My Puerto Rican adventure, from mountaintop to seaside
During my tenure at TPG, there have been some instances where I’ve pondered, “What exactly is my job, and how did I get it?” A recent example struck me as I gazed at a sprawling rainforest landscape stretching from coastline to mountain range while moseying up a lush trail in Puerto Rico on horseback.
My travels have led me to beautiful settings before, but this was a time-bending first. In one day, I transitioned from riding the New York City subway to traversing a trail on a horse in Puerto Rico. It was a memorable trip that transported me out of the early December chill of New York City to a tropical paradise just a domestic flight away.
Here’s how my Puerto Rican adventure unfolded.
Plan your own trip with Discover Puerto Rico here.
Getting there
I started my day in my Brooklyn apartment, feeling cold, dreary and disillusioned — a mood that only the first hints of a looming winter can evoke in a New Yorker. Fortunately, I had a secret as I walked through some snow flurries to my subway stop, suitcase in tow.
You see, my new pal Génesis Yamille — a Puerto Rican travel content creator and friend of TPG — invited me to Puerto Rico to experience some of her favorite adventure activities across her beautiful island home. My first thought? It seemed quite ambitious at this busy time of year.
After some persuasion from Génesis and my own research, I quickly realized that Puerto Rico is the perfect destination for a wide variety of travelers, whether you’re seeking a quick adrenaline rush or a longer acquaintance with a beachside pina colada.
Before I knew it, I was boarding my flight to San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU). The captain welcomed passengers and announced a three-and-a-half-hour flight time — slightly longer than a New York-to-Miami flight. After enjoying two movies and a couple of ginger ales, we landed in sunny San Juan, and I was zipping through the airport, eager to start my Puerto Rican adventure.
And I didn’t have to wait long.
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As an American citizen, I didn’t need a passport to enter Puerto Rico, eliminating the need for long passport control lines or arduous customs forms. In fact, just 12 minutes after the airplane door opened at my arrival gate, my Uber was pulling away from the curb — ensuring my first day on the island was one full of adventure, not merely a lost travel day.
Related: A beginner’s guide to visiting Puerto Rico: Everything you need to eat, see and do
Trotting up mountains
My first stop was Hacienda 8A, a family-run horse farm located in Las Piedras, just 45 minutes from San Juan. Situated at the base of El Yunque National Forest, Hacienda 8A makes quite the first impression. The landscape is a myriad of lush greenery enhanced by over 30 horses dotting the property. Some graze in free-range pastures while others stand by in stables, ready to welcome novice riders.
It was here, in a verdant meadow, where I met Génesis in person. Joining us were José, the owner of Hacienda 8A, and our four-legged companions for the day: Legendary, Cloud and Horchata. After a safety briefing and some equine training, it was time to ride.
Between tongue clicks (the command for “go”) and saying “whoa” (the signal for “stop”), Génesis and I got to know one another better as we crested over rolling hills and meandered through breezy meadows.
Our adventure peaked as our trio reached a final mountain peak together, where we were rewarded with sprawling views of Puerto Rico’s countryside. From our elevated vantage point, we spotted hawks gliding across the horizon and witnessed a rainstorm entering El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. In only a matter of hours, I had traded the concrete jungle for a real-life tropical paradise.
With the bar set incredibly high, I rode back down the mountain with a skip in my step (well, actually, the horse’s step) and a grin on my face, eager to see what Génesis had in store for us that evening.
Zipping through the sky
Our van arrived at our next stop, and I could immediately tell that our adrenaline-fueled adventure was far from over. We’d arrived at Hacienda Campo Rico, an all-ages playground with archery tag, all-terrain-vehicle tours and a zip line course, but we were there on a very specific mission: to savor a truly one-of-a-kind mojito.
Hacienda Campo Rico’s zip line course makes its final landing in a treehouse bar, where thrill-seekers can order a wide assortment of beverages and small bites.
“I hope you’re not afraid of heights,” Génesis said as we were fitted into harnesses, helmets and gloves.
After a detailed safety briefing, we were off, bumping along in the back of an ATV on the way to the first zip line.
The course at Hacienda Campo Rico is composed of five lines and five suspension bridges with short hikes in between — they provide the perfect balance of stunning views on the ground and even more mesmerizing panoramas from 50-plus feet in the air. The zip lines also increase in speed and intensity as you traverse the course. By the fifth line, I was literally screaming in delight (and admittedly a little fear) as I entered the mojito bar.
Still riding the adrenaline high, Génesis and I ordered our well-deserved cocktails and sat down to discuss the day ahead. Over a “cheers,” Génesis asked if I was up for a road trip the following day, hinting that Puerto Rico‘s wonders extend well beyond San Juan.
