La Gran Ventana al Mar

The location is beautiful. However, I came before this became a tourist controlled area. Now, they enforce helmets and take you down in groups. It ruined the experience for me.

The Big Window by the Sea, I believe this is the area next to Condado Beach. I sat in the park that I believe is this name sake. It’s nice, very clean and has a bunch of shops near by. And of course the view to the sea is nice. If you’re visiting the beach, take a moment to rest here and enjoy the sights.

Was strolling by with my pooch on his leash, when we decided to sit down on a bench with the dog in my lap to enjoy the park when I was approached by a guard. He informed us that dogs were not allowed even when the dog was merely resting in my lap. Now let me be the first to state that dogs should be on leash and responsible pet owners should pick up after their dogs. We should not punish all dogs and owners and allow the well behaved into the park. Coming from seattle where dogs are almost universally welcomed this struck me as unfriendly particularly in an alleged tourist zone.

Gorgeous. The first time I visited the ‘Window to the Sea,’ it was night time. The waves were crashing, the lights were on but the walkway out to the water was closed. It wasn’t safe to walk out into the surf. Still, the expansive green space bordered on all sides by palm trees and abutting a stone walkway into the Atlantic called to me and I determined to get back.
As luck would have it, the latter part of my trip landed me next to the park. Not only did I have the opportunity to visit it during the day, but I got the chance to rummage through the green & beach, look at the fountain and sculptures, walk out onto the water, see and feel the waves crash into me, take pictures, and get lost into the hypnotic blue of the ocean. The ‘window’ is a perfect mix of earth, sea and sky in the midst of the trendy Condado section of town. If it doesn’t make you appreciate the wonder of where you are, something might be missing within you. I found out from my friend that the park is the scene of a free jazz event during the summer months. That sounds good enough to warrant a return trip.