Guidebook for Ceiba and Eastern Puerto Rico
Essentials
Things near to the house for finding basic supplies.
About 10 minutes away. Got a little bit of everything and open early - but also close early. Bring your own grocery bags!
43 habitants recommandent
ralphs food warehouse
Calle IgualdadAbout 10 minutes away. Got a little bit of everything and open early - but also close early. Bring your own grocery bags!
Further away but also a reasonably good supermarket, a bit smaller than Ralphs
67 habitants recommandent
Econo
Carretera 3Further away but also a reasonably good supermarket, a bit smaller than Ralphs
They have some stuff, its not a Supercenter but it is open until Midnight and you can get the basics there.
127 habitants recommandent
Walmart
150 Carr 940They have some stuff, its not a Supercenter but it is open until Midnight and you can get the basics there.
Sorta like a mini Costco, sells items in bulk, but some individual, and has a butcher, grocery and wine/beer area.
6 habitants recommandent
J. F. Montalvo
Puerto Rico 194Sorta like a mini Costco, sells items in bulk, but some individual, and has a butcher, grocery and wine/beer area.
Amigo
Avenida MontesolClosest Supermarket to the house - Off Exit 3.
Supermercados Agranel
In Ceiba Pueblo, easy to get staples and basics, but very very small.
Restaurants and Drinks
Nearby places to grab a bite!
La Cueva del Mar
Carretera 3Marina side bar and also a restaurant. Wear your bugspray!
Just reopened after Maria in Feb 2019. Haven't had a chance to try the food yet but the view is spectacular, up on the top of a hill with tables all over and open air style seating in a bar or restaurant. Swingsets for the kids with a view of them from the bar. What more could parents ask for. :)
37 habitants recommandent
La finca Naguabo
Just reopened after Maria in Feb 2019. Haven't had a chance to try the food yet but the view is spectacular, up on the top of a hill with tables all over and open air style seating in a bar or restaurant. Swingsets for the kids with a view of them from the bar. What more could parents ask for. :)
This is a great place to hang out before or after a biobay tour, or just for peoplewatching oceanside. Great food and drinks, and especially great brunch. Open Thursdays through Sundays. Say HI to Fabi the owner from Lynne & Omar at Finquita Vista Alegre if you go!!
43 habitants recommandent
Café Playero
This is a great place to hang out before or after a biobay tour, or just for peoplewatching oceanside. Great food and drinks, and especially great brunch. Open Thursdays through Sundays. Say HI to Fabi the owner from Lynne & Omar at Finquita Vista Alegre if you go!!
Grab a table RIGHT on the ocean, a step from the sand. This is the weekend see and be seen place and also great Mofongo. On Sundays they typically have music just before sunset - go early it can be hard to get a table - but it is possible! Or go to Seven Seas beach for the day and then walk over here before you leave.
45 habitants recommandent
Costa Mia
Grab a table RIGHT on the ocean, a step from the sand. This is the weekend see and be seen place and also great Mofongo. On Sundays they typically have music just before sunset - go early it can be hard to get a table - but it is possible! Or go to Seven Seas beach for the day and then walk over here before you leave.
BREAKFAST! Local Style! Bakeries (Panadarias) are a thing here. So is buying fresh bread (pan de agua) to take home. Here you can get a full diner style breakfast, lunch meats and cheeses, fresh eggs, and assortments of pasteries, donuts, and cakes. Have a couple of eggs or an omelet with a cafe con leche (think Latte but not exactly) and eat at the picnic tables outside. But, don't expect bacon sausage and pancakes! Try it local style. Don't' forget to say Buen Provecho to others who are eating as you pass!
16 habitants recommandent
Panadería El Timón
Carretera 3BREAKFAST! Local Style! Bakeries (Panadarias) are a thing here. So is buying fresh bread (pan de agua) to take home. Here you can get a full diner style breakfast, lunch meats and cheeses, fresh eggs, and assortments of pasteries, donuts, and cakes. Have a couple of eggs or an omelet with a cafe con leche (think Latte but not exactly) and eat at the picnic tables outside. But, don't expect bacon sausage and pancakes! Try it local style. Don't' forget to say Buen Provecho to others who are eating as you pass!
