For those who have been to Puerto Rico ...

[SeaHound]

I am contemplating on a 4 Day trip to La Parguera. I would like to dive the wall there. The closest Airport seems to be San Juan and it is the other end of the island. For those who have done this trip ...

1. What is the best way of getting from San Juan to La Parguera? Car rental or Public transport? How long of a drive is it? I was told that the GPS there can not be trusted. True?

2. Would there be easier/shallower dives on that south side of the island? I am being accompanied by my wife who will be doing her OW course. I wanted the diving to be enjoyable to her as well.

Any other info that you think would be useful - please let me know.

Cheers -

S-H

 

[ibj40]

We did both Rincon and La Parguera this past May. We flew into San Juan, spent three nights in old San Juan at El Convento, and then picked up a rent car down by the cruise ship pier, and drove out to the West coast. The drive is pretty easy, there's a toll road most of the way. You might google map where you plan to stay out West, and you are right, the streets and roads as you get closer into Rincon and La Parguera are a little desceptive, but not impossible.

We stayed in Rincon and dove with Taino for two days, and drove down to La Parguera and dove with West Divers for one. Our preference when we go back will be to focus on La Parguera.

 

[SeaHound]

Thanks for the info bro. How long was the drive from San Juan to La Parguera?

 

[jlevine]

There are several posts regarding La Parguera. I have been there five times, once during each of the past five years. All of my trips, with the exception of this last trip, went really well. If you go to La Parguera, would you please post a report for us? The easiest way to drive from San Juan to La Parguera is to take the Tollway (#52) which goes from San Juan to Ponce and then take Highway 2 to Route 116 and pick up Route 304. The total drive is about 2.5 hours. It's very easy driving. You will need to rent a car. Public Transport is very time consuming. It could take you a day and you would only get down to either Ponce or Yauco. You would need to find a way from the station to La Parguera which would probably cost a lot.

 

[dano2036]

Aguadella has a airport that continental and jet blue fly into and it is alot cheaper. I just bought non-stop round trip tickets from newark nj to aguadella for $184

 

[dzonokwa]

Aquadella and Parguara are both fun places to dive. Your wife will do fine in both places. Work with her on her buoency so she is comfortable enough to do some of the "cavern tours." I loved diving the "chimney" at Parguara! Also make sure you have a fish ID book so you can distinguish between the jacknifes, spotted drums and the top hats. And keep your eyes open for frogfish as well. You are going to have a great time!
Definitely rent a car at the airport and communicate with dive shop regarding recommendations for hotels.

 

[ibj40]

Thanks for the info bro. How long was the drive from San Juan to La Parguera?

From San Juan to Rincon was a little over two hours, and then the morning we drove from Rincon to La Parguera, it took us just about an hour. Not sure what the straight through trip would be.

 

[stevehg]

Thanks everyone. I am in San Juan for a 15 hour day on a cruise ship on 3/7 and would love to dive, but don't want to be on the road for an extended time. Any suggestions for diving and operator in the SJ area?

 

[ktomlinson]

I drove the entire perimeter of puerto Rico on vacation last year, stayed near rincon one night. Renting a car and driving is an easy option, I used google maps with gps most of the time(AT&T 3g all over).