THINGS I WANT TO DO NEXT VISIT

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It's always the same: I read through guide books before I go on a journey, and I don't see even half the things I had hoped to. Here are the places that are on my list to see and do next time I'm in Puerto Rico.

• Bacardi Rum Plant: (We got as far as the plant and enjoyed the free drinks, but didn't have time for the tour.) Take a 45-minute tour of the world's largest rum distillery, Bacardi Museum, and be rewarded with a tasty sample at the end of your visit. The tour isn't of the actual rum-making facility, but is instead focused on the Bacardi family. You get tickets for two free drinks. Take a ferry over from Old San Juan. Before you leave the museum make a mini video at one of the kiosks and email it to your friends and family back home.
Address: Highway 888
Catano San Juan
Puerto Rico
Tel: [phone]

• Spend a full day in old San Juan. We spent just a few hours there and it simply wasn't enough. We drove past Castillo San Cristóbal, one of the largest Spanish fortresses in the new world, but only saw the imposing sight of Castillo San Felipe del Morro (or el Morro) from a distance via the ferry. I would have loved to have sampled some of the phenomenal cuisine in the district, and enjoyed a bottle of wine ???. The Segwey tours of the area also looked fun, and I would have enjoyed flying a kite on the extensive esplanade between the citadel and the town.

• Explore the Red Beach and Blue Beach on Vieques.

• Explore Zoni Beach on Culebra. This beach is supposedly even more gorgeous than Flamenco and visited by fewer tourists.

• Camarero Race Track (now renamed Hipodromo Camarero) — horse races in the afternoon, 5 days/week: There are races 5 days a week (not Tuesdays or Thursdays). Post time on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, & Saturday is 2:45pm, and Sunday is 2:15pm. The last race is usually at 6:00pm. Parking is free, and there are no entrance fees. Located on Rt 3, in Canovanas, only 12 miles east of San Juan. Take Rt 66 until the end (at Belz Factory Outlets), then turn left onto Rt 3. The entrance is on the left.

• El Yunque National Forest — hike 1 or 2 of the short trails like La Mina, Big Tree, Baño de Oro, Mount Britton, Caimatillo, Juan Diego, or Angelito. Mostly I want to take a dip a pool at the foot of a waterfall. And see the 360º view of the island from the top of the tower.

• Yunke Zipline (near El Yunque National Forest). The adventure consists of 7 ziplines and 3 rappells (rope descents). Six ziplines and two rappels take place on a hillside within the forest. These ziplines are between 80 and 200 feet in length and offer a unique opportunity to enjoy the forest canopy. The cost is $99/person. Groups of 12 or more people receive a discount. Puerto Rico residents (with photo id, like a driver’s license) are offered a 20% discount on Sundays. Do tip. You need to be of moderate physical ability — there is a 0.8 mile walk (much of it uphill) at the beginning of your adventure. Closed-toe shoes are required. Wear longer shorts (no short-shorts) or light-weight pants. Bring 1 bottle of water per person in your group. Bring a small backpack for 1 person in your group (to hold your bottles of water, camera, etc). They do this trip rain or shine. Trip twice/day (at 9:00am and 2:00pm) 7 days/week. Must be 10+. 3-4 hours. http://yunkezipline.wordpress.com/ Call 1-787-242-3368 or email [e-mail]

• Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve in Fajardo: (This was actually just a mile or so from our villa near Seven Seas Beach.) The General Tour at Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve is done by "trolley". Through different stations, the visitor learns about the ecological importance of the mangrove forest, the offshore coral reefs, the sandy beach, the rocky coast and the bioluminescent Laguna Grande. At the Lighthouse, the visitor learns about the restoration of this historic building and sees samples of the different animal species and ecosystems present in the Reserve. http://www.fideicomiso.org/ Regular tours: $8/adults, $5/students. Tours in English are given at 2:00pm. Moonlight tour: Thursdays through Saturdays, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm, by reservation only. $20. Call 787.722.5844 or 787.722.5882.

• Dine at La Estacion, in Fajardo. This is a fabulous outdoor, local flavor restaurant owned and operated by two New Yorkers less than a quarter mile from the Las Casitas Golden Door Resort and Golf Club. You will recognize it by the awning which is actually the original overhang from the "gas station" that formerly served the property. The wife is from Puerto Rico and met her spouse in New York where they used to live. This cool establishment offers fabulous beverages, fresh tropical salads and most of all the best tasting barbeque fare in all of Puerto Rico. This young couple have their own smoker (outside) and flavor all of their carnivorous selections with their own authentic mix of Puerto Rican taste sensations. Kabobs, fried green bananas and papaya salad are a few of the menu selections that will knock your socks off. A cute sitting area graces the patio with cushioned chairs and a hammock. Latino music fills the air and if you're in the mood, there is a pool table just inside the cozy indoor cantina area. The owners and staff are very friendly and will take good care of you!

• Tour Fajardo’s World Famous Bioluminescent Lagoon via kayak or electric boat.

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Comments

[mom]

Tourist tips
nice job on your must see recommendations!