— By Ariel Frager —
“Mom! This place is epic,” my 12-year-old declared when we arrived at the Conquistador Resort in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. The sweeping views of the Atlantic while riding down the cliffside funicular cable car were indeed epic. We could see the private Palomino Island where hotel guests are treated to open white sand beaches and frozen cocktails. Of more interest to my son was the birds eye view of Coqui Water Park, a small and guests-only water park and lazy river that kept us entertained for hours. Puerto Rico is like that: spacious and family oriented, with quiet luxury around every corner.
This guide illuminates the inclusive spirit of Puerto Rico, with activities that appeal to every member of the family.
There are only five places in the world that produce enough microscopic organisms (called dinoflagellates) to light up dark waters, in an effect called bioluminescence. The fact that three of the five “bio bays” in the world are located in Puerto Rico raises the island’s “wow factor” by a bucket-list order of magnitude.
Mosquito Bay, on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques, has the highest concentration of dinoflagellates in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. There are two other bio bays on the main island: Laguna Grande in Fajardo and La Parguera in Lajas. Tour operators such as Black Beard Sports on Vieques, provide glass-bottomed kayaks. As soon as the lights from the shore fade, the brilliance of the glowing single-cell organisms lights up the night. Another recommended tour operator is Pure Adventure, which serves Laguna Grande. Looking down at the water, explosions of blue-hued flowing lights trickle past the boats and surround submerged hands. The bio-bay experience is essential to a Puerto Rican family adventure.
Photo by Ariel Frager
Puerto Rico boasts the ideal climate for growing cacao, and some wild cacao trees can still be found on the island. Once a prominent crop, it no longer holds the same industry sway as other export products like sugarcane and ginger. However, chocolate remains a key ingredient in Puerto Rican culture, alongside traditional ceremonies and celebrations.
One way to experience the island’s deep devotion to all things chocolate is to visit Chocobar Cortés,with restaurants in Old San Juan and Condado. This nearly century-old family business produces high quality beans for bar chocolate in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. All menu items at Chocobar include some form of their famous chocolate, with everything from chocolate grilled cheese sandwiches to chocolate-based cocktails and their rich hot chocolate.
El Yunque, located in the northeast corner of the island, has the unique distinction of being the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. forest system. One way to experience the rainforest is on horseback. Carabaldi Rainforest Adventure Park operates in El Yunque, and visitors can amble beneath the forested canopy along the Mameyes River. After the ride, the Carabaldi Bar and Grill serves up a fantastic traditional Puerto Rican lunch.
Located in the new heart of Old San Juan, Districto T-Mobile is a mall turned family center that has a little bit for everyone. Shops, restaurants, and giant screens with comfy chairs help make tourists comfortable. Sitting high at 90 and 120 feet above the commerce, Toroverde Urban Park features two back-to-back ziplines. Kids and their brave parents can sail across the urban center, Superman style. Once back down to Earth, a fully loaded arcade is waiting. The urban adventure park also boasts an indoor ropes course and labyrinth called Bull Maze. Participants are harnessed into ropes, as they climb from obstacle to obstacle above the video game arcade.
If urban ziplining isn’t your thing, the 2.5 kilometer zip “The Monster” is the longest in America (and one of the longest in the whole world). Toro Verde manages The Monster. The adventure park is located just 45 minutes outside of San Juan in Orocovis, where you will fly through the densely forested rolling mountains.
When they call Old San Juan old, they aren’t kidding. Established by the Spanish in 1521, San Juan is the oldest settlement in the United States. Wander the colorful cobblestone streets to experience the colonial architecture, paired with religious and historical landmarks.
The Castillo San Felipe del Morro dazzles families, as an impressive citadel built high atop a cliffside fortress to push back naval invaders. El Morro, as it is affectionately known, was never defeated. Castillo San Cristobal was built to protect from attacks by land. Visitors can wander through both of these castles, and they are a short walk from the center of the historic district. There are plazas, cathedrals, shops, and restaurants to explore, whether you are a history buff, a foodie, or just wanting to soak in some of the sites.
