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.
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