Welcome to Puerto Rico and to C2 Costa Azul!
Minneazul
C2 Costa Azul
Luquillo, Puerto Rico 00773
minneazul.com
Our group called MINNEAZUL (from “Minnesota” and “Costa Azul”), composed of Lindy and John Purdy, Jim Turner and Kristin VonSeggern, and Gail and Jerry Noller, is excited to have you share our passion for Puerto Rico, and especially Luquillo and our own lovely abode at C2 Costa Azul. This house is a home away from home for our families and we have lavished much time, thought and creativity on making this house attractive and functional—a retreat for our families and friends and a place of beauty.
We are so pleased to share our home away from home with you, our family and friends. It is our greatest desire that your experience is a good one, because we love this place so much. We have returned to this very spot, this very house, for over 40 years and we have worked to become part of the community and culture of the neighborhood.
Staying on the beach in Luquillo is a unique experience. It is not the typical resort, it is more like an adventure. There are many “resort” experiences within a short distance, and we recommend them as a way to enhance your vacation experience. But the experience of just sitting on the beach and being part of the neighborhood is the most amazing thing that this place has to offer. The culture is different enough to feel like you are traveling to a far away place, but the reality is that you can use the same currency and find many of the protections and comforts of home.
We have found our neighbors to be kind, helpful and eager to interact with their northern neighbors. Many of them have spent time in the US or the military service. They generally know some English and are eager to attempt to communicate. They love their island and especially the beaches, which are all public. Consequently, the weekends and holidays are busier right in front or our house. We have discovered that the best solution is to just enjoy this part of the culture, or plan an expedition away from the beach on a busy weekend day. If you do not wish to interact with the locals do not sit on the front patio, but if you enjoy this activity, it can be a valuable part of your experience.
The house layout is as follows:
Lower Level: 3 bedrooms (2 bedrooms with 2 single beds each, and 1 with queen bed), 2 full baths, fully equipped kitchen, living room, eating area and ocean front patio.
Upper Level: 3 bedrooms (1 with queen bed, 1 with king bed, 1 with 4 single beds), 2 full baths, fully equipped kitchen with small eating area, and large front deck overlooking the ocean.
Tiled carport/outdoor living area, outdoor shower, storage/laundry room with various toys and sporting goods, backyard.
Below are a few tips on making your stay in Puerto Rico more comfortable and fun. But first, take off your watch and don’t be in a hurry... you are in the “Puerto Rican Time Zone.” Things get done when they get done, stores open when they decide to open, and people meander through their days.
Before you come:
US dollars are the currency
Electricity is the same as in the US
Distances are measured in meters, quantities in liters (such as gas)
Credit cards are accepted in most stores and restaurants, but bring some cash for purchases at smaller, more unique shops
Cell phones work in Luquillo
No need to bring a lot of clothes: a swim suit or two, shorts, lightweight shirts, a long sleeved shirt and pants for the possible cooler evening, sandals (Tevas or similar) and hiking shoes (if necessary.) You may want to bring water shoes, although they're not necessary. There is very little need or opportunity to dress up. It can be very convenient to pack light and carry-on (rather than check) luggage.
You can expect the following to be present at the house:
Linens, pillows and blankets for all beds
Towels for bathing and for the beach
All necessary dishes, silver and glassware
Cookware and appliances (coffee maker, juicer, blender)
Some staples such as sugar, salt, spices, condiments
Outdoor chairs for patio and beach
Charcoal grill in the back yard
We try to have a supply of garbage bags, paper towels, toilet paper, dish & laundry soap available, but you may need to replenish.
Airport information:
Car Rentals - There are several on-site car rental companies at the airport (Hertz, Avis, Alamo, Budget, National, Enterprise, Thrifty). The rest have shuttles that take you to their off-site location near the airport, and are usually less expensive. It is most convenient to be on-site and it may be worth paying a couple extra dollars for the convenience.
When returning home, you will need to go through the Agriculture Agency in the PR airport where they x-ray your luggage for goods (fresh fruits and vegetable, sea creatures, etc.) that cannot be brought into the US. Allow a few extra minutes for this and best not to bring those things home in your luggage!
