Trip to Puerto Rico

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This was a trip that required minimal effort to plan it, using "share" services such as Uber for transportation and Airbnb for accommodation, creating a laid-back and enjoyable trip in the island of Puerto Rico.

In terms of transportation we were left with limited option, upon arrival at San Juan International Airport we picked up a Hertz rental car to go around the island.

Not far from the airport is Isla Verde, where where we stayed for three nights at a beach side condo through Airbnb. This part of town is the up and coming tourist destination, away from the crowd of old San Juan. Isla Verde is a local hangout where you find great food at affordable price. The beach on the weekend is full of beach activities- boogie boarding, family picnics, beach volley balls, cultural events and lively  music.

An hour drive from Isla Verde is Ponce- an old historic and colorful town where kids wear uniform to school.
Ponce Historic Downtown

Nearby Isla Verde are the "best of town" lechon stands and Bacardi rum distillery where we joined a 45 minutes tour about Bacardi and rum making. For the price of $15, you get a free cocktail drinks made out of rum and a Bacardi glass.

Next, we drove to La Ceiba, catching a flight with Air Flamenco on a ten passenger propeller plane which took about 15 minutes versus an hour ferry ride to Culebra island where we stayed at a villa on Flamenco beach, a white sandy beach where section of it is a calm and shallow reef great for snorkeling.

Through Priceline.com, we were able to booked a two night stay at Gran Melia Golf Resort. Nearby is the El Yunque Rainforest, where you can find plenty of trails to hike including the popular  La Mina trail.


Schedule

Day 1, Sat Apr 23

Early morning flight, 8:20 AM from IAD to SJU via United Airline (UA 2021). Pick-up Hertz rental car and drive to Isla Verde. Meet with Carlos at the Condo to check-in.

Day 2, Sun Apr 24

Hangout at Isla Verde beach

Day 3, Mon Apr 25

Drive to Ponce, an old historic town and nearby coffee plantation, "best in town" lechon stand. Hangout at Condado beach.



Day 4, Tue Apr 26

Drive to La Ceiba and catch a flight to Culebra via Air Flamenco.

Day 5, Wed Apr 27

Hangout in Flamenco Beach, snorkeling

Day 6, Thu Apr 28

Early morning snorkeling in Flamenco Beach, ride around town on a golf cart.  Catch the 1 PM ferry to Fajardo.


Day 7, Fri Apr 29

Hike at El Yunque Rainforest.

Day 8, Sat Apr 30

Drive to Bacardi Distillery facility.  Join the 45 minutes Bacardi tour. Catch a flight back back to IAD via United Airline (UA 1416)

References

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