This past summer, I enjoyed a beach trip with my family, during which my aunt—my dad’s twin sister—was staying with my parents. As we chatted about my travels, she expressed a desire to explore more, noting that while she has always jumped at the chance to help family members travel (being one of ten siblings), she had never ventured out for leisure. After facing some health challenges over the last three years, she was finally on the mend. When I asked her where she wanted to go, she excitedly said, “the rainforest!”
Living with her daughter and son-in-law in Tennessee, they had a week off for fall break coming up. My mom had raved about her trip to Puerto Rico a few years back, and though I had never considered it a vacation destination (spoiler alert: I was very wrong), it was the closest rainforest we could access for a long weekend since my aunt didn’t have a passport. So, I decided to book the trip for the four of us!
Flight Details:
- Denver to San Juan: 10,000 Southwest points
- San Juan to Denver: 20,000 United points
- Total taxes paid: $11.20 for both flights.
Hotel Details:
- Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve: 20,000 points per night for 4 nights = 80,000 points.
I had enough points from a previous trip we had to cancel, which I initially transferred from a sign-up bonus. Plus, since I booked with points, the resort fees were waived, making our stay completely free!
Since I covered the hotel, my cousin arranged the rental car—a mid-size from Budget for about $230 for four days.
I originally booked a garden view room with two queen beds, but thanks to a Guest of Honor certificate from a friend, we received complimentary breakfast for two, free parking, and a room upgrade to a two-full, walk-out ocean view room. At check-in, we also got two free drink coupons. The resort provided wristbands that served as our room keys, which was incredibly convenient—no more searching for lost keys! After parking, a large limousine golf cart whisked us to our building. The resort was expansive, and calling for a golf cart pickup whenever we needed it was a fantastic complementary service!
Our room was stocked with bug repellent, bottled water, a mini fridge, two robes, and slippers. The bed and pillows were exceptionally comfortable, and the air conditioning worked perfectly. We enjoyed a lovely patio view of the ocean and stunning sunsets. Our building was conveniently located near the adults-only pool, and another large pool at the front featured a swim-up bar, a food truck, lounge chairs built into the water, and was oceanfront. We could borrow bikes and pickleball equipment, plus there were lawn games like soccer, Connect Four, and ping-pong near the main pool.
While I skipped breakfast, my cousin mentioned it was fairly standard, with unlimited options priced at $25-$35, or a la carte choices available. There were also a few restaurants on the property, some requiring reservations. The food truck, open daily until 6 PM, offered great deals—I enjoyed chicken tenders and fries for just $14, and the portion was huge!
What We Did:
We had three packed days to explore Puerto Rico. On our first day, we booked a tour of El Yunque National Forest for $95 per person through Viator. I earned over $19 in rewards valid until April 2025. Our guide, Narayan, gave us a personalized experience as we were the only four on the tour. He took us to multiple locations, including two beautiful waterfalls where we swam. His knowledge of the wildlife and history of the forest was impressive, and I highly recommend his tour, especially for those needing a less strenuous outing. On our way back, Narayan took us to a delightful roadside stand, Pa Que Pique Grill—delicious!
On our second day, we explored Old San Juan, about 30 minutes from the resort. Parking was tricky, but we eventually found a spot in a garage for less than $5. We visited the San Juan National Historic Site, which charged $10 to enter, but my National Parks Pass allowed us in for free. The self-guided tour of the fort was fascinating.
After our fort visit, we stopped for lunch at El Patio De Sam, where our bartender crafted some fantastic margaritas.
On our third day, we booked a mini boat and snorkeling excursion through Viator, earning another $22 in rewards. This adventure was incredible! Again, we had a private experience as the only four participants. Each boat accommodated two people and cost $233. We drove the boats past an island, snorkeled at a beautiful reef with a guide pointing out various fish, jellyfish, and coral. Afterward, we had an hour to swim, snack, and relax on a small island before returning to the docks. The experience of driving the boat was a unique thrill, and the guides were friendly and helpful. This excursion is a must for anyone visiting Puerto Rico!
Overall, I was extremely pleased with the entire trip! October was a fantastic time to visit—there were no crowds, the weather was perfect, and we felt safe and welcomed throughout our stay.
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