San Juan
Puerto Rico is actually an archipelago; the main island is just one of over 100 islands, islets, and cays. Vieques and Culebra Islands are the main destinations outside of the main island. Vieques is the largest of the other islands and is located only 6 miles away, either by air or sea. Over 60% of the land on Vieques is part of the National Wildlife Refuge housing mangrove forests, salt flats and pristine areas for sailing, diving and snorkeling. Vieques is the spot for families to head to if they are interested in a low-key, nature-focused getaway.
Crystal Clear Vieques is a locally owned, woman-owned business that offers expertly guided snorkeling tours that trade in owner Sarah Elise’s conversational marine expertise, creating a fun learning experience for all.
Flight to Vieques
One unique way to explore the Puerto Rican archipelago is to hire a private catamaran for a day of sun, salt, and sea. This is a wonderful option for large and multigenerational family adventures. A sailing trip offers a bit of fun for everyone, including opportunities to snorkel and swim, to jump off the boat into the blue of the Caribbean sea, and drink cocktails while watching the sunset. Belladventuras operate out of the Puerto Del Rey Marina in Fajardo.
Catamaran sailing stop
Seemingly endless white sand beaches touching the bright blue waters and sky, what’s not to love on a beach day in Puerto Rico? Home to one of the most consistently top-rated beaches in the world, Flamingo Beach on the Puerto Rican island of Culebra is worth the journey from the main island to soak in the scenery and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Playa Tamarindo, also on Culebra, is well known for snorkeling. It’s also protected from the bigger waves, which makes it ideal for swimming with little ones.
The Northwest section from Isabela to Rincon has the most consistent surf breaks to satisfy surfers of all skill levels. Surfing is mostly a three-season sport, as the swell slows considerably in the summer. With ocean water temperatures in the 80s nearly year round, most surfers wear a rashguard as wetsuits are unnecessary.
Cayo Icacos near Fajardo
Even though there are plenty of things to do in Puerto Rico, one of the great pleasures of a Caribbean vacation is to chill by the pool. The bigger resorts have multiple pools, swim-up bars, and hot tubs with beach views. The truly spectacular Coqui Water Park at El Conquistador Resort in Farajo is consistently rated the top resort with a water slide in Puerto Rico.
You can also enjoy poolside slides at Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Rainforest Beach and Golf Resort and Hilton Ponce Golf and Casino Resort.
A Condado pool
The rich blend of cultures creates delicious traditional Puerto Rican dishes pulling from Spanish, African, and Indigenous Taíno influences. The layers of flavors — incorporating the island’s abundance of fresh fruit, fish, beans, and deeply seasoned (but not all that spicy) cuisine — gives rise to what Puerto Ricans call their traditional foods, Comida Crillola, or Creole Food.
It’s the mixture of all the cultures encompassing Puerto Rico that makes the food so enchanting. Be sure to try deep-fried appetizers like salt cod fritters and empanadas filled with everything from tuna, chicken, beef, cheese, and even sweet ones filled with jam or chocolate. Smashed green plantains are the main ingredient in mofongo, often served with stewed fish or meat. Arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas) is a stable food on the island and the national dish of Puerto Rico. Lechonera los Amigos serves up some of the highest-rated, most authentic traditional Puerto Rican foods. Casita Miramar is another restaurant that prides itself on offering Puerto Rican food that tastes like abuela made it.
Puerto Rico offers American families an opportunity to explore all the benefits of a tropical paradise without needing to pull out the passports. All the comforts of stateside travel, but with true island flair.
Photos by Ariel Frager
—
Ariel Frager loves to get outside to play, be it surfing, traveling the world or walking the dog. She is a school counselor and mental health therapist during the week and pursues her passion for exploring new places and cultures as a travel writer. Ariel’s writing has been published in a variety of print and online outlets including: Travel + Leisure, Gear Junkie, Bearfoot Theory, Family Vacationist and others. Ariel writes about outdoor and family adventures in her beloved Pacific Northwest and beyond. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her family.
The post Top 10 Family Adventures in Puerto Rico appeared first on Road Trips For Families.
