{"id":6326,"date":"2021-01-26T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-01-26T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thefullpassport.com\/?p=6326"},"modified":"2023-08-08T10:58:10","modified_gmt":"2023-08-08T14:58:10","slug":"week-itinerary-puerto-rico-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thefullpassport.com\/week-itinerary-puerto-rico-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"An Unbeatable One-Week Itinerary for Puerto Rico [Part II]"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Thanks for joining us for the second half of our one-week itinerary for Puerto Rico! If you haven’t already, make sure to check out the beginning of our week<\/a> before diving in here. Otherwise, you’ll miss the incredible island of Vieques, tips for the ferry<\/a> back and forth, and more information about the delectable food kiosks in Luquillo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you’re done, let’s pick up with the return ferry to “mainland” Puerto Rico!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n(Note: some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission from your purchase at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Full Life, Full Passport! You can find the full disclosure here<\/a>.)<\/em>\n\n\n\n
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Day 5: Return Ferry, El Yunque, and More Food Kiosks<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As I mentioned before, leaving Vieques<\/a> was bittersweet for us. We had had an incredible time on this unique, off-the-beaten-path<\/a> island and were sad to leave its bio bay and gorgeous beaches<\/a> behind. Thankfully, though, there were plenty more adventures in store and lots more to see before we headed home!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike our trip to Vieques, our ferry back to mainland Puerto Rico went off without a hitch. It was a beautiful day, and we got to ride on the upper deck and enjoy the view. (I guess that’s the benefit of taking the actual<\/em> ferry instead of a random ship they happened to requisition for the crossing.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The island of Puerto Rico in the distance as we embarked on our return journey<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n
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\"Puerto<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

By the time we arrived back in Ceiba, navigated the chaotic mess that was the parking shuttle, and drove the half hour to Luquillo, we were famished. It was the perfect excuse to make another stop at the Luquillo food kiosks. This time, Mom was craving pizza, so we chose Revolution Pizza Shop<\/a> (Kiosk #34) for a few slices. They were delicious and huge; I ordered two slices and was full long before they were gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With it being a gorgeous weekend day, the kiosks and adjacent beach were packed with people. After lunch, Brooke and I walked the short distance to explore the beach. There was a pier of sorts right behind the pizza shop, so we walked out for a spectacular view of the teal-colored water, colorful umbrellas, and swaying palm trees. People of all ages were having a blast, many of them in big family groups. It seemed like the perfect way to spend the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Beachgoers<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We didn’t linger long, however, as we wanted to hit El Yunque before calling it a day. El Yunque National Forest<\/a> is the only tropical rainforest in the United States National Forest System and is chock full of waterfalls, hiking trails, scenic vistas, and lush green vegetation. The northern entrance, where we visited, features a paved road that winds it way up into the mountains in a series of blind corners and stunning overlooks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With it being so late in the day, we didn’t have time for a hike or to really give the place its due, but we did drive the entire length of the road before coming back down the mountain. As we descended, we took in a few of the points of interest. One of the first was Ba\u00f1o Grande, a manmade pool and dam with lovely stonework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ba\u00f1o<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Although it was closed to swimmers in the late 1960’s, it’s still a pretty, peaceful spot that practically begs you to ignore the signs and take a dip. (Don’t.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Another<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next up was the short trail to Juan Diego Falls, where a small waterfall plunges over rocks to form a natural swimming hole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Juan
(photo credit to my sister, Brooke)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We arrived to find a dozen or so people playing and bathing in the water, which looked delightfully refreshing. Since we weren’t properly attired for swimming, we chose instead to sit on a fallen log, admire the scenery, and relax for a while. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was getting late in the afternoon, however, so eventually we had to pull ourselves away and continue down the mountain. We stopped at a couple more pull-offs, including one for the Yokah\u00fa observation tower. Although the tower was closing and we couldn’t climb up for the view, it was still a beautiful spot.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Lush
(Photo credit to Brooke, again)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

At last, we returned to downtown Luquillo and our trusty Luquillo Sunrise Beach Inn<\/a> where we had stayed the first night of our trip. Thanks to our late lunch, we decided to forego dinner and instead spent the evening enjoying a couple of drinks on our balcony facing the ocean. It was time to rest up for two days in San Juan!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tips for the Return Ferry, the Kiosks, and El Yunque<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n