Okay, so I decided to hit up Puerto Rico in December. I’d been seeing all these amazing pictures online, and I was so ready for some sunshine and warm weather. Here’s how the whole trip went down, from the very beginning:
Planning the Escape
First things first, I gotta get out of the cold, right? I started hunting for flights. Used a bunch of those travel websites to compare prices. Ended up finding a pretty decent deal with a layover in Florida. Not ideal, but hey, I saved some money.
Next up, where to stay? I bounced between Airbnb and looking at some hotels. I found some cute Airbnbs, but i also found hotels at a great price. I was weighing the options, and finally settled on an Airnbn near the beach. Sounded perfect!
Getting My Stuff Together
Packing for a beach trip is the best kind of packing. I’m talking swimsuits, shorts, tank tops, flip-flops – the essentials. I also threw in a couple of nicer outfits for going out to dinner. And, of course, tons of sunscreen. Don’t wanna turn into a lobster on day one.
I did make a list, though, just to make sure I didn’t forget anything crucial. Passport? Check. Phone charger? Check. Sunglasses? Double-check.
Touchdown in Paradise!
The flight was…a flight. The layover was a little boring, but finally, I landed in San Juan. Stepping off that plane and feeling the warm air was amazing.
I grabbed my bag and headed straight for my Airbnb. The drive was beautiful – palm trees everywhere, colorful buildings, and that ocean breeze. Seriously, I felt my stress just melting away.
Beach Time and Exploration
The next few days were all about soaking up the sun and exploring. Spent a lot of time on the beach, reading, swimming, and just relaxing.
- Old San Juan: This was a must-do. Walked around the old city, checked out the forts (Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristobal), and admired the architecture. So much history!
- Food, Food, Food: I ate so much good food. Tried mofongo (a plantain-based dish – yum!), sampled some street food, and had some fancy seafood dinners. My taste buds were happy.
- Rainforest Adventure: Took a day trip to El Yunque National Forest. Did some hiking, saw some waterfalls, and just enjoyed the lush greenery. It was a nice change of pace from the beach.
Saying Goodbye (For Now)
Eventually, it was time to head back home. Packed my bags (a little heavier this time, thanks to souvenirs), took one last look at the ocean, and headed to the airport. The trip was everything I’d hoped for – relaxing, fun, and full of sunshine. Definitely planning on going back someday!
