My Happy Place: Puerto Rico!

The most important choice you will ever make, I tell my kids, is whom you marry. Fortunately, in 1997 I made the best choice as I married a Puerto Rican and he is fabulous. I won't list all the reasons for this bold statement, just one of them: he grew up in Puerto Rico and he takes me and the kids there pretty regularly. Anyone who follows me on Instagram or Facebook and gets my updates in their feed will attest to the fact that based on my photos, PR is truly the most amazing place in the world. I have never been to Hawaii because we live on the East Coast in the US and I find no reason to go all that way when I can be in PR after a 3.5 hour flight. No jet lag. I get asked, based on my posts, for my travel recommendations in PR, so I figured I'd pop it all into this blogpost, so I don't have to keep cobbling together messages for my friends planning their adventure. Here you go.

We are partial to the Rincon area, which is about 2-2.5 hours west of San Juan. I do recommend spending 1-2 nights in San Juan, depending on when you land. Visit Old San Juan and visit El Yunque, the rainforest, about an hour east of San Juan. In Rincon, I suggest getting an AirBnB. It's the chill, surfer area - a worldwide mecca for surfers. Great beaches! And a cute little downtown area with great restaurants. I also recommend driving to the southwest corner and going to the bioluminescent bay in La Parguera, and also checking out the lighthouse in Cabo Rojo - there is a beach there called Playa Sucia that is really beautiful too. Check out some of my pictures below, with captions showing where they are. And make sure you try the mofongo, a typical dish that is full of delicious carbs. If you're like me and don't drink alcohol, many places now have Heineken Zero, or ask for a Perrier if you prefer seltzer.  I'll add to this blog as I go, but if you have specific questions feel free to send me a message.

El Morro, San Juan

Viejo San Juan

El Morro - can't miss it!

Stand up paddleboarding at sunset in Rincon (literally my favorite thing to do in the world)

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Playa Crashboat (Aguadilla) - a favorite stop!

Swimming at Playa Crashboat (Aguadilla)

Diving off the Crashboat pier (a favorite activity!)

Rent a boat for a few hours at La Parguera and visit the "cayos" - Monday is the best day to avoid crowds

Cayo Caracoles (La Parguera)

Mofongo mixto (pulpo y carrucho) - mofongo with octopus & conch at Pa'l 22 in Rincon

Ensalada de pulpo & carrucho (octopus & conch salad) & tostones

Pozo de Jacinto at Playa Jobos

Surf at Playa Jobos or at the Rincon beaches - check the surf report first. Lessons available at both locations.

Exploring by Guanica

Hiking by Faro Los Morrillos in Cabo Rojo

Faro Los Morrillos in Cabo Rojo

Sunset at Beach House restaurant in Rincon (one of the best places to see the sunset if not on a SUP!)

We literally never want to leave

Here are some links I recommend checking out:
Eco Water Adventure - we took an amazing tour on SeaDoos, of the cays all around La Parguera. What a great adventure, worth every penny!
Faro Los Moros in Cabo Rojo - this is always a must on each trip. The views from the cliff up by the lighthouse are stunning, and the hike down to Playa Sucia, especially in the trails hugging the shoreline, is beautiful.
Best Beaches in Rincon - Rincon is the hippy part of PR, with lots of US and international surfers who went there on vacation and basically never went back home. (I know, tempting!). This is a pretty good list of the best beaches.
10 Reasons to Celebrate PR in 2022 - a pretty good overview.