My Guest Guidebook to Paradise
Food scene
Great burgers, sandwiches, wraps, frozen drinks, casual atmosphere. Live music. Excellent weekend brunches. 500 feet from condo building down the oceanfront sidewalk
203 residents recomanen
Boardrider's Surf Bar and Grill
25 Cll Miguel Veve CalzadaGreat burgers, sandwiches, wraps, frozen drinks, casual atmosphere. Live music. Excellent weekend brunches. 500 feet from condo building down the oceanfront sidewalk
Great breakfast sandwiches, delicious fresh bakery bread for sandwiches at lunch as well. Cold air-conditioning, great coffee. Directly on Luquillo Plaza
17 residents recomanen
Pan Mas Rico, Inc
46-60 Cll José M Lugo CalzadaGreat breakfast sandwiches, delicious fresh bakery bread for sandwiches at lunch as well. Cold air-conditioning, great coffee. Directly on Luquillo Plaza
This is now the food service of a private chef, Eve, and her husband. Both competed head to head for the final back apron on Master Chef Latino...
It was once a killer little food truck cooking their heart out.
Now, they will come as private chefs and prepare dinner for you at my condo
Great fresh food, lovely little professionally trained chef and her family. The food is worth the price- AMAZING! and, being able to enjoy it from your own home, overlooking the Luquillo surf?! Unmatched.... I would bring a blender and drinks to the balcony, play some music and let them knock it out in the kitchen. Unrivalled, "how lucky are WE?!" feelings. Guaranteed.
I promise- You ll smile when you taste their food.
Call or text Eve to get prices and availability... Schedule ahead of time: 1 939-269-1978
12 residents recomanen
Bistro del Mar
This is now the food service of a private chef, Eve, and her husband. Both competed head to head for the final back apron on Master Chef Latino...
It was once a killer little food truck cooking their heart out.
Now, they will come as private chefs and prepare dinner for you at my condo
Great fresh food, lovely little professionally trained chef and her family. The food is worth the price- AMAZING! and, being able to enjoy it from your own home, overlooking the Luquillo surf?! Unmatched.... I would bring a blender and drinks to the balcony, play some music and let them knock it out in the kitchen. Unrivalled, "how lucky are WE?!" feelings. Guaranteed.
I promise- You ll smile when you taste their food.
Call or text Eve to get prices and availability... Schedule ahead of time: 1 939-269-1978
This will be the best meal possibly of your trip. Fresh ingredients, colorful plate, amazing flavor. Must eat here at least once
52 residents recomanen
La Fonda Gourmet
66 Cll Fernández GarciaThis will be the best meal possibly of your trip. Fresh ingredients, colorful plate, amazing flavor. Must eat here at least once
Amazing, best mofongo you may have have. Delicious sandwiches, fresh food, within walking distance of condo!
52 residents recomanen
La Fonda Gourmet
66 Cll Fernández GarciaAmazing, best mofongo you may have have. Delicious sandwiches, fresh food, within walking distance of condo!
Amazing little American breakfast and lunch place on the Luquillo plaza just two blocks from my condo...
Hella comfort food, pancakes, stuffed french toast, big fresh sandwiches and fries...
From the snowy mountains of Colorado to the warmth of Luquillo, this owner and chef is serving up great, filling, "glad we ate their" kinda meals.
6 residents recomanen
Whistle Stop
152 Calle Fernández GarciaAmazing little American breakfast and lunch place on the Luquillo plaza just two blocks from my condo...
Hella comfort food, pancakes, stuffed french toast, big fresh sandwiches and fries...
From the snowy mountains of Colorado to the warmth of Luquillo, this owner and chef is serving up great, filling, "glad we ate their" kinda meals.
Shopping Needs
Directly on the Luquillo Plaza is the closest walk-in Liquor store. You can walk in and buy liquor by the bottle or a mixed drink, rum and Coke, or beer to enjoy Immediately
Casa E’ Chelo
67 Cll Fernández GarciaDirectly on the Luquillo Plaza is the closest walk-in Liquor store. You can walk in and buy liquor by the bottle or a mixed drink, rum and Coke, or beer to enjoy Immediately
For a quick trip for just about anything in grocery needs, This is the closest grocery store to the condo. 0.6 miles. GPS and Google maps will show you the way. Not a bad walk if needed
79 residents recomanen
Amigo
For a quick trip for just about anything in grocery needs, This is the closest grocery store to the condo. 0.6 miles. GPS and Google maps will show you the way. Not a bad walk if needed
If you need to get sunscreen, T-shirt, aloe, a raft, a limited selection of groceries, this is the place. 3 miles down the road and GPS or Google maps will show you the way. Uber is approximately $4.50 or car needed
127 residents recomanen
Walmart
150 Carr 940If you need to get sunscreen, T-shirt, aloe, a raft, a limited selection of groceries, this is the place. 3 miles down the road and GPS or Google maps will show you the way. Uber is approximately $4.50 or car needed
This is the largest selection of grocery food items, produce, fresh fruits and vegetables and the best priced groceries. The same parking lot as Walmart so, follow GPS or Google maps.
