Puerto Rico's Trips Description

"Tasting Puerto Rico"

InsideTravel invites you to join Lila, a native of Puerto Rico, on this economical and culturally broadening trip to her homeland.
The Taste of Puerto Rico trip takes you to the spirited capital of the island, San Juan; to its fortresses and lush rain forest; and to the warm waters of Villas del Mar Hau Beach Parador, "your little hidden, secret spot in paradise." On this trip this enticing island will reveal other treasures: the phosphorescent bay, Ponce, its main plaza with its historic museum and firehouse, and the splendid subterranean caves of Camuy. Swimming in the Caribbean or pool, or walking the beach at sunset invites you to "an adventurous and back-to-nature experience."
You will arrive at the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan where our guide will be waiting for you. From that moment on we will spend our time enjoying the splendid sites, food, and music of the small island of Puerto Rico. We will spend 5 nights in our base camp, Villas del Mar Hau Parador, and another night at the historic Spain's Consulate mansion, Hotel El Consulado, an elegant bed and breakfast at walking distance from casinos, excellent restaurants, and old San Juan. We will explore most of the sites from our base camp Villas del Mar Hau Beach Parador. During the trip, Lila will share her perspective on the arts, costumes, music, and politics of Puerto Rico.

Length of the Trip: 7 days, 6 nights

What's Included:

• Our full-guided trips include 6 nights and 7 days accommodations: one night at the historic Spain's Consulate mansion , Hotel El Consulado, in the San Juan area, and five nights at the Villas del Mar Hau Beach Parador. Two guests per air-conditioned cabin. There are tennis courts, a swimming pool, and walking trails at no additional cost.
• Pickup from and to the airport, and all transportation to sites.
• Continental breakfasts at the snack bar, and 3 dinners at the Olas y Arena ocean front restaurant
• All entrance fees to museums, caves, and phosphorescent bay boat trip
• A full time guide that speaks English and the locals' language
• Water when sightseeing
• All tips for the included services, and hotel and tourist taxes. (Tipping in restaurants is well received. See that it has not been included with the service. 10-15% is common for taxis too. We have no sales tax in Puerto Rico).
• Not included are lunches, 3 dinners, your drinks, and personal expenses.

A good restaurant and snack bar are on the Parador's grounds, others within walking distance. We will stop for lunch and dinner when sightseeing. Horseback riding, bikes and kayaks are available at the Para dor for a fee. Snorkeling the local reefs and diving are available, however you must register for it and include a deposit with your trip deposit.

Trip Price: $730.00 per person (2 guests per cottage)

Deposit: $250.00

Difficulty: Easy hiking, walking

Participants: 12 adventurous guests

Dress Code: We absolutely don't dress for success! Lightweight long pants, shorts and sandals are welcome in all stops.

"Something More than Sun and Beaches"

InsideTravel invites you to join Lila, a native of Puerto Rico, on this traditional journey to the country side of her homeland. Something More than Sun and Beaches takes you to one of our best-known paradores (country inn), Parador El Faro, developed by the Ruiz family in 18 acres of lush greenery. El Faro is located in Aguadilla, a small coastal town on the north west of Puerto Rico. It offers a window of Puerto Rican culture distinctive to the area with banana trees, swimming pool, tennis and beach volleyball courts, and a native clientele. The Tres Amigos (3 friends) restaurant offers excellent Mexican, Italian, and Puerto Rican Creole cuisine. Many famous beaches are so close to El Faro that you can literally hike to the Crashboat beach and smell the saltiness of the ocean. On this trip, we will visit "old San Juan", hike some of the rain forest trails, swim on its water falls, and enjoy our most spectacular museums. Together we will rediscover the enchantment of the mountainous central towns of Lares and Maricao. Traveling to San Juan on the panoramic southern route, visiting Ponce's historical city and firehouse, and Hacienda Buena Vista, an old coffee plantation, are some of the trip main attractions. The enticing island reveals also a phosphorescent bay, and the splendid Camuy subterranean caves. Snorkeling and diving are also available at an additional cost. This trip invites you to "an adventurous and back-to-nature experience."

