Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
World Surfing Championships, Jobos is a good place to surf or watch professional athletes
doing their wave thing. There is also fine swimming off the eastern beach, where the point
protects you from the surf. The bar-restaurants on the south side of the cove offer a laid-
back après-surf scene, especially on weekends.
Another beach,
Playa Shacks
, lies less than a mile west of Jobos, near Ramey Base on
Rte 4466. There are good submarine caves here for snorkeling.
Sleeping
Villa Montaña
RESORT $$$
( 872-9554;
www.villamontana.com
;
Rte 4466 Km 1.2; villas $250-350;
)
With its low-profile architecture, secluded setting and plush comforts, this resort is
something of an anomaly on Puerto Rico - a high-end stay that works gracefully within its
stunning environment. Here, 48 brightly painted plantation-style villas look across the lawn
to the tempestuous crash of Playa Shacks. Even better, this place has a fine environmental
record and there's an on-site organic garden that is raided daily to season the delicious res-
taurant food to prove it. Villas are one, two or three bedrooms and are brightly decorated
in ebullient Caribbean patterns. Tucked away amid the tropical foliage, meanwhile, you'll
find a tennis court, a gym, a spa and the Moroccan-themed Eclipse restaurant. It also has
bikes for guests to borrow. Not surprisingly, accommodations get booked up fast. Though
perfect for honeymoons, it also hosts its share of weddings.
Parador Villas del Mar Hau
CABINS $$
( 872-2045;
www.paradorvillasdelmarhau.com
; Rte 466 Km 8.3; cabins $95-165;
)
Places like this barely exist anymore: a gorgeous clutch of brightly painted beach
huts scattered like bucolic homesteads along a breathtaking beach where offshore coral is-
lets create bathing lagoons. This rustic retreat has been continuously run by the Hau family
for nearly 50 years and aside from the distant glimmer of encroaching condo towers, little
has changed. The huts, nestled under wind-gnarled pine trees, have sea-facing decks and
basic but comfortable fittings in keeping with the back-to-nature surroundings. Although
popular during the summer, off-season this has to be one of the most tranquil places on the
island. You can ride a horse, take a cycling tour, kayak, snorkel, hike the beach or sleep
undisturbed under a palm tree. The kiteboarding outside the front door is the best on Puerto
Rico. The villas are 4 miles west of Isabela.
