It’s been the better part of a year since I came home from my Big Road Trip, and in that time I’ve settled back down, gotten an apartment, and reacquainted myself with the slow life. But now that my travel bug has had a chance to rest, she has been reactivated and is looking to get back out there. The first trip I’ve taken that required a flight basically since before Covid started was to San Juan, Puerto Rico. We stayed mostly in and around San Juan – exploring the old city, tasting an aged rum that is older than I am, snorkeling with sea turtles, and visiting a National Park site that has existed twice as long as the US itself. I loved this place and the people here so much – I can’t wait to go back and explore more of the island.
San Juan
The city of San Juan recently celebrated its 500th birthday, and she is looking fabulous. It’s such a charming beautiful old city – it kind of reminded me of a Caribbean New Orleans. We explored the old city, ate so much good food, drank lots of good rum, enjoyed the fine amenities of our old city hotel (including an open bar, and a rooftop deck with soaking tubs!) and pet lots of friendly cats.
Ron Del Barillito
When in Rome, do as the Romans; when in Puerto Rico, drink all the rum. We wanted to do a rum tour and asked the staff at our hotel for a recommendation – would they recommend the Bacardi tour? Direct quote: “Bacardi sucks, go to del Barrilito instead.” I’m so glad we took their suggestion – the tour was fun and informational, and the rum was incredible. We got to try a sip of a 35 year old rum that costs more per bottle than several cars I’ve owned. It tasted like heaven and I don’t know when I’ll ever get to taste something like that ever again.
Beach and Snorkeling in Escambrón Marine Park
Did you even go to the Caribbean if you didn’t go snorkeling? We spent the day at the beach then joined a guided snorkeling tour of the protected Escambrón Marine Park. We saw lots of tropical fish, some black sea urchins, and most excitingly, we got to swim with a sea turtle. Unfortunately my phone didn’t want to cooperate with the underwater case so I have no photos of the gorgeous sea life we encountered, but I promise the views were immaculate. Did I also mention that there was a men’s water polo tournament occurring on the same beach? When I said the views were immaculate, I meant the WHOLE view.
San Juan National Historic Site
I have been to National Park properties all over the United States, but there was something special about going to one on a Caribbean island. The history here is very long and very interesting; the park protects the fort and city wall, parts of which go back to the very founding of San Juan five centuries ago, but which were useful as military installments as recently as the Second World War.
Alyson Gagne 