Saint Valentines Day is quickly approaching and with it usually comes frantic last minute shopping.
You’ve bought every kind of flower bouquet known to man and she has way too many purses already. Saint Valentines is a celebration of love and romance, as well as a chance to create unforgettable memories with the one you love. This Saint Valentines celebrate love with a getaway to Puerto Rico, the ultimate romantic gift. Here are a few ideas of where to go depending on your style.
Sea, sunsets and seafood in Rincón
Rincón is a small coastal town in the western part of Puerto Rico nicknamed The City of Beautiful Sunsets and aptly so. Some of the most memorable sunsets can be enjoyed while overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at Rincón’s serene mountains. Although Rincón is best known for its surfing beaches, its cool, calm and collected atmosphere makes it a great place for a romantic getaway.
For starters, seafood lovers will find they’ve hit the jackpot. Fresh catch and breathtaking ocean views are served pretty much anywhere you go in Rincón. Al fresco dinning without the fuss of having to dress up, a variety of lodging options ranging from hotels to small inns suitable for any budget and of course the beautiful beaches put Rincón at the top of the list for those looking for a relaxed getaway in Puerto Rico. Best of all? You can fly in to nearby Rafael Hernández Airport in Aguadilla without having to drive all the way from San Juan.
Romantic Retreat in Vieques
Imagine yourself lying down, soaking up the sun at a 21-mile stretch of secluded pure white sandy beach, with water so clear snorkeling can be done without a mask.
Sounds too good to be true? Well it isn’t. This is Vieques, and in 2011 Trip Advisor listed it among the top 25 beaches in the world and Budget Travel named it one of the 10 islands you should see before you die. Not bad for a 21 by 4 mile island!
Beaches like Sun Bay, Caracas Beach and Blue Beach are perfect spots to lie down next to each other and relax under the warm tropical sun.
But nothing will make your romantic escapade more unforgettable than a kayak ride through Mosquito Bay. Considered to be one of the brightest bioluminescent bays in the world, Mosquito Bay is one of the seven bio bays that exist worldwide. A guided tour will take you and your mate on tandem kayaks through mangroves and calm sea. The stars are your only source of light, that is, until you reach the bay. That’s when the real light show begins! The tiniest disturbance in the water will make it glow before your eyes, causing an explosion of light few people in the world get the chance to experience.
Alfresco picnic in historic Old San Juan
There’s something about the fresh ocean breeze, the narrow cobblestoned streets and the mystique that surrounds the massive forts that give Old San Juan a romantic je ne sais quoi.
Old San Juan is full of romantic and fun things to do, all within walking distance from one another. A stroll around the walls that fence in the city is the perfect way to enjoy spectacular ocean views. A ride in the free trolley will take you through the narrow streets, making occasional stops at all the important spots for shopping as well as sightseeing.
What better way to end a day of walking around and enjoying a piece of history than a sunset picnic in front of one of a 500 year-old fort? The Fort San Felipe del Morro is surrounded by a grassy playground where kids enjoy endless hours of kite flying as well as being a perfect place for sharing a bite to eat with your loved one.
Celebrate at 10,000 feet
What’s more romantic than climbing atop the highest mountain and shouting, “I love you” from the top of your lungs? Screaming, “I love you” while jumping out of a plane of course!
Admittedly, skydiving is not the most conventional way of celebrating St. Valentine’s day but if you’re the kind of couple who is always seeking for the next adrenaline rush or not afraid to try something new, then you should definitely come to the Puerto Rico Freefall Festival.
For the past couple of years, the Puerto Rico Freefall Festival has been held at the northern city of Arecibo during Saint Valentine’s week. Couples from all around the island head over to Arecibo to ascend upwards of 10,000 feet and get a real birds-eye view of Puerto Rico’s wonderful landscapes. For more things to do in Arecibo, read Outside the Guide: Arecibo.
This Valentines Day, forget about crowded shopping malls and treat each other to an unforgettable getaway to the most romantic destination in the Caribbean, Puerto Rico!
Got some romantic ideas? Go to the See Puerto Rico Facebook page and share your ideas with our community.