Great ecosystems and great local food
Submitted: January 29, 2012
Stayed: January 2012
Hello from Arlington,
We had a great time. My wife really like the decor of the condo. We loved the area. Marta was great. She was very friendly and was on time to meet us, no problems there. We would spend the day exploring and in the evenings we would go to the terrace of the apartment to enjoy the sky and stars. The only issue we had was the washer that broke down. Fortunately, we found a local business "RitaMar" that is like a convenience store, with a small cafeteria and has a laundromat with free WiFi.
RitaMar was very convenient since it was near the condo and we could check emails there with our laptops. Beside, they have a lunch special with different sandwiches: Virginia Ham, "Cubano", pork and others. It is no Safeway, but is convenient, close and the people there were very friendly and helpful.
Some of our friends from Arlington are originally from Cabo Rojo and they had recommended some restaurants. My wife and I are still debating who has the best "empanadillas de chapin" (fish fritters). I think is Annie's place near the condo, my wife thinks is "El Gatito" Restaurant in Joyuda. I have to add that I loved the Lobster's stew at Annies' Place too!
We explored the area. We visited the nearby "Las Salinas" or salt flats. The interactive center was very interesting and the director was very helpful giving us information. They even gave us a CD with the history of the saltflats and two fascinating books on puertorican legends and colonial history of Puerto Rico. We also had the opportunity to get some local arts and crafts, as well as met the local fishermen and learned about the pisciculture project with the University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Campus. The week that we visited, there was not a lot of people, so we had the beach to ourselves which we loved.
With all the pictures of our trip, we prepared a Power Point presentation about the ecosystems in "Isla Raton" in Joyuda, as well as the Salt flats. My daughter assist to a bilingual immersion school where as parents we have the opportunity to offer educational presentations in Spanish. I already presented it to 4 first grade groups. It was well received and the school will use it to teach other groups about ecosystems and habitats.
We definitively would like to come back and explore even more about the south west of Puerto Rico, and visit La Parguera and the coffee plantations in Yauco.
Owner's Response: Thank you very much!! I am so happy that you had such a great time. I think your family has been one of the few that has explored beyond the beach. Cabo Rojo and the southwest of Puerto Rico is such a beautiful area. In fact, that is why we bought that house there. Thank you for the information on the washer. It is already fixed. And, thank you for the information about RitaMar! They are a family owned business that slowly has been growing in the area. It is good reference for future clients that there is free WiFi there too.
About the food, I am torn just like your family is. I love Annie's Place...walking distance to the apartment and right on the beach. But, I love Joyuda too! Joyuda is one of the best known areas for seafood since there are so many restaurants right along the coast...and is also an opportunity to visit the nearby town of Mayaguez.
We would love to have you back!
Helpful votes: 1/2
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