I realize now that as a child I focused too much on the “family aspect” of my family vacations instead of everything that there was for me to do there. I couldn't appreciate all that it had to offer me. But now... I absolutely adore Puerto Rico! There is so much diversity to this island. For example my parent’s home can be found tucked away in the mountains of a small town called Aibonito, about 60 minutes to the east of the state's capital. The mountains of Puerto Rico are filled with fruit trees everywhere; mangos, bananas, avocados, and some other fruits I can’t even pronounce but that taste absolutely delicious. Even this picture above is of some tasty mangos from my own parent's backyard! When driving around Aibonito you will find fresh bread shops and roasted chickens at every turn. You’re sure to never go hungry here! Have you ever tasted fresh bread right out of the oven? The smell is enticing but the quality and freshness of the bread is like no other and goes great with a cup of Puerto Rican coffee for breakfast! One of the perks of living in Puerto Rico is that you're always close to the ocean. Aibonito is no exception to this rule being about 30 minutes away from the nearest piece of ocean. The mountains of Aibonito can be a bit dangerous to drive on because of the sharp turns and narrow roads, but when driven with caution (and low speeds) there is minimal danger to those that explore this beautiful town of Puerto Rico.
The heart of Puerto Rico is this island’s main attraction, San Juan, which offers a multitude of attractions for tourists. The picture above is proof that restaurants are available at an abundance to choose from, with flavors of all kinds to satisfy anyone’s pallet. Caribbean cuisine is mostly sought after when visiting Puerto Rico but various other Hispanic cuisines are also available. Colombian, Cuban, Dominican, or Mexican foods are all available to try out. For those people not necessarily interested in trying Hispanic foods Puerto Rico also has various American “chain” restaurants throughout the island.
Puerto Rico is a breath-taking island surrounded by water which means that there is always a beach close by. The temperature of the ocean water averages about 70 degrees but a visitor may experience rough waters if visiting between the months of September through November as this is typically hurricane season for the Caribbean islands of the Atlantic Ocean. Any other time of the year a visitor will experience beautiful air temperatures ranging from 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity index is generally above 70 percent (ToPuertoRico.org).
With such gorgeous year round weather one should never pass up the opportunity to do a little shopping. The shopping experience is prime when visiting Old San Juan, or more commonly referred to as Viejo San Juan by the locals. Puerto Rico is the host to the 12th largest mall in the United States with its Plaza Las Americas, or Mall of the Americas. This mall is a wonderful compliment to the small boutiques and tourist shops found in Viejo San Juan. Souvenirs and jewelry are the most common items purchased in Viejo San Juan because the cost of jewelry is less expensive in the Caribbean than it is in the states. And although some of the vendors can sometimes seem a bit pushy to get you to come into their stores to purchase merchandise, one can kindly reply that she is not interested as that will get them to easily not persist to have your business. Another great perk is that because Puerto Rico is considered a territory of the United States there is no need to convert your US dollars when shopping on this island. Puerto Rico uses US currency and a majority of the island is English/Spanish speaking. This makes the tourist experience easier to not have to learn Spanish before your vacation date. Though Puerto Rico offers a lot of new cultural experiences to each tourist, those who like the familiarity of stores from their home states will find them in Puerto Rico as well. Bulk shopping can still be done at Costco, everyday shopping can still be done at Walmart, and every day can still begin with a cup of freshly brewed Starbucks coffee. For the men of the family there are several 5 star golf courses available for a day of relaxation or if he would like to enjoy a drink after a long day of shopping with his wife, there is the famous Bacardi Rum factory where he can enjoy some free daily samples.
And so, whether you’re interested in shopping, going to the beach, or enjoying fine Caribbean cuisine, there is always something to do for the whole family in Puerto Rico. The days of me dreading to visit family are long vanished. Not only do I look forward to visiting this exciting island but now I look forward to perfecting my Spanish speaking skills and I enjoy sending my children to spend summers with their grandparents and other relatives. The weather is beautiful, the food is hot, and the view is spectacular. So what are you waiting for? What more could you ask for? Make your next "adventure" an Island Adventure, and I'll see you there!
