-829-5353

Sandra Farms in Adjuntas — Trip to Origin Coffee Tour – From Planation to Cup, $15 per adult, kids 12 and under free. Reservation required. Tour lasts approx 1½ hours. Phone: 787- 409-8083. Web: www.SandraFarms.com.

Some other ideas for coffee lovers …

Museo del Cafe in Ciales — Located at 42 Palmer Street, this coffee museum roasts and sells fresh coffee. The tour and all the information is only in Spanish, but you can call and see if they have a bi-lingual guide available 787-871-3439. Open Monday to Friday from 8am to 3pm, Saturday/Sunday 8am-5pm.

 Museo del Cafe, Don Ruiz – Roastery, Museum & Cafe in Old San Juan — Located at the Cuartel de Ballaja, (the large building across from El Morro), this museum opens in March 2013. 787-410-9444. They have a store and museum about the history and evolution of coffee, tobacco and rum of Puerto Rico. They also have a cafe where they serve Don Ruiz coffee and other food items. 

Aarrrgggg – Beware of the Pirates Maties!

 

Flamenco Beach/ CULEBRA ISLAND

          

 

Here’s something that makes Culebra so unique!    Culebra is an old pirate hideout.   Not to mention that in 1493 Christopher Columbus dropped by during his second voyage, and in 1909 Theodore Roosevelt declared Culebra one of America's first wildlife refuges. 

When World War II erupted, the US Navy turned Culebra and the 23 other islands in the archipelago into the primary site for gunnery and bombing practice. This island remained a target until 1975, which turned out to be a good thing - the reefs and surrounding waters remained unscathed by boaters and divers and the beaches were unspoiled by large-scale tourism development.

Today Culebra is appealing for what it lacks. There are no luxury resorts, elegant restaurants, discos, movie theaters, casinos, museums or boutiques. There's also no crime, hardly any traffic and few crowds.  Because the water  is calm and blue, the sand hot and white, and the horizon framed by bright green hills Flamenco Beach is a regular on critics' short-lists for the most beautiful beach in the world. . A great place to swim, snorkel, and bring the kids, this Puerto Rico beach even has some campground space should you want to take a day and soak one of up Puerto Rico's most celebrated beaches. 

Culebra offers  an unsullied and under-populated beach along with pristine waters filled with beautiful fish. There is also plenty of wildlife. The disconnected tracts of the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, which total more than one-third of the islands' area, are populated with terns, gulls, pelicans, boobies and several species of endangered turtle. And the natives - or Culebrenses as they are known - provide plenty of the signature laid-back attitude that is so familiar in the Caribbean.

To get to Culebra, you need to take a plane from San Juan or Fajardo Airports or the ferry boat from Fajardo.

Our insiders tip for the week – For the Best Local Seafood try Club Seabourne (Web: www.clubseabourne.com).

 Club Seabourne is a secluded hotel with a casual restaurant serving American-Caribbean style seafood in a 35-seat screened-in porch overlooking Fulladosa Bay. Menu highlights include tuna and kingfish in various Caribbean sauces. The menu offers a variety of items such as the New York strip steak, but nods to the surroundings with Puerto Rican dishes including pastelon, lasagna made with fresh plantain. Arrive early and grab a drink at the popular outdoor bar.

Next week the Beach Bums will be telling you all about Playa de Ponce - Puerto Rico's Best Beach for Swimming!  So put on your suit and grab those fins.....