GypsySpirit The first part of my stay: A Non-Traditional Christmas in Puerto Rico
In this blog post:
- Where to Stay in La Parguera
- Things to Do in La Parguera Nature Reserve
- Local Restaurants in La Parguera
- Back to San Juan: Yauco Ceiba Tree & Sunset at Boqueron Beach
Tristan, Josiah and Isis had gone back to San Juan the day after Christmas. Isis’ boyfriend flew in to come and pick her up in Puerto Rico. Young love!
That week Jovan and I spent it visiting different beaches and trying out different restaurants. The day after New Year’s Day, we checked out of the loft in Isabela and drove to San Juan to pick up Josiah and Tristan.
All four of us took a road trip to La Parguera, a coastal town in the town of Lajas, Puerto Rico. A great spot Tristan recommended I visit. I didn’t know I was going there until we had arrived in PR. I knew we’d go to another area in the South of Puerto Rico but I didn’t know where. Tristan had told me about this coastal town with all the houses on the water.
I like when surprises like this come up. As a traveler and explorer, it’s not fun when I have every single thing planned out. And it ended up being one of the most amazing experiences that I didn’t plan on at all.
The drive alone was an experience. We drove during sunset which made it even more spectacular. Puerto Rico is so full of natural beauty. It’s astonishing. I wouldn’t get tired of this drive from San Juan to La Parguera ever.
One of my core memories as a kid was when my dad loaded my mom and their three kids in his beat up car with a cooler full of beer in the trunk and drove us around the entire island in one day. I had to be around 9 or 10 years old. I saw so many towns I had never seen before and was captivated by all the beautiful sights and all these places I didn’t even know existed. The island seemed endless to me. This had to be the moment where I fell in love with road trips and traveling in general. My dad was a Libra like me. I know he had the adventurous bug in him. He wouldn’t stop flying from/to Puerto Rico and New York, which he called the biggest city of Puerto Rico. He loved New York.
Where to Stay in La Parguera
I booked this cute beachfront hotel, Villa Parguera Hotel. The only downside is how small the rooms were. But, it was the perfect spot on the oceanfront with a really pretty and serene view. It was a very relaxed atmosphere. All 4 of us were squeezed into two full size beds.
I choose when to splurge and where my money goes. Sometimes comfort is much needed, and sometimes the experiences I pay for are more important than the stay. Even if I can afford all of it, I don’t like just giving my money away just because I can. It’s a constant balancing act of what’s priority at any given moment. Or simply what I want to spoil myself with.
Villa Parguera Hotel has a swimming pool and a restaurant on the premises. Unfortunately, both were closed during the days we were there. While in Europe at the moment, I am now noticing those types of notices when booking; time periods the amenities are typically closed. It’s possible I missed it when booking this property.
Things to Do in La Parguera Nature Reserve
La Parguera is a fishing village with houses on the water consisting of Cayos, or surrounding mangrove islands and coral reefs. It’s a beautiful place to go with your boat or to do water sports surrounded by beautiful views. Like in all accessible nature reserves, you can swim around the mangrove channels (careful with the sharp tree branches under the water. My son got a huge cut on his side from one of those), or snorkel all around the Cayos and enjoy the sea turtles and all the beautiful sea life around it.
Lots of boats come here to hang out and party. Music plays loud all around, people are dancing, having their beer and liquor, hanging out with friends and family members. The Carribbean Sea is one of the most fun seas on earth as far as I’ve experienced, having visited 14 islands in my lifetime.
We ended up doing three activities in this area:
1. An afternoon at the beach
I believe we were in Punta Ballena Beach, I can’t remember now (definitely one of the beaches near Gilligan’s Island). We spent the whole afternoon at this beach. I had never been to a beach where the ocean floor was literally a soft sponge. We were walking on algae I’m guessing, not the green kind. It was the color of sand. Picture walking on a very very soaked sponge, super mushy and slippery to the touch. It was strange and I wondered what my feet were absorbing.
There were families all along the beach. It wasn’t crowded at all. Boats were passing by with loud music with the people in them dancing and partying. There was also very loud music coming from somewhere on the beach. Puerto Ricans can’t live without music. We wither away without it.
After the beach we stopped at a corner with a few food kiosks to choose from to have drinks and fresh seafood.
I bought us a round of Malibu rum -one of my favorites- to do a toast with my boys! These are the kind of moments I always imagined would happen in the future when they were men.
