My friend, your friend, our friend: Fajardo, PR

Yo! I was recently asked for advice on what to do in Fajardo by a friend. I figured I would share it with you as well! Read my response below: 

Where to start?! 

Fajardo is AMAZING - about 45 minutes from San Juan on one highway so it is an easy drive. 

First thing: On a clear night, check out the biobay tours, it is in Fajardo and BEAUTIFUL! You HAVE to reserve in advance, it is a hot tourist attraction and fills up quickly.

http://bioislandpr.com/service_excursion.html

That's the link to the electric boat tour. There are only two companies that offer electric boats otherwise you're kayaking through the 1/2 mile of mangroves until you reach the bay. 

Second: El Yunque. It is about 25 minute drive from Fajardo. Do it. The main trail is about 7.3 miles going and coming up the mountain. So worth it when you reach the top. If there is a clear day without plans - that's your day for El Yunque. When you get to the top, that view!!! UGH! I am in awe each time I go and I've been doing that trail since I was 17. Pack a backpack with water, granola, and wear comfy sneakers for sure! The rainforest opens at 6:30am which is when we like to go. Two hours up the trail, eat breakfast with a view. Two hours down the trail. Grab lunch. Hit the Beach. Grab Dinner. Get drinks and chill on the beach at night. That is usually how our day goes when we have a rainforest day. 

Third: Luquillo Beach (Balneario Luquillo). It is about 15 minute drive from Fajardo. The beach is situated behind "El Kioskos" which is a row of about 60 storefronts that act as bars, restaurants, clothing shops, ice cream parlos, pizza shops, etc. In PR they call all their beaches Balnearios which means spa. Luquillo is a crescent shaped beach with tons of jet ski, kayaking, parasailing activities for tourists and has been ranked as one the top 10 beaches to visit in the world. When you go to the kioskos, visit kiosko #2 at night for your group dinner at least one evening. Their food is fantastic!!! A bit pricey but so worth it. We make it our "Fancy night out" restaurant each time we go. Then we hang out on the beach at night because, well, you can do that in PR. 

Fourth: Balneario Escambron near Old San Juan. About a 50 minute drive from Fajardo. This beach is PERFECT for snorkeling. You can get gear cheap at the WalMart near Fajardo and take a day trip with some bread to this beach. There are some sand fleas so bring a large sheet. There are picnic tables to set up your stuff. The water is clear clear clear and the fish are unafraid.

Fifth: Viejo San Juan. After Escambron shower change and visit Old San Juan. El Morro (The fort) is about six levels deep - if you're going to visit the fort, wear sneakers and bring water. The entry fee is about $5 and grants you all access. The lowest level is the first ever brick and mortar laid on that bedrock and still stands today literally right above the ocean; it is majestic. Old San Juan comes alive at night as well. You can go bar hopping where the cruise ships line up for the night or just walk around in the day time and enjoy the beautiful architecture from colonial era Puerto Rico. 

Sixth: The Bacardi Factory. About a 90 minute drive from Fajardo. Buy these tickets in advance as well. http://www.visitcasabacardi.com/ I recommend the rum tasting tour. After each tour they have a bit of a party where you get a free drink and can hang out on the grounds of the family owned company. 

Seventh: Culebra Island. The ferry is 15 minutes from Fajardo. Something important to mention about Culebra, it will be an overnight trip so book a motel or hotel or AirBNB prior to your arrival. Get there early!!!! The line for the 9am ferry starts at about 6am. Pack food for the beach, and clothes for your overnight stay of course. They have a colony of feral cats on the island to keep the beach clean from crabs and rats and they are lovely and super social. Go to Flamenco Beach. Revel in its beauty and awe. Snorkel. Take pics. Enjoy life. 

Eight: Rio Mar. About 30 minutes from Fajardo. There is a hotel resort on the beach that you can chill out on  and at night they have a beach bar you can buy drinks and dance. 

Ninth: Hotel Conquistador. About 5 minutes from Fajardo. When you get to the main gate, tell them you are going to the casino and they will let you in. The casino is super fun and open to the public. 

 

Tenth: If you're up for an early early morning and want to take a full day trip. Visit Gilligan's Island. There is ONE ferry that goes there from a restaurant that can also bring your lunch if you don't want to pack a cooler. You can also kayak over from Guanica, PR from MaryLee's by the Sea rental shop. "There is an hourly ferry that departs from San Jacinto Restaurant (located just after turn onto rt 333) for about $8/person round trip (additional $$ for cooler/chairs etc). This restaurant will deliver a lunch to you on the island if you want. Their phone number is 787-821-4941. There are also a few other places in that area that offer boat trips during busier periods — just look for their signs." It is a drive from Fajardo, I'm talking like 90minutes to 2 hours if traffic is bad so you need to leave your place by like 6am to get to the 8am ferry line for the 9am departure so you can get a good spot on the little islands. 

