As crisp autumn breezes slowly start to caress Florida, my heart is inevitably transported back to my favorite hidden gems at home. Inspired by last week’s San Juan day trips, today I write a mini guide for Gilligan’s Island and Guanica, Puerto Rico!

Gilligan’s Island and Guanica, Puerto Rico Mini Guide

I’ve previously described some of Guanica’s stunning attractions, such as the 4000-hectare UNESCO Guanica Biosphere Reserve and Playa Santa. Yet, I have not introduced you to Guilligan’s Island, one of its beautiful mangrove islands.

Cayo Aurora (as it is also known) is part of the famous Guanica Dry Forest. By taking the public ferry dock, you will find several mini gazebos outfitted with picnic tables. The surrounding shallow waters are perfect for kids and kayaking.

If you walk around the island or have a private boat drop you off elsewhere though, you will find narrow channels and fun currents. While they are not safe for kids, they are a blast to go tubing or swim against if you are fit enough!

How to Get There

The Caribbean beach town of Guanica, the gateway to Gilligan’s Island, is located on the southwest coast of Puerto Rico. It is an easy 2 to 2.5-hour drive from San Juan–particularly scenic if you take the southern route through Salinas, my personal favorite.

There are several ways to get to Gilligan’s Island proper. You can either hop on the public ferry, go on a long kayak ride or hire a small boat from wandering fisherman.

The easiest wait to get there is by the public ferry though. Boats leave every hour between 9 AM and 5 PM, Tuesday to Sunday (weather permitting). Better yet? The dock is located by the colorful Restaurante San Jacinto, where you can sample authentic Puerto Rican food as you wait for departure.

For the kayak option, stop by the Copamarina Beach Resort, Playa Caña Gorda or Mary Lee’s by the Sea. You will be able to rent kayaks there and ask about safe routes to get to Gilligan. Prices vary, but rule of thumb is to veer away from the resorts and head to the local Caña Gorda beach for more budget-friendly rentals.

Feeling adventurous? Practice your Spanish and haggling skills by talking to local fishermen! My advice if you go down this route though is to get a fisherman boat ride on the way to Gilligan’s Island, but hop on the public ferry back. If you don’t have a local cell phone or contact information of the fisherman, you run the risk of being cast away.

Best Time to Visit Gilligan’s Island and Guanica

Guanica is a popular southern beach town among Puerto Ricans, particularly between the summer months. Subsidized government summer rentals attract many middle-income families.

This explains the many holidays I spent along its coasts during my childhood–and why you should avoid it then as a visitor!

We are lucky to enjoy year-round summers in Puerto Rico, so I recommend avoiding American holidays and local festivities. This way, you’ll be able to soak in the solitude and natural peacefulness these southern pearls have to offer.

Remember: you have to take a boat to Cayo Aurora (Gilligan’s Island). Check the forecast prior to departure and don’t head there if stormy weather is in the horizon. This why I also advise against traveling there during the hurricane season in general, which runs from June to November.

That’s not to say you cannot be graced with sunny days then, though! If you can only visit Puerto Rico during those dates, I say take the risk and go for it.

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Where to Stay and Eat

Puerto Rico is small: about 110 x 32 square miles. It is quite easy to make Gilligan’s Island and Guanica a day trip from anywhere in the island. I personally recommend staying at night or two on the West Coast of Puerto Rico; it is magical!

Unfortunately, it is forbidden to camp at Gilligan’s Island, so you will have to stay on a nearby town. Don’t be disheartened though: there are so many wonderful options!

My favorite overnight spots include Cabo Rojo, Rincon, and Isabela. You could also stay in Guanica proper, booking a night at a local, family-owned parador. Speaking of which, I highly recommend Parador Guanica 1929 by Tropical Inns. My friends and I love its colonial design, fantastic Puerto Rican food, and location in relation to all of Guanica’s attractions (and beyond!).

A short walk or drive from Parador 1929 is Bodega Andreu Sole. A wonderful farm and restaurant, with decent Spanish food and wines. I love the alfresco dining with water views though, totally my favorite! They offer free tours of the grounds and tastings Sundays between 2 and 5 PM as well.

