Things to do in Fajardo Puerto Rico: Beach Thursday photo essay

Posted on March 29, 2012 by LatinAbroad

This week’s Beach Thursday post is a photo essay about the things to do in Fajardo Puerto Rico. One of my favorite beach towns, I love its narrow roads that hug the ocean and the many hidden beaches to choose from. Also, it happens to be the doorway to the outlaying islands of Vieques and Culebra, which I will talk about in the coming weeks. Let’s discover Fajardo’s great food and spectacular scenery!

The Governor’s House Reserve

This claims the top spot of things to do in Fajardo Puerto Rico! Technically illegal to enter, no one is stopping you (or enforcing the law)! The sign is battered and the policemen that actually found my friends and I while there were simply checking us girls out whilst telling us to not pass a certain mark. Oh, yes, because we walked so far into the reserve that we actually found the secret Governor’s Beach House — as of the “Camp David” of the Governor of Puerto Rico. This is the reason why I have personally named this “unidentified” natural spot as “The Governor’s House Reserve” XD Ha! What an adventure. Only way of reaching this beauty is by walking for 30-40 mins. through the coast (from Seven Seas Beach) through water, rocks, bushes, and narrow dirt paths. This is how your trail should look like (read the photo captions for detailed instructions, by the way!)

things to do in Fajardo Puerto Rico, Seven Seas hidden beach

1. Walk toward the left of the entrance to the Seven Seas beach, until you see the rocky part. head that way (and take some photos with your friends on the way)

things to do in Fajardo Puerto Rico, Seven Seas hidden beach path

2. After the ocean rock path, you go through a path like this...for like 30-40 minutes...

things to do in Fajardo Puerto Rico, hidden beach

3. After ocean, rock, and bushy path, you encounter this...but there are some people here already. Thus, keep walking, toward the left side of that beach

things to do in Fajardo Puerto Rico, hidden beach waters

(this is the "oleaje peligroso" or "dangerous shorebreak" the sign warns you about, by the way)

things to do in Fajardo Puerto Rico, hidden beach reserve

4. Walk 15 minutes more...aaand here! Hope you made it!!

things to do in Fajardo Puerto Rico, hidden beach reserve 2

Ahhh, the beauty of my Puerto Rico, la Isla Del Encanto

Walk a little further, and you won’t see any fellow lawbreakers. At all. Enjoy!!

Bioluminescent Bay or Lagoon

things to do in Fajardo Puerto Rico, Bioluminescent bay

!!!

There are only 5 bioluminescent bays or lagoons in the world, from which a whooping 3 are located in Puerto Rico. One of them is in Fajardo and you can kayak there at night. My advice, of course, is for you to book a tour in order to reach the best area to see the bioluminescence. It is a truly magical experience. However, I believe Vieques’ Mosquito Bay has healthier organisms, making the glow stronger. You could be the judge yourself though, as La Isla Nena is a short $4-RT ferry ride, meaning you can visit both bays over a weekend!

Icacos, Palomino and Palominito Cays

things to do in Fajardo Puerto-Rico, Icacos

View from a beach in Icacos (Photo: Jeff Gunn, Flickr)

Speaking of boat rides, you should ither befriend some Puerto Ricans and/or hitch a boat ride to the islets (or cays) of Icacos, Palomino or Palominito. If you seek an isolated beach (other than the “Governor’s Reserve”! haha), Icacos is the least crowded of the 3, as you can only get there via private boat. Conversely, Palomino and Palominito are so well known that too many locals and now even tourists on tours from the nearby 5-Star El Conquistador Resort flood their tiny coasts daily. Still, if you like a good vibe, the latter have gorgeous beaches and offer more activities. Icacos is better suited for those seeking to just drink with locals and be lazy at a beach with few visitors. The choice is yours!

Fajardo Town Square

Last days in town and just wish to unwind? Plaza de Fajardo (Town Square) is a perfect place to read a book, look at colonial Spanish architecture (i.e. the Santiago Apostol Cathedral) and/or simply people watch. The characters of el pueblo are interesting and very photogenic, so be sure to drop by, photographers!

Las Cabezas de San Juan Lighthouse and Reserve

things to do in Fajardo Puerto Rico, Las Cabezas Lighthouse

"View of the Northeast Ecological Corridor and El Yunque National Forest as seen from the Lighthouse at the Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve" (Wiki Commons)

A natural reserve with mangroves that happens to house one of the oldest lighthouses of Puerto Rico. Enough said?

