Vieques is a true beauty. You can take a short flight or hop on the ferry in Ceiba to arrive at the small island. It has some of the best beaches in the Caribbean, and is filled with wild criollo horses. There are some great restaurants, particularly in the little town of Esperanza on the south coast, which sits right on a gorgeous bay with a boardwalk called El Malecón along the main street. Try award-winning Jose Enrique’s Placita at El Blok hotel, which is beautiful and exquisite. Don’t worry, it’s near other restaurants and bars. 787.497.7740.
Culebra is even smaller than Vieques, which you can get to via the ferry and by plane as well. The beaches are stunning stretches of white sand, great for sunning, windsurfing and diving. The culture and architecture are just as colorful as the waters of the bright blue sea. Culebra boasts of one of the top beaches in the world (once ranked #1 in the whole world!) - Flamenco Beach. 787.429.7740.
This is a must see. Old San Juan is located on a small and narrow peninsula about 45 minutes from Rio Mar. It is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and to the south by Bahia de San Juan, which lies between the city and the mainland. The city is characterized by its narrow, blue cobblestone streets, and flat roofed brick and stone buildings which date back to the 16th and 17th century- when Puerto Rico was a Spanish territory. Near Fort San Felipe del Morro, is the Casa Blanca, a palace built on land which belonged to the family of Ponce de Leon. You can roam within the Fort’s walls for a small fee paid upfront. You can purchase gorgeous souvenirs and island-life clothing. Make sure to take a walk down history on those old beautiful streets. Comfortable tennis shoes are recommended.
The famous El Yunque Rainforest is right across the main highway from Rio Mar, and serves as a beautiful backdrop to our resort. El Yunque is cool and mountainous, the only tropical rainforest in the US National Park system. The Mameyes River (The “Rio” in Rio Mar) runs into the ocean on the other side of the Wyndham hotel, originating from the mountains of El Yunque, and constantly flows due to the rains in the rainforest. Make sure to splash in the very cold and invigorating waters of this beautiful river. El Yunque has many cleared and maintained trails by the National Forest Service, with difficulty levels from easy beginner to challenging pro. As you hike you can listen to the birds chirping and the coqui’s beautiful sound. The entrance to El Yunque is right across the street on Hwy 3, and they have recently re-opened a beautiful visitor’s center, El Portal de El Yunque “The Window to El Yunque”. You can enjoy hiking here from 6 AM to 6 PM. The gates will close if the parking is full, so make sure to arrive early. Make sure to visit Yokahu Observation Tower, La Coca Falls, accessible from the main road, and La Mina Falls, a 25-30 minute hike each way (paved but fairly steep). 787.888.1880.
Hacienda Carabalí is just a 5 minute drive from the condominium. If you enjoy horseback riding, ATV’s and relaxing hayrides through the rainforest or at the beach then this is the spot for you. If you have children, they can ride another horse but cannot ride with you. You can also get a UTV for your family to ride in. There is a great treehouse restaurant and bar there as well so you can enjoy your day the fullest there. 787.889.5820.
There are multiple ziplining companies but this is a highly rated one near the condo. You can appreciate the beautiful El Yunque Rainforest through a zipline, seeing waterfalls and rivers from above. 787.529.2496.