You will arrive at the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan where our guide will be waiting for you. From that moment on we will spend our time enjoying the splendid sites, food, and music of the small island of Puerto Rico. We will spend 5 nights in our base camp, Parador El Faro, and another night at the historic Spain's Consulate mansion, Hotel El Consulado, an elegant bed and breakfast at walking distance from casinos, excellent restaurants, and old San Juan. We will explore most of the sites from our base camp Parador El Faro. During the trip, Lila will share her perspective on the arts, costumes, music, and politics of Puerto Rico.

Length of the Trip: 7 days, 6 nights

What's Included:

• Our full-guided trips include 6 nights and 7 days accommodations: one night at the historic Spain's Consulate mansion , Hotel El Consulado, in the San Juan area, and five nights at Parador El Faro. All rooms are air-conditioned. There are tennis courts, a swimming pool, and walking trails at no additional cost.
• Pickup from and to the airport, and all transportation to sites.
• Continental breakfasts at the snack bar, and 3 dinners at the Tres Amigos restaurant
• All entrance fees to museums, caves, and phosphorescent bay boat trip
• A full time guide that speaks English and the locals' language
• Water when sightseeing
• Tips for the included services, and hotel and tourist taxes. (Tipping in restaurants is well received. See that it has not been included with the service. 10-15% is common for taxis too. We have no sales tax in Puerto Rico).
• Not included are lunches, 3 dinners, your drinks, and personal expenses.

A good restaurant and snack bar are on the Parador's grounds, others within walking distance. We will stop for lunch and dinner when sightseeing. This photo shows traditional snacks on a small town cafeteria.

Snorkeling the local reefs and diving are available, however you must register for it and include a deposit with your trip deposit.

Trip Price: $730.00 per person (2 guests per room); $695.00 (3 guests per room); $685.00 (4 guests per room)

Deposit: $250.00

Difficulty: Easy hiking, walking

Participants: 12 adventurous guests

Dress Code: We absolutely don't dress for success! Lightweight long pants, shorts and sandals are welcome in all stops.

What to Bring: An adventurous spirit and a great sense of humor. After all, Inside Travel sometimes presents us with the unexpected, the unknown. And then, bring sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses, hat, water bottle, small backpack, walking sandals, sneakers, shorts, swim suit and gear, a light long sleeve shirt and pants and light sweater for the higher altitude's trade winds. A small flashlight is always useful for evening walks. Don't forget a camera, especially if photography is your hobby because you will find great shots of sunsets and of the historic districts of Old San Juan and Ponce. Binoculars for bird watchers are a must!

Passport/Visa: US citizens don't need one. If you are from outside the United States, you will need the same documentation required when visiting the mainland US.

Airfare Reservations: You can make your own (See trip schedule for arrival and departure times.) or you may contact "Viajes Coquí" at viajes@coqui.net or call them at 1787-754-7757 or 7769.

Travel Insurance: We strongly recommend it. Call Travel Guard International at 800-826-1300. You can buy insurance until 24 hrs. before the trip. $79.00 approximately covers $1000.00.

Scuba Diving with Aquatica Underwater Adventures offers the best diving on Puerto Rico's west coast. Aquatica, the oldest company on the west coast in this business, is regarded as the first stop to some of the best diving Puerto Rico has to offer. Among their many diving locations is Desecheo Island, an uninhabited wildlife reserve surrounded by underwater gardens of colorful sponges, coral encrusted caverns and natural rock formations. Diving and snorkeling packages are available for an additional fee.

Special Trips
If you are interested in a family trip or special group trip all you need to do is call us or fax us at our toll free number 1888-663-6796 or e-mail us at Lila's email (message@insidetraveling.com) and tell us a little about what you want. We will charge you a $100 nonrefundable fee, however we will discuss the trip with you for the first 30 minutes at no charge. We will agree on a day to talk, and when we receive your deposit we will plan the trip with you. Please mail the deposit to our office address. Be timely! At least 3 months are necessary to plan "your" trip.

Future Trips under Construction
Scuba Diving the West of Puerto Rico!
"Aquatica", our vessel, will take us to explore underwater wonders, reefs, and hidden treasures of the west coast of Puerto Rico!

Have a safe and happy trip! Feliz viaje y hasta pronto! I'll see you in Puerto Rico.

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