I also recommend the short drive to Rincon for more food options and nightlife. My favorite spot there? Casa Cofresi! It is another good place to stay on the West Coast, in addition to having a good restaurant and lively vibe on weekends. Great place to mingle with locals, too.

Like this Gilligan Island’s Puerto Rico mini guide? PIN IT below!

One last tip! If you have previously visited Puerto Rico, I advise you fly into into Aguadilla airport (BQN) instead of San Juan (SJU). This way, you’ll be right on the West Coast and enjoy the region without a crazy drive through the capital’s metro area 😉

Having lived in Puerto Rico for over 18 years, my heart breaks looking at most tourists’ San Juan day trips. Cheesy Old San Juan rum tours; an afternoon at a resort in Dorado; a crowded “hike” (which could be done in a vehicle) at El Yunque Rainforest.

Puerto Rico does it better. I promise you.

So please take my advice: hunt down a flight deal, rent a car (it’s going to cost you less than USD $100-200 for the day, sitting a minimum of four people, which is less than any chore), and venture out to these gorgeous spots throughout the archipelago:

Arecibo

Cueva Ventana and Cueva del Indio, Arecibo

one-hour West (88 km), mostly down Expreso José de Diego PR-22

Silence only broken by a group of bats and feeding birds in the surrounding valley… Or foamy ocean waves, crashing against piles of rocks. Rocks which hide grottoes decorated with pre-Columbian petroglyphs!

Arecibo may be known for the second-largest radio telescope in the world, but barely mentioned as a top day trip from San Juan due to its natural beauty. Take the mere one-hour drive to explore peaceful Cueva Ventana and historical Cueva del Indio beach.

Camuy Cave

Camuy Caverns

one hour, 24 minutes. West (102 km), through Arecibo

About 30 minutes southwest of Arecibo lie the third-largest subterranean river system in the world. Jaw-dropping hike through stalagmites, stalactites, and the purest water you’ve ever drunk await.

While you could wake up at the crack of dawn and do both Arecibo and Camuy, I recommend you spend the whole day taking in the grandiosity of this underground world.

Fajardo

Governor’s House Beach and Bioluminescent Bay, Fajardo

one hour East (63 km), through Rio Grande and Luquillo

The Bioluminescent Bay is plastered over all Fajardo brochures and I know, it’s hard to turn down! While I highly advise you take the ferry ride or flight over to Vieques and explore Mosquito Bay instead, time strapped travelers might still find value in it.

My tip then? Take your rental car, spend the whole day in Fajardo, and book the sunset Biobay tour with an outfitter directly. Start with sunrise at Seven Seas Beach; take a morning hike to Governor’s House Beach; then drive to the outfitter in time for your tour.

Vieques Island

Scooter Road Trip, Vieques Island

one-hour drive to Fajardo port; then, a 10-minute flight or 1.5-hour ferry

If you have at least five days in San Juan, you have to spend a minimum of two days in Vieques. While renting a scooter (~USD $60/day) and beach hopping can be done in a day, the last thing you want to do is rush it.

Another tip: look up JetBlue coupons for VQS airport and see if you find a discount!

Like these San Juan day trips? PIN this post below!

Whether you cross the Caribbean Sea for an adventurous scooter road trip or take the easy drives East or West, these San Juan day trips will sprinkle some authentic spice to your Puerto Rican getaway.

Caverns where the third-largest subterranean river system in the world flows. A private beach house in Rincon. Sampling crab empanadas in Naguabo. A natural cave with Taino-Indian petroglyphs in Arecibo. Have you heard of any of these unique Puerto Rico trips?

While I’ve previously mentioned how easy it is to visit Puerto Rico as a U.S. citizen (USD accepted + no passport needed) and even described how vibrant the nightlife in San Juan is, today I’d like to lure you to other special parts of my island.

Spots so rich in natural beauty, yet tucked away from most tourists’ trails.

Below, some of my favorite places outside Old San Juan and El Yunque Rainforest.

Unique Puerto Rico Trips: My Favorite Routes

Fajardo to Humacao through Naguabo

Imagine kayaking at new moon, with the ocean glowing blue and green under your paddles — as if you were drawing with florescent sharpies on a blackboard.

