Bug Bytes: Sun, Sand & Surf in Puerto Rico!

Norbert @ Old San Juan

This week”s Bug Bytes come from Norbert Figueroa of Globotreks, who is originally from Puerto Rico, which just jumped up about 20 spaces on my must-see-in-the-very-near-future list (yea, it’s kind of long).

Here, Norbert tells us what it was like growing up in Puerto Rico, where you can find some of the best surf spots in the island, and what you should know before your next Puerto Rican trip.

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BB: So, you lived in Puerto Rico? Sounds amazing! What part? Were you living with your family or living alone? How long were you there?
NF: Yes, I was born in Puerto Rico and grew up there until I was 23.  I lived most of my life in the municipality of Carolina, right next to San Juan (the capital).  I spent most of my life living with my family except for the last two years when I had my own apartment, also in Carolina.

BB: What was life like there? How does it differ from the day-to-day bustle of life in the states?
NF: Life there is completely different from the life I have right now in New York.  Of course, I was younger and mostly dependent of my parents, so life was easier.  Moving was a complete 180 degrees turn in my lifestyle.  Compared to New York, life in Puerto Rico feels like it goes at a slower pace and that is less energy demanding.  The climate technically has just one season, summer, so the daily routine is similar year round. The day-to-day is very car dependent.  People are more outgoing, versus in NY where everyone minds just their own business.

BB: I’m a big surfer, and Puerto Rico is known for having some great waves. Any beaches you can recommend?
NF: There are good surfing beaches all around the island but you will never go wrong if you go to Rincon.  There’s an area called Sunset Coast where you will find Las Marias Beach, Domes Beach, and Tres Palmas Beach.  These are the most popular places to surf and you can get waves of up to 25 ft.  But they get crazy busy!  Other great surfing places are Crashboat Beach in Aguadilla and Montones Beach in Isabela.  All these are in the north-west coast of the island.

Pine Grove Beach

BB: Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory. But how does it compare, price wise? What would you expect to pay for a scoop of ice cream? For accommodation?
NF: Since the economy is U.S. driven, prices are comparative to any mayor U.S. city.  A scoop of ice cream…  expect to pay around $2 (for an American or imported brand), but if you buy local ice cream from the street carts, known as helados, expect to pay from 50 cents to $1.  They are delicious and typical flavors are coconut, passion fruit (my favorite), and strawberry, among other natural flavors.

From the street carts you can also get piraguas, shaved ice with flavors.

Accommodation wise, the metropolitan area is somewhat expensive.  Hotels usually go over $100 per night.  With good research you can find a cheap accommodation, but don’t expect to pay less than $50 per night.  Now, if you venture outside the metropolitan area, you can find paradores, government sponsored guesthouses, that can go under $100 per night.

Piragua Cart

BB: Are hostels commonly found? Or tourism more hotel-based, as it is in the states?
NF: Hostels are a rare breed in Puerto Rico.  There are only a few in popular destinations like San Juan, Rincon, and Culebra.  Like in the states, accommodations are more hotel-based. It is a shame, and this is my personal criticism to the island’s tourism infrastructure, because hotels normally don’t cater budget travelers.  On the other hand, there are paradores that are not as cheap as hostels, but are cheaper than hotels.

BB: While we’re on the subject– do you think there is any resentment in the fact that Puerto Rico is a US territory? I only ask this because I’m from Hawaii, and I’ve been watching the struggle and emotions of Native Hawaiians my whole life.
NF: There is some resentment, but it is on a very small percentage of the population.  The islanders’ perception on the U.S. is basically divided in three.  There are the ones that want Puerto Rico to become a state (around 45% of population), there are the ones that want it to stay as a commonwealth (45%), and then there are the ones that want it to be completely independent (10%).

Those are basically the three main political parties in the island.  Puerto Rico has been a U.S. territory since 1898, so today’s generation is very used to this fact.  Plus, in my opinion, this relationship is very beneficial to the island.