Roof top restaurant with Umbrellas as a roof and AMAZING brunch. On weekends only, maybe Thursdays, check for hours. The owner typically is present and greets, and often takes your order. Menus are "of the day" and typically spoken. FYI no alcohol is served here and since covid you need a reservation. Definitely a must try!
100 habitants recommandent
Las Vistas Café
#83 C. 2Roof top restaurant with Umbrellas as a roof and AMAZING brunch. On weekends only, maybe Thursdays, check for hours. The owner typically is present and greets, and often takes your order. Menus are "of the day" and typically spoken. FYI no alcohol is served here and since covid you need a reservation. Definitely a must try!
On your way in to/out of the rainforest stop in Rio Grande at "El Verde BBQ". DELICIOUS roasted pork and chicken. Pay at the counter and sit at a table or take home. By the pound. We love to split a half chicken or 1/2 lb pork. Have a cold Medalla Light (Puerto Rican Beer) to wash it down, heck, have 2! They only cost $1
6 habitants recommandent
El Verde
On your way in to/out of the rainforest stop in Rio Grande at "El Verde BBQ". DELICIOUS roasted pork and chicken. Pay at the counter and sit at a table or take home. By the pound. We love to split a half chicken or 1/2 lb pork. Have a cold Medalla Light (Puerto Rican Beer) to wash it down, heck, have 2! They only cost $1
Costa Mia restaurant right on the ocean shore. GREAT place to eat right next to the water. Mariska is THE BEST Waitress. Tell her Hi from Lynne and Omar (El Cubano), and tip her well! if you were lucky enough to get her, you've received service far beyond that of the others.
To the side here is a great place to rent kayaks, snorkel gear, etc.
45 habitants recommandent
Costa Mia
Costa Mia restaurant right on the ocean shore. GREAT place to eat right next to the water. Mariska is THE BEST Waitress. Tell her Hi from Lynne and Omar (El Cubano), and tip her well! if you were lucky enough to get her, you've received service far beyond that of the others.
To the side here is a great place to rent kayaks, snorkel gear, etc.
Parks & Nature
Lots to do here check out their website for the best information!
1253 habitants recommandent
El Yunque Rain Forest
Lots to do here check out their website for the best information!
Nice area to swim, national park - not much in the way of kiosks or services to bring your own picnic etc.
326 habitants recommandent
Seven Seas Beach
Nice area to swim, national park - not much in the way of kiosks or services to bring your own picnic etc.
Completely remote and no services. Go early or mid week to avoid crowds and take your own everything. NO bathroom services either so...... do your business before and/or come prepared
241 habitants recommandent
Cayo Icacos
Completely remote and no services. Go early or mid week to avoid crowds and take your own everything. NO bathroom services either so...... do your business before and/or come prepared
The beach is wonderful and right behind the Kioskos of Luquillo where you can get drinks and a meal or snack. Everything from street food to fine casual dining - as well as souvenir shops. Walk alllll the way to the far right (east side) of the beach to sit in the sand and view the sun setting. Spectacular!
20 habitants recommandent
Balneario La Monserrate (Playa Luquillo)
Calle Herminio Diaz NavarroThe beach is wonderful and right behind the Kioskos of Luquillo where you can get drinks and a meal or snack. Everything from street food to fine casual dining - as well as souvenir shops. Walk alllll the way to the far right (east side) of the beach to sit in the sand and view the sun setting. Spectacular!
Pack a picnic and go swim in Charco El Hippie (GPS). Be prepared for a narrow road drive (look up, you'll see a waterfall) there will be a local selling parking, bring cash and then walk up about 1/4 mile to the waterfall and pools, then down some rock stairs to a natural pool and waterfall. Locals swim and hang here. If you're adventurous climb up past the first waterfall and there's another pool up top. Beware: Very remote so be careful....this one requires a few feet jump from one high rock to another to reach it (i'm told, i'm a chicken). BEWARE if it starts raining or has been raining flash floods and rapid increase of water strength and volume are no joke. Get out before you find out.
89 habitants recommandent
Charco El Hippie
Camino La PlantaPack a picnic and go swim in Charco El Hippie (GPS). Be prepared for a narrow road drive (look up, you'll see a waterfall) there will be a local selling parking, bring cash and then walk up about 1/4 mile to the waterfall and pools, then down some rock stairs to a natural pool and waterfall. Locals swim and hang here. If you're adventurous climb up past the first waterfall and there's another pool up top. Beware: Very remote so be careful....this one requires a few feet jump from one high rock to another to reach it (i'm told, i'm a chicken). BEWARE if it starts raining or has been raining flash floods and rapid increase of water strength and volume are no joke. Get out before you find out.