That’s the magic behind a visit to a bioluminescent bay!

Dinoflagellate, particularly, are among the rarest and most fragile bioluminescent microorganisms on the planet.

Puerto Rico boasts 3 of only a handful of dinoflagellate bioluminescent bays on Earth. They are Mosquito Bay, La Parguera, and Laguna Grande.

The latter is located in Fajardo–only an hour ride from San Juan.

This makes Laguna Grande the easiest bio bay to visit on a day trip from the capital, so ask your agent or concierge to book a sunset kayak tour there.

Got at least a week or this isn’t your first time in Puerto Rico? Head southeast!

Unless you plan to head to Puerto Del Rey and catch a ferry to Vieques or Culebra, I recommend an adventurous road trip through the rural, coastal towns of the East.

Palmas Del Mar oceanview from La Pescaderia by Sergio Munoz, my cousin!

From Fajardo, take PR-53 South to Humacao. You can follow it straight or take an interesting detour when you see an exit for PR-3.

Why? So you drive down the rural coast and make a pit stop at one of Naguabo’s beaches!

The draw here is not so much the ocean, but its seafood. Naguabo is popular among locals for its outstanding juey–a type of crab, abundant in this area.

I highly recommend stopping at one of the seaside hole-in-the-walls (locally known as “chinchorros”) and grabbing pastelillos de juey (crab empanadas)–a Naguabo specialty.

With full bellies and happy hearts, continue down PR-3 until you reach Palmas Del Mar: another hidden oasis in Puerto Rico’s east coast.

Naguabo road by yasmapaz, Flickr

The five-star resort is a large compound little known to most Puerto Rico tourists. Yet, it is quite popular among affluent expats and local residents.

In Palmas Del Mar, you will find stunning golf courses, acclaimed restaurants, and well-appointed accommodation either walking distance or a short right away from off-the-beaten-path beaches.

Some popular things to do in Palmas Del Mar and the vicinity include:

• Chez Daniel French Restaurant: a rarity for foodies in Puerto Rico
• Rancho Buena Vista: horseback riding at the beach and other outdoor activities
• Monkey Island day trip by kayak
• Snorkeling boat trips from Maragata Yacht Center
• Humacao Nature Reserve: truly off-the-beaten-path hiking and cycling trails
• Casa Roig: a historic Frank-Lloyd-Wright-inspired home, now converted into a beautiful museum
• La Pescaderia: another outstanding Palmas Del Mar spot, specializing in seafood

Rincon to Arecibo through Camuy

Porta Del Sol, as Puerto Rico’s West Coast is known locally, is one of my favorite regions of the island.

Its vibe is a total contrast from our pulsing capital.

If you remember, I surprised my American beau with a stay at Puntas Tree House for our second-year anniversary.

He was blown away. So much in fact that Rincon became his favorite base in the Caribbean after second trip the Puerto Rico.

Most visitors who flock here are either surfers, body boarders or laid-back spirits seeking sleepy beach towns or unspoiled natural attractions.

While the surf season (November through February) brings with it world-class competitions and an influx of tourists, Porta Del Sol only sees a fraction of Old San Juan’s numbers.

Better yet? The low season (July through September, excluding local holidays) leaves most West Coast surfing beaches swell-free and nearly deserted–except for a few local beach bums.

Cueva Ventana in Arecibo, Puerto Rico

Beyond Rincon, you’ll find many hidden gems, particularly in neighboring Porta Atlantico.

Located only a few miles north of Porta Del Sol, my favorite towns there include Isabela, Camuy, and Arecibo.

Top Puerto Rico day trips on this region include:

• Cueva Ventana and Cueva del Indio, Arecibo: jaw-dropping natural caves
• Camuy Caverns: home of the third-largest subterranean river system in the world
• Shacks Beach + Blue Hole, Isabela: some of the finest waters and marine life in the region

Extra tip: if you’ve been to Puerto Rico before and wish to explore the West Coast exclusively, I highly recommend you fly into Aguadilla airport (BQN) instead of San Juan International (SJU). Currently, it is serviced by JetBlue, United, and Spirit Airlines.