With the memories of an amazing first day fresh in my mind, I eagerly agreed.
Read more: The best hotels in Puerto Rico — find your stay on the Island of Enchantment
Kicking back on the beach
After a restful night’s sleep, Génesis picked me up from my hotel, and we were off to what she described as one of her “absolute favorite spots on the island.”
Soon, we crested over a hill, and as we did, the landscape expanded before us, revealing sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. I was awestruck. Straight ahead was the gorgeous coastline, while a quick glance in the rearview mirror captured a glimpse of the Cordillera Central mountain range.
We pulled up to Mar Chiquita, a beach that’s a local favorite just 40 minutes from Old San Juan. It surrounds a gorgeous crystal-clear cove flanked by jagged rock formations on either side. This natural barrier has a small opening that restricts the ocean’s waves, creating a natural pool.
We arrived around 9 a.m. and had the place to ourselves, allowing me to take in the beauty and serenity of the spot without distractions.
It was a bit too breezy for a dip during our visit, so Génesis and I relaxed on the shore, feet in the sand and virgin pina coladas in hand (it was morning, after all). For those visiting at later hours, there are food trucks offering local favorites like tostones and empanadillas, as well as umbrellas and beach chairs for hire.
Trekking through the canyon
While I could’ve spent the entire day at Mar Chiquita, I knew that Génesis had more planned for us — so we hopped back in the car and embarked on the next stop on her itinerary. The next hour and a half passed by with discussions of our favorite movies, books and travel destinations as we sped down highways and wound through country roads.
After a noticeable increase in elevation, we arrived at Canon Blanco and met our guide María from Nativos Eco Tours. As we hiked downhill through leafy flora, she proudly explained that Canon Blanco has gained popularity over the last six or so years. Along the way, María pointed out a couple of Taíno petroglyphs etched into the large boulders centuries ago.
Reaching the lip of the canyon, I was blown away by the change in landscape. The light tan hues of the Glorieta sandstone contrasted sharply against the deep greens of the valley, creating a scene reminiscent of a Martian landscape yet in the heart of the Puerto Rican forest. At the bottom of the giant crevasse, water flowed at various depths and speeds, from turbulent white water to calm pools ideal for swimming.
Our last stop was El Sofa, a rock formation that resembles a natural stone couch, perfect for photo-ops. After one final dip in the natural pools to cool down, our journey through Canon Blanco was complete — and it was time for Génesis’ grand finale.
Swimming by bio glow
The last stretch of our journey took about an hour and 45 minutes, bringing us to the coastal town of Lajas. Situated on the southern side of the island, this area is known for an incredibly unique natural phenomenon: its bioluminescent bay.
Our final destination was Parguera Water Sports, an aquatic tour company that offers kayaking, snorkeling and bio bay excursions in the Caribbean Sea. With the sun starting its descent, we boarded our boat, helmed by the experienced captain Mendoza.
No words would appropriately describe the sunset we witnessed out on the water that evening. We watched in awe as the sky exploded into hues of orange, yellow and blue. Second by second, the sun drew closer to the horizon and disappeared.
Under the last rays of daylight, we jumped in the water for a quick swim and climbed aboard kayaks for a jaunt around the inlet’s barrier islands.
Then, it was time for the main event.
Back on the boat, we headed northeast toward La Parguera’s bio bay. On the way, captain Mendoza explained the inner workings of the extraordinary phenomenon we were about to witness. The bioluminescence here is caused by dinoflagellates, microscopic organisms that, in high enough concentration, emit a neon glow when activated by splashing or rapid movement. Remarkably, this spectacle can only be experienced in five ecosystems worldwide, and Puerto Rico is home to three of them.
Anchoring far away from any light sources, we donned life jackets and jumped back into the water. At first, my eyes hadn’t adjusted to the darkness, and I was disappointed in the tiny organisms’ “light show.” But after a few minutes, it happened. I moved my hands in rapid circles, and a stream of pixie dust seemed to illuminate my movements. From then on, we were enthralled, kicking, splashing and floating through a sea of tiny aquatic stars in absolute amazement.
It was nearly impossible to capture these moments on camera, but even with my background in video and social media at TPG, this felt exactly as it should be. After all, some travel experiences must be seen to be believed and experienced to truly understand.
And as it turns out, Puerto Rico is filled to the brim with these opportunities.
I knew I had only scratched the surface during my short yet exhilarating time on the island, but I’ll definitely be back to spend more time with Génesis — and explore more of this tropical paradise.
Visit Discover Puerto Rico to plan your own vacation today.
