Renting a car and driving in my destination might be a new bucket list item. It took Corfu for me to realize that, yes, I can do it. Which means – you can do it. If anything, I’m learning more and more what I can do on my own, depending on my wits, gut and common sense to navigate a foreign place.
Here’s the happy surprise, though. Puerto Rico did not feel foreign or strange. It felt like home. The roads were FINE – don’t even be fooled. Were the roads narrow, unmaintained and a bit too close to the cliff, of course. But that also describes many backroads in Kentucky. Did I think twice before turning down another dark and winding road? Of course. But that’s how I feel driving on Weisenberger Mill Road, too.
My journey started in Guanyabo at Enterprise. Shout out to their awesome staff – these guys were really on top of things and I’ll forever promote renting from them rather than the airport! They made me feel like I wasn’t alone in this cross-island journey and I had a number to call if I needed any help along the way. So, I climbed in my Nissan Kicks, got CarPlay hooked up and headed out!
My first stop was the world famous Ron del Barrilito in Bayamón. Ron del Barrilito is Puerto Rico’s oldest rum brand, first produced in 1880 at Hacienda Santa Ana in Bayamón. It was created by Pedro Fernández, who introduced European aging methods to the island. The rum has been made in the same location for more than 140 years and is an enduring part of Puerto Rico’s history and culture.
Puerto Rico is home to dozens of waterfalls, many tucked into its lush mountain regions and tropical rainforests. In the island’s central and southern mountains, waterfalls like Doña Juana Falls in Orocovis. Because the road is narrow and winding through the central mountains, I actually parked by the side of the road. The site was breathtaking!
My next stop was Ponce on the southern coast. I wanted to drive by and see Don Q’s Castillo Serrallés, the beautiful 1930s mansion overlooking the city. It tells the story of rum, sugar, and the Serrallés family’s legacy—but I was disappointed to find it closed during my visit.
My final destination was Ensenada, more specifically the area of Manglillo Chiquito, a secluded beach in Guánica on Puerto Rico’s southwest coast, known for its sand, quiet charm, and a forest of mangroves right on the shoreline. It also happens to be the home of Rebecca Wheeling, my childhood friend, who moved to Puerto Rico a few years. Rebecca calls her neck of the woods “Heaven” – and for good reason.
Alyventures 