Tag Archives: Puerto Rico

San Felipe Del Morro
Caribbean, Plan, Puerto Rico, Trip Ideas

Caribbean Snap Shots: Castillo San Felipe del Morro, San Juan, Puerto Rico

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The massive stone walls and iconic turrets of this fortress have become one of the most famous landmarks in Puerto Rico. Known to most simply as ‘El Morro’ this sprawling fortification occupies a seaside promontory overlooking San Juan Bay. Soon after the original Spanish colony of San Juan was founded on the shores of the bay, work began on a fort that would guard the entrance to what would become one of the most strategic and active ports of call in the Caribbean.

For the next 200 years, work continued as fortress walls grew higher, thicker, and longer. The cannons repelled English and Dutch warships, but were no match for the US fleet that shelled and then captured the fort during the Spanish American War. When control of the island shifted from Spain to the United States, El Morro became a US military base, and remained active until 1961, when it was turned over to the National Park Service. Now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the grounds are restored to their 18th century appearance.

Today, no visit to Old San Juan would be complete without a walking tour of El Morro, though seeing the entire complex will require some legwork as you hike over hillsides and climb winding flights of stone stairs to reach lookout posts where sentries once stood guard against the approaching enemies. Following the labyrinth of tunnels, dungeons, ramparts, towers and barracks can take most of the day.

Weekends bring out locals who come to the grassy hillside to picnic, relax and fly kites. The strong breezes that come in off the Atlantic and the spacious park-like area make “El Campo” ideal for flying homemade or store brought craft. Food vendors sell drinks and snacks, and the sky is filled with a rainbow of darting and soaring colors.

Culebrita Turtle Beach
Caribbean, Plan, Puerto Rico, Trip Ideas

Caribbean Snap Shots: Playa Tortuga, Culebrita, Puerto Rico

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Time it right and you might have one of the most gorgeous beaches in the Caribbean all to yourself. The small, uninhabited island of Culebrita sits just off the northeast coast of the larger and sparsely populated island of Culebra, 15 miles east of the Puerto Rico mainland. Now designated as a National Wildlife Refuge, this mile-long dollop of coral rock features lowland tropical woodlands, wetlands and six pristine beaches.

The best of the bunch is Playa Tortuga, which is arched around a sheltering bay on the island’s leeward side. This positioning provides shelter from prevailing swells, and keeps the beach free of detritus pushed ashore by the easterly trade winds. Turtles prefer this beach for the same reasons as the few humans who visit: seclusion and shelter. Several species of turtle come ashore to nest, and can also be seen gliding about in the shallows, feasting on the sea grasses that grow in the bay.

If you can’t muster your own boat and crew, hire a water taxi to ferry you over from Culebra, itself reachable from the Fajardo area of Puerto Rico by ferry. You’ll need to bring all provisions, as the island is gloriously wild. Once there, sunning, swimming and snorkeling are the order of the day. Hiking trails crisscross the island and a favorite path leads to the ruins of historic Culebrita Lighthouse, built in 1886 and offering panoramic vistas of surrounding islands and the Caribbean.

Santurce Market, Puerto Rico
Caribbean, Plan, Puerto Rico, Trip Ideas

Authentic Caribbean: Mercado Santurce, Puerto Rico

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Open-air markets are ubiquitous in the Caribbean. Every town, seaside village and mountain hamlet plays host to this particular form of local commerce. Some are formal and permanent, while others are pop-ups that come and go on weekends, holidays or special occasions. The market in San Juan’s Santurce neighborhood has been a lasting fixture for decades, and remains the preferred spot for chefs and home cooks to buy fresh produce. It’s an easy drive from Condado and just 20 minutes from Old San Juan. Here, local farmers deliver fresh produce daily, and vendors set up displays in their personalized spaces decorated with family photos and keepsakes. In addition to fruit and vegetables, long-time vendors sell everything from hats to lace, wooden carvings, festival masks and leather goods, flowers, local remedies and prepared dishes. Many shoppers include breakfast or lunch in the outing, and spend hours socializing while making purchases. During the day, the place is humming with shoppers, but come evening the music starts and the crowds increase. On the weekends, the area known as La Placita buzzes with laughter as people drop in and out of bars and restaurants. Later in the evening when the music kicks, the dancing begins. Inside restaurants and bars and out on the patios, the plaza is packed with salsa dancers from the neighborhood and around San Juan.

