Elizabeth’s Guidebook
Beach
La Poza del Obispo Beach
This is my favorite beach in PR
Balneario Cerro Gordo
Balneario
Sightseeing
There are 2 Bioluminsescent Bays in mainland PR: Laguna Grande, Fajardo (east coast) and La Parguera, Lajas (southwest coast). I highly recommend the one in Fajardo. Ideally you would want to go when it has not rained the day before and when there is not a full moon. Although I have gone during a full moon and had extraordinary bioluminescence, the ideal environment for its maximization is when it is dark and the water is its warmest. You can only kayak to the one in Fajardo following a tour guide through narrow mangroves. The one in Lajas brings you out in motor boats which is why there is less luminescence. The engines destroy the microorganisms that create the luminescence. During good luminescent periods (tour guides will provide accurate predictions the night before) the experience is one of the most extraordinary I have ever seen! I have a guest book in the Villa with tour companies I have used and had a great experience with.
https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/article/exploring-puerto-ricos-bioluminescent-bays
384 locals recommend
Bahía Bioluminiscente
There are 2 Bioluminsescent Bays in mainland PR: Laguna Grande, Fajardo (east coast) and La Parguera, Lajas (southwest coast). I highly recommend the one in Fajardo. Ideally you would want to go when it has not rained the day before and when there is not a full moon. Although I have gone during a full moon and had extraordinary bioluminescence, the ideal environment for its maximization is when it is dark and the water is its warmest. You can only kayak to the one in Fajardo following a tour guide through narrow mangroves. The one in Lajas brings you out in motor boats which is why there is less luminescence. The engines destroy the microorganisms that create the luminescence. During good luminescent periods (tour guides will provide accurate predictions the night before) the experience is one of the most extraordinary I have ever seen! I have a guest book in the Villa with tour companies I have used and had a great experience with.
https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/article/exploring-puerto-ricos-bioluminescent-bays
History, Forts, Restaurants, Nightlife, Shopping... you will find it all in Old San Juan!
Most people drive into Old San Juan which I do not recommend. Lots of traffic and then figuring out what to do with the car once you're there. I don't recommend a taxi because it would take about 45min and be quite expensive. My recommendation is to drive to the town of Catano which is 20min away from my Villa, jump on the local ferry ($1 roundtrip) and take a short 10min ride directly into the cruise ship dock of Old San Juan. I recommend walking the Historic City or you can rent a cab while you're there. The ferry runs frequently and into the late hours of the night.
902 locals recommend
Viejo San Juan
History, Forts, Restaurants, Nightlife, Shopping... you will find it all in Old San Juan!
Most people drive into Old San Juan which I do not recommend. Lots of traffic and then figuring out what to do with the car once you're there. I don't recommend a taxi because it would take about 45min and be quite expensive. My recommendation is to drive to the town of Catano which is 20min away from my Villa, jump on the local ferry ($1 roundtrip) and take a short 10min ride directly into the cruise ship dock of Old San Juan. I recommend walking the Historic City or you can rent a cab while you're there. The ferry runs frequently and into the late hours of the night.
History and great views of the north coast of the island
103 locals recommend
Arecibo Lighthouse & Historical Park
Carretera 655History and great views of the north coast of the island
Shopping
Plaza Las Américas
The largest shopping mall in PR. Very similar to a US mall.
Restaurant
La Terraza
Calle MarginalPuerto Rican cuisine great for dinner. One mile from my Villa.
El Ladrillo
334 Calle Méndez VigoFine dining in Dorado
Cuban and Puerto Rican lunch and dinner options in Dorado
50 locals recommend
Salpicón Restaurant (Dorado)
Cuban and Puerto Rican lunch and dinner options in Dorado
El Capitán
511 C. Extensión SurSmall local restaurant in Dorado with puertorican cuisine.
Atypical environment reminiscent of a 20th century colonial home with excellent tapas and pizza options and large bar
62 locals recommend
Pirilo Pizza Rústica
800 PR-693Atypical environment reminiscent of a 20th century colonial home with excellent tapas and pizza options and large bar
Orient House
Dorado Del Mar BoulevardAsian options in Dorado
Applebee's Grill + Bar Dorado
Longhorn Steakhouse
Saint Patrick AvenueApproximately 20min from the Villa
Movie Theater
Nice movie theater complex with new releases available in English or Spanish at prices below US.
35 locals recommend
Caribbean Cinemas of Dorado
Nice movie theater complex with new releases available in English or Spanish at prices below US.
Gym
Local gym
https://www.google.com/search?q=dorado+municipal+gym&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#trex=m_t:lcl_akp,rc_f:,rc_ludocids:6391547724940797951,rc_q:GYM%2520Municipal%2520de%2520Dorado,ru_q:GYM%2520Municipal%2520de%2520Dorado
GYM Municipal de Dorado
Puerto Rico 696Local gym
https://www.google.com/search?q=dorado+municipal+gym&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#trex=m_t:lcl_akp,rc_f:,rc_ludocids:6391547724940797951,rc_q:GYM%2520Municipal%2520de%2520Dorado,ru_q:GYM%2520Municipal%2520de%2520Dorado
Water Park
Located on the West Coast of the Island this is a fun place for anyone who enjoys water parks. Open only during the summer months.
125 locals recommend
Las Cascadas Water Park
2 Puerto RicoLocated on the West Coast of the Island this is a fun place for anyone who enjoys water parks. Open only during the summer months.