Monday, December 27, 2021

How to Stay Entertained in Puerto Rico

 

Winter is rolling around, which means that it is time to start planning spring break trips. There are a ton of options for spring break trip destinations that you can choose from. Whether you are looking for beaches or mountains, relaxing resorts or explorations of nature, there are a lot of choices. But one tried and true choice for spring break is to return to Puerto Rico and experience the island. Coming back to Puerto Rico is always a great choice, and there are tons of things to do in PR. Here are three ways to stay entertained in Puerto Rico.

Enjoy the Nightlife

The nightlife in Puerto Rico is unbelievable. From lowkey bars to full out clubs, you can find the right place for your vibe every single night of the week. A must-visit nightlife attraction in Puerto Rico is La Placita de Santurce. La Placita is a farmer’s market in the daytime, and at night it transforms into Puerto Rico’s coolest outdoors club, featuring restaurants, bars, and incredible live music to help you party through the night. There are tons of other options to explore as well, make sure to take some of it in during your stay.

Do Ocean Activities

The island of Puerto Rico offers some of the most incredible ocean beaches that the world has to offer. Everything from swimming, boating, kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving are possible and incredible in Puerto Rico. You absolutely must try scuba diving in Puerto Rico, it is a great place for first timers to give it a shot. You do need to know how to swim well to go scuba diving, so make sure that you have taken swimming lessons before suiting up.

Experience Nature

Puerto Rico has some of the most incredible natural landscapes that you can find anywhere in the world, you absolutely must explore some of the natural beauty that PR has to offer. A great place to check out is El Yunque Rainforest, which is the only tropical rainforest that is protected via the US National Forest System. If you prefer some more glowing natural attractions, then head to the bioluminescent bay at Laguna Grande. About an hour outside of San Juan, you can paddle in a clear bottom kayak across the Laguna Grande and see the bioluminescent plankton that glow when disturbed.

There is so much to explore in Puerto Rico. If you are thinking about taking a trip back to Puerto Rico, this is your signal that the time is right. Make sure to check out these three activities to stay entertained during your stay in Puerto Rico.

Of course, another excellent way to spend time in PR is eating delicious, traditional food! Check out this article on unique Puertorican cuisine!

Thursday, December 23, 2021

Isabela Puerto Rico

 jobos beach isabela puerto rico

The beach town of Isabela Puerto Rico has become a premiere tourist destination on the island for the wide variety of attractions available for many different types of travelers. The area encompasses a wide variety of terrains, including coastal flats, forests, mountains, rivers, lakes, cliffs, and caves, making it an ideal place for any type of adventure. Also known as the "Garden of the Northwest" for the kaleidoscope of wild tropical flowers that grow in the region, the area is considered one of the most beautiful places on the island.

Founded on May 21, 1819, the town was named to honor Queen Isabel of Spain. The area celebrates a unique indigenous culture and traditions that have been passed down through generations. Their pride in their history can be seen in a large statue of Taíno chief Mabodamaca carved into the mountainside, placed there to showcase the courage and spirit of the people. Legend says Mabodomaca leaped to his death rather than be captured during the Indigenous Rebellion of 1511.

The entertainment hub of Isabela is the town plaza, which contains a beautiful park with a large bandshell, pools, and fountains. The plaza is where the region’s famous Gastronomic Festival is held, along with other popular festivals throughout the year. Each June, the town holds its patron saint festival, the Fiestas Patronales de San Antonio de Padua, featuring parades, rides, games, live entertainment, artisans, and local foods. Other notable festivals include a Textile Festival and a Weave Festival in May and a Muscle Cars Auto Show and an International Tango Festival in August.

Isabela Puerto Rico is well-known for year-round surfing for those at all levels of surfing experience. The world-class surfing conditions has led to the town hosting some Rip Curl Pro competitions and two World Cup Surfing Championships. Middles Beach, where powerful currents and offshore wave breaks combine for ideal surfing conditions, is home to a very popular annual surfing competition.

Isabela's beaches are also accommodating to swimmers and snorkelers. One of the most popular beaches is Jobos beach, with swimming, snorkeling, and surfing areas along with restaurants and bars for relaxing with the locals. Shacks beach is favored for snorkeling, surfing, and diving, while Montones beach is good for families due to a shallow pool for swimming safely.

Visitors to Isabela will also want to visit the Guajataca State Forest, a pristine nature reserve containing 156 types of trees and 45 species of birds. With 25 miles of trails to explore, an observation tower, and a beautiful natural cave filled with limestone rock formations, this forest offers a wide range of adventures. The forest system allows camping and provides parking, fresh water, and bathrooms.

The state forest also contains Guajataca Lake, which is great for kayak and paddleboard activities, and the Guajataca Tunnel. The tunnel was used by the railroad in the early 1900s to transport sugar crops between Isabela and the town of Quebradillas. Today, the tunnel is a beautiful historic path leading to some of the best beach scenery on the island.

The accommodations available in Isabela range from rustic to luxurious. Some of the most popular are the beachfront cabins of Villas del Mar Hau on Montones beach. There is also the Villa Montaña Beach Resort, which offers one- to three-bedroom villas with private patio terraces and jacuzzis. For the height of luxury, a stay in Royal Isabela’s cliff-side private villas with their private pools will provide an experience that will never be forgotten.