“Mom! This place is epic,” my 12-year-old declared when we arrived at the Conquistador Resort in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. The sweeping views of the Atlantic while riding down the cliffside funicular cable car were indeed epic. We could see the private Palomino Island where hotel guests are treated to open white sand beaches and frozen cocktails. Of more interest to my son was the birds eye view of Coqui Water Park, a small and guests-only water park and lazy river that kept us entertained for hours. Puerto Rico is like that: spacious and family oriented, with quiet luxury around every corner.
This guide illuminates the inclusive spirit of Puerto Rico, with activities that appeal to every member of the family.
Bioluminescent Bays
There are only five places in the world that produce enough microscopic organisms (called dinoflagellates) to light up dark waters, in an effect called bioluminescence. The fact that three of the five “bio bays” in the world are located in Puerto Rico raises the island’s “wow factor” by a bucket-list order of magnitude.
Mosquito Bay, on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques, has the highest concentration of dinoflagellates in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. There are two other bio bays on the main island: Laguna Grande in Fajardo and La Parguera in Lajas. Tour operators such as Black Beard Sports on Vieques, provide glass-bottomed kayaks. As soon as the lights from the shore fade, the brilliance of the glowing single-cell organisms lights up the night. Another recommended tour operator is Pure Adventure, which serves Laguna Grande. Looking down at the water, explosions of blue-hued flowing lights trickle past the boats and surround submerged hands. The bio-bay experience is essential to a Puerto Rican family adventure.
Photo by Ariel Frager
Chocolate Cafe
Puerto Rico boasts the ideal climate for growing cacao, and some wild cacao trees can still be found on the island. Once a prominent crop, it no longer holds the same industry sway as other export products like sugarcane and ginger. However, chocolate remains a key ingredient in Puerto Rican culture, alongside traditional ceremonies and celebrations.
One way to experience the island’s deep devotion to all things chocolate is to visit Chocobar Cortés,with restaurants in Old San Juan and Condado. This nearly century-old family business produces high quality beans for bar chocolate in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. All menu items at Chocobar include some form of their famous chocolate, with everything from chocolate grilled cheese sandwiches to chocolate-based cocktails and their rich hot chocolate.
El Yunque Rainforest Horseback Riding and Hiking
El Yunque, located in the northeast corner of the island, has the unique distinction of being the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. forest system. One way to experience the rainforest is on horseback. Carabaldi Rainforest Adventure Park operates in El Yunque, and visitors can amble beneath the forested canopy along the Mameyes River. After the ride, the Carabaldi Bar and Grill serves up a fantastic traditional Puerto Rican lunch.
Urban and Treetop Zip Lining
Located in the new heart of Old San Juan, Districto T-Mobile is a mall turned family center that has a little bit for everyone. Shops, restaurants, and giant screens with comfy chairs help make tourists comfortable. Sitting high at 90 and 120 feet above the commerce, Toroverde Urban Park features two back-to-back ziplines. Kids and their brave parents can sail across the urban center, Superman style. Once back down to Earth, a fully loaded arcade is waiting. The urban adventure park also boasts an indoor ropes course and labyrinth called Bull Maze. Participants are harnessed into ropes, as they climb from obstacle to obstacle above the video game arcade.
If urban ziplining isn’t your thing, the 2.5 kilometer zip “The Monster” is the longest in America (and one of the longest in the whole world). Toro Verde manages The Monster. The adventure park is located just 45 minutes outside of San Juan in Orocovis, where you will fly through the densely forested rolling mountains.
Old San Juan
When they call Old San Juan old, they aren’t kidding. Established by the Spanish in 1521, San Juan is the oldest settlement in the United States. Wander the colorful cobblestone streets to experience the colonial architecture, paired with religious and historical landmarks.
The Castillo San Felipe del Morro dazzles families, as an impressive citadel built high atop a cliffside fortress to push back naval invaders. El Morro, as it is affectionately known, was never defeated. Castillo San Cristobal was built to protect from attacks by land. Visitors can wander through both of these castles, and they are a short walk from the center of the historic district. There are plazas, cathedrals, shops, and restaurants to explore, whether you are a history buff, a foodie, or just wanting to soak in some of the sites.
