Travel video guide
Things to Do in Puerto Rico From National Geographic
This guide turns Exclusive Footage of AMO & CBP Fighting Drug Trafficking (Full Episode) | To Catch a Smuggler from National Geographic into a practical travel map with 4 saved spots around Ceiba, Chihuahuita, and Culebra. The mapped places include a place marker, a ferry service, and a police. Use it to understand the places and trip context before saving the map in Varedelo.
What the creator captured
National Geographic documents the intense efforts of CBP officers as they intercept thousands of dollars in illicit cigarettes and controlled substances hidden in everyday items. The footage highlights the sophisticated methods smugglers use, such as hiding contraband in air filters or mislabeling opioids as Viagra. Ultimately, the agents emphasize that these seizures disrupt criminal organizations that fund larger illegal activities and terrorism.
What this map is good for
- Planning a ferry service stop or short itinerary in Ceiba.
- Seeing where the mapped places sit together before choosing what to visit first.
- Saving 4 mapped spots into Varedelo so the list stays usable on the ground.
- Using the original video as context, then turning it into a clean place-by-place map.
Featured spots on this map
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection - AMO Fajardo Maritime Unit (FMU)
Place marker in 69MH+292 Roosevelt Roads, Marina Dr, Ceiba, 00735, Puerto Rico, Ceiba, Puerto Rico - Puerto Rico Police
Police in 601 Avenida F.D. Roosevelt, San Juan, 00936, Puerto Rico, Hato Rey Norte, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Hours: Hours available - Culebra Ferry Ticket Agent
Ferry Service in Cll Pedro Marquez, Culebra, 00775, Puerto Rico, Culebra, Puerto Rico
Hours: Hours available - U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Paso del Norte Port of Entry
Place marker in 1011-1083 S El Paso St, El Paso, TX 79901, USA, Chihuahuita, Texas, United States
Experiences captured
- Scanned parcels for contraband hidden in air filters
- Seized 70 cartons of illicit cigarettes
- Inspected travelers at Paso Del Norte Port of Entry
- Discovered undeclared tramadol and clonazepam during x-ray
- Conducted a pat down of a Mexican citizen
- Performed marine interdiction and document checks at sea
- Used a K9 to detect narcotics on a boat
- Confiscated high-quality Cuban cigars due to the embargo
Planning notes for San Juan
The Caño Martín Peña is a 3.75-mile tidal channel located in San Juan, Puerto Rico, connecting the San José Lagoon with the San Juan Bay. Historically, the area transitioned from a natural mangrove ecosystem to a residential zone during the early 20th century. As the local economy shifted, settlers established communities along the canal's margins.
Must-try foods nearby
- Alcapurrias de Jueyes
Deep-fried fritters made from a masa of green bananas and yautía. While beef is common elsewhere. - Tripleta Sandwich
A trending street food powerhouse found at local spots like Wop’s Comida Callejera. - Bacalaitos
Thin, giant codfish fritters that are a staple of the 'Hecho en el Caño' gastronomic route. - Arroz Mamposteao
A flavorful 're-fried' rice dish where white rice and stewed beans are sautéed together with onions, peppers, and often bits of ham or longaniza. - Pinchos de Pollo con Tostón
Skewers of marinated chicken grilled over an open flame and brushed with a sweet and smoky BBQ sauce.
When to go: The best time to visit the Martín Peña area in San Juan is during the dry season from December to April.
Local tips
- Coordinate your visit through local organizations like Proyecto ENLACE or Bici-Caño to ensure a respectful and guided experience within these historic communities.
- Practice the local custom of saying 'buen provecho' when passing others who are eating and always ask for the check ('la cuenta') when you are ready to leave.
- Use the Tren Urbano or Uber for reliable transportation to the nearby Hato Rey district, as parking within the narrow community streets can be extremely limited.
- Stick to well-lit main thoroughfares and avoid entering residential areas or housing projects after dark unless you are with a local guide.
What travelers are noticing
- Caño Martín Peña Ecosystem Restoration: Major dredging operations and construction are underway to restore the tidal connection between San José Lagoon and San Juan Bay.
- Waterfront Plazas and Green Infrastructure: Development of new public open spaces and 'water plazas' designed to reduce flooding and provide community access to the restored channel.
- Secretarias 2026: A professional growth and networking summit hosted at the D'Paellas Activity Center within the Martín Peña district.
Official tourism resource
The official destination marketing organization for Puerto Rico, providing travel guides, attractions, and visitor information for the entire island.
Planning questions
What are the best spots in Puerto Rico from this video?
This guide maps all 4 spots featured in the video, with names, addresses, and neighborhoods, so you can plan your trip to Puerto Rico.
Can I save these spots to use on my trip?
Yes. Open the map in Varedelo to save every spot, get directions, and revisit the guide from your phone while you travel.
Use it on your trip
Save this travel map before you go
Keep the mapped spots, creator context, food notes, and planning details together. Varedelo turns the page into a phone-friendly map you can revisit when you are choosing where to go.