Kioskos de Luquillo | Puerto Rico

One thing I really wanted to do in Puerto Rico was visit the Luquillo food stalls. After driving through El Yunque - the islands majestic rainforest, we headed into Luquillo to an absolutely packed and bumping scene. Where the loudest subwoofers hollered we looked to find parking amongst scattered trash and the uneven, dusty lots between Luquillo Beach (is everyone on the island here?) and the kiosks. This beach is everything to locals and watersports enthusiasts alike. Family party tents and jet skis abound! 

We strolled up and down the stalls with a bit of indecision before winding up at A Fuego. [family photographs with the fire hats might make a little more sense now!] The fire truck kept the boys extra entertained while we had quite an amazing lunch. I kicked things off with a Luquillo Sunset [Club Caribe Rum, Passionfruit, Orange Juice, Pineapple + Grenadine] before tucking into a fresh Caribbean Lobster. Selected from the tank, the spiny crustacean was steamed until tender and drenched in a garlic and herb butter, served with traditional rice + beans. This was so so delicious and satisfying!

The open air Kioskos de Luquillo are casual, fun and authentically Puerto Rican, I am so happy we paid them a visit. 

After lunch I found the Mojito Lab Kiosko! 

Guanabana fruit is my go to mojito flavor. It is tropical, creamy, refreshing and pairs perfectly with rum and mint. 

We meandered to the playa here for a stroll and then drove over to a different local beachside neighborhood, Vilomar, to check out The Brass Cactus for a beer or two. Behold a super cool bar with all kinds of vintage signage. Worth it!

Fajardo Dinnertime Eats

 
May I recommend the red snapper at Sal + Pimienta By The Sea. We ate here on our first night in Fajardo and were replete with delicious seafood meals after a fun but long road trip from the west coast. 

Since we were staying at the well known El Conquistador Resort via airbnb we were not allowed to access their restaurants. It felt like a bummer but in the end it made us get out and explore! 

Fajardo truly is a sleepy town at night. We felt a little off at times; there just isn't a ton going on! Everything closes pretty early and there is not a main section of town. Sal + Pimienta and La Estacion are on the main road but there's no foot traffic, no sidewalks, no street lights, nothing is a destination except the restaurants themselves I suppose.

La Estacion is apparently sort of famous! Housed in an abandoned Esso gas station serving Nuyorican BBQ; Fodor's and Conde Nast have it on best-of-lists for not only Puerto Rico but the Caribbean as a whole. Bob found it on a whim, it sits just down the road from La Conquistadors pearly, exclusive gates. I sipped a juicy Guanabana mojito, we shared tangy Caribbean chicken wings and a terrific BBQ tray. 

They are open Friday through Sunday only. 

Mon/Fri @ 4 pm and Sat/Sun @ 2 pm.

On our last night in town we decided to give Las Croabas neighborhood another go. This is what you might consider the "main area" in and around Seven Seas Beach. 

We explored Las Croabas on a couple different occasions for lunch and it was very quiet; the only restaurant open was Costa Mia right at Seven Seas. (We ate lunch here - it was fine - I did not take photos!) A lot of restaurants have odd hours (La Estacion as noted above), close for 2 days in a row, or simply did not exist! We could not trust google for anything factual. 

Is this Fajardo still emerging from a pandemic?

 A quiet time of year? 

Business as usual?

On our last night we discovered El Pescador, a charming seafood enclave on the small circular strip surrounding Parque Pasvio. Camden slept in the stroller. Ryder was well rested and could hang. They serve martinis in frosted sea blue glasses and bright, fresh fish dishes with rice + salads.

We were delighted.

Our 6 month old! Kind as could be with long brown curls, shiny blue eyes, taking everything in and enjoying the world around him!

Pineapple Flan was a sweet ending to an enlightened stay in a unique part of Puerto Rico!

If you visit:

Sal + Pimienta by the Sea

 Road 987 Km 2.7, 

Fajardo, 00738

La Estacion

Carr. 987 Km 4.20 

Las Croabas, Fajardo, 00738

El Pescadore

Carr. 987 Km 7.2 

Parque Pasivo, Fajardo, 00738

Castillo San Fellipe del Morro

We really enjoyed exploring both historical forts that once protected Spanish ruled Old San Juan from seaborn enemies. El Morro is the more popular and bustling site, situated at the Northwestern part of the city. Camden was elated to be running around here! And the views are extraordinary. Castillo San Cristobal is the seemingly less energetic and quieter spot. Wait literally! Both the boys were napping by the time we meandered over. Most of my photos are from our time at El Morro, but then we had this romantic lil couples photo shoot at San Cristobal followed by naptime cocktails!

Me as we exit the fort..."Bob, the kids are still asleep. COCKTAILS. ASAP."

Found this dreamy little spot. Marilyn's Place. Mojito for him, Caipirinha for her. 

Ryder awoke to join the fun! (And proceeded to eat a plant!?) It was good timing for Rye as the little cherub (@ 5 months) takes 3 naps a day and is an angel baby when he wakes up. Camden is often cranky post nap, praise be he slept all the way through happy hour.

Is there a cuter + happier baby?

 Day one in Old San Juan and we are feeling like we've got this travelling with two kids thing down - we're glad the boys are instantly having so much fun!

Castillo San Felipe del Morro

Castillo San Cristóbal
501 Calle Norzagaray

San Juan, 00901

Marilyn's Place

100 C. de San Francisco

San Juan, 00901