Driving to Luquillo:
From the airport you will take a quick right exit to Highway 26 east ("to Carolina") to the toll-way #66 (watch for the entry sign, a left fork). Although #66 is a tollway, the rental cars have chips installed in the windshield that automatically calculate the toll and you will pay when you settle up on your rental car. This is very convenient - no need for cash. Look for the lanes that allow electronic charge. You exit #66 onto #3 (look for signs to Luquillo, Fajardo, and El Yunque Rain Forest) a few miles from Luquillo. The entrance to the town of Luquillo is a left turn on #193 at a stoplight. You'll see the three condominium towers on your left, and it's just past the Balneario (Monserrate) exit. After your left turn, take an immediate right. Drive about 300 yards past the baseball field and defunct school (walled) on your left. Take the first left, just past the baseball field and the school, and then drive to the "T" in the road. Take a right. This will be your first closeup view of the ocean. Take a left at the next "T" and drive 1 1/2 blocks to C2. It's the two-story, light beige house with the curved front patio. Maps are available here.
Luquillo:
Luquillo is a lazy, friendly, small Puerto Rican town, about 45 minutes east of San Juan. It is famous for its beautiful beaches. It has an attractive town square, with a church ornate with pelicans, a hardware store (ferreteria), bakery (panaderia), surf shop, and other stores. Spanish is the language of choice, but some people speak English.
We encouraged you to consider Luquillo “your town” while you are here and walk the town, speak to the locals, and visit the shops. A morning stroll to the bakery will yield warm, fresh bread for toast and sandwiches, a special treat. The bakery has wonderful breakfasts and lunches at a reasonable price.
C2 Costa Azul:
Our home is comfortable but not fancy, and it is a work-in-progress. It is built on two levels, each one with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and living area. All linens are provided: clean sheets, pillow cases, blankets, and towels. If you would rather use your own, you are welcome to bring them.
C2 also has two fully equipped kitchens, each with a stove, refrigerator, microwave, toaster oven, blender and all the dishes needed.
There are ceiling fans in each room and the breeze off the ocean cools the house adequately. The large backyard is shaded with palm trees from which you can stretch a hammock.
There is an outdoor shower for after-beach rinsing. It tends to be the most popular shower at the house. Hair dryers are available, but the natural solar hair dryer is the best! Remember, sand is much more pleasant on the beaches than in the house. Washing your feet before entering will save you from having to sleep with it at night. We encourage rinsing your feet in a wash-pan of fresh water situated next to the porch to prevent sand accumulation in the house.
Upon arrival:
As you arrive, you will need the front door key. This will get you into the main living area of the lower level. You may park in the driveway, on the street, or pull around the corner and open the gate to the alley and park in our back yard. Close the main gate and roll our gate closed behind you.
The keys are numerous and tricky: there is a main key to the lower level entry, a main key to the upper level entry, a laundry room key, a back carport key, a rolling gate key, and a Yale padlock key. You may need to familiarize yourself with the ones you use often. Locking the house at all times when you are away is important, even when you just go across the street to the beach. Don’t fuel temptation by leaving the house open and valuables in sight.
The house has louvered windows and doors to allow a nice circulation of sea air. The upper louvers need to be opened first, then the lower ones. There is a locking feature between the upper and lower that emits a big “pop!” if you do it the other way. You’ll want to open the house up and let the stale air out and the fresh air in.
There are sheets and towels in the tall linen closets in the far back hallway on the first level. You can make up any beds you wish to use. There are nice, large towels for your use. We ask that you select one and use it for the week. There are additional towels if you need them, but water is a scarce resource and this minimizes the need for lots of water. There is a clothes line in the back yard for swimsuits and towels.
The bedroom ceiling fans are adequate to cool the house and are useful particularly useful for sleeping at night. There are additional floor fans if it gets hot.
Garbage is picked up is an ever-changing schedule, but usually a couple times a week and during the early morning. Please bag up the garbage and place it in one of the blue bins that line the street. Do not use the black garbage can in the car port.
When you leave, please make sure the garbage is all in the blue bins on the street. Unfortunately, there is no recycling pick-up, although there are receptacles on Playa Azul (the beach around the corner to the left) for glass, aluminum, paper and plastic if you are ambitious enough to walk it down. Also, if you leave the aluminum cans by the edge of the porch near the curb, it is likely can collectors will gratefully scoop them up.
