KAYAKING LAGUNA TORRECILA LOÍZA (PIÑONES)

CASTILLO SAN FELIPE EL MORRO

Welcome and thanks for sharing my Puerto Rico Vacation Kit. This guide was created based on a trip I took (see blog post at the end of the page). It provides you with step by step instructions of very specific things to do during the trip so you can know exactly what you will be doing. The guide will tell you where to go, how to get to the location, exact routes you're going to take, places to eat and other general tips.

I hope that you take full advantage of this guide and be sure to contact me in my social networks if you have any questions.

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What does this Vacation Kit Contains?

In this one you will be doing a very fun kayaking trip in Loíza, some "chinchorreo" at Piñones and finally visit Old San Juan and El Morro.

How to use this guide

This vacation kit is organized in several steps. Just follow one step at a time until you finish the trip. Each step has it's own set of instructions that can be accessed by clicking the plus icon. Once clicked it will open providing you maps to locations, instructions on exactly what you need to do for the activity and places to eat. You can always skip steps. In this vacation kit you can skip the kayaking part (step 3) if you don't like that activity.

Can I contact you if I have questions?

Sure! I will be more than happy to help you out the best I can. Click here to send me an email and for all my social network links.

Disclaimer: This guide is for information purpose only. You are solely responsible to comply with all laws and assume all responsibility and liability for your actions and conduct. You also acknowledge that you are aware of the possible risks, dangers and hazards associated with all related activities including the possible risk of severe or fatal injury to yourself and others. You agree to hold harmless, indemnify and release representative from liability for any and all claims, demands, actions and costs which might arise out of all related activities.

Step 1: Have breakfast at El Mesón Sandwiches

8:00 am - 9:00 am

For this trip is important to have a good breakfast, we are going to do a lot today. I recommend you visit El Mesón Sandwiches.

Map to Restaurants

Food I reccomend

Step 2: Travel to Piñones

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Piñones (located in Loíza) is one of the best places to do "chinchorreo" in Puerto Rico. Usually people go here to have alcapurrias, bacalaitos or eat traditional puertorican food, but for this trip we will start by kayaking in Laguna Torrecilla.

Map to Piñones

Renting a Kayak

The "Corporación Piñones Se Integra" rent double kayaks from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm for $15 per person for one hour. If you have a big group you need to make reservations. If you bring your own kayak they charge $5 to let you use their dock.

The people from the venue will give you appropriate instructions and will help you put your rented kayak in the water. Make sure your lifevest is properly tightened and continue to step 3 to review the route you are going to take.

WARNING: If the sky is cloudy and it appears that it's going to rain DO NOT go kayaking. The waters in this area will be difficult to handle, are very deep and can put you in a very tight situation.

In case of rain skip to Step 4.

Step 3: Kayaking Route

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

You have 1 hour to paddle, but that will be more than enough time to do "Route 1". Select it below for more information.

Route 1 (around 1.46 km)

This route is quite straightforward, almost anyone can do it and you won't get lost. From the starting point (red marker) continue to "Point A" (purple marker). Once you reach it you will be behind the San Juan International Airport.

Continue to "Point B" (yellow marker) and rest there for a bit. It should take you roughly 30 minutes to get there if you are paddling at a steady pace. You will most likely see airplanes flying above you. Try to take a picture of a plane flying over you (don't forget to tag me in social networks). A good challenge will be taking a selfie with the plane in the frame above you. Once you feel well rested (be sure to drink water) go back the way you came. Reach the starting point and the people from kayak rental will help you get out of the water.

The trip is just getting started! It's time to relax a bit by going to one of the kiosko located in Piñones. Continue to the next step for my recommendation.

Route 2 (around 6.41 km)

WARNING: This route is only for people who have their own kayaks and have top physical condition. DO NOT try to do this route if you rented a kayak (do "Route 1" instead). Another thing, if you do this route you will end up so exhausted that you will most likely be too tired to do anything else that day.

This route is very long (can take around 4 hours) and you need to be well prepared to make it. I'm placing the route here for people who like the challenge. Start paddling all the way to the green marker (can take roughly 1.3 to 2 hours to get there). Once you reach it take some time to rest, drink water and eat something light. After you feel well rested continue on the orange path. You will go right through a mangrove swamp (a very narrow path I may add). Once you go through the mangrove continue back to the starting point. The orange path can take around 2 hours to do at a steady pace.

