Bacardi Distillery Tour

We recently bought some coupons on Gustazos for the Bacardi Distillery Tour and decided to return with my sister since Rum is in our blood. The factory can be reached by car or ferry and is located in the quaint little suburb of San Juan known as Cataño.

When we got there the tour quickly began and we were off with a mixed drink of our choice. The lounge area is cozy and the Rum barrels and warm breeze are what the Carribean is all about!  No sooner than when we received our drinks we were whisked off in a comfortable tour car and we were off to the first building on the tour.

We quickly arrived at the cathedral of rum where we were instantly cooled off from the heat. Here we were able to get a little history on the origins of the distillery and the myth behind their distinguishable label. After a few minutes, we headed off to the next building on the tour.

The distillery is a large state of the art warehouse. It's interesting to note the barrels produced by the Jack Daniels distillery in Tennessee are used to store the Rum.  At this time we were educated on the distillation process and were introduced to the gamut of Bacardi's brands from the most basic and common rum to its most sophisticated and aged Rums. It's incredible how smooth these aged rums get after 8 yrs. These Rums are not for mixing, but for sipping. They do not have a rubbing alcohol undertone, but more of a molasses and sweet oak taste.

At the end of the tour, we were led out into the gift shop where you are offered the opportunity to purchase some of Bacardi's signature brands for a slight discount. Because many of these aged Rums are in limited supply, expect to pay a little more, do to the demand and quality.

Overall this is a great tour and well worth the discounted price we found on Gustazos.com. If you're in Puerto Rico we recommend this tour and buying a bottle to take with you, as you won't find them anywhere else for less.

El Yunque National Forrest

El Yunque National Forrest is the only Tropical Rainforest in the United States National Park System.
It's about an hour drive from San Juan, Puerto Rico and is a must-see and do experience if you are planning a vacation to the Isla del Encanto.

The Park begins at the service station which is at the base of the mountain and contains maps and information on the park, its fauna, and unique ecosystem. We recommend this is a great place to start your trip.

From there you will head up the mountain along narrow winding roads. Once you reach the park entrance your steep ascent begins. The fauna is filled with ferns and giant bamboo.  The winding roads offer the occasional vista, but there are several pull-offs and a designated area for photos and to take in the scenery.

One of the most scenic vistas on the island is at the top of the tower. from this view, you can see the ocean.

There are a few waterfalls some can see from the car, however, Some of the better falls and swimming holes are a short hike away. We made the short hike to Juan Diego falls and enjoyed a bagged lunch we brought. The falls were refreshing and a great way to cool off.

We recommend you get to the park early, as they will shut down the roads if it gets too crowded. This can be frustrating if your only coming to visit for the day. If this happens to you, an alternative is El Hippie Charco which is a great waterfall and watering hole to go for a swim.

Cascada La Planta Electrica-Charco Hondo

We decided to check out La Cueva Ventana, but on the day we went it was closed, so we found a waterfall known as la Cascada la planta electrica also known as Charco honda.

On the day we went the fall was flowing pretty heavy and most of the crowed were onlookers over swimmers. The entrance to the waterfall is an old, abandoned power plant that has been made over as a welcoming sign to visitors.

This was your typical swimming hole and a great supplemental stop to any attractions near Arecibo.

From there we headed to El Poso del Obispo (bishops pond). This was another gem of a beach with a shallow saltwater pool, that's great for just lounging.

C76P+R9 Tanamá, Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Arecibo, Puerto Rico