Postcards From Puerto Rico

It wasn’t hard to sell my two school-aged daughters on the idea of a sunny week in Puerto Rico during the worst Philadelphia winter on record. Still, they balked when I told them that we would be doing a lot of educational activities in addition to playing in the ocean waves. A problem? Not at all. By the end of our trip, both girls were begging for more time to learn about island culture and ocean life — especially if it also meant more beach time.

The beach in Dorado is a great spot for play. // © 2010 Scott Ableman

If your clients are thinking of heading to Puerto Rico for some sun and surf this summer, they are not alone. This friendly island has become a Caribbean destination of choice, particularly for East Coasters — direct flights abound, there’s no need for a passport and family-friendly properties are plentiful and reasonably priced. In short, Puerto Rico is a great choice for families on the go, whether for a long weekend or a two-week getaway.

Travelers to Puerto Rico will first have to ask themselves what it is they are looking for in a vacation. Puerto Rico is a bigger island than one would think: The western end is home to great beaches, and the tiny island of Culebra, off the east coast, has a lot to offer. For the cosmopolitan at heart, however, San Juan is the place to be, and the San Juan Marriott and Stellaris Casino is the place to stay. Located on a pristine beach, the Marriott is also smack dab in the heart of shopping and restaurants and not too far from historic Old San Juan.

Boasting the 250-year-old fort, Fuerte San Felipe del Morro, cobblestone streets in one section and Rodeo Drive-caliber boutiques in another, San Juan can keep any family entertained for several days.For clients who don’t care about nightlife, consider recommending Dorado, a smaller town with authentic food and culture. Dorado visitors will need a rental car — it’s about a half-hour drive west of San Juan — but the white sand is pristine, and the atmosphere is mellow. The Embassy Suites Dorado Del Mar Beach & Golf Resort, located right on the water, is modern and comfortable for families who like to kick back and relax. For a memorable day trip, another hour west along the northern coast lies the world’s largest and most sensitive radio telescope. Kids who love space (as mine do) will go wild.

If it’s wildlife they are into, send clients to El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. The small but beautiful oasis is home to an amazing amount of biodiversity, especially ferns and small animals. Kids will want to bring home a souvenir of el coqui, a tiny tropical frog with a very big croak. No major hotel chains offer accommodations here, but consider booking one of the many small inns that pepper the area for your clients.

No trip to Puerto Rico would be complete without a visit to Vieques, a tiny, beautiful island that is a one-hour ferry ride from the northeast tip of the island. Before heading to Vieques, clients might want to spend a night or two at the El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa, a family mecca with its own private island. On Vieques, the brand-new W hotel is a great choice for families with luxury in mind, while the tiny Casa de Tortuga guesthouse is near the main shopping street and budget friendly. Vieques visitors spend most of their time on the quiet, almost deserted beaches or in the kitschy open-air bars — on a moonless night, they can kayak into the bioluminescent bay to see the unforgettable sight of phytoplankton lit up like ghosts in the water. There are plenty of tours, and most offer transportation from central spots as well as online registration.

And for a family getaway unlike any other, suggest a night or two onboard the Erin Go Bragh III, a wooden sailboat available for charter for several hours or several days. Ingrid, the owner, offers fresh Puerto Rican cuisine and keeps the drinks flowing. Parents will love the fact that she knows all the best coral reefs and teaches kids to snorkel while interesting them in the sealife. Parents can kick back on the stern while Ingrid keeps the little ones busy on the bow — kids may never realize that she has a television and a computer below deck.

In short, a Puerto Rican vacation can never be too long — especially when sun and fun lead to learning and family bonding.