There are many things to do in Puerto Rico. Here are 5 of Puerto Rico’s best-kept secrets.

These are a few things you might not have thought about doing.

Visit where Rum is made

Visit the Bacardi Factory in Old San Juan and try the rum.

Not only does the island have great rum, but you can also visit where it’s made. As a by-product of the sugar-making process, rum production in Puerto Rico became a major industry in the 16^th century. Sugar cane juice (guarapo) is extracted and boiled at a high temperature. The process yields a syrup called molasses, which when mixed with water and is fermented, produces the distilled spirit rum.  Bacardi, Don Q, and Ron Barralito are some of the best Puerto Rican rums. You can see how rum is made and have a tasting at the Bacardi factory in Old San Juan.  Read more here: A Taste of Puerto Rican Rum History

Explore Arecibo Observatory

NOTE: This attraction is permanently closed. The sad news is that the telescope has collapsed and will be demolished.

Explore Arecibo Observatory and view the massive telescope.

1,000 Foot Diameter Dish in a Sinkhole

The Northern Coastal Valley region of Arecibo Puerto Rico is marked by stark contrasts.  It borders the Atlantic Ocean to the north and numerous caves, sinkholes, and wooded hills to the south. One sinkhole, in particular, is known for nestling an awe-inspiring 1,000-foot diameter dish. This dish, a radio telescope,  keeps us safe from asteroids, beamed a three-minute pictorial message 23,000 light-years away to the edge of the Milky Way Galaxy, and has assisted in numerous notable discoveries. Exploring the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico should be on your to-do list when visiting the island. Read more here: Exploring Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico

Try the Local Foods, they’re Delicious

Mofongo a traditional Puerto Rican food is made with mashed plantains and filled with seafood, beef, chicken, or pork.

Traditional foods are part of Puerto Rico’s heritage and are strongly rooted in the history and culture of the island.  Find a local roadside stand, the beach-front hut, or a restaurant with grandma cooking at the stove down a side road. You’ll not only get a taste of the food but the culture as well.  Wake up your taste buds and eat like a local in Puerto Rico. read more here:

Read more here: Eat Like a Local in Puerto Rico

Go Snorkeling

You will see an amazing amount of fish when snorkeling in Puerto Rico.

When spending time in Puerto Rico, many people who decide to visit this amazing island will lounge on the picturesque white-sand beaches, play in the clear blue water, and soak up the sunshine.  However, renting a paddleboard or a kayak and snorkeling the crystal clear water should be on your list!

Read more here: Where to Snorkel, Kayak, and Stand-Up Paddle Board in Puerto Rico.

I highly recommend this full face snorkel mask.  It makes snorkeling much easier because it forms a seal around your face which prevents water from leaking in.  It’s comfortable, easy to use, and does not fog.  You can click this link for easy ordering.

Traverse the Cave System

Visiting the Camuy Caves will leave you breathless when you view this massive sinkhole.

Located in northwest Puerto Rico in Arecibo, there’s a cave system called The Parque Nacional de las Cavernas del Río Camuy or Rio Camuy Caves.  In the 1950s researchers discovered this large network of natural limestone caves and underground waterways carved out by the third-largest underground river in the world, the Río Camuy.

The canopy of trees and lush vegetation is dense and it’s hard to believe such an extensive cave system hides below the thick forest. Today there are more than 10 miles of mapped trails leading to 17 entrances and 220 caves. Only a small part of the cave system, a 268-acre park, however, is open to the public.  It is home to 3 sinkholes through which an underground river runs, and 2 awe-inspiring caves which visitors can explore. Read more here: Two Caves to Explore in Puerto Rico
When traveling around Puerto Rico it helps to have a GPS to help navigate.

You can click the Amazon link for easy ordering.

When in Puerto Rico, step out of your comfort zone and eat the local foods, explore a cave, or snorkel in the crystal clear waters. You never know what you’ll find when you take the road less traveled.