This website has a ton of information for day trips if you need more information: 

http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/

Fajardo is one of the rainiest cities on the island. The northeast coast gets all the rain making it the most lush part of the island. It will rain everyday but for like 15 minutes spurts. Afterwards it will be HOT HOT HOT. Protect your skin and hair and hydrate. Most of all HAVE FUN! I hope you love my island. 

XO,

Nadia

Three Days in Jamrock

Lovelies!
I took a wonderful trip to Ocho Rios with my significant other and FIVE other couples last month for a 3 day jaunt on the tropical island.
Based on my previous travel which left me so exhausted (Tokyo and Puerto Rico) I decided splurging on a three day getaway focusing on rest and suntanning with my love was long overdue.

First thing is first, we stayed at a place called The Big White Villa. No joke. I didn't have the address when I checked into customs in Jamaica and they wouldn't let me in the country. I was diverted to the Information Desk to have them Google the address to the villa then routed back to Immigration to potentially enter the island.

This place is gorgeous! Seven bedrooms, two of them are really apartments on the pool deck level so I'm not sure if that counts. We were lucky enough to get the master bedroom complete with a jacuzzi tub and chaise sofa in the bathroom. I made good use of that jacuzzi tub on the last day when my skin was the color of burned toast. *Drop some organic coconut oil into hot water and soak lovelies. You'll thank me later.*

The best part of the trip was the food! Ugh. We had a Chef, Kevin, who made the BEST damn food I have ever had in my life. Our group went out to dinner at least twice and each time the food was disappointing. I blame bland tourist with their bland palates for causing the demise of cultural relevance in cuisine. We had akee and saltfish, dumplings, greens, fried plantains; that was just day one for breakfast. He made a stewed goat dish for our last night that had us licking our plates. It was divine.

If your family or a group of friends are looking for a place to stay in Ocho Rios I highly recommend The Big White Villa. Just remember to Google the address prior to your flight into Jamaica.

Second, we didn't do much touristy things since our time was supremely limited. We did make one excursion to a place called The Blue Hole. This place is up on a mountain top, about a 25 minute drive from the villa. Wear athletic bathing suits, if you're a woman who likes to look cute in strappy suits - just make sure to adjust yourself after each jump. You'll be cliff diving from 10ft to 25ft the entire time so make sure your top is on when you surface above the water. Learn from me lovelies. Learn from me. You might also want to work on your upper body strength as there is a rope swing about 3/4 of the way into the adventure and by that time your hands are too slippery for any real grip. I plummeted off that rope like a cement block. No bueno. To make up for my lackluster rope swing I decided to be the brave one of the group and jump off the highest cliff (25ft) into the beautiful blue waters below. The instructor adivsed me to jump with an open body and land with a closed "pencil-like" body. Clearly his vision was failing him as I was standing right in front of him, all 38-30-47 of me. I said "OK" and mentally prepared myself for the jump. I was NOT prepared for the stinging ass clap when I entered the water. I landed so hard I felt the sting on my asshole. As in, I was under the water and checked to see if my asshole was still in tact. That's how hard you enter the water. I was amazed I could walk out of the shoreline.

Third, hit up Sugar Pot Beach. It is a tiny beach about a 5 minute drive from the villa over a rather dubious looking bridge. You'll pass a fishing village complete with emaciated stray dogs and puppies (it is an island after all). You'll enter and pay a fee, the fee covers the space your taking up and maintenance. The beach is complete with a restaurant where everything is made to order (which means your food is ready in about 45 minutes) and small cabana areas to put your rental chair and belongings.   WORTH IT! DO IT!

Aside from that I will say as a New Yorker it takes me some time getting used to the laid back attitude of islanders. ANY time we ordered food from an establishment the wait time was minimum 25 minutes. People are not in a rush here. They want to make sure your food is delicious and they will make sure to take the time to get it just right for you. Mother's is a great fast food join we found with PHENOMENAL patties. Try them. If you have the time, find an ice-cream parlor and get some Grape Nut ice-cream. I can never find it stateside.

I didn't shop for souvenirs. I took advantage of all the down time and used my coconut oil as sunscreen to tan and catch up on my reading. I look forward to going next time to lounge on a different side of the island and learn more about the history of Jamaica. Bob Marley Museum anyone?

Until next time.

XO.
Nadia