Up for a decent hike / walk? At the Seven seas balneario beach walk to the far "left" end if facing the beach and take the path into the forest. You'll turn right at some point to follow the beach line and come back out, first at Playa colora, and then at Playa Escondido. The governors house sits on this beach and its beautiful. You can walk 4 miles or more and maybe not see people. BEWARE: Do NOT swim here. Waters are too rough and people die. Seriously, multple people die per month because there are no signs indicating you shouldn't swim - and even if there were, they are ignored on other beaches. This is not a beach for swimming.
104 habitants recommandent
Escondida Beach
Up for a decent hike / walk? At the Seven seas balneario beach walk to the far "left" end if facing the beach and take the path into the forest. You'll turn right at some point to follow the beach line and come back out, first at Playa colora, and then at Playa Escondido. The governors house sits on this beach and its beautiful. You can walk 4 miles or more and maybe not see people. BEWARE: Do NOT swim here. Waters are too rough and people die. Seriously, multple people die per month because there are no signs indicating you shouldn't swim - and even if there were, they are ignored on other beaches. This is not a beach for swimming.
Everything Else
Lots of great places on the water..... it doesn't show up listed here but if you look for El Almendrito en Naguabo it is a FANTASTIC local restaurant on the water but not right on the malecon. Find it on facebook.
58 habitants recommandent
Malecon de Naguabo
Lots of great places on the water..... it doesn't show up listed here but if you look for El Almendrito en Naguabo it is a FANTASTIC local restaurant on the water but not right on the malecon. Find it on facebook.
Sightseeing
You Can see Vieques from the terrace, and take a flight or ferrry for a day trip! Culebra as well, definitely worth a visit.
293 habitants recommandent
Vieques
You Can see Vieques from the terrace, and take a flight or ferrry for a day trip! Culebra as well, definitely worth a visit.
This is where you can get the Ferry to Vieques and Culebra!
67 habitants recommandent
Ceiba Ferry Terminal
Marina DriveThis is where you can get the Ferry to Vieques and Culebra!
Frank Ocean Trips (find it on Facebook) If your a fisherperson you absolutely must do a trip with Frank Torres. We can't find him on google maps, so we've tagged La Parguera (3 hours away from FVA but worth it), where he departs from. Frank does all sorts of fishing as well as BioBay Tours, brings fishing gear, bait, etc and will clean your fish while you eat a sandwich from El Meson and refresh at one of the local Cayos.
http://frankoceantrips.com/
347 habitants recommandent
La Parguera
Frank Ocean Trips (find it on Facebook) If your a fisherperson you absolutely must do a trip with Frank Torres. We can't find him on google maps, so we've tagged La Parguera (3 hours away from FVA but worth it), where he departs from. Frank does all sorts of fishing as well as BioBay Tours, brings fishing gear, bait, etc and will clean your fish while you eat a sandwich from El Meson and refresh at one of the local Cayos.
http://frankoceantrips.com/
Food scene
DELICIOUS meats and dishes, smokehouse with a Nuyorican style! (Tha'ts Puerto Rican by way of New York) Typically open only evenings on Thursday through Sunday (check or call for schedule but don't expect them to answer the phone outside of open hours..... possibly even during open hours!
128 habitants recommandent
La Estación
DELICIOUS meats and dishes, smokehouse with a Nuyorican style! (Tha'ts Puerto Rican by way of New York) Typically open only evenings on Thursday through Sunday (check or call for schedule but don't expect them to answer the phone outside of open hours..... possibly even during open hours!
Conseils sur la ville
Que faut-il apporter?
Plastic Ban
All of Puerto Rico and most of the caribbean has banned plastic for the damage it does to our oceans. Most possibly you may want to bring a bag to shop or prepare to buy one at most stores.
Phrases utiles
Buen Provecho! Buen Dia!
You'll hear these phrases often, Puerto Ricans will pass while you are eating, and without even having made eye contact you'll hear a Buen Provecho (Bon Apetite)! Just say Gracias! Or Buen Dia (Good Day) or Igual (if they are eating or about to eat also. Or combine them! #WelcomeToPuertoRico