Adventure travel seems to be a hot travel label for places as diverse as Vancouver to Israel. In some cases the term is well matched but other times it’s just a stretch. I love adventure travel experiences and was thrilled to discover that it’s also one of the best features of Puerto Rico.
I was invited down by the San Juan Marriott, a gorgeous resort right on the beach in one of the best areas of San Juan. There are tons of things to do at the resort itself, but the staff can also help arrange off-site activities for those who want to add a little adventure to their vacation.
The adventure that was added to my life involved the oddly well located Campo Rico, just a few minutes drive from the hotel. Hacienda Campo Rico is a 2,300 acre estate located just five minutes from town and features horseback riding, a golf academy, zip lining, ATVs and many other fun adventures.
I’d been zip lining twice before, and had mixed feelings about it. The first time was miserable, the second more pleasant but I had yet to be sold on the activity. That’s why when we harnessed up for the zip line experience at Campo Rico, I wasn’t sure what to expect.
More than just zip lining though, the activity here is a total experience with amazing views, swinging rope and plank bridges and of course several high flying lines. It was amazing, flying through the air through rainforests, spying iguana out of the corner of my eye and at the same time San Juan was visible in the distance. It’s a great example of how accessible adventure travel activities are in Puerto Rico.
The real fun though came after when we jumped into the back of amphibious ATVs and set off into the heart of the rainforest.
Puerto Rico is incredibly lush, and it was also incredibly damp when we visited. The result were endless mud bogs through which our ATVs flew as we raced around the property at the Hacienda Campo Rico. Sure we got stuck a few times and I definitely got muddy, but it was a thrill racing through the swampy bogs with the wind whipping past.
By the end of the course, we were hot and muddy, but every one of us walked away with a huge grin. Sometimes there’s just nothing better than getting dirty and having a great time.