NOW, crack open a cool drink, pull a chair out to the front porch, and rest your feet on the rail, watch the ocean and take a deep breath. You are in paradise.
Provisions/shopping:
A large grocery store (Amigo) is located across highway #3 from the town entrance and can provide anything you will need, including beer and wine (although no liquor is sold on Sundays). A larger one (Pueblo) is located in Fajardo, as well as a Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and National Hardware.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are also available in the Palmer Markets along Highway #3 (a few miles back toward San Juan on the left), as are gifts and other types of merchandise by which to remember your trip.
The bakery in the Luquillo square, Aromas, is within a short walk and has warm, fresh bread available any time, as well as breakfast sandwiches and lunches.
Trinket shopping in Luquillo is limited, but Monseratte ("Luquillo Beach") has a trinket shop and a snack bar serving Pina Coladas on the beach. Also, the little town of Palmer has a few shops and is adding interesting places regularly. There are some shops in the string of kiosks on Highway #3, including Monkey Threads with high quality, soft t-shirts.
The beaches:
The beaches in Puerto Rico are all open to the public; one cannot “own” the beach front. Within a short walk from the house there are several choices for beaches, each with different characteristics.
In front of the house is a beach perfect for floating on “noodles” (there is a large supply of them at the house), having a beverage, and enjoying the cool water. There is also snorkeling on the reef not far out. The latest hurricane destroyed most of the live coral, but it is coming back and there is an abundance of fish. It is not the best snorkeling in the world, but it is fun and entertaining, especially for the beginners. There is a book in the house on snorkeling and diving in Puerto Rico that can guide the passionate ones to other possibilities. (see section on trips out of Fajardo for more information). The noodles, boogie boards and other water gear is kept in the laundry room off the back of the house, the entrance is next to the outdoor shower. One of the keys you're given should get you into the laundry room.
The beach around the point to the left out of the house is a swimming and wave-jumping beach. There are times that the waves can be quite challenging, so be forewarned. This beach is located in front of the large condominium 3-plex called Playa Azul. Boogie boards are in the laundry room.
The beach a few blocks to the right as you exit the house is a genuine surfing beach. You can often observe the surfers riding the large waves. The surf shop offers surf boards and instruction. If you haven’t tried it, it is tougher than it looks! You may decide to use the boogie boards at the house on the wave-jumping beach instead, for surfing-like action. For those who just want the beach view and not the action, sitting on our front porch, or taking a beach chair from the house to the sand may be your answer.
When you return from the beach, please rinse off the sand so it does not track into to house. After swimming the outdoor shower is perfect for a freshwater rinse. Many of us use this shower exclusively during our stay. It is also helpful to place tubs of water at the entrances to dip your sandy feet into before going inside. Showering sand off inside fills the plumbing with sand and is expensive to repair. There is a clothesline for wet towels, so after a quick dry they can be used again. Water is the other resource that is limited on the island. Most of the time you can do with one towel for your beach and bathing needs.
Local drinks:
There are several drinks and foods unique to Puerto Rico.
Medalla is the local beer (similar to a domestic light beer).
Don Q Rum is made locally, and pina coladas (coconut juice, pineapple juice and rum), rum punch (fruit juice and rum), and cuba libre (rum and Coke) are popular drinks.
Another taste treat is fresh-squeezed orange juice. Large bags of juice oranges are sold along the roadside and small bags of juice oranges are available at the grocery store. There is a juicer on each level at C2. You can juice by-the-glass, or fill a pitcher.
Local delicacies:
Arroz con habichuelas (red beans and rice)
Empanellas – deep fried pot pies
Churrasco – tender marinated skirt steak smothered in onions and peppers
Puerto Rican coffee – a bit spicy (bring your own from home if you are not adventurous)
Arepas – fried biscuit rounds, sometimes slightly sweetened
Langosta – Caribbean lobster
Tostones – mashed-flat plantain, then fried
Mofongo – mashed plantain with a variety of other ingredients, served like mashed potatoes
Puerto Rican animals:
A few delightful animals (and a few not-so-delightful) co-habitate at C2. The delightful first:
Coqui frogs are small tree frogs (6-7- varieties) that make a big noise every night – they lull you to sleep
Chameleons, very small harmless lizards, occasionally scoot in and out of rocks, even on the walls
A Puerto Rican Green Parrot, unique to this island, can occasionally be seen in the trees in front or back
Huge pelicans and gulls soar above the ocean in front of C2
Now the not-so-delightful:
Iguanas are not native to the island, but were brought there to deal with other pests and have made themselves at home. They are not at all dangerous, but they can startle you if they've chosen a surprising spot to sun themselves. They seem to like our back yard.
