Registered or Premium Member? LOG IN | Not a Premium Member? TRY PREMIUM FREE NOW
|
May 8, 2009
|
|
If you're looking for some warm water, waves for surfers of all skill levels and a cultural change of pace, Puerto Rico is the ideal destination.
And since PR is a US Commonwealth, they use the same monetary system as us and American citizens don't have to carry a passport (though it's probably smart to pack that little blue book just in case you decide to do some island-hopping).
|
|
Photographer Jon Steele recently hopped a flight to meet with life-long PR vet Karina Petroni and local boy Josie Graves to get the inside scoop on everything from where to stay, eat and get internet access to how to get around and where to kill time between sessions. So pay close attention - the following are Jon's tips for how to get by on the surf laden Northwest coast of PR on $30 a day. EL CAREY CAFE: Not only does this café serve breakfast and coffee, but that ever-so-valuable thing called free internet access can be found at here. Be sure and stop by and have breakfast, check your e-mail, Facebook, or whatever, and enjoy a café blanco to start your day. They'd be glad to feed you a great homemade breakfast: $2.75 will get you eggs, bacon and toast, and be sure to try their fresh squeezed juices. COCINA CREATIVA: Okay, so I splurged on this one but every now and again I do after a long session shooting photos or surfing. Cocina Creativa is a great fusion restaurant with healthy food and tons to choose from. It costs around $7 for the killer jerk chicken sandwich with salad which will get you refueled for your evening session! I love this place; the variety is awesome and it's close to the skatepark. Phone: 787-890-1861 OCEANFRONT HOTEL AND RESTAURANT: Located right by Jobo's, one of the best breaks in PR, Oceanfront Hotel and Restaurant is a killer place to stay. It costs $85 per night for two people, which isn't bad if you slip a third or fourth person in there. But it might be a good idea to hit up a campground or someone's couch on the weekends because they raise their prices to $100 per night on those busier days. The restaurant's mofongo was the talk of this trip. Though it carried a steep price of $20, the bowl is full of ocean goodness, from prawns, shrimp, mussels, Dorado and more seafood tastiness all atop plantains. Phone: 787-872-0444; Website: www.oceanfrontpr.com AGUADILLA SKATEPARK: Aguadilla has a skatepark where you will find plenty of locals ripping. It's free but you need a helmet. It's a fun way to kill the flat spells, and even if you aren't the best skater, you can always roll around the lower parts of the mid-sized pool to practice drawing lines. Of course, there's also a six-foot wall for the more skilled skateboarder. Also, be sure to visit PR's capital San Juan to check out the skateparks there as well. GETTING AROUND: Like most places around the United States, relying on buses for transportation is pretty useless. On the other hand, PR proves to be the Caribbean version of Hawaii in that a thumb is a reliable way to score a ride. But there's always an inherent risk involved with hitchhiking so a better idea might be to buy some beers for other traveling surfers and getting a ride with them. After that, be sure to find a bat cave pre-sunset and watch the ventana, or window, as the bats venture out at dusk. Bring a flashlight and don't disturb the bats while they're sleeping. JUNIORS PIZZA: Juniors Pizza is a local hangout for photogs as well as the local groms and rippers, plus it's right next to Jobo's so it's an obvious choice for a post-surf meal. For $13 you can get a medium BBQ chicken pizza with two beers and a drink! And you can make that pizza last for two to three meals if you need to. (Note: Closed Mondays and Tuesdays) Phone: 787-602-5114 WATERFALLS: What if you're sick of crusty salt water? Then a good way to cool off on a hot day would be to go on a search for some tropical waterfalls to the interior of the island. El Yunque has tons of them but it's on the completely opposite end of the island from where you'll likely be staying for surf. But take an adventure on a flat day and search out some of the spectacular ones that are only about 30 minutes from the Rincon/Aguadilla area. LOCAL PANDERIAS: A panderia is a bakery and in PR, they will sell you five fresh doughnuts for $1 and the pork rotisseries are key after a long surf. Chicken, beer or empanadas for a dollar will get you through lunch and be sure to check out the 75-cent potato balls. CAMP IT: Camping in Puerto Rico is doable, and with the right attitude you can be staying on new friends' floors and couches in no time. Bring a positive mind-set and the island life will treat you muy bueno! SAN JUAN FORTRESS: The historical city of San Juan is beautiful. But the wandering traveler needs to be aware of cars on the small streets and narrow passes. And it doesn't hurt to watch out for dodgy people. BEEFSTEAKS AREN'T JUST FROM JERSEY: The local boys rally together to make the best beefsteak ever. And after one of these hefty sandwiches, enjoy playing a few rounds of golf at Whispering Pines course and watch the whales play out front. Puerto Rico is a place where whales pass by and breach. It's a place where the elderly sit on their front stoops and spark a conversation. SURFING, DUH!: And don't forget that there are waves here. There are over 60 breaks around the island, most of which are located along the Northwest coast. You've just gotta look for 'em. Thanks to our gracious hosts Chessy, Josie, Ramon, & Uncle Dan. MORE WOMENS SURFLINE HOME PAGE |
|
Comments: (19) Add Your Comment
brett detmers 05/19/2009 09:31 AM * PREMIUM MEMBER - Real Name
great shots and tastefully done!
we like more!!!