Shacks Beach aerial by Villa Tropical Resort, Isabela

Finally convinced? Build your unique Puerto Rico itinerary by following one of my favorite routes. They are my favorites!

Do you suggest other Puerto Rico trips? Share them below!

He was speechless. As he looked at the bright, towering Rincon beach house rental, he couldn’t believe his eyes.

More so once he stepped into the top floor suite, opened the French doors and stared into the ocean right off the living room.

He sat down, quietly–and didn’t speak for the next five minutes.

What if he didn’t like my Rincon beach house rental surprise?!

Finally, he uttered some words I didn’t expect:

“I’ve never stayed in an oceanview hotel room, let alone an oceanfront beach house.”

Where he comes from, oceanview rooms are so expensive that his family could never afford them. And so, I was giving him one of the best gifts of his life.

At this point, there were tears streaming down his face. Then, he looked into my eyes and said:

“I’m sorry. I’m just so happy and shocked that I’m speechless.”

Once again, he didn’t speak for several minutes.

This is the effect our budget Rincon beach house rental had on him.

I must say, Puntas Tree House was love at first (digital) sight.

For about USD $85 a night, we could have a beautiful, third-floor suite boasting a private balcony, bathroom, fully-equipped kitchen, and living space.

Other perks included A/C, complimentary Wi-Fi, and private parking right across Sandy Beach in Rincon, Puerto Rico.

Better yet? It was a stone’s throw from a myriad of restaurants, bars, plus unbelievably-cheap-and-delicious panaderias.

You could barely get an oceanview room on a similar location in San Juan–one of the reasons why I love Puerto Rico’s West Coast so much more.

Living room of the honeymoon suite on the 3rd floor of Puntas Tree House

Relaxation and adventure, all in one location: Rincon Puerto Rico!

My favorite thing about Rincon Puerto Rico, though? It’s so laid back: a striking contrast from most of the East Coast.

Yet, this Western paradise still manages to be as adventurous as its counterpart. From world-class surfing and diving, to kayaking and sailing.

Relaxation and adventure: all in one location!

Bodyboarders and surfers at Sandy Beach, Rincon Puerto Rico

Since we were in romantic relaxation mode (it was our second anniversary after all!), we opted for long mornings walking along the coast and lazy afternoons drinking cocktails while staring at the ocean from Tamboo’s amazing deck:

Where to eat: Our favorite spots

Speaking of lazy afternoons, we also enjoyed stuffing our faces 😀 There was certainly no shortage of dining options by our Rincon beach house rental.

However, none of them are particularly inexpensive.

SO! For those budget-conscious travelers, we highly-recommend Panaderia Eileen, about a 10-minute drive toward PR-115 in the neighboring town of Aguada. Here, you’ll find fantastic sandwiches, breakfast & some Puerto Rican fritters for excellent prices.

And…the one place that made us throw our budget out the window a couple of times: Tamboo.

Right before the high season kicked off (Thanksgiving week), it was pleasantly uncrowded, with decent service and food.

What made us keep coming back, though? THIS:

As good as the plantain-crusted shrimp was, it wasn’t really the food! 😉

Puerto Rico’s West Coast nightlife: boring or thriving?

As relaxed as Rincon Puerto Rico might seem, it still offers some thriving nightlife to those who seek it! Besides Tamboo, we got two other favorites:

• Casa Verde’s bar, as it was right off the backyard of our Rincon beach house rental
• Villa Cofresi is actually 10-min. drive away, but trust us, the ambiance and cocktails, particularly The Pirate special, are SO worth it. Super local vibe, too!

The most unique, romantic Puerto Rico getaway a couple could plan

Planning a visit to Puerto Rico? Definitely consider the laid-back town of Rincon and booking a suite at the beachfront, budget-friendly Puntas Tree House!

Not only is it cheaper and more private than a hotel room in San Juan, but most certainly, better views 😉

I already miss you, Rincon!

Would you rather book a beachfront cottage or an ocean view hotel room?

We stayed at Puntas Tree House for 4 nights, 3 which were complimentary. Views expressed on this article are my honest opinion, though. We actually paid for a 4th night because we didn’t want to leave!