Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Puerto Rico for Kids
Puerto Rico is a safe and fun destination for kids, with perhaps the best services for families
in the Caribbean. Facilities are comfortable, and you'll receive fewer icy stares from cur-
mudgeonly yachters than you might do elsewhere. Families will find it easy to fill their
agendas.
Children's Highlights
Even though many of the island's museums have programs for kids and there's a small
kids' museum in San Juan, families will get much more out of their visit if they stick to
Puerto Rico's beloved outdoor charms: playing on sandy beaches, swimming in warm wa-
ter and exploring the island's wildlife.
In general, the beaches of the northeast and east coast are the best for swimming, with
the calmest and most beautiful options on Culebra and Vieques. The closest to San Juan are
the beaches along Hwy 3 in Luquillo, where there's wide sand, food kiosks and lifeguards.
The best of these might be Playa Luquillo, which has well-kept changing rooms and small
waves. In the northwest and west the tides are generally rougher and there can be rip tides,
so exercise more caution, especially in winter.
If you turn up on the northwest corner of the island, Parador Villas del Mar Hau is an
excellent accommodation option, with a beach that's perfect for boogie boarding and large
cabañas to easily fit a family. If the waves are still too big, try the Courtyard by Marriot
Aguadilla, where kids can run around a bright and colorful on-site splash park.
The best hikes for the whole family are in the rainforest of El Yunque. Unlike virtually
every other forest on the island, these trails are well marked, easy to follow and easy
enough for shorter legs. A favorite is the popular Big Tree Trail, which ends at a waterfall
where kids who are brave enough can take an icy dip. The rainforest also has informative
ranger-led walks. Remember that the trails in El Yunque can get pretty crowded after 11am,
so it's good to start early. Also, it's essential to bring water on this hike, as there are no fa-
cilities on the trails. The Las Cabezas de San Juan Reserva Natural is another great natural
area for families, with mini tours through a diverse coastal environment, a tram and lots of
skeletons of marine animals.
Families will also find a number of more adventurous activities in parts of the island fur-
ther afield, though the winding hairpin turns of the central mountains are not recommended.
Following the coast, there's lots to keep a family busy: you can ride a horse along the beach
in Isabella with Tropical Trail Rides, explore the mysterious subterranean caves at the Río
Camuy or hit the pirate-themed historical amusement park in Faro y Parque Histórico de
Arecibo.
