October 2012 & 2023

We celebrated Dave’s 25th birthday with a trip to Puerto Rico. This was one of our first big trips together and what a journey it has been since!

We returned to Puerto Rico in 2023 for a quick weekend getaway (and mostly to do our Global Entry interviews).

Accommodations: In 2012 we stayed at the El Conquistador resort in Fajardo. It was absolutely great (and very luxurious for our 25 year old selves), with multiple pools, several restaurants, coqui frogs outside our window, and even a private island.

In 2023 we stayed at the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve in Rio Grande. We spent a full day just lounging at the beach and pools, and treated ourselves to massages and nice dinner at Nectar.

Tours and Activities: The highlights of the trip were kayaking in the bioluminescent bay and hiking to the waterfalls in El Yunque National Forest. We also rented a car (bright yellow Jeep!) for the first time to explore Old San Juan and go to the Bacardi distiller. The hotel had a private island where we spent one day snorkeling, dining with iguanas, and getting caught in a downpour on the walking trails.