Angelitos Pig in Puerto Rico
Caribbean, Eat, Puerto Rico, Trip Ideas

La Ruta del Lechón’s Pork Perfection

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For an authentic taste of Puerto Rico, it doesn’t get any better than lechon asado. This savoy favorite begins with a whole pig that is fired-roasted to create a crispy outer skin that keeps the meat inside succulent and tender. It’s a favorite all over the island, but as local will tell you, there’s one particular area that draws lechón lovers in droves.

Guavate Rancho Puerto Rico

After hours of slow roasting lechón asado is carved into chunks and ready to be served at El Rancho Original. The results are a crispy outer skin and a juicy interior. Photo: Debbie Snow

If your pork pilgrimage begins in San Juan, you’ll want to escape the city on Highway 18, then continue on Route 52 into the mountains and through the town of Caguas. Keep going a couple more miles to hang a left on PR-184, 18, AKA “La Ruta del Lechón” (Pork Route). This winding secondary road carries you into the Sierra de Cayey Mountains, and the village of Cayey. Just when you think you’ve gone too far, a slightly ramshackle restaurant appears just off the road. If the car windows are down, the tantalizing aroma of slow-smoked meat will tempt you to apply the brakes. But you have options, as this is just the first in a line of lechóneras. Traffic slows as drivers jockey for parking spaces, and pedestrians mill about in a carnival-like atmosphere. It’s a gathering that takes place each weekend, with friends and family converging on their favorite dining stop, where they linger over heaping platters of roasted meat, washed down with a cold cerveza. And the feast isn’t just for the locals.

182-PR-Angelito's-Pig

The savory flavors and unique textures of lechon asado are created by spit roasting a whole pig over an open fire. Junior Rivera of Angelito’s uses natural wood for coals. Photo: Debbie Snow

As word of Ruta del Lechón spread, a growing number of island visitors now join in the fun and feasting. Try to arrive midday, as most of the kitchens close by early evening, and you’ll want to have time to savor not only the food, but also the live music, dancing and camaraderie that are as much a part of this gathering as is the pig itself.

El Rancho Original

There’s no doubt that this is one of the favorite stops along the Ruta del Lechón, as it’s hard to find a parking spot out front and there’s always a line inside waiting to place an order. The restaurant has a park-like ambience where the building resembles a wooden tree house. The dining area is scattered about with large wooden picnic tables, some inside under cover, others out in the lawn and a few near the slow flowing brook. Painted signs with cartoon-like pigs dressed in aprons are posted throughout the grounds; some attached to trees others hanging over entrances. Patrons pass by the glass window and order cafeteria style. Most order the roasted pork with rice and pigeon peas, morcillas (blood sausage), yucca and a cold Medalla beer.

Guavate Rancho Pig, Puerto Rico

An order at El Rancho Original is usually accompanied by a side of arroz con gandules (pigeon peas and rice). A selection of hot sauces are available to spice it up according to tastes. Photo: Debbie Snow

Angelito’s Place

If you can’t make it to the mountains for the weekend pig roast, you can enjoy the same flavors closer to San Juan in the Trujillo district. At Angelito’s Place, owner Junior Rivera has been roasting pig for 25 years, and garnering accolades from lechón connoisseurs for almost as long. His secret to the smokey flavor is in the coals, which according to Junior Rivera must be natural wood. He insists the succulent taste of the pork comes from the pigs’ diet, which consists of rice and beans. While some may choose to dine inside, most patrons head to outdoor tables carrying plates filled with of mounds of glistening pork. After the pig is carved up, its weighed and served with a variety of sides. At Anglelito’s an assortment of starches served include the mainstay, arroz con gandules (pigeon peas and rice), along with white sweet potatoes, pasteles, plantains and cuerito—the brittle, seared pork skin. Angelito’s Place consistently wins top billing and deserves the moniker “El Rey de Lechón Asado”—the king of roasted pork.

