Born and Raised in Cayey, Puerto Rico. I left the island 5 years ago and I went back this past January 2015. I saw lots of changes but the essence of my little island still there. The beaches, mountains, rivers and specially the FOOD are just a few things that will make you fall in love with this caribbean gem. As a traveler is always nicer to explore a new place with a local, I always try to find one before I go visit that's why I will try to help anyone planning to go to Puerto Rico with this travel story from a local point of view.
TIPS:
Cayey, PR
My hometown! known as "La Ciudad de las Brumas" (city of the fog). Cayey derives its name from the Taino Indian word for "a place of waters".
- Guavate - is a sector of the town of Cayey well known by the food. NOTE: To have the best experience you MUST go during the weekend preferably Saturday or Sunday. They open all seasons but the busiest month is definitely December since they sell all the traditional christmas food. The trip is very nice because you can breathe the fresh air of the mountains of Puerto Rico.
- Carite forest - DO NOT eat at the restaurant, right after all the restaurants and kiosks you will arrive to this amazing place were you can park (I recommend to park in any of the right side parking lots), take your food and enjoy it in one of the many gazebos they have around the area, all for FREE.
- Charco azul - is a beautiful walk thru the forest nothing extreme until you arrive at charco azul a swimming hole with a small waterfall. Be ready, water is COLD.
Puerto Rico International airport located in the capital San Juan, PR. The closest airport to the main tourist places.
Guavate is a sector of the town of Cayey well known by the FOOD! enjoy traditional dishes like: roast pork, roast sweet potatoes, Arroz con gandules a combination of rice, pigeon peas and pork, cooked in the same pot with Puerto Rican style sofrito, “pasteles” (smash green banana filled with meat), pavochón (pork and turkey) and Morcillas (pork blood, salt, cilantro, chili peppers, and garlic sausage)
Every time I go to the island is a most to go here. Many locals go to enjoy authentic Puertorrican food. I would recommend to try them at least once specially the turn-overs and sorullitos, my favorite!
I have being going to this place since little just for the food specially for breakfast. Their coffee is absolutely delicious and you most get it with the toasts of bread with butter, two orders of that and you are good to go! save your money for the rest of the kiosks you will go to stuffed yourself. Although when I went on this last trip I had dinner there either way I got my coffee and toasts hehe. This time I got fried cheese with guava sauce, my favorite appetizer everywhere specially with coffee or a cold beer and for the main entree I got mofongo (fried green plantains mashed together in a pilón, with broth, garlic, olive oil, and pork cracklings) filled with seafood. It was delicious but I will say save your money and get something more affordable since there are better places to go to eat that, the reason I got it was because after 5 years I couldn't wait any longer to eat it so I spoiled myself. :)
Home of the world's largest radio telescope. Not an exciting attraction but definitely worth seeing. The information provided is interesting and given it's rarity it's worth the visit. If you or any of your kids love astronomy and space this place is for you. Note: From the parking lot to the observatory is a up hill walk.
Many visitors take the caves and observatory tour.
Delicious smoked food in the middle of the mountains with a breathtaking view of the country side of Puerto Rico.
Railroad tunnel that connected the town of Isabela and Quebradillas, Puerto Rico now is a historical monument.
Beautiful beach north west of the island. Perfect spot for relaxing on the beach, or under a shady picnic pavilion, and just enjoying the beautiful scenery. It has the historical pirate Roberto Cofresi hideout ruins.
Amazing food by the beach, I will recommend to get the Arepas con jueyes(fried bread with crabs).