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Sites of Interest

Isabela -Discover the perfect beachside getaway Discover Puerto Rico
The Best of Isabela, Puerto Rico – Tourism 2021 - Puerto Rico Travel Guide
Isabela - Welcome to Puerto Rico

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

How to Plan Your Next Winter Getaway to Puerto Rico

 

The beautiful, colorful, cultural island of Puerto Rico is the perfect destination vacation, especially during the Winter months. Warm sand and sun is the ideal spot for a getaway from otherwise cold and snowy weather! Here are a few things to think about as you plan your next getaway to Puerto Rico.

Identify Some Location Attractions

First thing’s first: create an itinerary! Look into the many tourist attractions that make Puerto Rico such an attractive location. This is an island where adventure and relaxation are both easily accessible— the thrill-seekers can try ziplining, surfing, snorkeling, cultural events, and exploring the colorful streets of this island’s coastal towns. Those who just need a beautiful and warm place to relax and take in some rays can spend their hours at any of the island's gorgeous beaches, or trying out the many amenities in Puerto Rico’s resorts. Better yet, find a balance of both and take advantage of all these things the island offers!

Make Your Arrangements

Make the necessary accommodations for your stay! Start with your lodging—Puerto Rico has plenty of hospitality options, including hotels, resorts, and air bnb’s for any price range, all of which offer various benefits and amenities. Pick a place that offers what you need, where you need it! Once you have your lodging reserved, figure out how you will get around! While the public transportation and ride shares or private transportation platforms can get you from place to place, it may be easiest to invest in a rental car. This ensures that you will always have access to wherever you want to go, on your time tables, with the added benefit of your freedom of exploration! Young adults should keep in mind the age requirements on rentals. Under 25 drivers need to pay an extra surcharge for a rental car. This fee may still be worth that freedom and flexibility that comes with your own ride during your trip!

Pack Right

Make sure you’re prepared with the right clothes and supplies for your trip! Do some background research on the projected weather during your stay, and look into what the activities you intend to participate in suggest for clothing. Don’t forget the basics of any international trip: sunscreen and basic medications, comfortable shoes, and a way to protect your possessions from being stolen or damaged (like a money belt.) Being prepared will help the trip go smoothly, comfortably, and stress-free!

Puerto Rico may be your favorite vacation spot for years to come, if you are prepared with a great itinerary, great accommodations, and the right clothes and supplies for an easy trip!

Read this next: Tips For Getting Cheap Last Minute Holiday Deals

Monday, December 20, 2021

Explore New York City

 Statue of Liberty

One of the most fascinating cities in the United States to explore is New York City. The city is famous for having some of the most unique attractions in the country and there are new experiences available around every corner. Because there are so many places to explore, many visitors choose to use a travel app or a city travel guide to figure out where to go and what to see. Here are a few things you won’t want to miss when you explore New York City.

Statue Of Liberty – This gift from France is one of the top attractions in the country, hosting 3.2 million visitors annually. Its home on Liberty Island is a short boat trip across the water. Nearby Ellis Island holds an Immigration Museum in a historic immigration station complex that was the first stop for thousands of immigrants entering the U.S.

Central Park – Central Park is a great place to experience nature in the heart of the city. Stretching 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide, the park offers numerous ways to explore, including walking paths, bike paths, and carriage rides. The park also offers a multitude of free and low-cost attractions, making it a good choice for spending a day.

Rockefeller Center – This spectacular 70-story Art Deco skyscraper offers several incredible experiences. The Observation Deck located at the top of the building has amazing views of Manhattan from its indoor and outdoor viewing spaces. In the winter, an outdoor skating rink offers wholesome fun for families and couples and a massive decorated Christmas tree appears outside of the building after Thanksgiving.

High Line – This raised urban walking trail is a former rail line that has been turned into a public park planted with a variety of native plants and trees. This unique park can be accessed at various points along the route and other areas are lined with glass railings to provide exceptional views of the city from a whole new perspective.

Metropolitan Museum of Art - Hosting more than two million works of art in its permanent collection, this is one of the most celebrated museums in the nation. The museum is divided into three sites, each holding incredible exhibitions of some of the most famous works in the world. Its most popular exhibits include its Ancient Egyptian collection and its classical Greek and Roman art.

New York Public Library - Featured in numerous movies and TV shows, the main branch of the library is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks with its famous stone lions guarding the entrance. It is also one of the largest libraries in the world, with its Main Reading Room spanning the length of two city blocks. The library holds special collections of English and American literature and has an extensive assortment of maps and rare books.

Carnegie Hall – This concert hall, built in 1891, reportedly has some of the best acoustics in the world. Guided tours offer a look behind the performances and highlight some of the many artists who have been featured there.

Broadway Theaters - Attending a Broadway performance is one thing nearly every visitor to New York City wants to do. There are a large number of venues in the Theater District hosting popular Broadway shows showcasing exceptional talent. Tickets sell out quickly so purchase tickets to the shows you want to see well in advance.