Angelitos Puerto Rico Food

Plates of succulent pork along with cuerito, the brittle hard skin, and the basics of arroz con ganules mound a plate served at Angelito’s. Photo: Debbie Snow

Caribbean, Play, Puerto Rico, Trip Ideas

Caribbean Cascades: Gozalandia Falls, Puerto Rico

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Getting to this once secret site is easier than ever Most call it Gozalandia Falls, but you may also hear this cataract referred to as Las Cataratas, El Roble Waterfall or Charco de la Leche. By any name, it’s one of Puerto Rico’s favorite “secret” sites. Getting there will begin with a drive along the island’s twisting back roads to the town of San Sebastian, which is about a two hour drive west of San Juan, or a half hour from the west coast town of Aguadilla. Finding the pathway leading to the falls is not as difficult as in years past, as an adjacent landowner now provides roadside parking at the trailhead for a modest fee. Also easier is the actual route to the falls, which once required trial blazing on a series of unofficial dirt and mud paths that meandered through the woods and down to the stream, sometimes requiring a bit of climbing and a lot of careful footwork on slippery slopes. The growing popularity of this site has lead to the development and maintenance of a more formal trail, but getting to the water will still require about 15 minutes of trekking. There are actually two falls, an upper that is somewhat less visited, and the lower, which is the larger of the two, and quite popular with locals on the weekends. Both flow into pools that are suitable for swimming, and deep enough to dive off nearby rocks. Rumor has it that there are plans afoot to develop an eco resort adjacent to the falls, but for now, they remain one of the island’s more rewarding and rustic natural attractions.

Dominican Republic, Cabarete Kiteboarding
Belize, Caribbean, Dominican Republic, Panama, Play, Puerto Rico, Trip Ideas, Turks & Caicos

Five Adrenaline-Filled Trips in the Caribbean

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Picture the Caribbean and what typically comes to mind is lounging on white beaches, pina colada in hand. And while this is certainly the place for chilling out, you can also score big thrills. There are plenty of ways to jump— or rappel, snorkel, kayak, kite- board or surf—out of your comfort zone for a bigger adventure. After all, a little bit of adrenaline goes a long way toward making any Caribbean getaway much more memorable. Besides, that colada will always be waiting for you upon your return.

Swim with Humpbacks off Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos

Grand Turk, the largest of the Turks and Caicos Islands, is a stop along a whale super-highway leading to an offshore breeding and birthing grounds called the Silver Banks. When the captain of the Oasis Divers’ snorkel tour gives the command, leap into the water and just start kicking. Once the bubbles from your splash-in clear, you’ll behold one of nature’s most marvelous wonders. Responses to encountering these jumbo-sized mammals range from speechless awe to tears of joy. Whatever you’re feeling, keep your legs moving because these big animals swim fast.

Rappel in Belmopan, Belize

Only the first few feet of the descent feel truly dangerous—as if you’re free falling into nothingness. Then the harness catches on the descent line. You breathe. You look around and realize that the vista from 200 feet above the Belize rainforest canopy is stunning. You feed rope through the carabineer to control the speed of your drop into Actun Loch Tunich sinkhole. It’s all perfectly calming—just don’t look down.

Kayak a Bio-Bay in Fajardo, Puerto Rico

The only rule of hunting bioluminescence is: The darker the night, the better. Bioluminescence, or biolume, is a neon light certain creatures emit. In the ocean, the organisms are microscopic, so dipping a paddle into the drink stirs up thousands, even millions of dinoflagellates reacting to the movement. Biolume is easiest to see in bio-bays formed when water rich with these organisms stays in a concentrated area unimpeded by tidal exchange. Fajardo, a city on Puerto Rico’s northeast tip, has just such a location. For the best experience with this green and blue light, join a kayak tour on a night with no moon.