Here’s how to get to some of the 5 Best Kept Secrets in Puerto Rico https://www.viator.com/Puerto-Rico/d36-ttd

We are a participant in the Amazon Associates, LLC program, an advertising program allowing us to receive fees when you purchase the product above. It does not in any way add to your cost.

Where to Snorkel, Kayak, and Stand-Up Paddle Board – Puerto Rico

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You’ll find the beach front sign in front of Seven Seas Beach

Where to Snorkel, Kayak, and Stand-Up Paddle Board in Puerto Rico. When spending time in Puerto Rico, many people who decide to visit this amazing island will spend their time lounging on the picturesque white sand beaches, playing in the clear blue water, and soaking up the sunshine.  However, renting a paddle board or a kayak and snorkeling the crystal clear water should be on your list! Where to Snorkel, Kayak, and Stand-Up Paddle Board in Puerto Rico.

Where Should You Go for the Best Snorkeling and Rentals?

Pirate Snorkeling Shack in Fajardo, on the northeast coast of Puerto Rico at Seven Seas Bay is the best for many reasons.

Visit Pirate Snorkeling Shack For Snorkeling Tours, Kayak and Stand-Up Paddle Board Rentals, and More!

The area is filled with many varieties of fish and sea life.

Along with an awesome equipment, Pirate Snorkeling Shack offers great value, and the owners Hector and Coralis are passionate about their job.  They will set you up with a stand-up paddle board or a kayak, life jacket, water, a bag to hold your stuff, snorkel equipment, and an anchor.

They Provide Excellent Service

They’ll make sure you’re steady on your feet and holding the paddle correctly before you go off on your own.  In addition, they will give you a handy water proof card with a map to the snorkeling areas and a chart of the different types of fish you will most likely see.  When you get tired of paddle boarding or kayaking you just jump in the water, cool off, and snorkel over the reefs, and get back on your board or kayak and snorkel in another spot.   It was one of the best days I had snorkeling in Puerto Rico.

A fish identification card is displayed so you can name the fish you’ve seen.

They give you everything you need

Pirate Snorkeling Shack also provides guided kayaking & snorkeling tours.  They’ll take you out to the best snorkeling destinations in Seven Seas Bay and provide you with an informative tour both above and below the water. The tours have an ecological focus and their enthusiasm for sharing their knowledge about the environment and undersea life is key of every Pirate Snorkeling shack experience.   You will be guided through the coral reef and will learn about all the different types of marine life you see below the surface. All the equipment is included as you explore the magnificent Seven Seas Bay.

There’s abundant sea life in Seven Seas Bay

The Best Snorkel, Kayak, and Stand-Up Paddle Board in Puerto Rico

This was definitely the highlight of my trip to Puerto Rico and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Pirate snorkeling provides you with great value and gives you everything you need when booking a kayak or paddle board tour; mask lesson, water, lunch, and informative eco tour.

Pirate Snorkeling Shack is my top choice for personalized attention, for receiving the best service, and for getting an  awesome  experience  in ways they never thought possible.

Pirate Snorkeling Shack offers:

• Kayak and Stand Up Paddle Board Rental
• Snorkeling Gear rentals, including Full Face Snorkeling gear.
• Snorkeling Lessons
• Day and Night Snorkeling & Kayak tours
• Go Pro Rentals – with FREE SD Card

Contact:

• Address: Cabezas de San Juan Fajardo Puerto Rico
• Phone: 787-556-0104
• Website: Piratesnorkelingshack.com
• Email: Piratesnorkelingshack@gmail.com

I am in no way affiliated with Pirate Snorkeling Shack. This rental was paid for by my family and I had such a great time I wanted to share it with you all!

Travel Tip: I recommend purchasing this snorkel mask.  It’s the only mask I use and it’s the best purchase I’ve ever made.  There are no leaks, no fogging, and it’s easy to use.  You can buy it here:

We are a participant in the Amazon Associates, LLC program, an advertising program allowing us to receive fees when you purchase the product above. It does not in anyway add to your cost but it helps support our blog costs.

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