More Puerto Rico questions for kids - El Yunque Forest tour, food tour for kids
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Anonymous
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I'm planning for 5 full days in Puerto Rico (plus travel days) in June. We are a family of 4, with an 11 year old and 7 year old. I am looking for a steer for a recommended tour company for El Yunque - we're all in good physical shape, but just haven't done much hiking or very adventurous stuff except for the 11 year old who would love zip lining but the rest of us would not. I know that it's better to rent a car and drive in, but I am trying to avoid renting a car for the week (cost, but also just one more thing to plan, including getting a pass to get into the forest itself, which is not something I need to do with a tour). Any recommendations for tours that are good for that age group for a day tour, or even just 1/2 day? There are so many that I was hoping the group might have one to recommend.
Also, I am looking at what seem like many many options for walking tours of Old San Juan. I am wondering if anyone has recommendations that are particularly good for kids, especially if there is a food element (I'm hoping to lure my kids to trying new foods - DH and I will happily eat anywhere). For planning purposes, we are splitting our nights between La Concha and the Wyndham Grand Rio - I'm still deciding on this though. Our main must dos during the week are: El Yunque, Old San Juan and forts, bio bay (I assume Farado, given the short time we are there and might not have time to go to Vieques), and Luquillo beach. Plus just hanging out at hotel for chill time at pool. There's so much to do that we'll have to save much for the next trip. thank you! |
Anonymous
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We’ve been to Puerto Rico a bunch of times with our kids, but we’ve never done tours.
There are kioskos at Luquillo beach near el Yunque. You can sample local food there—and have an excellent Plan B with more familiar food as well (terrific pizza place there!). Try the pinchos. In OSJ, go to Senor Paleta for artisanal popsicles. It’s a good treat in the heat when walking around. I love Caribbean pastries with guava, etc. Your kids might like them, too. There are several cafes in OSJ worth checking out that also have baked goods. Another OSJ tip: check out the cathedral, and pop into hotel El Convento if you need a clean bathroom. |
Anonymous
| Thanks for these suggestions, this is great! |
Anonymous
Omg yes the Luquillo kioskos are so good. |
Anonymous
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Near El Yunque:
Bungalu - for a great rooftop vibe, killer drinks and food, family friendly Lluvia café - for the best coffee and breakfast and pastries In Fajardo: La Estación - for BBQ fusion and seafood with a cool atmosphere that is family friendly In Condado: Kasalta for yummy pastries and sandwiches and bread and all sorts of Spanish style fare In Guaynabo: Wilo’s Eatery and Bar In Dorado: Positivo Sand Bar - for sushi Café Cuatro Sombras for killer coffee And Italian restaurant next to Cafe Cuatro Sombras la I forgot the name of |
Anonymous
| You really should go kite flying on the grounds of El Morro with the kids. It’s a lot of fun and you can buy the kites at some vendors there on the grounds or Walgreens nearby. Then yea a piragua, otherwise known as a snow cone, for a snack. It’s awesome! Enjoy the fort! |
Anonymous
| I don’t think you need a pass anymore to get into El Yunque. Besides, a favorite swimming hole on the Angelito trail is easy to get to by car and you don’t pass any gate to get in. Just swing left after the entry sign to El Yunque. It will look like a scary road, but keep going until you cross a bridge with a river and go up the hill two minutes more and Angelitos trail will be ok your right. It’s a beautiful short hike to a gorgeous zen place and the water is pure and clean and great for swimming. |
Anonymous
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The Vieques biobay is the best, but the one in Fajardo will do.
You might also want to ride horses at Hacienda Carabali. I would rather stay as a family at the Wyndham Rio Mar. It’s right across from El Yunque, has a great beach, wide open space to run around, a beach club pool with a great food truck that sells yummy frappes and fruit bowls. The becah club has a nice BBQ on the weekends. |
Anonymous
| We stayed at the Wyndham and just rented a car for the day to go to el yunque. They have an enterprise on site. It was way cheaper than a tour and way better because we could do what the kids wanted. Just reserve in advance because they run out of cars. It is a 15 minute drive and it allows you to get some meals off site for that day. |
Anonymous
Thank you for this tip! I just reserved a car at the Wyndham based on this suggestion - I didn't want the car for the whole week, but also didn't want to waste time getting to a rental place at the airport. Thank you! |
Anonymous
+1 for La Estacion. Parking can be tricky but the restaurant and atmosphere are great. |
Anonymous
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We did a guided tour of El Yunque that we booked through AirBnB Experiences and it was well worth it to me. I would recommend the guy we used but I know that he has moved to a different part of the country. But you can look there for different options. And they will pick you up so that you don't need to rent a car. Our guy also took us to lunch at the Luquillo food kiosks and ordered for us.
In Old San Juan we did a food walking tour through https://sanjuanfoodtours.com/old-san-juan-food-tour/. My kids are 10 and 14 and they enjoyed it. In place where they served coffee or alcohol they had alternatives for the kids. |
Anonymous
| There’s an adventure park super near the Wyndham that has horseback riding. |
Anonymous
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Service at Bungalu was awful in April. View is amazing.
Yunque ziplining was great. Highly recommend even if you don't want to do it. Tour guides were awesome. Seven Seas beach was good for calm water. |
Anonymous
Do you remember the name of the park? |