Kiteboard in Cabarete, Dominican Republic

In Cabarete, those staying for last-call on the water are usually kiteboarders. Conditions here follow a consistent pattern, and since surf is best in the early morning, that crowd hits the hay early. The wind starts to pick up in the early afternoon, so kiters don’t gear up until after lunch. The reliable conditions also make this beach city one of the best places to learn to rig a kite and ride the waves. The Laurel Eastman Kiteboarding School will hook you up with gear and the know-how. Next thing you know, you’ll be body-dragging—that is, letting the kite power you across waves sans board—and having so much fun, you won’t stop laughing. And don’t worry, it’s just as entertaining with the board.

Surfing in Bocas del Toro, Panama

Timing is everything in surfing, so good instruction up front is key. Guides at the Mono Loco Surf School begin with theory in the classroom, so you understand the whys behind riding waves. Then in the water, nothing is more helpful than a pro shouting “now” when it’s time to pop up and find your balance on the board. Plus, the idyllic location of Bocas del Toro in Panama—an area more chilled out and undeveloped than the neighboring eco hotspots in Costa Rica—does wonders for the psyche.

Cayman Brac Hiking
Antigua & Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Nevis, Play, Puerto Rico, Trip Ideas, U.S. Virgin Islands

The Caribbean’s Ten Top Hikes

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When you are vacationing in the Caribbean, you’re already far outside your everyday, so why not take the next step-or several hundred of them-to widen your island experience with a hike. Tread these natural sanctuaries for encounters with local birds and wildlife, lush rainforests and sweeping panoramas of paradise. We’ve hiked the duds and the winners to give you a list of the Caribbean’s best trails—from breezy to push-the-limits challenging —winding past waterfalls, rivers, beaches, tide pools and so much more.

The Bubbly Pool Hike, Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands

From Foxy’s Taboo, a popular bar and party spot on Great Harbour, the bartenders can steer you to the start of this 15- minute, super easy walk to the island’s rock-walled soaking spot. You’ll end at a pool with crashing waves sending spray overhead and a surge of bubbles up into the basin where you’re standing.

Lighthouse Footpath, Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands

Start at either end of this trail for a 90-minute walk each way past nesting grounds of brown boobies. If you make the lighthouse at the island’s easternmost point your halfway mark, pack a lunch to enjoy while sitting on limestone cliffs overlooking breaking waves. Free printed guides are available: Ask at the front desk of Brac Reef Beach Resort, or see the pamphlet in your guesthouse to arrange your hike.

The Signal Hill Tour, Antigua

Antigua’s shortest and easiest hike starts at Wallings Dam, found at the end of Fig Tree Drive. From there, it’s about an hour—if you don’t stop—to the top of Signal Hill, which rewards finishers with a 360-degree island view. If you’d like to learn more about local history and wildlife, join a tour company like Footsteps Rainforest Hiking Tours.

The Annaly Bay Tide Pool Hike, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

You won’t need fins for the tide pools at the end of this hike, but do pack a snorkel mask so you can take a cool dip and see the juvenile fish nesting in the shallows. Start this moderate, 2-mile hike behind Carambola Beach Resort and Spa. The parking-lot attendant can point you to the trailhead. It’s a fairly straightforward trail that climbs the bluffs overlooking the island’s north shore. You’ll surely stop several times to snap photos, so the uphill stretches won’t feel too strenuous.

El Toro Hike, Puerto Rico

Most visitors to El Yunque National Forest stick to the roadside pullovers immediately adjacent to waterfalls and other attractions. El Toro Trail sees few visitors despite being a moderate, well-marked 2.2-mile journey to the forest’s highest point. Wear long pants and shoes you don’t mind getting caked in mud. As for the vista, allow time to sit and enjoy the clouds rolling in.