San Juan
Vieques Island
Puerto Rico is actually an archipelago; the main island is just one of over 100 islands, islets, and cays. Vieques and Culebra Islands are the main destinations outside of the main island. Vieques is the largest of the other islands and is located only 6 miles away, either by air or sea. Over 60% of the land on Vieques is part of the National Wildlife Refuge housing mangrove forests, salt flats and pristine areas for sailing, diving and snorkeling. Vieques is the spot for families to head to if they are interested in a low-key, nature-focused getaway.
Crystal Clear Vieques is a locally owned, woman-owned business that offers expertly guided snorkeling tours that trade in owner Sarah Elise’s conversational marine expertise, creating a fun learning experience for all.
Flight to Vieques
Catamaran Sailing
One unique way to explore the Puerto Rican archipelago is to hire a private catamaran for a day of sun, salt, and sea. This is a wonderful option for large and multigenerational family adventures. A sailing trip offers a bit of fun for everyone, including opportunities to snorkel and swim, to jump off the boat into the blue of the Caribbean sea, and drink cocktails while watching the sunset. Belladventuras operate out of the Puerto Del Rey Marina in Fajardo.
Catamaran sailing stop
Beach: Swimming, Surfing, and Sand
Seemingly endless white sand beaches touching the bright blue waters and sky, what’s not to love on a beach day in Puerto Rico? Home to one of the most consistently top-rated beaches in the world, Flamingo Beach on the Puerto Rican island of Culebra is worth the journey from the main island to soak in the scenery and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Playa Tamarindo, also on Culebra, is well known for snorkeling. It’s also protected from the bigger waves, which makes it ideal for swimming with little ones.
The Northwest section from Isabela to Rincon has the most consistent surf breaks to satisfy surfers of all skill levels. Surfing is mostly a three-season sport, as the swell slows considerably in the summer. With ocean water temperatures in the 80s nearly year round, most surfers wear a rashguard as wetsuits are unnecessary.
Cayo Icacos near Fajardo
Waterslide/Pool Time
Even though there are plenty of things to do in Puerto Rico, one of the great pleasures of a Caribbean vacation is to chill by the pool. The bigger resorts have multiple pools, swim-up bars, and hot tubs with beach views. The truly spectacular Coqui Water Park at El Conquistador Resort in Farajo is consistently rated the top resort with a water slide in Puerto Rico.
You can also enjoy poolside slides at Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Rainforest Beach and Golf Resort and Hilton Ponce Golf and Casino Resort.
A Condado pool
Eat
The rich blend of cultures creates delicious traditional Puerto Rican dishes pulling from Spanish, African, and Indigenous Taíno influences. The layers of flavors — incorporating the island’s abundance of fresh fruit, fish, beans, and deeply seasoned (but not all that spicy) cuisine — gives rise to what Puerto Ricans call their traditional foods, Comida Crillola, or Creole Food.
It’s the mixture of all the cultures encompassing Puerto Rico that makes the food so enchanting. Be sure to try deep-fried appetizers like salt cod fritters and empanadas filled with everything from tuna, chicken, beef, cheese, and even sweet ones filled with jam or chocolate. Smashed green plantains are the main ingredient in mofongo, often served with stewed fish or meat. Arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas) is a stable food on the island and the national dish of Puerto Rico. Lechonera los Amigos serves up some of the highest-rated, most authentic traditional Puerto Rican foods. Casita Miramar is another restaurant that prides itself on offering Puerto Rican food that tastes like abuela made it.
Puerto Rico: A Prime Destination for Families
Puerto Rico offers American families an opportunity to explore all the benefits of a tropical paradise without needing to pull out the passports. All the comforts of stateside travel, but with true island flair.
Photos by Ariel Frager
—
Ariel Frager loves to get outside to play, be it surfing, traveling the world or walking the dog. She is a school counselor and mental health therapist during the week and pursues her passion for exploring new places and cultures as a travel writer. Ariel’s writing has been published in a variety of print and online outlets including: Travel + Leisure, Gear Junkie, Bearfoot Theory, Family Vacationist and others. Ariel writes about outdoor and family adventures in her beloved Pacific Northwest and beyond. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her family.
The post Top 10 Family Adventures in Puerto Rico appeared first on Road Trips For Families.