If you’re thinking about a relaxing family vacation in Puerto Rico for spring break, stop thinking and book the trip! You won’t regret it.
Puerto Rico was our first big trip since Covid changed the world, and we wanted to focus on relaxation as we were still trying to socially distance as much as possible. So, instead of heading to the ever-popular City of San Jose, we opted to go farther out to the Rio Grande area where the ultimate goal was getting our toes in the sand and soaking up as much sun as possible. Well Mission was absolutely accomplished!
Family Friendly Puerto Rico Resort
Puerto Rico has no shortage of amazing family friendly resorts to choose from, but after researching way too many to count, I landed on the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf and Beach Resort…whew, that was a mouthful. They had wonderful reviews, on site restaurants with a variety of tasty food options, fun excursion options, and great room specials – what more could I ask for? It was an excellent choice for our big family.
The resort was absolutely breathtaking; from the lush, manicured grounds to the perfectly placed pools, and the warm sands of the beach, everything was just right. Upon arrival, the kids were immediately drawn to the loquacious and colorful parrots flanking the entrance. I must admit, we spent way too much time outside talking to the birds before we were finally able to pry them away and head insi
And by get started, I mean changing into our swimsuits and running to the beach shores. From my husband, my oldest, daughter and all the way down to the my son – the youngest at the time, we all needed relaxation and fun in the sun. After a day’s long cycle of sunscreen application, ocean plunging, and sand burying, we decided we had better get off the resort for a while to find some of the local flavor of Puerto Rico
Finding the Local Flavor
No matter where we travel, we make it a priority to teach the kids something new about the culture, people and or history. Getting out and amongst the locals is always a great way to get to the goal. To help with our endeavor, our concierge was wonderful. He called one of the regular taxi drivers to the resort and he drove us around the neighboring town of Luquillo and gave us some wonderful and colorful insight into the Island. One of the most awesome parts of our unofficial tour, was a stop at “The Kiosks” in Luquillo. Think an open air food mart with sprinkles of souvenir shops between, with the whole scene grounded by a backdrop of perfectly blue waters and sandy shoreline, also known as Luquillo Beach. The food was authentic Puerto Rican and delicious. My favorite had to be the mofongo con churrasco – a well-seasoned skirt steak wrapped around a mound of smashed plantains….Oh my goodness, I don’t know how I went 40 years without ever having had this dish, but I promise it won’t be so long before I have it again.
Top Three Excursions For Families Near Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
Despite wanting to keep things very lowkey during our time in Puerto Rico, I cannot resist a good excursion. I mean, as much as I tried, I’m just not the girl that can sit by the beach or pool all day. We’re an adventuresome family and we need thrill, even if a little.
- Kayak Tour in a Bioluminescent Bay…in the DARK. I know, I know…you’re asking if I’m crazy. Well, I’m not. I promise it’s a really good time, and super cool to experience. Our 3 mile guided journey took place at the Bioluminescent Bay of Laguna Grande Mangrove Reserve. Our guide gave comprehensive and entertaining commentary about the ecosystem, and by the time we made it to the wide open Bio Bay, I felt like an amateur marine biologist. I’d have to say the best part of this excursion was the beauty and wonder of seeing the water light up at our touch (of the hand and our paddle). There are only 5 places on earth with Bio Bays, so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share this experience with our kids.
- El Yunque National Rain Forest. Do you see this beauty? The only Tropical Rain Forest in the United States is quite the sight to behold. We especially recommend taking a guided tour with waterfall stops. Just go! Why would you ever regret it??
- If you really want to get into the history of the island, including the colorful and awe inspiring architecture. Take a walking tour in San Juan (old San Juan for bonus points). It’s a great real-time education for the whole family. Don’t forget to pop into some cafes on the route to enjoy some yummy treats.
Overall, Puerto Rico is the perfect family vacation destination. Unplug and take in the beauty, or dive into the rich culture.
Happy Travels!
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