Vacation in Puerto Rico?

"parkave231 can't get enough of that funky stuff" (parkave231001) 01/27/2014 at 14:46 • Filed to: None

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I'm thinking about taking a vacation to Puerto Rico this spring.

I don't have a passport but would like to go somewhere different for a change. (Yes, I've been to Canada before.) Any thoughts and advice from those who have been there?

Jagvar > parkave231 can't get enough of that funky stuff 01/27/2014 at 14:48

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I've heard that there are feral cats everywhere . I'm getting that information secondhand, though. I've never been.

N/A POWAAAHH > parkave231 can't get enough of that funky stuff 01/27/2014 at 14:49

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How the hell did they let you in here with a passport?

thebigbossyboss > parkave231 can't get enough of that funky stuff 01/27/2014 at 14:50

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Watch out for mayoketchup.

505Turbeaux > parkave231 can't get enough of that funky stuff 01/27/2014 at 14:50

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Go to Culebra off the coast. Island is awesome

parkave231 can't get enough of that funky stuff > N/A POWAAAHH 01/27/2014 at 14:53

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It was back in 2003 before a passport was required. I was still sweating bullets with just my birth certificate, though...

911e46z06 > parkave231 can't get enough of that funky stuff 01/27/2014 at 14:57

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I've been. It's fun. St. Thomas is better though. Either way, go fishing while you're there.

parkave231 can't get enough of that funky stuff > thebigbossyboss 01/27/2014 at 15:02

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That sounds disgusting — I'm a mustard man, so thanks for the warning!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > parkave231 can't get enough of that funky stuff 01/27/2014 at 15:10

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I greatly enjoyed Puerto Rico. If you want something real different shoot for Curacao. No one thinks of it but it's beautiful! And against the law to have a white building. They are all colorful. It's awesome- check it out.

Really cool swinging bridge too, instead of a drawbridge, they have a bridge that swings open for boats, oh and its a pedestrian bridge.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > N/A POWAAAHH 01/27/2014 at 15:10

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In Michigan you can even get an upgraded license to travel back and forth with no passport.

MoparKetchup > parkave231 can't get enough of that funky stuff 01/27/2014 at 15:14

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I havent been on oppo for a while because of a little decision I made in my life , but I've lived there for the past 27 years, so I'll give you some trusty (and tasty) hints:

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1) Go to Pirilo Pizza: Compare it to Chicago deep dish or New York pizza and tell us later what you about it. It's in Old San Juan. LINK: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Rev…

2) Go to Yamburger: It's a hamburger joint that cooks up some pretty interesting humburguesas. It's in San Juan (not Old San Juan) and you'll need a rental car to get there, because public transportation sucks big time (GET A RENTAL CAR TO DO ANYTHING, REALLY). LINK: https://www.facebook.com/yamburger1

3) Go to Cafe La Princesa: It's a hidden gem right beside el Paseo de La Princesa. They have mofongos stuffed with churrascos and seafood. It's in Old San Juan. LINK: http://www.cafelaprincesa.com/

4) Go to Che's Restaurant: It's an Argentinian restaurant. It's located in San Juan. LINK: http://www.chesrestaurant.com/default.html

5) Go to el Churry: It's a food truck that serves 'tripletas' (sandwiches filled with fry sauce, churrasco, chicken, ham, lettuce, tomatoes or other stuff). You will not be disappointed. It's close by Che's Restaurant, but there are other locations as well. LINK: http://elchurry.com/web/

6) Go to Piñones: It's a small coastal town, part of Carolina. If you want traditional food like alcapurrias, mofongos, pasteles, bacalaitos, this is the place. Bring your swim trunks... the food kiosks are located close to the beach (just in case, always have your swim trunks in the car... there's a lot of good beaches to go to). Do NOT go to Piñones at night, go during the day.

These are some of the must-go places to eat. In the next few minutes I'll post about the beaches you can go so you are not stuck in the tourist part, with their overrated beaches.

MoparKetchup > thebigbossyboss 01/27/2014 at 15:15

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parkave231 can't get enough of that funky stuff > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/27/2014 at 15:17

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If I end up deciding to actually get a passport, Curacao is at the top of my list. I don't know why, other than what you said — I do like places that people typically don't think of.

thebigbossyboss > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/27/2014 at 15:21

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That is common in Canada as well.

thebigbossyboss > parkave231 can't get enough of that funky stuff 01/27/2014 at 15:22

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HAHAHAHAHA....that......is not what I meant. My sides hurt.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > parkave231 can't get enough of that funky stuff 01/27/2014 at 15:23

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It was pretty awesome. We did one of those half submersible boat tour things to see the fish and stuff, that was fun until we were all seasick lol. Hotel that the boat tour left from was astonishing (we were on a cruise). Would have stayed there in a heartbeat, I think a hilton? Then the bus continnued on to a distillery...which was cool...until we got left behind there lol.

anyhow PR was fun, wish I had seen more I've done a lot of advertising work for Puerto Rico, would have been nice to stay there longer, maybe stop in to a Ford dealer that I'd done work for.