The Sandy Cruz Trail, Saba

A visit to Saba, a satellite island of St. Maarten, is all about the cloud forest. Wait for a day when the fog has subsided around Mount Scenery, then set off on this hike. Before you go, grab a trail map from The Trail Shop at the foot of the mountain—the attendants will also keep tabs on your return. This moderate hike is the best pick for those who want to see a diversity of flora and fauna. The trail winds past banana tree groves and dense cloud forest dotted with a rainbow of orchids, and opens up to a vista overlooking the island’s airport runway, one of the world’s shortest and most adrenaline inducing.

Victoria Falls Hike, Dominica

Lose the hiking boots in favor of Tevas or similar water-ready shoes as you’ll wade across a river several times. The path can be tricky to keep track of on your own, so it’s a good idea to hire a guide for the day. Jenner Robinson of JennTours is a good pick. He’s from Dominica and has a knack for pointing out the birds of the canopy. As for the 45-minute climb, the incline isn’t too great; the challenge is staying stable atop wet rocks. But the reward is lovely. You’ll likely be the only ones admiring the 165-foot cascade of Victoria Falls.

Mount Qua Qua Trail, Grenada

Grenada is a wonderland for hikers and birders alike. The rainforest around Grand Etang Lake—what’s become of the former volcano—is home to mona monkeys, broad-winged hawks, Lesser Antillean swifts and tons of tiny frogs. A moderate pick is the Mount Qua Qua Trail, a 90-minute cruise past the lake, the elfin mountain forests and a host of canopy critters.

The Quill, St. Eustatius

It’s the jungle-covered volcanic cone that dominates the skyline from points across this small island, and it’s a gorgeous hike. The 50-minute uphill jaunt known as the Quill Trail is Statia’s most popular hike as it offers direct access to an overlook of the crater bowl. If you want to keep going, you can connect to the Crater Trail for a 90-minute circuit of the volcano’s rainforest-covered inner crater. Boven National Park also maps six other trails, all great for spying fauna like red-bellied racer snakes, Antillean iguanas, hummingbirds and more.

Nevis Peak Hike, Nevis

Steep and slippery, this hike is one worth doing with a guide, such as Lynell Liburd of Sunrise Tours. The 3,000-foot incline takes two hours to scale and two hours to pick your way down—and none of the locals call it hiking. It’s more about finding footing and grabbing hold of roots to gain ground. If it’s a clear day, you score a view of the island’s Atlantic side. Otherwise, it’s just a really satisfying workout.

 

Cuban Music
Caribbean, Cuba, Jamaica, Plan, Puerto Rico, Trip Ideas

Best Caribbean Islands for Music

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There are going to be guys, and sometimes girls, wearing floppy hats and serenading you from the Jimmy Buffet songbook no matter where you go. Get used to it. But that’s hardly the beginning or end of Caribbean music. The combination of European melodies with African rhythms and forms like the call- and-response chorus melodies has sparked a rich musical culture that is unlike any other. The litany of musical forms that have been invented in the region goes on and on: salsa, son, danzón, rumba … and that only covers Cuba. Add merengue and bachata from the Dominican Republic, calypso and soca from Trinidad, Bahamian rake ’n’ scrape and of course, reggae from Jamaica. And then there are the instruments, from the iconic steel drum to the cajon, marimba, timbales, conga, güiro, and cuatro. As W.C. Fields once remarked about Mae West, the region is a “feast for the eyes and easy on the ears as well.”

Jamaica

Bob Marley. That just about covers it, right? Not even. The superstar and music legend took the sounds of his native Kingston and blended them into a musical form that connects with millions worldwide. And Marley was just one of many artists—Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, The Skatalites, Black Uhuru and Buju Banton—who made it to international fame. They’ve been followed by dancehall DJs, jazz players and more recent breakouts like Tessanne Chin, who won Season 5 of NBC’s The Voice. Finding music in Jamaica is easy. In Montego Bay, try the annual Sumfest (mid-summer) for an introduction to all of the sounds of the island or pop into a club along Gloucester Avenue anytime.