BB: Do you speak Spanish? Do you think it’s easy to travel through Puerto Rico even for those who don’t speak the language?
NF: Yes, I speak Spanish.  It is my first language.  Sure, anyone who speaks English can travel easily to Puerto Rico.  English is widely spoken all around the island since it is the second “official” language.  Now, if you venture way deep into the mountains you might have a little bit of trouble communicating with the locals.  But this is not so common these days.

San Cristobal Fortress

BB: If you had to give someone traveling to P.R. three tips, what would they be?
NF: Don’t be fooled by the small size of the island.  There is a lot to see in Puerto Rico, so be ready to drive a lot since all interesting things to see and do are spread around the entire island.

1. If you’d like to find a “postcard-like” remote beach you can head out to Vieques Island (Blue, Green, and Red beach) or head to any non-metropolitan area beach in the north of the island.
2. Popular places for locals to eat good Creole food are Fajardo (seafood), Guavate (pork), Aguadilla (plantains), and Luquillo and Piñones (seafood and popular fried snacks and dishes).

BB: How do different parts of the island differ?
NF: They differ a lot!!  The island has 6 regions:

Metropolitan area: Very urban, active, dense and crowded.  The heart and soul of the island.

East: Very windy, humid, not so developed.  Here you can find El Yunque rainforest.

South (Porta Caribe): Very dry, hot, and flat.  Here you can find the dry forests, dwarf forests and many landmarks.

West (Porta del Sol): Coastal cliffs, the best surfing beaches in the island, great sunsets, not so developed, and traveler friendly.

North: Very green, somewhat cold, mostly coastal. Full of ecological wonders.

Center: (Cordillera Central):  Extremely mountainous, very green, least developed, usually coldest part of the island, great for hiking and adrenaline natural adventures.

Kayaking at Guayama

BB: What areas would you recommend to travelers? Any landmarks or must-sees? How about places to avoid? (Are there any??)
NF: I definitely recommend going to Old San Juan, for its historical and cultural background. Some musts are San Felipe del Morro and San Cristobal Forts.  Just roam around the cobblestone streets and you will find lots of things to see.  Also recommend El Yunque Rainforest.  Hike to the top, it is beautiful and the view is impressive.

The islands of Vieques and Culebra are bordered by great beaches and they feel like being in the Puerto Rico of 50 years ago, since they are not so developed.  In Vieques you will also find the Mosquito Bioluminescent Bay where you can kayak and swim during the night.  Definitely a must!  Also, the town of Ponce, in the south, is full of local landmarks like The Firehouse and Castillo Serralles that are worth seeing.

To avoid… I would avoid government sponsored beaches, called balnearios, during the weekend.  Not because they are bad, just because every local goes there during the weekend and the experience is often not the best for an unsuspecting tourist.

BB: What do you miss most about life there?
NF: I miss the warmth, especially now during the winter months.  I love the fact that I lived so close to the beach that I could drive and be there in 10 minutes.  That I miss a lot.  Miss the Creole food.  Every time I visit I literally stuff on it! Lol

BB: How about the food? Any favorite dishes we should sample?
NF: Food, food, food, Puerto Ricans love to eat!  Creole food, comida criolla, is a mix of Spanish, African, Native Taino, Caribbean and American food.  Dishes… Try Arroz con Pollo (rice with chicken), Lechon Asado (roasted pork), Mofongo, (plantain stuffed with beef, seafood, chicken), Bistec Encebollado (beefsteak with onions), Arepa de Coco (coconut-flavored fritters)… and so on!  All of the above I love, are typical, and definitely recommend them.  I personally don’t like seafood, but it is highly recommended and very popular.  Yummm… ok, I just drooled while writing this. Lol.

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Thanks Norbert! I can’t wait to check out Puerto Rico!!

For more information on Norbert, check out GloboTreks , follow him on Twitter @ Globotreks or check out his Facebook Page

Bug Bytes is a weekly feature that runs on Mondays in which fellow travelers tell us about the places they’ve lived and what makes those places awesome.

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