Borinquen Thermal Resort

The mud baths were a blast, and the thermal pools made this a really memorable stay for our family of four. We also enjoyed the quiet, spacious feel, the trails, and the volcanic mud pot and spring. On our first day we saw and heard monkeys in the trees. The food was great. Breakfast was included and delicious, and at dinner we liked the steak, fish sandwich, and Parmesan. Just be prepared for how remote the hotel is, about 30-40 minutes from anything. There’s a lot of walking, and the shuttle is often occupied. The pool could also use some loungers for sunbathing.

The spa treatment was a real highlight for me. I booked a scrub, wrap, and massage overlooking flowing water, and it was one of the best experiences I’ve had. So peaceful, unusual, and memorable. The whole setting is beautiful, with broad, lush grounds that are carefully kept and wildlife all around, especially birds. It feels like being right in nature. I also loved the thermal springs and mud treatment, and the pool area is gorgeous. I went horseback riding with a hike to two waterfalls, which was another standout. The scenery was breathtaking. Everyone I met was warm and welcoming, and the atmosphere throughout felt calm and restorative. I’m so glad I got to experience Borinquen.

Antonio at the stables was the best part for us. He took us on a horseback tour to two waterfalls and was such a joy to be around. The setting is gorgeous, with lots of wildlife, including spider monkeys and plenty of birds, even a toucan. There’s also one of the prettiest swim-up bars I’ve seen. Staff were friendly and accommodating, and the free breakfast was great. There were some letdowns. The dinner menu was limited, and there wasn’t clear information about what was available. Only one restaurant was open, the sauna had been removed, and the sunset horseback ride wasn’t offered. Some paths and sidewalks need repair, too. With the steep inclines on the way to the villas, this probably isn’t a good fit for kids or anyone with limited mobility. Otherwise, I’d recommend it.

We had a mixed stay. The location is lovely, and we saw plenty of birds and other animals on the property. The pool itself was nice, but there weren’t nearly enough chairs for the number of guests. It got worse with a couple of large groups and visitors from outside the resort using the pool area. There was no shade or wifi there, either. The service was the bigger problem. Staff were friendly, but seemed under-trained and unsupervised. When we had questions about our room, we got answers like “I can’t do that” or “I don’t know,” and nobody tried to work out a solution. We also couldn’t get useful details about excursions or other things to do nearby, so we skipped the excursions. We managed a hike around the property on our own and drove to the National Park instead. Since there’s nothing else nearby, you’re stuck eating at the resort restaurant. Each meal we had to ask several times for drinks, coffee refills, or bread, and we often waited 15-20 minutes before anyone even spoke to us. We shared feedback and hope they take it seriously, since these seem like problems with simple fixes.