Our Puerto Rico adventure came about way more unplanned than usual. I tend to plan trips and book them at least 6 months in advance. Our travel dates were scheduled for January 18 to January 25, 2025 and from January 7 to January 31, 2025 were the series of destructive wildfires that affected the Los Angeles area and San Diego County in California. The wildfires caused unimaginative death and destruction to the area and I understand that the loss of tourism income in the aftermath of tragedy can be a continual devastation to the areas. However, this trip was scheduled for not the aftermath, but rather the middle of the devastation and I felt that visiting and taking a hotel room in the area while so many people were displaced would have been insensitive at best. So, we pivoted. We ended up taking the trip to CA later (see the blog in LA & Disneyland California for details), but in 2025, we found ourselves visiting Puerto Rico instead (queue big cheering from my sun-obsessed teens!). So, without further ado, here are 5 (or more) things I learned and/or loved about Puerto Rico!
1. Learned: I wish I had a Mario Kart: Puerto Rico edition to help prepare me to drive in PR. It’s no joke, you will be honked at, you will be passed in the right or left turning lanes or the shoulder of the highway. 😯
2. LOVED! Balneario Punta Salinas Beach, a warm water beach on a peninsula so swimming is in a bay area, but open ocean waves to look at just beyond. 😍
3. LOVED! El Yunque National Forest, especially Angelito Trail. 🌴 Book here: vi.me/gKUPO use the links at the bottom of my page and I can help you with all your bookings!
4. LOVED! Old San Juan: cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, huge historic doors, gelato, so much to see, explore and take in. 🫠 Book here: vi.me/wsu7m or use the links at the bottom of my page and I can help you with all your bookings!
5. LOVED! Mini Boats on the ocean, this was the most fun excursion, rated #1 by our family. 🌟 Book here: vi.me/A5zoh or use the links at the bottom of my page and I can help you with all your bookings!
6. Loved/Learned: Lodging location was Bayamon. We really liked the Hyatt Place – Bayamon, but it wasn’t in the center of any of the things we enjoyed so it was always a long-ish drive so a little stressful (see #1). 🛌
7. Loved/Learned: Abracadabra. The food: so so good! 🤤 The location: little scary. I witnessed a few seemingly illegal transactions take place across the street while we ate brunch. IYKYK
8. LOVED! Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristobal – UNESCO World Heritage sites and loaded with history. 🏰
Overall, I would rate visiting Puerto Rico an 8/10. The only downside was the driving and if I could get someone else to drive, it would be an easy 10/10. To book other Puerto Rico excursions (including ones where you don't have to drive) click here: vi.me/t0hq1 or use the links at the bottom of my page and I can help you with all your bookings!