Yeah, always catch waves in California & we will this time also. Looks like new South swell mixed with NW later next week. My girlfriend has never been to California so it will be great to show her the area. I haven't been in in 5 years and lived there for 3 years in the 90's. Going to hit the vineyards with great friends, great dinners, beautiful weather & waves sounds like a great vacation to me.
I hope you have a great time. My wife and I had the best vacation of our lives in France. Food, hotels, and the people were all great. We will return there next year as well. We have done what you describe as well, twice in the past--it was lots of fun, and so it hopefully will be for you as well.
Another way to think of it.......this could be the least crowded you will ever find the surf in Puerto Rico in your lifetime. For that reason alone I would go if it were in the cards.
United just called me. My flight that I booked for January (booked it back in May) has been rescheduled. Instead of the daily Newark, NJ to Aquadilla flight it now is only offered once a week every Saturday. I've been debating whether or not to back out of the trip and change plans. I think this is a sign. The decision has been made for us. I will not be going this year. All along, providing they get power and water back in time; I was most concerned about society. PR is already crime rich. Now after this hurricane is the fragile societal structure breaking down? Do I want to go surfing while my wife, 4yr old and 4 month old sit on the beach?...not really. Stealing my flip flops while i paddle out is one thing...messing with my family is another. Unfortunate.
Leaving my wife on the beach with my daughter and granddaughter is EXACTLY why I cancelled my trip. And besides, starving with no food, no water, and hearing gunshots (looters) up in the hills can be a bit nerve racking as well. The looting is NOT being reported by the press-heaven forbid we should warn tourists not to go spend money there. Even Surfline reported it (Graves article) three weeks ago, but ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, FOX??? Nothing. Congrats-- you made a wise move.
No way, Jose. I used to camp near the beach for a week at a time in the Rincon area back in the early 80's. Back then it was just a bunch of hippies. Not today...
I work with a lady from PR and all her friends and family are desperate to get out. And this was pre-hurricane. Of course this is just one person talking.
Lots of people here giving advice without firsthand knowledge. I am in PR. I was here for the hurricane and have been on and off the island three times now since. Here's the scoop on my neck of the woods in the metro area, your mileage may vary in Aguadilla and Rincon. Surf on the north coast has been waist to shoulder high, mostly, except the days just after the storm. Some texture in the morning, windy later. There is no power at my place yet, but there are pockets of power in the tourist zones and close to hospitals, hotels and government buildings. Food is readily available. Beer is readily available. I've driven to Humacao, Ponce and Arecibo. Roads are clear from San Juan to Arecibo in the north via PR22 (I've heard PR2 is clear from there), from San Juan to Ponce via PR52 and from San Juan to Humacao via Caguas and then PR30. I haven't tried to get to Inches, but that might be a bit hairy. Most if not all breaks in the Metro area are accessible as well as Luquillo. I would imagine Aguadilla is reachable. If things in Rincon are so-so, staying in San Juan and driving could be an option. I've been told from Aguadilla to Ponce on PR2 is iffy still, so you can't do a full circle. In the metro area, there are plenty of open bars and restaurants - you will get bored if you are in a house without power (like me), but you won't be bored in a hotel. Disease - I would only drink bottled water (just in case) or beer. Foodborne illness could be a problem if you're eating in a place with no generator. I've eaten out a number of times in nice places and so far, so good. I would worry more about Mosquito borne illness (Zika, Dengue, Chikunguya). Bring repellent and leave pregnant women home. The breaks will be less full because of the lack of Jersey bros - but those don't really start getting here until after Thanksgiving. I wouldn't leave my girlfriend and small child on the beach by themselves BEFORE the storm, so I certainly wouldn't do it now. Visiting PR WILL help the locals. I don't care if tourism is only 6% of the economy, every little bit helps, and quite a few small, family run businesses depend on tourists. And other businesses depend on those families and businesses spending the money they earn. Its a chain, and if any link is broken, the whole chain fails. I'm certainly not willing to give up on 6% of the economy - the 46% Pharma will rebuild and do just fine - its the small tourist place that needs the most help.
Is the once a week flight from Newark to Aguadilla on Saturday’s, now a permanent thing? I wanted to sneak away for a quick trip last year, but the fact that it’s a red eye, pretty much killed two of my days off alone! I figure I’ll get there one day. During the next NHL lockout, which is coming up in 3 or 4 years.
Good info. Surprised to hear you wouldn't leave your girlfriend and child on the beach when you surf. Never had a single issue or felt in danger in NW PR. The beaches are usually full of people and families, both gringo and local Puerto Ricans. And I've surfed pretty much every spot from Middles down to Tres.
This may be of interest to some of you: https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/26/heres-how-an-obscure-tax-change-sank-puerto-ricos-economy.html
Apparently United must be having empty flights. In years past, the planes were almost always fully booked for 7 days a week on that hellish red-eye. To think now they are only running it once a week tells me alot about the state of affairs in PR. I hope it changes, but as of now, they are telling me this is the case for my flight Jan. 25. Cancelled. Moved to either the 20th, 27th or Feb. 3rd.
Same here. Never had any issues. Not to say it can't happen. I think safest feel was Surfers Beach due to the vibe of the people there. Domes and Marias totally chill. Jobos when packed, just families with a few drunks around. Crashboat..some sketchiness but many families hanging out enjoying. Wilderness can be a bit sketch cause of the isolation.
Rincon update: 11/4/2017 Pueblo has power along the 115. As of Friday PM The Post Office still does not have power, it’s close but not there for some reason and it’s been days. Parcelas Stella by the Subway on the south side of Rincon has power and water. There are tons of rentals along the beach there that have water and power so that may be an option for people looking to visit. Rincon by the Seas has the Army there, Cofresi has FEMA at their place. There is no beach, it’s gone. Seawall to 2-3ft of water at low tide. Many people want their lives back. Routine, business, income, jobs… all we lost from Maria. If the AEE gets power to Puntas than Lazy Parrot, Casa Verde, Tamboo, Pool Bar and more will open and maybe we will have a season in 2018. This town depends on visitors. The upside is the waves are uncrowded. Well, there are 100’s of local surfers who live here like myself and after a flatspell Domes will get crowded the first morning of waves but besides the am crowd at Domes it’s been very uncrowded. Wednesday was a classic Indy day, head high and pumping but with only 4-6 guys out, crazy. If you need to escape to PR later this winter you will be able to.