Econo Fajardo
This is the largest selection of grocery food items, produce, fresh fruits and vegetables and the best priced groceries. The same parking lot as Walmart so, follow GPS or Google maps.
Fancier, higher quality seafood, bakery items, food choices. More expensive but, highest quality. Just passed Walmart on route three. GPS and Google maps will direct you
43 residents recomanen
ralphs food warehouse
Calle IgualdadFancier, higher quality seafood, bakery items, food choices. More expensive but, highest quality. Just passed Walmart on route three. GPS and Google maps will direct you
Pizza To Go
113 Cll Fernández GarciaSightseeing
The only rain forest in North America, don’t miss it. Great trails, angel falls, Juan Diego falls, lots to explore and waterfalls to cool you off!
395 residents recomanen
El Yunque
The only rain forest in North America, don’t miss it. Great trails, angel falls, Juan Diego falls, lots to explore and waterfalls to cool you off!
Inexpensive way to see other Spanish Virgin Islands- Culebra: great snorkeling, and Vieques- more horses than people. InExpensive ferry, less than five dollars per person for a 45 minute ferry ride through beautiful Caribbean waters. Arrive much earlier than your departure time to get tickets or purchase them the day before when it’s a busy season
99 residents recomanen
Terminal de Lanchas station
Puerto Rico 195Inexpensive way to see other Spanish Virgin Islands- Culebra: great snorkeling, and Vieques- more horses than people. InExpensive ferry, less than five dollars per person for a 45 minute ferry ride through beautiful Caribbean waters. Arrive much earlier than your departure time to get tickets or purchase them the day before when it’s a busy season
Culebra boasts Playa Flamenco (flamingo beach), One of Travel Channel’s top three most beautiful beaches in the world. Culebra is too small to need a rental car but, too big to walk. Golf carts are highly recommended. Golf cart renters will pick you up at the ferry or are across the street from the mini airport. Food kiosks at Flamenco and small restaurants, grocery stores throughout island.
385 residents recomanen
Culebra
Culebra boasts Playa Flamenco (flamingo beach), One of Travel Channel’s top three most beautiful beaches in the world. Culebra is too small to need a rental car but, too big to walk. Golf carts are highly recommended. Golf cart renters will pick you up at the ferry or are across the street from the mini airport. Food kiosks at Flamenco and small restaurants, grocery stores throughout island.
Too much to describe from The history, the forwards, the many restaurants, the fun bars, the music. Stop and enjoy yourselves in this little town discovered by Ponce de Leon... no wonder they thought he found the fountain of youth when he returned from his travels. Free air conditioned buses circle the city constantly so you can hop aboard from any stop and jump off at any also!
902 residents recomanen
Viejo San Juan
Too much to describe from The history, the forwards, the many restaurants, the fun bars, the music. Stop and enjoy yourselves in this little town discovered by Ponce de Leon... no wonder they thought he found the fountain of youth when he returned from his travels. Free air conditioned buses circle the city constantly so you can hop aboard from any stop and jump off at any also!
You can also fly to Culebra or Vieques from the town of Ceiba about 10 minutes from my condo. It’s a quick 10 to 15 minute ride without delays in a mini 4 to 6 passenger airplane for roughly $50. No security screens, metal detectors, or airport lines. Park 10 feet from airport entrance. Walk in and pilot will walk you to the plane. Vieques Air link, Air Flamenco, Cape Air are some of the mini airlines with daily flights
11 residents recomanen
Benjamín Rivera Noriega Airport
Puerto Rico 251You can also fly to Culebra or Vieques from the town of Ceiba about 10 minutes from my condo. It’s a quick 10 to 15 minute ride without delays in a mini 4 to 6 passenger airplane for roughly $50. No security screens, metal detectors, or airport lines. Park 10 feet from airport entrance. Walk in and pilot will walk you to the plane. Vieques Air link, Air Flamenco, Cape Air are some of the mini airlines with daily flights
Bahía Bioluminiscente
Kiosk Suggestions
With so many kiosks to choose from, here is some help
Great food, try the Mofungo. Quality. live music. Try the coconut rice with grouper.