Jamaica Music

Steel-Pan, the Caribbean’s iconic music is found throughout the islands and prevalent at beach bars, hotels and restaurants like this oceanside venue in Jamaica. Photo: Lisa F. Young/iStock

Cuba

Music is everywhere in Cuba, as are the people dancing. For a country that suffered so much for so long, it’s amazing how little it takes to get Cubans to break out into song and dance. It’s not only in their blood, it’s their national identity. Maybe this is what Wilson Pickett was singing about when he recorded Land of a Thousand Dances? If it’s not, it should have been. This is the birthplace of the rumba, the cha-cha, son and more beats that were heavily mined by American big band orchestras in the 1930s and 1940s. After Desi Arnaz pioneered a purer form of the music on the TV show I Love Lucy, it was the fusion sound of famous ex- pat Gloria Estefan that brought the Cuban beat to millions of American ears. If you want to hear what Cuba is doing now, Havana is still rocking it at places like Casa de la Musica or Cafe Cantante, while a more sedate experience awaits at Chan Chan, overlooking the Marina Hemingway in Miramar.

Cuba Music

Iterate musicians known as trovadores once roamed Cuba. Their musical style lives on at performing halls known as “Casa de la Trova,” which can be found throughout Cuba. Photo: Flavio Vallenari/iStock

Puerto Rico

Like their Cuban neighbors, Puerto Ricans love to dance. And boy, can they dance. San Juan is chock-full of clubs that heat up as the nighttime air cools down. From Old San Juan out to Condado and down past Santurce into Rio Piedras, clubs are everywhere. Not surprisingly, salsa is on the menu in most, but there are so many variations—from pure salsa to music mixed with jazz or hip-hop— that you’ll never be bored. Reggaeton is extremely popular as well. If you go, expect to see some blazing musicianship and expect to sweat, because you can’t sit still listening to these bands. They’re easy to find, too. If there’s a concert at the Anfiteatro Tito Puente—a big venue named for the New York- born superstar—buy a ticket. Or head for the El San Juan Resort & Casino on the beach in Isla Verde and dress in your best. A less elegant but no less impressive atmosphere can be found at the Nuyorican Cafe in Old San Juan, where an 18th century mansion has been converted to a jazz, rock and salsa club.

Puerto Rico Music

Puerto Rican Bomba music has roots in west African traditions. The rhythms are unique because the drummers follow the lead of the dancer rather than the other way round. Photo: Alfred Wekeloz/Shutterstock

Puerto Rico El Yunque Bridge
Dominica, Plan, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Trip Ideas

Best Caribbean Islands for Adventure

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The flood of tourists who descend on the Caribbean each year has worn its native fabric almost bare in places, homogenizing and Americanizing some destinations. That’s not all bad; being stuck in a backwater five days from the nearest decent cheeseburger isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. But if you know where to look, there are still places where you can see the land and water in a more primal state, with plenty of adrenaline-worthy adventure to be had. And rugged doesn’t have to involve roughing it. You can swing through the trees by day and spend your nights in a five-star hotel. Here are three of our favorite islands for authentic adventure.

Puerto Rico

In a strictly geographic sense, Puerto Rico is a mid-size Caribbean island. But a drive along the twisting interior roads make the island seem a lot bigger, and the list of available adventures moves it to the head of the active traveler’s list. With terrains that range from open grassland and coastal swamp to highland rainforests, hikers, bikers, horseback riders and off road enthusiasts have plenty of diverse and scenic trails to discover. You can soar more than 900 feet above the jungle on the hemisphere’s highest zip line, rappel down waterfalls into a hidden river canyon or go underground to explore miles of cave passage. Along the coast there are snorkeling reefs, surf breaks and mangrove lagoons. To take it all in, you can sign up for a tandem flight in a hang glider or motorized paraglider and soar above mountains slopes. For a tamer take on flight, birders can trek the outback in search of the 320 species of birds that are found in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico Caving

Puerto Rico is riddled in limestone caves, and home to one of the longest underground rivers in the world. Outfitters offer tours that go beyond the lighted pathways. Photo: Aventuras Tierra Adentro

