Didn't know where else to put this, so here goes. I was recently accepted to study abroad for U-Conn Nursing program and I am here in Puerto Rico for the next 12 weeks or so. I've done a little reading online and from what I gather there aren't very many places (if any) to rent a bike, and even if you did the only good roads are in San Juan. My question is, are there any members in Puerto Rico that can point me to a bike rental place, and are there any good rides on the island? I don't care what kind of bike, that doesn't matter. I really just want to get out and ride. Thanks in advance.
A word to the wise.....the drivers in Puerto Rico are nuts. I spent a week there about 2 years ago. I loved the Island, but as you will soon learn, there is A LOT of people on a small island. Get way way way away from San Juan if you want to ride. I would suggest going east toward the old Air Force base (Ramey AFB) near Aguadilla. Lots less people over there. If you take the 112, the 444, or the 420 there are quite a few curves. As far as motorcycle rentals, there are some, but I don't know if you would trust to ride their bikes, as most sportbikes I saw were looked they were from madmax...well, maybe not that bad, but let's just say they do not maintain them well. If you want to ride some "rolling thunder" there is an Eagle Rider HD rental a few miles from San Juan airport. There are A LOT of scooter rentals around. Make sure to check out old San Juan, and El Morro Lighthouse National Park. I also recommend going to see "Parque Las Cavernas Rio Camuy" (aka, the Camuy Caves). Nice roads to get to it, and cool to see. They filmed some of the cave scenes of batman there. Camuy Caves Also, Arecibo Observatory (see below) which was in James Bond "Golden Eye" as well as X-files and many more films and TV. Arecibo Observatory - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Arecibo If you love to Surf, you will find lots of massive waves in PR. A lot of american surfers stayed in Rincón after the 1967 surfring championships because of the killer waves. Just north of it in Aguadilla they have a break called "crash test dummy" which breaks pretty hard. If you are in Rincón be sure to stop and have a beer (or stay) at the "Lazy Parrot." Nice place to meet some locals, find out the 411, and see where the action is. Lazy Parrot Grill There are several bioluminescent bays in PR, but I went to one about a hour or two from San Juan and it was pretty fun. We started at about midnight, paddled up stream for a mile (against a current) forever it seemed, then it got so black that you could not see your hand in front of your face, but the water started to glow around our Kayak and as we paddled. It was a fun mess as we came back down the stream from the sheltered bay as you tried to control your kayak going fast as other people came up in all in PITCH BLACK. It was a blast. One ole lady screamed "were gonna die" as her kayak tipped over and she was in 2 feet of water. haha. So much fun. Oh, and most important, do try the Mofongo! It is DEEEEElicioso! I am salivating just thinking about it. Anyways, I am pooped....that is enough for now. :faint:
AFP - I've been to Puerto Rico a bunch of times. My wife is from there, and I have a really good friend who owns various Villas around the Island. I've reached out to him to find out some places that rent. I know they do - he's told me about it previously since he knows I ride. Will let you know. I'll agree with Derstuka to an extent - they are definitely nuts, especially the "sport bike" riders. Girls, guys, doesn't matter. They love to trick out their bikes, neon lights, etc. While I'd never encourage the squid dress code, it is...interesting?... to see some of these girls bent over on their rides. El Yunque is another awesome place. Be wary of the roadside eateries. They look like storage sheds with roll up doors on both sides, usually allowing a nice breeze to blow through. But you can find 25 of them in a row, all attached to one another. The food at stations 1 through 13 might be day old and disgusting, then at station 14 its as fresh as can be. You REALLY need to have someone that you can trust give you a recommendation. Do you speak Spanish at all? Although most speak English there, if you can talk to them in Spanish, they seem to "respect" it a little more. Enjoy your time. Its a beautiful place. I'll be back as soon as I hear.
If you can PM me your name and where your staying (not specific - I mean general area on the island) I have one or 2 places on standby. We can get you hooked up
Thank you all for the reply's. Derstuka - tried the mofungo, it was awesome. I tried some just plain, then I found another that was wrapped in chicken, then wrapped in bacon. All the local food here is awesome. As far as the Camuy Caves, we are going there tomorrow as a "class" trip. It's me (41 years old, second career) and 9 college girls down here. Not as fun as you might think. The biobay tour is going to be in a few weeks. We are again going as a class over to Vieques to spend the weekend. U-Conn has about 6 trips total planned. 1st was to Old San Juan for the day, then to El Yunque. Next weekend one of the girls and I are renting a car and heading out west to explore. We did plan on stopping in Aricibo to the observatory then heading down to Cabo Rojo and the lighthouse there. Pliskin - We have a "resident advisor" who is a local and he does alot of translating for us. I do not speak a whole lot of spanish, but I'm trying. The locals do appreciate it if you try, even if you do butcher it. I also got your PM, will message you back with some details. As cool as it is to be here, all the girls ever really want to do is just go to the beach and hang out. I really don't care to do that. I'd rather go and do something, like ride around the island, or parasail, zipline through the rainforest, or go 4-wheeling. We've been here a month and they've gone to the beach at least 3 days a week. We have class and clinical time, but when we aren't there, they go to the beach. So, I'm left to fend for myself in my activities. Thank again all, any other suggestions let me know.