St Thomas had awesome snorkling.

Aruba was awesome, took the bus to the beach and chilled.

Dominica sucked and we wished we hadn't got off the boat, though we hear the tours were nice and they had the best local beer of the trip. (I tried to get a local beer on each island).

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > thebigbossyboss 01/27/2014 at 15:27

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now if only we could get all the canadian license plated cars that come over here to look at the OTHER portion of the speedometer while driving in michigan.

the amount still looking at KPH are killing me.

thebigbossyboss > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/27/2014 at 15:34

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Really? Ask Washington Opponauts about how Canadians drive. We have a tendency to haul ass.

doodon2whls > parkave231 can't get enough of that funky stuff 01/27/2014 at 15:46

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We visited in 2012 and rented a villa on the east side of the island south of Humacao. It was a haul from the airport in San Juan, but very remote if that's your thing. If you want to experience life in the big city of San Juan, then I would stay there.

If you are an 'extreme' outdoors person, I can HIGHLY recommend the Aventuras Tierra Adentro Caving Expedition . They pick you up before dawn in San Juan and drive you to the Rio Camuy Cave System which is in the rain forest in the center of the island.

Climbing, repelling, zip-lining, candle lit lunch in a great underground cave. So much fun... Super guides.

MoparKetchup > parkave231 can't get enough of that funky stuff 01/27/2014 at 16:02

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Top beaches list:

1) Gilligan Island: Yes, there's a little place out on the southwest side of the island called like the show. You have to take a boat to get there. If you want to get there on time, be there at 5am-6am, because it gets so packed up, they close transportation. THIS IS THE PLACE YOU MUST GO FIRST. Why? If you're staying in SJ, you'll have a nice road trip and see different towns along the way and it's so amazing being able to stand on clear, shallow water and never have the water at head level. Plus, there's a little swimming aventure you can do: when you arrive there, you're going to see people swimming in a canal, towards the deep ocean (if you get tired of swimming, hang on to the roots of the trees). But, when you swim long enough, you'll see that the closer you get to the deep blue sea, the shallower it gets! Then, when you finish sightseeing, go back the other canal, where the current will carry you back where you started.

2) Culebra Island: Formerly a location for bombing practice for the US military, this island is located in the eastern part Puerto Rico. Same rules as Gilligan: get there early! To guarantee a spot, I've arrived at 4am and sleep on the floor waiting for the boat to arrive. Best beach to go: Flamenco Beach. You can set up your camping tent or stay at a hotel near this beach. You can also see the two abandoned military tanks, but dont hop the fence close by. There are undetonated bombs and you don't want to get close to them.

3) Go to Playa Sucia: I don't know why they called it Dirty Beach because it's one of the best beaches on the island. It's located in Cabo Rojo (southwest part). Warning: if that day is raining, look out for the road... it's mainly sand and mud. When it rains, if you don't have a Raptor or a Bro Truck you're done.

There are many other beaches I can mention you, but these are my favorites.

Other places like El Yunque (the only rainforest in the National Forest system... it has waterfalls that you can bathe in), El Morro, Guavate, Tetas de Cayey, Fuerte de San Cristobal, Capilla del Cristo, Toro Negro State Forest, Guanica Dry Forest and Las Cuevas de Camuy, are some of the other places you can go. There's a lot to do in this small island.

And you don't need a passport if you are a U.S. citizen.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > thebigbossyboss 01/27/2014 at 16:03

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At least some canadians know how to drive then!

parkave231 can't get enough of that funky stuff > MoparKetchup 01/27/2014 at 16:34

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Wow — super input. I greatly appreciate it! Definitely looks like I need to go.

MoparKetchup > parkave231 can't get enough of that funky stuff 01/27/2014 at 16:39

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De nada. Any questions or doubts, write me up on the same post.

parkave231 can't get enough of that funky stuff > doodon2whls 01/27/2014 at 16:59

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The Rio Camuy caves are definitely on my must-see list. Thanks for the link — looks like fun compared to just visiting on your own.

doodon2whls > parkave231 can't get enough of that funky stuff 01/27/2014 at 17:08

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It's definitely fun and the guides are a bit crazy-cuckoo-fun... They realize that they made you get up @ 0400, so they might as well entertain you along the way.

Don't let their fun-times make you think they aren't about safety, though... These cats are serious about safety and the lead guide is accomplished climber and speleologist, Rossano Boscarino . It's not for the faint of heart, but those that complete the day's climb, repel, spelunking, etc. will have had a great experience.

doodon2whls > parkave231 can't get enough of that funky stuff 01/27/2014 at 17:11

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Also: 30 ft jump into water in COMPLETE darkness. So. Much. Fun.