The first trip of the year came at the beginning of February in Puerto Rico, beginning in a placed called Añasco, moving to Loiza, and ending off in Rio Grande. Each city had so many memorable moments that they all deser their own posts, but for now, lets begin with Añasco.

When Sophia booked the Airbnb, we knew it would be a solid three-and-a-half-hour drive deep into the island to reach our spot in Añasco. Honestly, that drive turned out to be a blessing. It gave us the chance to take in Puerto Rico’s stunning scenery—lush green hills, stretches of ocean views, and little towns tucked into the valleys. Most of the route was straightforward highway cruising, but the last leg sent us weaving through winding roads and a mix of neighborhoods, each with its own vibe, until we reached what we thought was our final destination.

That’s when things got weird.

Waze had done a great job… until it didn’t. The address we entered dropped us in front of a small house in the middle of a neighborhood that felt way off from the photos Sophia had shown us. We passed three, maybe four totaled cars—wrecks just sitting there like remnants from Mad Max. The whole area felt off—quiet, kind of eerie, and definitely not like the "luxury estate" we were expecting. After some quick calls and a recalibration of the GPS, we finally found our real location.

We pulled up to a steep, sloping driveway that ended at a tall, closed gate. I punched in the access code, and when those gates swung open—boom. Instant transformation. A massive, glowing home emerged, perched above the hillside like a crown. Lights spilled across the top of the infinity pool, and a waterfall sent streams of water flowing into it continuously, all of it set against a panoramic view of the entire city below. It was jaw-dropping.

After parking near a sleek little pool house, I wandered the grounds to take it all in. Off to one side, I found a half basketball court, complete with about seven stray balls stacked near a locked equipment shed. Around the corner, I ended up on the main patio area where there were multiple tables, comfy chairs, and even an outdoor pool table just waiting to be used.

Inside the house? Straight-up palatial. Marble floors, wide-open layout, huge flat-screen, and a kitchen anchored by the kind of refrigerator you only see in HGTV dream homes. Every bedroom looked better than the last, and tucked away were two huge bunk rooms—each with four queen-sized beds stacked like something out of a luxury summer camp. Oh, and a game room filled wall-to-wall with every tabletop game you could imagine.

No doubt, this was hands-down the most impressive Airbnb I’ve ever stayed in.

Añasco itself? Dope in a low-key way. Not as touristy or fast-paced as San Juan, but still full of fun spots and local flavor. One of our first nights there, we ate at a local place called Pal Caribe, which was actually owned by the brother of the guy who maintained the property. That connection made it feel even more personal. The food was top-notch—authentic Puerto Rican dishes, full of flavor and clearly made with love. Everyone there was warm and welcoming, and we had a genuinely great time.

We also made a trip out to Rincón, the nearby surf town known for its chill vibe and beautiful beaches. For breakfast, we hit up The English Rose—a tucked-away spot up in the hills that served what might have been the best chicken and waffles I’ve ever had. No exaggeration. Crunchy, perfectly seasoned, and paired with the kind of waffles that could hold their own even without syrup.

Later, we posted up at Tamboo, a bar and restaurant with a rooftop patio that literally sits above the ocean. We sipped cocktails while watching the waves crash just below us. That spot alone felt like a postcard.

We also had a couple chill nights back at the house, grilling steaks and the usual suspects—burgers, sausages, whatever was easy and good. But venturing out always paid off. One night, a few of us found this little strip packed with bars and restaurants. We posted up for empanadas and drinks, soaking in the laid-back island night.

Our final day in Añasco was bittersweet. I mean, you have to understand…the house was spectacular. Every day was seemingly better than the last. We knew that eventually it would be time to go, but when it arrived we didn’t know how to react. Some seemed a little sad to leave the place. Others seemed excited to see what the next place would be like. We snapped some last minute photos and videos to capture the memories, and then took off, embarking on the next leg of our journey: Loiza.