puerto rico 2019: fajardo

After leaving El Yunque, we drove to our next destination and hotel: El Conquistador Resort in Fajardo. Neither H nor I are super into the idea of an all-inclusive sort of place as it feels a bit restrictive, not to mention it's usually pretty pricey. However, given how last minute the trip was booked, El Conquistador was largely the only place still available. Since the hurricanes hit Fajardo pretty badly, much of the resort was closed and still under reconstruction, but this also meant significantly lower-than-usual prices. Another positive to the situation was a largely empty resort; less people/traffic = less noise.

Outside the main lobby

View from the front of the hotel onlooking the property/golf course

We wanted to take our time in Fajardo pretty slowly, especially since I anticipated we would be tired from the previous day at El Yunque. Our rough plan for the day included food, the famous Fajardo beaches, and a bioluminescent bay tour in the evening at Laguna Grande (technically a lagoon, not a bay). Unfortunately, the whole not-planning-things-out-in-time got in the way and we weren't able to find a bio bay tour during our time in PR- the tours were booked atleast a week and a half out. Although most of the images of bio bays available online are significantly enhanced, it was still something I wish we hadn't missed out on. In retrospect, I probably would've sprung for the bay in Vieques. In 2017, Mosquito Bay in Vieques was already known to be the brightest in the world, but after the hurricanes, the population of dinoflagellates increased significantly.

Since our evening had freed up, we moved through the day even slower and started with a late brunch at Las Vistas Cafe. The outdoor cafe had amazing views of the town, as well was fantastic fruit. The owner gave us a complimentary bowl of fresh fruits from her garden, adding that the mango tree had not produced fruit for over a year after the hurricane, until now. 

Fruit bowl with mango from the previously-dormant mango tree

Fell in love with this flowering flora that lined a driveway

After breakfast, it only felt appropriate to make our way over to the beach. We picked Seven Seas beach and were able to easily find street parking. We found a spot on the shore, set down our towels, and spent most of the afternoon reading, in the water, and just zoning out (mostly me, H actually read). There were public restrooms with showers available after purchasing a $1 restroom pass. 

Seven Seas beach in Fajardo

Post-swim reading

We left the beach around sunset and in pursuit of dinner. Probably my favorite meal of our trip, La Estacion did not disappoint. I was not expecting to find a BBQ place in PR, much less try a new type of BBQ. La Estacion specializes in "Nuyorican BBQ", which mixes traditional BBQ with Caribbean flavors. The result is as phenomenal as it sounds. H went for the brisket, and I ordered the local fish fry special (Red Snapper).

Nuyorican style brisket

Local fish fry

An unexpected but welcomed dinner guest

We called it a night early and headed back to the hotel with plans to return to San Juan in the morning, hoping to explore the city more.