120 residents recomanen
Terruño
Great food, try the Mofungo. Quality. live music. Try the coconut rice with grouper.
Highest rated kiosk, pricey, may have a wait. Excellent, fresh seafood and lobster are their special day. The last kiosk on the strip
226 residents recomanen
La Parrilla
Puerto Rico 193Highest rated kiosk, pricey, may have a wait. Excellent, fresh seafood and lobster are their special day. The last kiosk on the strip
Best quality souvenir shirts, hats... nice soft cotton, cool designs. May be a little more $ but, these are the shirts that you’ll wear years later.
Monkey Threads
Best quality souvenir shirts, hats... nice soft cotton, cool designs. May be a little more $ but, these are the shirts that you’ll wear years later.
Recreation
Here is another fun adventure made possible by the rivers that flow down from El Yunque. The Río Fajardo (Fajardo River) in Ceiba offers two types of fun — mild or rugged. For the mild type of nature lovers, there is Charco Frio, which is a series of pools in the river that you can enjoy cooling off in on a hot day. The rugged part is Las Tinajas, which, after a hike in, has a rope swing, a little rock water slide, pretty waterfalls, river views and some nice pools to enjoy.
This place is not for everyone. It requires some adventurous spirit, and strong legs & arms to climb up the river and rocks to get to the pay off — the falls and the pools.
I highly recommend the easy (and honest) way of going there — go to the very end of the road (past the parking for Charco Frio) and pay to park at the owner’s lot, and then take the beautifully easy trail right to swimming area. We did not know about this way until the way back.
Charco Frio and Las Tinajas
We started out walking up river. It took us about 15-20 minutes of river wading, rock scaling and even some over-land paths (thank goodness!) at the beginning. (There is a point where you can access the owners nice path after his house by going uphill from the river, but that is just trespassing!) It seemed like forever wading the river before we got there — you know you are close when you see the big graffiti on a rock in the river. Once you get to that rock, you just need to do a little more climbing/wading and eventually you get to Las Tinajas.
Las Tinajas actually has two part, both of which are beautiful. The lower section has a deep pool (at least 10 feet in sections), with a rope swing. Some of the kids were even jumping off some really high rocks into the pool. The water is crystal clear, with the deep pools appearing blue/black. There was also a pretty waterfall in this ravine, but to see it the best, you need to be in the water on the right side, or climb the rocks.
After checking the depth of the pool water myself, I decided to do the rope swing. A local guy helped me out with the rope — it wasn’t an easy trick to reach it — I assume a stick would make it easier. The hint on this one was to swing out until the rope stops, and just before you start to swing back, and then drop in. This was his advice to me, so I assume it may not be deep enough just under the rope. I did an easy drop into the water, but we stayed here and watched some of the crazy acrobatic stunts the kids were doing. Really fun to watch.
64 residents recomanen
Las Tinajas
KM 10.1 Puerto Rico 971Here is another fun adventure made possible by the rivers that flow down from El Yunque. The Río Fajardo (Fajardo River) in Ceiba offers two types of fun — mild or rugged. For the mild type of nature lovers, there is Charco Frio, which is a series of pools in the river that you can enjoy cooling off in on a hot day. The rugged part is Las Tinajas, which, after a hike in, has a rope swing, a little rock water slide, pretty waterfalls, river views and some nice pools to enjoy.
This place is not for everyone. It requires some adventurous spirit, and strong legs & arms to climb up the river and rocks to get to the pay off — the falls and the pools.
I highly recommend the easy (and honest) way of going there — go to the very end of the road (past the parking for Charco Frio) and pay to park at the owner’s lot, and then take the beautifully easy trail right to swimming area. We did not know about this way until the way back.
Charco Frio and Las Tinajas
We started out walking up river. It took us about 15-20 minutes of river wading, rock scaling and even some over-land paths (thank goodness!) at the beginning. (There is a point where you can access the owners nice path after his house by going uphill from the river, but that is just trespassing!) It seemed like forever wading the river before we got there — you know you are close when you see the big graffiti on a rock in the river. Once you get to that rock, you just need to do a little more climbing/wading and eventually you get to Las Tinajas.