La Estación Restaurant

things to do in Fajardo Puerto Rico, La Estacion restaurant

Red snapper with all things homemade. Yum! (Photo: Tripadvisor)

Eating the street food and/or dropping by a local restaurant right in front of the sea whilst visiting Seven Seas beach is a given. However, after a long day sun baking, do yourself a favor by eating at La Estación in order to close the night with broche de oro. This amazing restaurant cooks homemade BBQ and seafood that is to die for. They use some traditional cooking methods as well, in addition to making their own salad dressings and sauces. Please try the Lobster or Mahi Mahi Mofongo — and go right up to Puerto Rican food heaven.

What are your favorite things to do in Fajardo Puerto Rico now?

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Curacao: The Dutch Caribbean

Posted on July 14, 2011 by LatinAbroad

Curacao, the Dutch Caribbean

It’s official: My flight to Curaçao is booked and I’m heading there for the first time from November 25th-30th (Thanksgiving weekend)! I am thrilled. While I grew up in the Enchanted Island of Puerto Rico, the Caribbean never gets old. There is something about its palm-fringed coasts, ocean breeze, sand between my toes, and year-long sunshine that I just can never get enough! Most of my excitement, however, stems from the fact that Curaçao is so culturally diverse from the Caribbean I’m “used” to.

Located in the deep south of the Caribbean, Curacao is about 60 km off Venezuelan coasts. For this reason, it is considered a “transcontinental country,” meaning that it is part of both North and South America, as the division of Caribbean islands between the two continents is deemed complex. In addition to its ambiguous geographical location, its cultural background is just as broad. While the first conquistadors to see the island were Spaniards, the territory was invaded by the Dutch in 1634. Then, 28 years later, Curacao became the center of the Atlantic slave trade, bringing a heavy influx of African slaves into the island. From there, they were shipped to several colonies in the Caribbean and South America.

The island became prosperous, and since the Dutch made a contract with the Spaniards for slave trade, the island’s development and architecture was influenced by a mix of both Spanish and Dutch styles. Naturally, as with many Caribbean islands, Curacao’s strategic location and wealth caught the eye of other colonial powers. Consequently, Curacao was occupied by the French, the British, and the Dutch interchangeably between the 18th and 19th centuries. Then, in 1815 (post-Napoleonic wars), the Dutch regained control of the island.

It is easy to see why I am so excited about visiting this culturally-rich haven. Not only is it off-the-beaten path in comparison to other popular Caribbean destinations, but its background is quite unique. While my island of Puerto Rico has Taíno, African, and Spanish influences, the Spaniards successfully retained control of the island for more than 400 years, ever since its discovery by Columbus on November 19th, 1493. In fact, it was not until the Spanish-American War that Spain lost the island to American forces. In contrast, Curacao was occupied and juggled between colonial powers repeatedly for about two centuries, which makes its background that more diverse in my opinion. It will be wonderful see for myself and discover whether this assumption of mine is true or if the cultural background is as equally diverse, and not more, than Puerto Rico’s.

According to the government’s website, Curacao’s unique society has seen interactions between the Indian, European, African, Asian, and Arab cultures. I wonder how that will translate into its architecture, food, customs, etc. I plan on Couchsurfing there, just so I get to see the country from a local’s perspective and am able to ask several questions about traditions and current influences and changes.

I’m still not sure what I will do there. A friend of mine, named Jessica, might join me, but seems like I will be going as a solo woman traveler again *smiles* I think I’ll want to cycle around the island, given the fact that it is only 61 km long by 5-14 km wide, plus I will have about 5-6 days to explore (yay). Additionally, I plan on doing some diving and snorkeling, as I have heard Curacao boasts some of the most virgin, vibrant corals in the whole Caribbean. Moreover, it was considered one of the top budget diving destinations in the world–say whaaaat!? Guys, I’m so excited about this trip! By the way, I found my flight from Miami-Curacao for only $215 RT including taxes on a special sale from American Airlines, which ends on July 18th (in four days!). They have tons of cities on sale so you might want to check it out. Oh and hey, if you decide to visit the magical Dutch Caribbean after snatching a cheap flight, let me know! *wink*

Have you visited Curacao or any other Caribbean island? Tell us about your experience

Secret Beach in Fajardo, Puerto Rico

Posted on June 20, 2011 by LatinAbroad

Just so you get to know me (and my background) a little better, here is a video of possibly my favorite secret beach back home in Puerto Rico.

Located on the east coast of Puerto Rico, Fajardo is one of my favorite towns in the island. And this secret beach, my friends, is how the Caribbean used to be! Disclaimer: Verrry strong Latina accent

Have you been to Puerto Rico? Which are your favorite beaches there?