AT FIRST SIGHT

At first sight to me Puerto Rico looks stressful and confusing. We come with this idea of paradise, of relaxing beaches and landscapes that submerge us into an ideal eternal heaven. But sometimes we wake up, and must face heavy traffic, hot weather, narrow roads and intermittent rains that can end with your patience. So, when you become the host of the exotic family holidays, these tasks can be exhausting if you do not know the dynamics of the country.

You must learn to pack less and be more spontaneous. Take advantage of the morning to visit beaches and outdoor activities. Go shopping when everyone is working. Go into the rural zone in the evenings and spend the night watching the stars swinging over a hammock. You learn that if you are looking for a relaxing vacation away from the crowds, the perfect months are the off season. But if what you want are exciting activities full of adrenaline, then the high season, offers a wider variety of events and activities. You must have a clear vision of what is your perfect vacations to experience that desire.

Hacienda La Fe

When my relatives are planning to visit the island, I always tell them to come in January. There is less traffic and the Puerto Rican for some reason do not like to visit the beach during this time. I know my parents always told me when I was growing up, that during our colder months there is a lot of jellyfish in the water and that for nothing in this world I should step in the ocean. But now as an adult, it is my favorite season to visit the beach, because they are clean and empty. The Puerto Ricans are still celebrating the Octavitas (or Octavas, which are the eight days after the Three Wise Kings, were we continue to have different festivities) and many are also preparing for the beginning of schools and the end of the holidays.

Because of all of this, you will find many empty cabins, quiet outdoor activities, and practically it does not rain during that time. At the end of the month you can attend the festival of the SANSE (festival in Old San Juan that ends Christmas celebrations) and week after week, month after month, follows a sequence to local festivals that will expand your experience in Puerto Rico to another level, one full of adrenaline and flavor, until summer comes.

Now, summer is the ideal time to visit parks, museums, plantations and enjoy all the amenities offered by the hospitality companies of the island. They offer amazing tourist experience, but keep in mind that through May it rains almost every afternoon, since it’s a tropical island! I always recommend getting up with the sun and taking advantage of the morning for outdoor activities, start packing after 1:00pm and plan indoor activities and comes out again after 6:00 pm.

September to November is our most active cyclonic time. During this time, I love doing internal tourism in the center of the island, although it is not the best time to do it.  I think it is safer in the dry season, but it seems more economical and I find it pleasant to listen to the rain fall on a zinc roof house. It is a Puerto Rican fetishism.

I learned with locals that the river is visited in the morning, but at 4:00 pm the locals do not touch the river. Floods are unpredictable in this time, but locals always give certain techniques to prevent any unfortunate tragedy. The trick is to always have a visual mark to track the water level while you are there. Choose a rock guide (some people put a stick with a mark), have a visible two inches mark and monitor this sporadically, if the water level rises above the mark, you should get out of the water immediately. Do not wait for the water to become turbid, change color or drag leaves, because then, it will be too late. If you have no knowledge of the dangers in a river, I always recommend that you go with a tourist guide, it is better to take caution than to regret. 

I must confess that these past four years it has been challenging to find accessible activities for tourist during Christmas time. This must be due to the fact that Puerto Ricans by nature take advantage of this time to completely dedicate it to reconnect with family and friends.

 

  So, during this period I encourage you not to be afraid when you see local activities. Go to a more intimate experience outside the tourist structure. If you find yourself in the midst of a religious crusade, enjoy the moment, you will find surprising local presentations that can foster a romantic experience at the spirit of the country. Urban parrandas with their contagious rhythms will transport you to those goofy and happy moments between family and friends.

The hotels offer private parties on Christmas Eve and New Year, with typical music, dances and exquisite food, at a reasonable price. As I go developing the blog, I will go into more detail, about the country's dynamics, so do not be afraid, plan and visit us, it will be spectacular.