Mosquitoes at times but not always can be pesky. Screens on the widows keep them out of the house.
Sand fleas are ubiquitous in ocean/sand areas of the world, especially at dawn and dusk.
Dogs and cats tend to wander freely in the town and occasionally visit C2.
Adventures:
Adventures come in big and small. Categories are not based on enjoyment, but based on time needed to complete. A great source of information for big adventures is Alvin Robles, the owner of Paradise Seekers (check out his website). Tell him we sent you and he may come over to the house and sit with you on the front deck and discuss your options with him.
Big adventures:
Take a visit to the rainforest El Yunque, only a few miles from C2, where there are several hikes. Some changes have occurred since hurricane maria but the park employees are working hard to return it to its pre-Maria condition. One hike is to a beautiful waterfall (La Mina) where a swim in the cool pool is a welcome relief from the steamy rainforest. This has been suspended since Maria, but there are hopes to return it to functionality. Expect rain, and wear a swimming suit. Picnic tables can be found and some shelters near the trail heads. Climb the Yokahu Tower along the road for a view of Luquillo. On a clear day you can see Culebra, Viequez and even St. Thomas. There are longer hikes that take you up tall peaks (El Yunque Peak and Los Picachos), and to Mt. Britton lookout tower where you can see both sides of the island. You can spend a few hours or the whole day in this beautiful area. There is also the El Portal Visitor Center, since the hurricane it is located in Palmer. You can stop and view exhibits, watch a short film about the park and visit the bookstore. Visits to the park are free.
Take the tour of the Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Preserve, including a trip through 7 different ecosystems, a walk on the boardwalks that cross the wetland areas and a visit to the historical our of the lighthouse on the grounds (you can see it straight out on the point from C2). This tour takes approximately four hours and is very limited, so call to get reservations as soon as you arrive. There is also a night tour which visits the bio-luminescent bay and can be quite interesting.
A visit to Old San Juan and the Fort El Morro, San Cristobal, the Harbor Cruise to Catana, the Don Q Tasting Room and various art galleries. This requires a trip back to San Juan or a decision to leave the beach early and piggy-back with your return to the airport.
An evening trip to Las Croabas to kayak the Laguna Grande, a biophosphorescent bay. This requires reservations and a willingness to kayak in the dark. The bay is one of a few in the world that sparkles with light when the water is disturbed by kayak paddles or fish. The paddle into the bay includes a trip down a stream with large iguanas hanging out in the branches of the trees over the water (only visible in the daytime, though).
A short flight out of Fajardo (Air Flamenco 787-801-8256) to the island of Viequez or the island of Culebra for lunch and/or a day of hiking, shopping, biking, snorkeling or relaxing on the beach. There is also the option of a ferry to both islands out of the embarcadero in Fajardo.
Sailing with Captain Tico (at Las Croabas in Fajardo) or other fishing boat captains willing to take you to Iacocos, a small spit of sand island, for snorkeling.
A trip across the island of Puerto Rico to the caves at Camuy and the world's largest radio telescope at Arecibo
Fishing with Captain Marcos from Puerto Chico, who is a very wise and talented biologist, able to find fish and never gets skunked. He schedules half-day trips and requires cash.
Horseback riding at Hacienda Caribali
Small Adventures:
Beach-walking from C2 in either direction
Golfing at Rio Mar Resort or El Conquistador
Tennis at Rio Mar Resort
Swimming, wave-jumping or boogie-boarding at Playa Azul Beach
Walking the town of Luquillo
Snorkeling the reef in front of C2
Jet skiing along Costa Azul (available at Rio Mar Beach Hotel)
Playing Mexican Train Dominos, poker, Liar's Dice or Puerto Rico, the games at C2
Floating on noodles endlessly
Visiting Palmer Markets along Highway 3
Visiting the gift shops and art galleries in Palmer
Read with feet up on the front porch of C2 with favorite beverage and feel the sea breeze in your face
Restaurants:
You cannot beat the ambiance or view at C2, so eating “at home” is a true pleasure (there is a grill and charcoal available), but the restaurants nearby are also a delightful experience. Here are some possibilities… and venture out on your own and discover some you can tell us about.