Dominica

This green oasis in a blue sea bills itself as “The Nature Island,” and it’s not false advertising. Ruggedly vertical, Dominica has the highest percentage of forested land of any island in the region. It is also the youngest island in the Caribbean, and its volcanic origins are on display at sites such as the Boiling Lake and the Valley of Desolation, where sulfurous volcanic vents and hot springs create other worldly landscapes. Climbing and hiking opportunities abound and range from easy rambles along coastal trails to strenuous ascents into the highland peaks. Ample rainfall creates numerous waterfalls and fast flowing rivers for the sport of canyoneering, or for drifting small rapids in a kayak or astride an inner tube. Activities that include the word “watching” don’t usually move the adventure needle, but on Dominica, flora and fauna tours into the backcountry are a bit wilder than elsewhere, and one of the island’s signature experiences is a voyage by small boat to observe sperm whales mating and nurturing their young.

Dominica Emerald Pool

Dominica’s Emerald Pool is just one of the island’s many scenic waterfalls. Some are a short walk from the roadway on a groomed path, others require hard jungle hiking to reach. Photo: Don Ford/iStock

St. Lucia

So much for roughing it. In St. Lucia you can revel in the great outdoors all day and then enjoy supreme comfort at night. The lush green island, known for its romantic resorts, also has a rough and ready side. A 12-mile biking trail through the island’s oldest sugar plantation has stunning views from overlooks along the way. Hiking the Pitons is tempting but strenuous; it’s not quite a climb, although there’s some hand-over-hand involved before you reach the 2,900-foot summit of Gros Piton. On the east side of the island is a zip-line complex containing 12 lines with nearly a mile of runs that carry riders 150 feet above the forest floor. A trio of stables offers horseback rides along the beach or into the hills, and those who prefer to pedal can explore the interior by mountain bike or all-terrain vehicle. For a loftier and less strenuous view, book a helicopter tour that takes in the coast and Soufriere volcano.

St. Lucia Pitons

St. Lucia’s green slopes not only create a stunning backdrop for views from the terraces of luxury lodges, but also provide a green playground for outdoor enthusiasts to explore. Photo: iStock

best horseback riding in the caribbean
Bahamas, Bahamas-Grand Bahama Island, Barbados, Bermuda, Caribbean, Jamaica, Nevis, Play, Puerto Rico, Trip Ideas

Horseback Riding in the Caribbean

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It’s one of those images that come easily when you daydream: galloping along a palm- fringed tropical beach astride a spirited horse, and perhaps plunging into the surf to wash away any hint of the worldly cares you left behind. A number of locations throughout the Caribbean can turn this dream into reality. You’ll find a range of adventures suitable for riders of all skill levels, from first-timer to equine expert. We have selected six rides that provide not only the best scenery and most magnificent beaches, but also the best overall vacation experience.

Bahamas

No crowds and more beach time. That’s the promise at Trikk Pony Stables on Grand Bahama Island. This family-owned business is located on the island’s south-central coast, where unspoiled and unsettled beaches stretch for miles. Tours follow a short trail that leads through pine forest and scrub right onto a powder-sand beach. The next hour is spent along the shoreline either dry, splashing or soaking wet, according to the rider’s preference, as the horses are up for anything. As an option, a beachfront picnic can be added at the end of the ride, and the company also offers sunset excursions that are limited to four riders or less. The stables provide pickup service from a number of hotels in the Freeport area. Two of our favorites are the Pelican Bay at Lucaya and the Grand Lucayan.

