Throughout my tenure at TPG, there have been some situations the place I’ve contemplated, “What precisely is my job, and the way did I get it?” A current instance struck me as I gazed at a sprawling rainforest panorama stretching from shoreline to mountain vary whereas moseying up a lush path in Puerto Rico on horseback.
My travels have led me to lovely settings earlier than, however this was a time-bending first. In at some point, I transitioned from driving the New York Metropolis subway to traversing a path on a horse in Puerto Rico. It was a memorable journey that transported me out of the early December chill of New York Metropolis to a tropical paradise only a home flight away.
Here is how my Puerto Rican journey unfolded.
Plan your personal journey with Uncover Puerto Rico here.
Getting there
I began my day in my Brooklyn house, feeling chilly, dreary and disillusioned — a temper that solely the primary hints of a looming winter can evoke in a New Yorker. Luckily, I had a secret as I walked by way of some snow flurries to my subway cease, suitcase in tow.
You see, my new pal Génesis Yamille — a Puerto Rican journey content material creator and good friend of TPG — invited me to Puerto Rico to expertise a few of her favourite journey actions throughout her lovely island house. My first thought? It appeared fairly formidable at this busy time of yr.
After some persuasion from Génesis and my very own analysis, I rapidly realized that Puerto Rico is the right vacation spot for all kinds of vacationers, whether or not you are searching for a fast adrenaline rush or an extended acquaintance with a beachside pina colada.
Earlier than I knew it, I used to be boarding my flight to San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín Worldwide Airport (SJU). The captain welcomed passengers and introduced a three-and-a-half-hour flight time — barely longer than a New York-to-Miami flight. After having fun with two films and a few ginger ales, we landed in sunny San Juan, and I used to be zipping by way of the airport, keen to begin my Puerto Rican journey.
And I did not have to attend lengthy.
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As an American citizen, I did not want a passport to enter Puerto Rico, eliminating the necessity for lengthy passport management strains or arduous customs kinds. In reality, simply 12 minutes after the airplane door opened at my arrival gate, my Uber was pulling away from the curb — guaranteeing my first day on the island was one stuffed with journey, not merely a misplaced journey day.
Associated: A beginner’s guide to visiting Puerto Rico: Everything you need to eat, see and do
Trotting up mountains
My first cease was Hacienda 8A, a family-run horse farm situated in Las Piedras, simply 45 minutes from San Juan. Located on the base of El Yunque Nationwide Forest, Hacienda 8A makes fairly the primary impression. The panorama is a myriad of lush greenery enhanced by over 30 horses dotting the property. Some graze in free-range pastures whereas others stand by in stables, able to welcome novice riders.
It was right here, in a verdant meadow, the place I met Génesis in particular person. Becoming a member of us had been José, the proprietor of Hacienda 8A, and our four-legged companions for the day: Legendary, Cloud and Horchata. After a security briefing and a few equine coaching, it was time to trip.
Between tongue clicks (the command for “go”) and saying “whoa” (the sign for “cease”), Génesis and I obtained to know each other higher as we crested over rolling hills and meandered by way of breezy meadows.
Our journey peaked as our trio reached a closing mountain peak collectively, the place we had been rewarded with sprawling views of Puerto Rico’s countryside. From our elevated vantage level, we noticed hawks gliding throughout the horizon and witnessed a rainstorm coming into El Yunque, the one tropical rainforest within the U.S. Nationwide Forest System. In solely a matter of hours, I had traded the concrete jungle for a real-life tropical paradise.
With the bar set extremely excessive, I rode again down the mountain with a skip in my step (effectively, really, the horse’s step) and a smile on my face, desperate to see what Génesis had in retailer for us that night.
Zipping by way of the sky
Our van arrived at our subsequent cease, and I might instantly inform that our adrenaline-fueled journey was removed from over. We would arrived at Hacienda Campo Rico, an all-ages playground with archery tag, all-terrain-vehicle excursions and a zipper line course, however we had been there on a really particular mission: to savor a really one-of-a-kind mojito.
Hacienda Campo Rico’s zip line course makes its closing touchdown in a treehouse bar, the place thrill-seekers can order a large assortment of drinks and small bites.
“I hope you are not afraid of heights,” Génesis mentioned as we had been fitted into harnesses, helmets and gloves.
After an in depth security briefing, we had been off, bumping alongside behind an ATV on the way in which to the primary zip line.
The course at Hacienda Campo Rico consists of 5 strains and 5 suspension bridges with brief hikes in between — they supply the right stability of gorgeous views on the bottom and much more mesmerizing panoramas from 50-plus ft within the air. The zip strains additionally improve in velocity and depth as you traverse the course. By the fifth line, I used to be actually screaming in delight (and admittedly somewhat worry) as I entered the mojito bar.
Nonetheless driving the adrenaline excessive, Génesis and I ordered our well-deserved cocktails and sat down to debate the day forward. Over a “cheers,” Génesis requested if I used to be up for a highway journey the next day, hinting that Puerto Rico‘s wonders lengthen effectively past San Juan.