In Luquillo:
Brass Cactus – the Puerto Rican equivalent to Applebees, a bar and grill serving familiar American food (walk the beach or drive the short distance) - the best Churrasco (skirt steak) in the area
La Parrilla - #2 in the row of roadside kiosks along Luquillo Beach (Highway #3). Inside or outside eating, a view of the beach, authentic food and very well prepared (Mofongo, Churrasco and seafood worth trying, but everything has been great)
Boardriders – breakfast and lunch along the beach in town, outside eating, located next to Guavas
Pasta y Pueblo - This is a small (as in only a few tables) restaurant on the beach on the way to Luquillo. Specializing in pasta and seafood, it's hit or miss finding it open, but if you have a chance, give it a try.
Any of the kiosks along Highway #3... explore, experience and you won't be disappointed.
Conquistador Resort – A resort built on a cliff overlooking the water, a place worth visiting to have a drink and ride the funicular down the cliff to the water. Expensive and average dining but a wonderful view.
Calizo (604-6506) – on the road to Las Croabas, but not on the water. Indoor or outdoor garden eating. Great food, especially the fish (specialty: a whole fish, deep fried, delicious)
Mi Casita BBQ II – In the shopping area on Highway #3, a favorite of the locals. Also has take-out. Authentic food: red beans and rice, tostones, pollo (chicken), etc. Good lunch spot.
In Palmer:
Ritchies – Just beyond Rio Mar Resort (the road opposite direction from El Yunque), up the hill to a beautiful view overlooking the ocean and Luquillo, especially at sunset. Indoor or outdoor eating. Many authentic dishes and seafood is a specialty. Food is so-so but the view is fabulous.
Las Vegas – On the road to El Yunque. Specialty is black bean soup.
In Old San Juan:
Puerto Rican Café – Authentic Puerto Rican food
El Convento - Great renovation of historic convent into luxury hotel and dining experience
Remember: C2 Costa Azul is the best eating (your cooking!) with the best view (the beach), especially if you buy fresh fruits and vegetables from the market; fresh fish maybe even langosta, from the vendor at the corner of the turn to Rio Mar Resort (opposite of El Yunque road) or the Las Croabas Fish Market (open occasionally depending on the catch) near the harbor in Las Croabas; or take-out pollo (chicken, pronounced “poi-yo”) from Mi Casita. There are also wonderful new food trucks down the street near La Pared (the sea wall) and taking the food home to C2 is a winner.
At the end of your stay:
A few requests of you before you leave:
Please fill out the guestbook with your comments, recommendations for your discoveries, activities, restaurants, etc, and your suggestions to make the stay more comfortable, fun or meaningful. Our egos aren’t easily bruised (we don’t think, anyway!)
Please strip the beds and pile up sheets, pillowcases, towels and other linens in the hallway. If you wish you can sweep the sand off the tile, but we will take care of the major cleaning and laundry.
Please wash and return any dishes you have used during your stay.
Clean out refrigerator. Do not leave any perishables or partially eaten food in the fridge or freezer. It may be a while before the next guests arrive.
Please close all the louvered windows, bottom first, then top.
Please lock up all doors that you opened when you first arrived.
Make sure all items are off the clothes line, and all furniture is inside the house.
If you break something replace it, or let us know so that we can ensure that the next visitor has it. If something needs fixing let us know. We welcome your help in keeping this place safe, comfortable and complete.
Make sure keys are left where you were instructed to leave them and turn off all lights and fans.
Have a safe trip home and come again!
Note: We have friends in Luquillo that you will likely meet. Ramon (and his friend Maria) is our “go-to” man who has been doing all our remodeling. He speaks English and is very willing to make suggestions about activities, restaurants, etc. He comes by frequently and has a huge emotional investment in the place. Alvin Robles owns Paradise Seekers, a travel company that provides many wonderful adventures. Alvin is a good friend and will take you on adventures at a reduced rate. He and his son live in Luquillo and may drop by to visit.
Home | Updated 01/24/20