John 05/14/2009 06:41 PM
Ate at El Carey Cafe, it was awesome. Orange juice was killer, trust me you want some.
jesse rush 05/14/2009 06:46 AM * PREMIUM MEMBER - Real Name
The pics were awesome.. Living out here now and was wondering about that waterfall in one of the last pics. Anyone know? Peace
Jamie Tyson 05/14/2009 06:00 AM * PREMIUM MEMBER - Real Name
Long live Dennis Rich and Gary Shirka! Gary let me stay with him and took me to all the waves treated me like family. Introduced me to Dennis and we were all jamming out in no time! PR = Rum = Fun!!
knowledge 05/13/2009 11:38 AM
don't hitch hike. PR seems safe enough to outsiders, but to us people who live here everyday know its not the enchanted island it is sold as. I love home more than anything, but you know what i am talking about. life can be cheap here
KhrizPR 05/12/2009 08:07 PM
I Love my 100x35 miles island !!! Respect the locals and locals respct u ... Is the same rule around the world !!! Viva Puerto Rico... In all the point of the island you will find a surf spot in the south coast Inches, east coast La Pared, North Coast La 8, Aviones, Hallows and the West Coast Rincon, Isabela and Aguadilla... enjoy
05/12/2009 09:52 AM
PUERTO RICOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Carlos Josue 05/12/2009 09:37 AM
Hi, I'm from P.R. the best surf is from December to April at the northwest is the best Surf and in summer Aviones in Loiza. Surfs Up
aquadot50 05/12/2009 07:51 AM
THE ENCHANTED ISLAND ROCKS AND WEST SIDE RULES ! I HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF SURFING DOMES , WILDERNESS , JOBOS , CRASHBOATS , RUINS , SURFERS AND A FEW SECRET SPOTS WITH NO TROUBLE AT ALL . THE ISLAND HAS THE BEST OF BOTH THIRDWORLD & STATESIDE .....MUY MUY BUENO !!!!
Hector & Diana Vazquez " El Carey Cafe & Beach Shop" 05/12/2009 05:07 AM
Thanks for mentioning our Cafe. However, the name is not "Ya Arribo", it is actually "El Carey Cafe & Beach Shop." The sign in the street says "Ya Abrio", which means "Now Open". We appreciate your cool remarks and hope to see you soon!!
Andrew 05/12/2009 03:50 AM
Puerto Rico is awesome. I've been there twice and had a blast. Juniors Pizza is awesome and he's super cool. The hostel in Rincon is a good bet or you can camp on the beach right in from of tres palmas. Some advice I got before going was don't leave anything in your car and just leave it unlocked. I've never had any problems though and the locals are super mellow. Enjoy!
Anthony Ferro 05/11/2009 04:46 PM * PREMIUM MEMBER - Real Name
PR is awesome. The food is cheap, surf is great, weather ridiculous, and Rincon is mad chill. Couple warnings: 1. Watch out for the stone fish. (Feel sick for 2 weeks) 2. The reef is nasty, especially at indicators. 3. Watch out for locals. Most people are awesome and like to have a good time, but my friend and I got all our stuff stolen and had a confrontation with a group of guys who just didn't like gringos.
Don't let any of that stop you from going though.
nemroditz hernandez 05/11/2009 01:12 PM
come to PR and enjoy you will like to stay here forever!local8*
05/11/2009 08:12 AM
a bakery is a PANADERIA not a PANDERIA
Roger Shriver 05/11/2009 04:43 AM * PREMIUM MEMBER - Real Name
View All Comments (19 comments)
Well whoever left that last comment...if you go to Puerto Rico you will see that it is definitely not the United States.
Add Your Comment:
ABOUT SURFLINE'S COMMENTS: Surfline comments are intended to foster and continue a community discussion and/or debate on the topic brought up by the feature above. We encourage you to comment and express your opinion. Before commenting, you should know that Surfline Comments are moderated, which means that comments containing personal attacks, excessive profanity, or off-topic remarks may not be posted. Also, 'EDITOR'S PICKS' are comments that we feel capture points-of-view from all sides of the issue at hand, not necessarily the comments Surfline most agrees with. Thanks. --the editors
|