RayInPR

There are no "climb waterfalls with ropes and guides" tours in El Yunque National Forest. There are tours like that, typically full-day excursions, in and around other forests, rivers, and falls around the island, offered by numerous companies.

Since I live here, CC rules don't permit me to name companies nor tour guides.

Google some combination of "puerto rico river trekking waterfall rappel" and you'll find info.

No need for guides.

Go to La Mina Falls with the other busloads of people.

Or do a Google search for Juan Diego Falls in El Yunque ... enjoy this series of waterfalls alone.

El Con Resort is on a cliff ... and as such does not have a beach. To get around that, they lease part of a private island for their guests to use. The resort provides complimentary transportation between the island and the resort. The island is for the use of El Con guests, only.

There are snorkel tours that go to the uninhabited island of Icacos ... 2 islands up the chain from Palamino.

Icacos is managed by the PR Dept of Natural Resources.

For breakfast, seek out a "panaderia" ... a bakeshop of sorts ... they will have breakfast sandwiches (egg/ham/cheese on pan de agua), and perhaps egg dishes.

We don't have "breakfast places", per se. No diners or things like that that you would find the the States.

Unfortunately, since I live in PR, cruisecritic rules won't let me post names of businesses, etc. They assume I'm getting a kick-back. They'll kick me off the forum. I've already been kicked off once.

Sunset in December is 5:45pm ... it doesn't vary much here ... sunset in summer is 7pm.

El Yunque National Forest closes at 6pm, year-round.

It takes about 1 hour to drive OSJ to El Yunque ... taxi won't work, they can't go into the Forest. So need to rent a car or take a tour.

Recommend allowing at least 4 hours to "see" the forest (though a allowing a couple days is better). El Yunque is my backyard (literally), and in 13 years of living here we're still finding new things to see there!

Again, take shared van from Bacardi to Cataño ferry terminal, then ferry to Old San Juan.

Do your research on the CDC web site. The specific mosquito that transmits zika (CHIKV and dengue) lives in urban areas, primarily snacks on humans, and bites during the day (not at night). Anywhere there is standing water, there is the possibility of a breeding ground. DEET is your best defense.

Shops are located throughout Old San Juan. There is a concentration of shops on Calle Fortaleza and Calle Cristo.

Can't walk there. Taxi.

Those depart from Fajardo ... about 1 to 1½ hour drive from San Juan ... on the north-eastern corner of the island.

Do a search for "luquillo surfing lessons", and you'll find at least 2 companies that do it. You'll need to provide your own transportation to Luquillo, about 45-60 minute drive from San Juan

They closed up shop in mid-April 2015. No more horse carriage tours in Old San Juan.

There is only one company that goes into the Fajardo biobay (Laguna Grande) on Sunday. As a condition of their permit to run tours in the biobay, each company had to choose 1 night to not operate ... most chose to not work on Sunday.

There is no company here called "West Wind Catamaran".

The tour that was described (from Fajardo to Vieques and back in same night) is not currently (nor for the foreseeable future) being offered, due to permitting issues.

January 6 is Three Kings Day. That's a bigger and more important holiday than Christmas here on the island. You'll find that many things are closed that day.

Thanks!

Thanks!

If we have Norwegian's "ultimate beverage package" on the ship, does it include drinks on Norwegian's private island Great Stirrup Cay?

If we have Norwegian's "ultimate beverage package" on the ship, does it include drinks on Norwegian's private island Great Stirrup Cay?

The streets of Old San Juan are nowhere near as steep as San Francisco.

EIE has been unable to renew their permits that allow them to dock their boat in Vieques ... that's why they are no longer offering the Vieques biobay tour. They have no idea when (or if) they will get the necessary permits.

For now, the only way to visit Mosquito Bay in Vieques is to spend the night in Vieques.

Back in the Fajardo biobay (laguna grande) there are 2 operators who offer electric boats.

Taxi to Fajardo is about $80 one way (for up to 5 people). Consider renting a car, or use a biobay operator who can provide transportation (for an additional per person cost).

about 1 hour