Puerto Rico. The land of crystal clear waters, tiny singing frogs, and Don Q Rum! My husband Tim and I along with my brother and his wife took off on an adults-only vacation to the island of Puerto Rico. Anxious to leave my boys, this was the first time Tim and I had EVER been on a vacation together since we had been married 15 years ago. (minus a night here or there to the beach or Vegas)

I am the only one that had been to Puerto Rico before so while I felt like I knew a little bit of what this place had to offer, it was WAY DIFFERENT than my previous trip.

ACCOMMODATIONS

We stayed in Dorado, PR at the Embassy Suites Dorado del Mar. We love staying at Embassy’s because the breakfast is amazing and I knew from my last trip that we reeeeeally needed a good breakfast. This resort was on the beach, with a great pool area. Different pools and lounging areas with a round pool bar called the Blue Seahorse Pool Bar & Grill. Steak nachos were BOMMMBBBB! Super family-friendly and unbeknownst to us it was prom season so the hotel hosted a prom every night. The little beach/cove area is nice enough although murky. We still busted out our snorkels and saw some fish.

We ate dinner at the hotel restaurant Paradise Café twice. Amazing Puerto Rican food and of course Don Q Rum always in the glasses. I suggest you try the arroz con pollo and the jibaritos. Mmmmm!

Our room was perfect with a king bed in one room with a balcony (the best ocean view) and a small living area with table and chairs and a couch. Microwave and fridge in the room was nice as well.

DINING

Everyone has different preferences when it comes to food but on this trip we were pretty much all in agreement that we were going to try all the traditional Puerto Rican dishes we could. Just short of fish with eyes on it, of course.

In addition to eating at our hotel restaurant, these are a couple other places we highly recommend.

While waiting for our mini motor tour at Puerto Chico in Fajardo, we ate at the restaurant there called Cinco Nudos. It’s an open restaurant that overlooks the marina. The food was OUTSTANDING

And the other place we recommend was when we ate on our lunch break from and adventure tour. They took us to the Luquillo kiosks. The tour guide recommended a couple of kiosks and they are numbered. We checked out #22, Jibaros. The employees were super friendly and we sat on the upper deck over looking the beach there. We each ordered an appetizer and entre. Which consisted of tri-fongo, surullitos, arroz con gandules, tostones, and I had the best mahi mahi. And, you guessed it, Don Q in our glasses to wash all that deliciousness down.

ENTERTAINMENT

Snorkeling is huge all around the island of Puerto Rico because of the stunning blue waters and beautiful reefs. If you’re lucky, you’ll see some sea turtles as well. We brought our own snorkel masks with us and always had them on hand so we snorkeled everywhere we could. Explored reefs, saw huuuuge conch shells, fish, sea urchins, and crabs.

We took the short drive over to Seven Seas Beach and did some snorkeling one of those times where we also rented a couple kayaks to go out to some reefs. Beware, it’s definitely harder than it looks to get back into the kayaks with a life jacket on and you can’t touch the ground. I may have just held on to the front with my legs while my husband paddled us around after I jumped out the first time!

After our self-guided kayak and snorkeling fun we jaunted on over to Puerto Chico to do a mini boat & snorkeling tour. OMGosh!! You guys, it was the MOST FUN EVER! I was slightly terrified in the beginning because my husband is generally a terrible driver and he would be the captain of our mini boat but once we got on the water it was on and crackin’! We were flyin’ over those waves, catching air, and then we’d anchor and get off to snorkel. Our guides we’re great and informative. THIS IS A MUST DO!

We also did an all day adventure tour. We were picked up in a bus with a group of people and our first stop was El Yunque rain forest where we walked/climbed the stairs to the top of Yokahu Tower for a phenomenal view of the plush rain forest. Then we were taken to a small waterfall on the side of the road that we were able to climb up on and snap a few photos. Last part of El Yunque we took a short hike down to the river that we got to swim in for about 30 minutes. The second I stepped in the water, the big group of fish just surrounded my legs. And swimming in that river was by far one of the coolest things I have done thus far.

From there we were taken to Luquillo kiosks for lunch where we ate and got a little time in at the beach there before being taken to our last adventure of the day, Bio Bay kayak tour. This is something I, personally, was super stoked about because this was something on my must-do list. However, let me say that the excitement was short-lived. When they offer you mosquito repellent, take it. Take it all! Then reapply. The mosquitoes that are in the passage that you kayak through to the bay are relentless. They bite through your clothes. We all wore bug spray and I still came out with at least 60 bites on the back of my arms/shoulders ALONE. The bioluminescent aspect of the bay was greatly exaggerated and once into the bay after listening to facts about the area from your guide, you’re given a tarp to put over your head to see the bio in the water. It simply looks like oxygen bubbles underwater, guys. Needless to say, I would not do this again. Nonetheless, we still had fun as always.

Puerto Rico has an abundance of options when talking about entertainment or night life. Whatever you’re feeling, they’ve got it. Dancing, singing, jazz lounge, outdoor patios, shows, live music, etc. And it’s all magnificent. Thursday night, we all got gussied up and headed over to La Placita in Santurce where they do the “street party” Thursday through Sunday nights. A huge square filled with open bars, restaurants, street music, food, tables, chairs, dance clubs, and lots of people. It is the best atmosphere for us that like to submersed in culture and love to people watch.

SHOPPING

Even though we didn’t do much shopping while on the island, we did walk around Old San Juan where the streets are full of all kind of eclectic shops with jewelry, goods, clothes, art, food and more. Explored all the streets there in the heat, in and out of old buildings, a church, the birds in the square, and the umbrella lined street. It is a must see!

OVERALL

Our trip to Puerto Rico really was the trip of a lifetime. We had the best time just going by the seat of our pants and checking things out all around the island. This time no plans were the best plans and I cannot wait for our next trip!

Raisin’ hell and gentlemen,
xoxo Island Mama