Puerto Rico for Two

For years, the Caribbean has been a popular couple’s vacation getaway and Puerto Rico has always been an idyllic playground to ignite the flame of love due to its pristine beaches, breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, and amazing facilities and services offered for all tastes and ages.

To enjoy Puerto Rico in a group setting or alone is delightful, but to escape and relive romance holding hands with your significant other is just an out of this world experience.

Come and explore this steamy Caribbean paradise as a twosome and take your relationship to another level.

Here are some seducing recommendations by BIENVENIDOS while in Puerto Rico to spice up your love life.

Old San Juan, the most romantic city in the Caribbean
Everything in the walled city of San Juan speaks romance; its picturesque colorful colonial houses, century’s old blue cobblestone streets, dreamy views, low-key restaurants, and charming al fresco bars and cafes are warm and welcoming making you want to get to know them.  

Founded in 1521, Old San Juan has some special features that make it one-of-a kind. Here history and modernism unite, while respecting its spaces. Getting to know Old San Juan as a couple is a spectacular experience; walking hand-in-hand while discovering the smells, tastes and history of the best preserved colonial city in the Americas is a moment you will never forget. 

If staying at one of the city’s wonderful hotels, you’re halfway ready.  Hotel El Convento on Del Cristo Street; Hotel Milano on Fortaleza Street and the Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel & Casino on Brumbaugh Street are some examples of the hostelries housed in Old San Juan and they are exceptional starting points to commence your stroll through the historic epicenter.

Start your walk visiting the impressive fortresses constructed by the Spaniards to protect the capital city from enemy attacks: San Cristobal Fort on Norzagaray Street and Castillo de San Felipe del Morro, better known by El Morro, which means “promontory.”

Walk along its ramparts, where cannons still face the ocean, and step inside one of the domed garitas, or sentry boxes, which are an iconic symbol of Puerto Rico and a perfect spot for couples in love to kiss or take a selfie worthy of many likes at the exact place where soldiers once stood to protect the bay.

The whimsical grounds of El Morro are now a place for couples to come to relax, picnic, and fly kites while being playful and flirtatious. Even on the hottest day, you’ll be cooled and kissed by gentle Caribbean trade winds. You can buy a kite, called chiringas, at a nearby stand.

Take time to explore the narrow streets of the city that are full of shops, museums, plazas, restaurants, bars, churches, and cafes. Enjoy together the marvelous scenes any which way you turn and appreciate what you find on your way; from a single musician displaying his talent on a street corner to cobblestone on the streets that have taken a blue tone due to time and humidity.

If you want to stop to get a drink or bite before continuing your stroll, stop by Hotel El Convento. This hostelry is an architectural gem located in a former nun monastery founded in 1651; it has restaurants, bars, and an exceptional terrace perfect for cooling off before continuing your romantic venture.

The next stop is Paseo de la Princesa, a promenade on the southern part of the city with awe-inspiring views of the San Juan Bay. Constructed in 1854, it offers the perfect setting to spend quality time as a couple to walk embracing one another while being fueled by the gorgeous scenery. This combined with the majestic bronze fountain called “Raices” which depicts the diverse ethnic and cultural origins of our heritage and several food and drink kiosks make this visit to the Paseo a must-see.

The Paseo de la Princesa also is interesting because there is an old Spanish jail that today houses the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, the government-owned corporation in charge of stimulating and promoting the destination. In this building there is an art gallery that features the agency’s art collection as well as other exhibits.

From here you are minutes from the waterfront port area, where dozens of boats and mega cruise ships are received weekly from all over the world. Equipped with park benches and surrounded by lush vegetation, sculptures and restaurants, this area is a great rest stop so you can steal a quick kiss from your partner while being enamored by the setting of the Old City.  

After the stroll there is nothing better than sipping a couple of glasses of wine from the balconies or outdoor seating of the Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel & Casino, which lies in front of Dock 3 and 4. All you have to do is cross the street to continue appreciating the surrounding beauty and magnetic vibe of the city. 

If you like nature and everything that is trendy than doing paddleboard yoga the next day should result as a fascinating idea.

One of the most popular sites in Puerto Rico to practice paddleboard yoga is at the Condado Lagoon in San Juan using the services of Paddle Yoga Puerto Rico, one of the most recognized operators offering these tours and classes.

Fall in love as you restore and renew your body, mind, heart, and soul. Let the spirit breathe new life in you and reawaken romance and adventure and gratitude for your life. It’s an experience of unity with your partner aside from also being a spectacular mode of exercise. 

Head to the East for pure al fresco passion
After undertaking paddle boarding in the morning, you have all day to continue exploring Puerto Rico.
About 30 minutes from San Juan, towards the eastern side of the island is the spiritual El Yunque Rainforest, with 24 miles of trails; it’s the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System as well as a former contender in the race to become one of the world’s natural wonders.
Perfect for exploring, take a pair of sneakers, comfortable clothes, and of course your bathing suit so you can take a dip in one of its eight rivers and crystalline waterfalls that includes La Mina, La Coca and Juan Diego.

The most visited waterfall is La Mina that entails a relatively easy walk to get to via the trail with the same name. Take advantage of the visit to set up a picnic for two in front of the waterfall to talk and enjoy a good time and appreciate together the pure natural majesty that are devoid of human influence that surrounds.  

El Yunque has clearly demarcated trails and a visitor’s center where you are told the location and easiest way to get to the areas that you would like to get to know.

Puerto Rico does not fall short to the endless possibilities of things to do or see al fresco. One of the most gorgeous and that practically cannot be done in no other part of the world is visiting a bioluminescent bay.

