I hope this post finds you well. As promised, here is the fifth and final issue in my Travel Tuesdays series. So grab a pirate’s punch and let’s hoist off on an epic adventure to stunning San Juan Puerto Rico.
Located in the Caribbean, nestled between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, and just east of the Dominican Republic is the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. Historically speaking, this island is a colourful cultural and racial mix of Spanish, Taínos and African. The Taíno Indians who inhabited the territory, called the island Boriken or Borinquen which translates: “land of the great lords” or “the great land of the valiant and noble Lord”. A little fun fact is that San Juan named for (St. John the Baptist), was the name of the island and and the town was called Puerto Rico. It was only later that these two were switched.
In San Juan, we chose to go on the Old and New tour of the city and it was exceptional. Even though it was an overcast and rainy day we still had a blast exploring the town. Our guide Charlie had a wealth of knowledge about the people and places of Puerto Rico that kept us thoroughly engaged. We explored the tunnels and other defenses of the 17th-century military fortification, Fort San Cristobal. We visited the Cristo Chapel, the Governor’s Mansion and other historical sites. We checked out San Jose Church, El Convento Hotel, the Condado section of New San Juan, and popped by the gated community where Ricky Martin’s parents live!
Here are some of the most exciting highlights of the island:
- The Vieques Biobay (go kayaking then take a swim in the green, glowing bioluminescent bay)
- Camuy Caves (rappel down the mouth of the cave, go mud-sliding, body rafting, and free jumping)
- Old and New San Juan Tour (interesting architecture and fascinating oral history of the island)
Cheers,
From the beautiful island Puerto Rico,
Char a.k.a Epic Mom
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OMG I was thinking about you yesterday and bam there was your email in box!!
It has been so long since we chatted and I absolutely love your new website
Congrats on your 1 year anniversary
You rock
Lady Bren!!!
It’s been way too long hon. I hope you’re doing well. Thanks for the great regards. We should catch up!
Hugs,
Char
Loved this – brought back the memories of my trip to PR. We loved the fort and walking around the little streets. We never got to see where Ricky Martin’s parents lived! You must have had an “in” with that tour guide 🙂
Leigh @ oneandoneequalstwinfun
I’m glad PR was awesome for you too Leigh. Did you do any other tours there that you would recommend?
It is so beautiful there – awesome pictures!!
Stopping by from the voiceBoks WW group 🙂
Thanks Christina, it felt like there was a wealth of photo opportunities everywhere you looked! I can’t wait to go back!
wow, Puerto Rico is beautiful! it somehow reminds me of my native land Philippines 🙂
visiting from voiceboks!
Spanish Pinay
Puerto Rico is unbelievably beautiful and from what I’ve heard from my girlfriends, it is quite reminiscent of the Philippines!
great tour and photos. I lived in Puerto Rico for about 9 months. It is beautiful there. Hugs!
Wow Katherine, you are so lucky! I would have loved to live there for a while. I brought home some books on Puerto Rico because I’m so fascinated by their history and culture, for me reading about it is the next best thing! 🙂
Hugs,
Char
Beautiful captures. They look like postcards.
Awww, thanks Teresa!
WOW! that last picture of the tree is so cool! Beautiful!
Thanks Becky Jane! It felt like there were beautiful shots to be taken everywhere I looked!
Beautiful pictures!! Puerto Rico seems like a beautiful place to visit and or live!
I can’t wait to take my kids there when they get older, they’re going to love it!
Stunning photos! Stopping by to say Hi from Voiceboks Wordless Wednesday group.
Have a great day!
Thanks Linda!
Wow, I love the colors of the buildings on the street. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your beautiful adventure with us!
Thanks Courtney, I felt like I couldn’t get a bad shot that day in San Juan if I tried…I didn’t try to though! 🙂