Las Tinajas actually has two part, both of which are beautiful. The lower section has a deep pool (at least 10 feet in sections), with a rope swing. Some of the kids were even jumping off some really high rocks into the pool. The water is crystal clear, with the deep pools appearing blue/black. There was also a pretty waterfall in this ravine, but to see it the best, you need to be in the water on the right side, or climb the rocks.
After checking the depth of the pool water myself, I decided to do the rope swing. A local guy helped me out with the rope — it wasn’t an easy trick to reach it — I assume a stick would make it easier. The hint on this one was to swing out until the rope stops, and just before you start to swing back, and then drop in. This was his advice to me, so I assume it may not be deep enough just under the rope. I did an easy drop into the water, but we stayed here and watched some of the crazy acrobatic stunts the kids were doing. Really fun to watch.
Pay to park or get a local driver to bring you and then enjoy this free rainforest "water park"...
BEST RAINFOREST VIEWS AND ACCESS (IMO).
Once you hike down to the river (quick 5-10 minute easy terrain hike)... You can either climb up to slides or down...
The slower slide is downstream (to the right) from where the trail meets the river. This does require a walk down the rocks. The locals go barefoot (and I bet it provides better traction), but I wore Crocs and Ray had water shoes. Footware with some traction is helpful.
This lower slide is about 12-15 feet long, and a straight course into the pool. It starts right after a pretty little waterfall cavern. I sat in this pool and enjoyed the water. It was chilly (or refreshing as we like to say!).
There were some local kids there and one of them showed me where to get into this slide, and he did it to show me how. Then it was my turn.
It was really smooth (thankfully!) and not too fast. The pool at the bottom was deep (about 8-10 feet) and the rocks were a bit slippery for getting out. But I enjoyed the ride enough to decide that I would try the faster, larger one.
The Upper & Faster Slide
The faster slide is upstream (to the left) of where the trail meets the river. For this one, you have to climb up the large rocks to the starting point. This slide is about 30 feet long and has some twists and turns. The girls told me to try to keep my arms in close to my body, so that I wouldn’t hit my elbows on the sides. They also suggested to try to remain upright. What they didn’t mention is that keeping my arms in would not help me balance through the twists and turns! But I was game, and off I went.
I was less than graceful, but I made it! It was fast and the turns do twist you around a bit. The pool at the end is also deep, but easier to get out of than the lower pool. I did end up getting a small scrape on my elbow, but it was fun!
If you watch the kids, many of them do run their hands along the walls as the go down for stability. Some of the kids do really crazy stuff — head first, standing up, a train — all kinda scary looking but fun to watch.
137 residents recomanen
Les Paylas
Puerto Rico 983Pay to park or get a local driver to bring you and then enjoy this free rainforest "water park"...
BEST RAINFOREST VIEWS AND ACCESS (IMO).
Once you hike down to the river (quick 5-10 minute easy terrain hike)... You can either climb up to slides or down...
The slower slide is downstream (to the right) from where the trail meets the river. This does require a walk down the rocks. The locals go barefoot (and I bet it provides better traction), but I wore Crocs and Ray had water shoes. Footware with some traction is helpful.
This lower slide is about 12-15 feet long, and a straight course into the pool. It starts right after a pretty little waterfall cavern. I sat in this pool and enjoyed the water. It was chilly (or refreshing as we like to say!).
There were some local kids there and one of them showed me where to get into this slide, and he did it to show me how. Then it was my turn.
It was really smooth (thankfully!) and not too fast. The pool at the bottom was deep (about 8-10 feet) and the rocks were a bit slippery for getting out. But I enjoyed the ride enough to decide that I would try the faster, larger one.
The Upper & Faster Slide
The faster slide is upstream (to the left) of where the trail meets the river. For this one, you have to climb up the large rocks to the starting point. This slide is about 30 feet long and has some twists and turns. The girls told me to try to keep my arms in close to my body, so that I wouldn’t hit my elbows on the sides. They also suggested to try to remain upright. What they didn’t mention is that keeping my arms in would not help me balance through the twists and turns! But I was game, and off I went.
I was less than graceful, but I made it! It was fast and the turns do twist you around a bit. The pool at the end is also deep, but easier to get out of than the lower pool. I did end up getting a small scrape on my elbow, but it was fun!
If you watch the kids, many of them do run their hands along the walls as the go down for stability. Some of the kids do really crazy stuff — head first, standing up, a train — all kinda scary looking but fun to watch.