With the reminiscences of a tremendous first day recent in my thoughts, I eagerly agreed.
Learn extra: The best hotels in Puerto Rico — find your stay on the Island of Enchantment
Kicking again on the seaside
After a restful evening’s sleep, Génesis picked me up from my resort, and we had been off to what she described as one in all her “absolute favourite spots on the island.”
Quickly, we crested over a hill, and as we did, the panorama expanded earlier than us, revealing sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. I used to be awestruck. Straight forward was the beautiful shoreline, whereas a fast look within the rearview mirror captured a glimpse of the Cordillera Central mountain vary.
We pulled as much as Mar Chiquita, a seaside that is an area favourite simply 40 minutes from Previous San Juan. It surrounds a beautiful crystal-clear cove flanked by jagged rock formations on both facet. This pure barrier has a small opening that restricts the ocean’s waves, making a pure pool.
We arrived round 9 a.m. and had the place to ourselves, permitting me to soak up the wonder and serenity of the spot with out distractions.
It was a bit too breezy for a dip throughout our go to, so Génesis and I relaxed on the shore, ft within the sand and virgin pina coladas in hand (it was morning, in any case). For these visiting at later hours, there are meals vans providing native favorites like tostones and empanadillas, in addition to umbrellas and seaside chairs for rent.
Trekking by way of the canyon
Whereas I might’ve spent the whole day at Mar Chiquita, I knew that Génesis had extra deliberate for us — so we hopped again within the automobile and launched into the subsequent cease on her itinerary. The subsequent hour and a half handed by with discussions of our favourite films, books and journey locations as we sped down highways and wound by way of nation roads.
After a noticeable improve in elevation, we arrived at Canon Blanco and met our information María from Nativos Eco Excursions. As we hiked downhill by way of leafy flora, she proudly defined that Canon Blanco has gained recognition over the past six or so years. Alongside the way in which, María identified a few Taíno petroglyphs etched into the big boulders centuries in the past.
Reaching the lip of the canyon, I used to be blown away by the change in panorama. The sunshine tan hues of the Glorieta sandstone contrasted sharply towards the deep greens of the valley, making a scene paying homage to a Martian panorama but within the coronary heart of the Puerto Rican forest. On the backside of the enormous crevasse, water flowed at numerous depths and speeds, from turbulent white water to calm swimming pools preferrred for swimming.
Our final cease was El Couch, a rock formation that resembles a pure stone sofa, good for photo-ops. After one closing dip within the pure swimming pools to chill down, our journey by way of Canon Blanco was full — and it was time for Génesis’ grand finale.
Swimming by bio glow
The final stretch of our journey took about an hour and 45 minutes, bringing us to the coastal city of Lajas. Located on the southern facet of the island, this space is understood for an extremely distinctive pure phenomenon: its bioluminescent bay.
Our closing vacation spot was Parguera Water Sports activities, an aquatic tour firm that gives kayaking, snorkeling and bio bay excursions within the Caribbean Sea. With the solar beginning its descent, we boarded our boat, helmed by the skilled captain Mendoza.
No phrases would appropriately describe the sundown we witnessed out on the water that night. We watched in awe because the sky exploded into hues of orange, yellow and blue. Second by second, the solar drew nearer to the horizon and disappeared.
Underneath the final rays of daylight, we jumped within the water for a fast swim and climbed aboard kayaks for a jaunt across the inlet’s barrier islands.
Then, it was time for the primary occasion.
Again on the boat, we headed northeast towards La Parguera’s bio bay. On the way in which, captain Mendoza defined the interior workings of the extraordinary phenomenon we had been about to witness. The bioluminescence right here is brought on by dinoflagellates, microscopic organisms that, in excessive sufficient focus, emit a neon glow when activated by splashing or fast motion. Remarkably, this spectacle can solely be skilled in 5 ecosystems worldwide, and Puerto Rico is house to 3 of them.
Anchoring distant from any gentle sources, we donned life jackets and jumped again into the water. At first, my eyes hadn’t adjusted to the darkness, and I used to be disillusioned within the tiny organisms’ “gentle present.” However after a couple of minutes, it occurred. I moved my palms in fast circles, and a stream of pixie mud appeared to light up my actions. From then on, we had been enthralled, kicking, splashing and floating by way of a sea of tiny aquatic stars in absolute amazement.
It was practically not possible to seize these moments on digital camera, however even with my background in video and social media at TPG, this felt precisely appropriately. In spite of everything, some journey experiences should be seen to be believed and skilled to actually perceive.
And because it seems, Puerto Rico is crammed to the brim with these alternatives.
I knew I had solely scratched the floor throughout my brief but exhilarating time on the island, however I am going to undoubtedly be again to spend extra time with Génesis — and discover extra of this tropical paradise.
Go to Discover Puerto Rico to plan your personal trip at this time.
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