Grand Bahama Island Horseback Riding, Horseback riding in the caribbean

Grand Bahama has miles of undeveloped white beaches to explore. Operators such as Trikk Pony allow riders to splash in the shallows or guide their mounts deeper for a swim. Photo: Grand Bahama Island

Bermuda

For a break from taxi and moped, head to Spicelands Equestrian Centre in Bermuda’s Warwick Parish. Rides begin along the Railway Trail, which follows the right of way of the short-lived rail line that once ran from Somerset to St. George’s. The route then moves to the south shore and across a series of scenic beaches, dunes and coves en route to serendipitously named Horseshoe Bay. Bermuda law allows horses to splash and swim on the beaches at any time during the months from November to March, but only before 8:30 a.m. the other months of the year, so those wanting a summertime swim will need to book the earliest ride of the day. Spicelands is a full-service equestrian center, offering lessons and additional trail riding options. The most convenient hotel to the stables is The Fairmont Southampton, which is less than two miles away.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is horse county and home to the genteel-gated Paso Fino breed. Numerous trail rides are offered in the forests and fields across the island. The one that best brings surf and sand into the equation takes place on the beaches near the town of Isabela, on the island’s northwest coast. Tropical Trail Rides provides a two-hour circuit that begins with a visit to Shacks Beach, allows a bit of time to dismount and swim or explore by foot while horses and backsides take a break. The route then moves inland, climbing the bluffs and passing through an almond tree forest on the way home. Both morning and afternoon rides are offered, and the latter often takes in a sunset view. There are a handful of modest beachfront hotels near Isabela, but most vacationers staying in this part of the coast will look towards nearby Rincon, and more charming properties such as the Dos Angeles del Mar Guesthouse.

Puerto Rico Horseback Riding

In addition to the beach rides staged on Puerto Rico’s west coast, a number of operators offer rainforest and mountain trail rides at points across the island. Photo: Carabali Rainforest Park

Barbados

Location is everything, and this certainly holds true for Ocean Echo Stables, which is located in the small town of Newcastle, on Barbados’ wilder eastern coast. Far removed from the resort zones to the west, riders have miles of wooded trails, fields and surf- washed beaches to explore, with trade winds sweeping in from the east to provide refreshment. A range of rides for all levels is offered, starting with an hour-long excursion to Bath Beach that is suitable for novices. Experienced riders can also opt for two- and three-hour trail rides that venture farther up the coast along trails, beaches and cart roads, with vistas that include the looming backdrop of a thousand-foot-tall sea cliff. For those looking to stay nearby, The Atlantis Hotel offers a unique alternative to the island’s typical west coast beachfront lodging.

Jamaica

Horses and seawater mix at several locations along Jamaica’s northern shore, and a number of rides begin within an easy drive from resorts in the Ocho Rios, Falmouth, Montego Bay and Negril areas. One of the island’s favorite and original ride-and-swims takes place about 20 miles east of Montego Bay. The adventure starts on backcountry trails that lead through the farming village of Pumpkin Bottom and the remains of an 18th century sugar plantation, then emerge on to Sandy Bay, where riders who are up for getting wet can swim their mounts out into the clear waters. This swimming tradition actually began when trainers at the nearby Chukka Blue Polo Club would take the ponies for a cool down in the water following a workout session. The club also provided the inspiration for the outfitter, Chukka Caribbean Adventures, which hosts the rides. If you want to stay fairly close to the ponies, but away from the crowds, an excellent option is the Round Hill Hotel and Villas.

Jamaica Horseback Riding

Riders cross a remote beach on Jamaica’s north coast. The island’s landscape provides routes that follow wooded paths, open meadow and, of course, the shore. Photo: Julian Love/Jamaica Tourist Board

Nevis

Nevis is an ideal island for escaping the crowds and discovering the simpler, friendlier side of the Caribbean. And so it’s fitting that the island’s premier stables is equally accommodating, providing horseback adventures for everyone. Children as young as six are welcome to join the beachfront rides organized by Nevis Equestrian Center, with routes that can be tailored to the capabilities and interests of the group. The most popular tour takes riders past historic sites that include forts, churches, sugar mills and once- grand estates, then to a quiet beach, followed by a climb to the highlands to admire the view. Sunset beach rides and more extensive cross-island rides are also offered. The stables are located on the west coast, quite near to Nevis’ premier resort property, the Four Seasons Nevis.