Sunny beaches and rainforest downpours: Our first Puerto Rican experience
Our kids’ passport renewals finally came back, so you know what that means… we’ve thrown the proverbial dart at a map and ditched the U.S.! Well, sort of. This week, we’re in the Caribbean cultural cauldron of Puerto Rico. Don’t miss our other episode on one perfect day in Old San Juan—the oldest city on U.S. soil. But today, we’re experiencing a different side of life on the island, from beautiful beaches that stretch for miles and seaside food shacks serving up authentic, local eats, to a tour of the 3 bedroom, luxury residence where we’re crashing and a visit to the only tropical rainforest in the US Forest Service. Speaking of, we’re here during the rainy hurricane season, but the entire family is up for whatever Mother Nature blows our way.
We’re staying in a private villa on the sprawling Bahia Beach Resort and Golf Club here on the northern coast of the island, about 45 minutes east of the San Juan capital.
The grounds are made up of hundreds of acres of water recreation, wildlife sanctuary, private residences like ours, and The St. Regis Bahia Beach—the only 5 Diamond Resort in Puerto Rico.
Our villa is part of the Las Verandas compounds. These residences are roomy, modern, and luxurious homes with multiple bedrooms that live like mansions, multiple spa-like bathrooms around every corner, formal living and dining rooms in light-filled open-concept layouts, fully-appointed gourmet kitchens that are great for homemade meals and in-home chefs, private, full-size laundry rooms, spacious patios that let you enjoy the warm year-round weather, and even some private plunge pools to add to the multiple swimming holes offered throughout the resort. All of these villas have incredible views of the world-class golf course or the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean. They can easily cost thousands of dollars per night but we booked a week through our membership with Inspirato, who manages several of these beauties and makes them available to families like ours without charging any nightly rates.
Learn more about how we stay in multi-million dollar homes around the world for a low, flat monthly subscription and no nightly rates, taxes, or hidden fees.
Contents:
0:00 Intro
0:44 Bahia Beach Resort Tour
3:20 Luquillo Food Kiosks
9:02 2-Mile Crescent Beach
9:51 El Yunque Rainforest
14:50 Conclusion