2. La Parguera bioluminescent bay tour
We went to one out of the three bioluminescent bays in the island (there are about 20 in the world, although many resources claim there are only five). This was one of the most amazing and unique experiences. Scratch that, it was an exhilarating experience. What you see and hear is indescribable. You have to experience it yourself. I highly recommend this guided tour. I don’t think there’s a better experience to enjoy in the Caribbean sea. I booked directly with Paradise Scuba La Parguera.
3. Budget-friendly kayaking tour to Cayo Caracoles and Cayo Mata La Gata
I found this kayak tour in google maps. The man was trying to get his tour business off the ground so we got an excellent deal. It was Kayaking Parguera & Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Tours. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it to Cayo Enrique, as it’s too far to kayak to. But the two we went to, the most visited, were plenty for a day of fun.
Hanging out with my three boys was really fun. Can’t remember the last time that happened, if ever, because up until Isis left for college, she was always with me. Although, Isis had a very busy social life so there were times at home it was just me and the boys, but this was the first time on a trip with just them. I still missed Isis and wished she would’ve stayed for this part. Thank God for my one and only goddess daughter who supports me and cheers me on no matter what. Since Tristan moved out, moments with the whole family like this are far apart and limited.
Local restaurants in La Parguera
As far as restaurants, the first one we went to was close to our hotel. In my opinion, it was generic and so overpriced. I immediately knew people came here for the sea views and the fun activities. It’s one of those little strips with lots of fried and canned food. I know a lot about coastal towns like this one.
Regarding the food, it saddens me to say that the US imposes laws and practices on the island like in the states, such as using toxic pesticides that have been banned in other countries. I do see some things are changing and there are people who are bringing awareness to these health-threatening practices. Tristan ordered pulpo tacos and they were slathered in mayonnaise. My stomach was upset after this meal.
I always carry activated charcoal with me. I can’t travel without it. I have had a very sensitive stomach since I almost died of food poisoning from pork chops when I was 4 years old. This is why I take really good care of my health and I’m careful where and what I eat all the time. As my California-born Italian bestie once said, “food is life.”
The first morning Tristan and I got ready and headed to breakfast. We left the two sleepy heads (Jovan and Josiah) asleep since we were the only two up. We went to a small local panaderia, Pargomar Bakery and Deli, that was buzzing with early-morning people (such that I’m not but once I opened my eyes and saw Tristan was up I had to get up). They served a variety of breakfast sandwiches. It was a really long wait but very good. Typical Rican breakfast with good coffee. We brought food back to the sleepy heads.
Having one on one with my eldest son is always special. Or any meal for that matter. We have lots of memories of him and I eating together, “stuffing our faces” with the best foods. We’re both avid foodies. My other kids are too but Tristan has been with me since I was 18 and together we have enjoyed many meals together, trying out different cuisines wherever we are.
Back to San Juan: Yauco Ceiba Tree & Sunset at Boqueron Beach, Fine dining in Cabo Rojo
On the way back from La Parguera, Lajas to San Juan where Jovan and I would catch our flight back home, an amazing drive again by the way, we stopped at the town of Yauco and had lunch. There’s a popular Ceiba tree that a group of ladies knitted a beautiful, bright cover for. Neighbors also painted murals around it, put a swing on it, and a speaker next to it played music. The hillside houses are all colorfully painted and everyone walks up the mountain taking pictures and enjoying the art and the quotes on the wall. It is very special.
We then stopped in Boqueron Beach to walk and visit where my mother’s ashes were released by my sister and Tristan in 2023. We took some amazing pics at sunset by the water and said prayers and talked to my mom’s spirit. I know she was happy that she was released there. Not only does it have spectacular sunset views, it’s also a lively town with lots of shops, people walking around, and live music; the most lively music in the world.
Now, the restaurant we went to for dinner was a total splurge for us and the most expensive of the entire trip. We went to Roberto Astroteca in Cabo Rojo and, oh my gosh, I can’t even describe the food. You have to go to this restaurant if you drive by or visit this area. Don’t miss it. You’ll spend a few hundred dollars depending on the size of your party, but it’s worth every penny. For us and the way we eat and drink it was $100 per person. YOLO!
I had a couple of Japanese whiskeys that were the best cocktail I’ve had in my life. If you like whiskey, you must indulge in this drink. I had never had Japanese whisky before, but I’m not surprised at all at the quality and the taste experience.
This was the end of our three-week trip. The drive back and forth are activities in themselves. Again, driving anywhere through the island is spectacular.
This entire family trip has been one of the best so far. I will cherish it forever. I look forward to more of these for many years to come. Especially when I have grandchildren (first one coming in September!) and we’re taking trips like this and just enjoying family time with beautiful scenery, great food, lively music and lively people.