There are almost no bays with these characteristics in the planet, but Puerto Rico is blessed with three: Mosquito Bay in Vieques (officially declared the brightest recorded in the world by Guinness Book of World Records in 2008), the second brightest Laguna Grande in Fajardo, and the least bright is in La Parguera in Lajas.   The first two can be reached by plane from San Juan or Ceiba or by ferry from Fajardo, while the bay in Lajas, which is in the southwestern region, is a two-hour car ride from San Juan.

In bioluminescent bays there are organisms named Pyrodinium bahamense, Dinoflagellates (dinos). These dinos are responsible for a bizarre natural phenomenon. When these dinos come into contact with another organism or are shaken they produce a bright burst of blue-green light for a decimal of a second. Imagine slipping your bodies into one of these bioluminescent bays with your partner and magically millions of stars light up and scatter with every splash you make. Without a doubt, one of the most mesmerizing evenings that can ever be experienced together. 

You can enjoy this unique outing by kayak or small boat like the ones offered by Island Adventure BioBay Eco-Tours in Vieques through these bodies of water to fully appreciate this beauty up close.

Exploring the marvels of rock carvings on the north shore
Another excellent activity to enjoy with your partner is to visit the Cueva del Indio (Cave of the Indian) situated in the town of Arecibo, on the northern side of Puerto Rico just an hour away from San Juan. It is a spot of extreme natural beauty because a major part of the cave is underwater and to get to it you must walk down wooden stairs so make sure to wear comfortable clothes and sneakers.

It is estimated that the Cueva del Indio has the most amount of petroglyphs in the coastal zone of the island made by Taino Indians, Puerto Rico’s original residents. In this cave you can appreciate seven arches and other formations created by ocean water erosion. It is not easy to get to the bottom of the cave and its arches but it is an unforgettable experience. The natural beauty and cultural richness are intense. Once there, there is nothing better than to take photos and sit together appreciating this marvel which seems to be detained by time.

Head to the town of  beautiful sunsets
That same day that you visit Arecibo, why not travel west until you arrive to one of the towns with the most spectacular sunsets: Rincon. There are not many stunning things to do as a couple than relish a sunset in this region. Rincon is about 1.5 hours from Arecibo and on the way you have various options to rest a while, eat and drink something.

What do you think about this idea? Reserve an ocean view room in a hotel, leave when the sun begins to set to take a romantic stroll together on the beach to walk with the warm waves breaking and caressing your feet while witnessing one of the most natural wonders that Puerto Rico can offer. 

After that walk which will fill you both with positive energy and relive romance, return to the room to continue conversing while sipping on a glass of wine. 

In Rincon there are excellent beachfront hotels and one in particular is Rincon Beach Resort, a boutique resort with 112 rooms and 24 villas. If you are not staying in Rincon, simply visit the town for a few hours and stop at world renowned beaches like Tres Palmas, Maria’s and Domes, ideal for surfers; and Sandy Beach, Corcega and Almirante where you can have front row seats to witness the most amazing sunset in the planet. 

From Spas to Casinos to rekindle the flame
If you have enjoyed what nature has to offer and want some different ideas on how to rekindle the flame here are two that are very nice. Maybe you have never thought that painting the town with glitz and glamour by hitting a sexy, adrenaline-pumping casino can spark up romance, sure it can!

Puerto Rico has incredible gaming facilities situated at all major points of the island and visiting one as a couple can convert itself into an exciting affair.

The casinos are located at the Hyatt Place Bayamon, the Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan Hotel, Spa & Casino in Isla Verde, Four Points by Sheraton Caguas Real, Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino in Miramar and the Holiday Inn Mayaguez & Tropical Casino Hotel.

Slots, poker, black jack, and roulette tables serve as the ideal games to test your luck, play each other’s birthdays, teach or showoff to your partner your gaming skills, sip free cocktails, and have a great time. Win big and you’ll have a story for the ages. And if you lose, well, at least you’ve still got each other.

After your gambling adventure, take your loved one to a romantic dinner for two at one of the hotel’s top restaurant or for privacy ask your hotel concierge to set up a private table on your room balcony, in your room, or other private area at the resort; making this unique evening the perfect end to a passionate escapade.

At Olas Spa @ Caribe Hilton in San Juan there is no shortage of treatments for duos looking to pamper themselves at a dreamy spa retreat. This spa offers a couple’s massage called Party of Two, a 50-minute soothing massage with seductive aromas to spice up the evening that includes the use of the facilities’ steamy sauna and bubbly Jacuzzi.

If you prefer an incredible ocean view couple’s massage than the Away Spa at the W Retreat & Spa in Vieques has exactly what you’re looking for. They offer a 50- or 80-minute aromatherapy or deep tissue massage for two with unbelievable ocean views and after your treatment move over to its private, outdoor Jacuzzi where you can sweet talk or simply close your eyes and hold hands while relishing total relaxation.

At the Spa at El Conquistador in Fajardo; couples have two exhilarating choices to feel sensual: the Majestic, a 75-minute treatment that includes a 50-minute couple’s massage, and an Asiatic reflexology or Ayurveda massage from India; or Paradise for Two, that lasts 100 minutes, divided among a 50-minute couple’s massage, then having your skin caressed with a Coconut Sugar Scrub and finished off with 25 minutes of reflexology.  There is no better way to reconnect with one another.

You see, Puerto Rico is not only beach and nightlife, it’s much more. It’s a place full of variances and choices for every type of mood and person. The island offers spectacular sunsets, natural majesty, glamour, it’s the Caribbean at its entire maximum splendor; an ideal destination to enjoy in the arms of your loved one.