EXTRA INFORMATION: I strongly recommend you read my blog post "Kayaking Laguna Torrecilla Loiza Piñones". There I narrate everything I did on that trip and will give you more information to properly prepare to make this route.

Step 4: Chinchoreando en Piñones

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

You just finished an awesome kayaking trip, congratulations! Now it's time para "lechonear" (informal puerto rican slang to say to that you're going to eat like a pig like there's no tomorrow).

Place to Eat

Chill Out a bit - Walk in Paseo Piñones

Step 5: Go back to hotel and rest

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

You have done a lot so far. It's time to properly rest before the next activity. Here are several things you can do in your hotel:

"Vegetar" in your room (puerto rican slang to say that you are doing absolutely nothing. You barely move from your bed when you are "vegetando". Be warned, don't stay in this state too long, we still have a lot of things to do)
go to the pool
visit the SPA
go to the bar

Step 6: Old San Juan and El Morro

4:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Hoping you are well rested. Now it's time to visit the most popular tourist destination in Puerto Rico, Old San Juan. Please note that there are many things to do in Old San Juan, but for this trip we are just doing one, visit el Castillo San Felipe El Morro.

However you are not going to go directly to El Morro. Nope! I'm gonna make you walk A LOT so you can get to see more of Old San Juan.

Park in Doña Fela parking

Doña Fela Parking is the go to parking when you visit Old San Juan. It's located in an area with a lot of traffic, so it's a safe place to leave your car.

Another Parking Spot

If Doña Fela's parking is full, you can go to "Estacionamiento Covadonga". I park here only when Doña Fela's parking is full because the Covadonga parking is located in a very solitary place. I have parked there many times safely, but I stay more alert about my surroundings when walking in that area.

Walking to El Morro

After you get out of the parking, follow these instructions:

Exit Doña Fela's parking, turn left and walk until you see El Banco Popular building on your right.
Turn right in Calle San Justo and continue walking straight until you see the ocean.
- TRIVIA: The place that is in front of you right now, is where the music video of the massively popular song Despacito (Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee) was recorded (La Perla).
Turn left and keep walking until you see El Morro

Places to Eat

Wow this will be a tough one. There are so many good places you can go eat in Old San Juan that I feel ashamed to recommend just one. This one is a little far from where you are, but check out "El Hamburguer". They make very good burgers, but like most places it's always busy and you may need to wait a bit.

HONEST OPINION

With all honesty my favorite place to eat in Old San Juan is a food truck that sells "Tripletas" that is located around Plaza Dársenas. It's nothing fancy, but I love it. It's not expensive and the waiting time is just a couple of minutes. Excellent when you are hungry.

READ ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE DOING THIS TRIP

Kayaking in Laguna Torrecilla Loíza Piñones

A 6.41 km kayaking trip in Piñones. This one is a very fun and quite challenging route to do, but I definitely love it.

About guide creator

I’m Luis Oscar Maymí (lomaymi) a dedicated, extremely passionate, ambitious when it comes to work, spontaneous, highly creative and loves kayaking and visiting various locations around Puerto Rico. Click here to read more about me.

KAYAKING LAGUNA TORRECILA LOÍZA (PIÑONES)

CASTILLO SAN FELIPE EL MORRO

Step 1: Have breakfast at El Mesón Sandwiches

Step 2: Travel to Piñones

In case of rain skip to Step 4.

Step 3: Kayaking Route

Step 4: Chinchoreando en Piñones

Step 5: Go back to hotel and rest

Step 6: Old San Juan and El Morro

READ ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE DOING THIS TRIP

Kayaking in Laguna Torrecilla Loíza Piñones

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About guide creator

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KAYAKING LAGUNA TORRECILA LOÍZA (PIÑONES)

CASTILLO SAN FELIPE EL MORRO

Step 1: Have breakfast at El Mesón Sandwiches

Step 2: Travel to Piñones

Step 3: Kayaking Route

Step 4: Chinchoreando en Piñones

Step 5: Go back to hotel and rest

Step 6: Old San Juan and El Morro

READ ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE DOING THIS TRIP

Kayaking in Laguna Torrecilla Loíza Piñones

Share vacation guide with your friends

About guide creator

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