The fiancé and I took the "Perfect Getaway (w/ snorkeling)" with PR4LESS TOURS. A few days before…read moreour trip, I contacted the owner Rafael personally via phone number provided by VIATOUR to confirm if he was able to accommodate us last minute during our short stay in Puerto Rico. Rafael was currently on a tour during our conversation but ultimately returned my phone call confirming that he was able to accommodate us on 12/31/16.
We were picked up at 0800 hrs by Rafael and his life partner, Katiana, at our Hotel (Tryp by Wyndham). Also present was their son Danny who was a delight to have the entire day. We were offered water from their cooler. The tour started immediately and Rafael began teaching us the history of Puerto Rico during the drive to each location. Rafael also informed us that due to the tradition of "celebratory gun shots" on NEW YEARS EVE, he's decided to not put our lives in danger and avoid Aguadilla entirely during this tour (unfortunately, due to this anomaly, we missed out on snorkeling during this tour).
Our first visit was to La Cueva del Indio caves near Arecibo where Rafael taught us about the Taino tribe and their values based on the elements surrounding the area. It was about an hour ride from where we were staying in Isla Verde. Katiana dropped us off on the side entrance of the roadway that lead into a short wooded pathway, out onto a beautiful, breathtaking beach. Unfortunately, we were unaware this was happening, and could not put on appropriate footwear in time for this attraction. We then climbed onto the cave's rocky terrain, to get down to the actual area where we were able to climb down onto a ladder into the caves (tennis/hiking shoes recommended). Rafael was very knowledgeable about the rich history of the Island and its surroundings. He taught us a lot of things that we did not know about Puerto Rico, and some controversial events between Puerto Rico, Spain, & The United States. He also guided us how to navigate the rocky terrain and climb-down into the caves. Unfortunately, we could not alternatively snorkel here due to the strong waves and riptide.
After the caves, we took a scenic ride to the country side of San Sebastian. Along the way, Rafael & Katiana were very accommodating to our stop requests to purchase items alongside of the highway sold by the locals. Fiance and I are always in support of local business over the the Big Box stores, so it was a delight to be able to contribute to the local vendors. We stopped at a fruit stand and enjoyed one of the best Pineapples I've ever had (Rafael bought our first pineapple, and even cut it up for us into slices!). Rafael mentioned that Puerto Rico is known for its pineapples! We also saw raw gandules (compared to the ones in a can that the Fiance cooks with), homemade pineapple hot sauce, and honey. We bit into a tangerine peeled by Rafael and was blown away by its' organic taste.
Next stop was a personal request by my fiancé who wanted to purchase an authentic Pilone for when she makes her food back at home. Katiana stopped us at a small shop on the side of the road. At this stop, I also purchased a straw hat and the shop owner gave us a great deal on both the Pilone and hat.
Next stop was in San Sebastian, which was about 45 minutes away from Arecibo. We were able to witness and enjoy two cascada waterfalls of the Gozalandia. The first waterfall was a short hike (10 minutes) and included a swinging rope and decent size swimming space. We swam here for a bit and continued on to the second waterfall. The second waterfall was such a serenity and less crowded. The swim space was close to the size of an Olympic pool. There was a rope to assist your climb to the top of its' waterfall, however, required a lot of upper body strength and caution due to the slippery rocks. During these two waterfalls, we were never rushed by the tour guide, and were not given a time limit to how long we could stay. Rafael, Katiana, & Danny, joined us during the hike-through and taught us about different plants and their uses (mostly medicinal).
Finally, we stopped at the on-site restaurant/bar (Sha's) to enjoy a meal together. It felt like I was sitting with family and not a formal tour guide company. PR4LESS is a family owned and operated tour company who made this tour very personable for the woman and I. Even with the last minute request, Rafael & Katiana still was able to accommodate just us two even if their were no one else who booked a tour with them on New Years Eve. I would definitely book again due to the tour being a crossover between formal and informal; which I prefer. They currently are working on their home, which they hope to provide bed and breakfast service to their future guests. I hope they stay in business because their tour offers a unique experience with alternative routes that are not congested by other tourists. I look forward to taking a tour with them on our next vacation to the island. Thanks again Torres fam!
