Maryam & Ramiro
Things To Do
Viejo San Juan
Old San Juan Historic District: located at the “northwest triangle” of the islet of San Juan. Old San Juan is the oldest settlement within Puerto Rico and the historic colonial section of the city of San Juan. Explore and get lost walking these streets and find yourself in the little shops and bar hopping from day to night! Check out a few recommendations below for coffee shops, bars and restaurants.
Barrachina - Viejo San Juan
Some argue that this is the birth place of the Piña Colada! If you're exploring Old San Juan, stop here and grab one..or two :)
La Vergüenza - Viejo San Juan
La Vergüenza is an ocean-view rooftop bar and restaurant with some of the best views of the colorful La Perla neighborhood in Old San Juan. The restaurant specializes in Puerto Rican and Caribbean cuisine, but it's also a great spot to just grab a local beer, sit back, and enjoy the views.
La Factoría - Viejo San Juan
La Factoría was rated as one of the top 50 bars in the world! It consists of 6 rooms, each with their own vibe & cocktail menu. As you walk through the labyrinth of rooms, you’ll find divey cocktail bars, a wine bar, dance halls, etc. NOTE: must be 23+ to enter.
Chocobar Cortés - Viejo San Juan
This restaurant is an innovative gastronomic space where chocolate is the main star! Come and enjoy a varied selection of food and beverages. Chocobar Cortés is run by a family-owned company that has been manufacturing chocolate from farm-to-bar since 1929.
El Jibarito - Old San Juan
Long-running restaurant producing classic regional & Caribbean-style dishes in colorful surrounds. Perfect for casual local dishes during lunch and dinner!
Cafetería Mallorca - Viejo San Juan
The mallorca is the iconic Puerto Rican sandwich that's typically eaten at breakfast, washed down with a cup of coffee. Stop by for some sandwiches and pastries!
Café Cuatro Sombras - Viejo San Juan
Stop by this coffee shop while walking around Old San Juan for a cup of local, fresh roasted Puerto Rican coffee. The most common ways to drink coffee in Puerto Rico are pocillo (espresso), cortadito (espresso with a little steamed milk), and café con leche (latte). Pro tip: Pair your cup of joe with their iconic guava butter toasts or any of their freshly baked pastries.
El Batey Bar - Viejo San Juan
A graffiti-covered, no-frills dive bar, one of the oldest in Old San Juan!
The Cannon Club Restaurant & Steinway Piano Bar - Viejo San Juan
The Cannon Club - Steinway Piano Bar a Venetian-style piano bar featuring live music and world-class Chamber Music Concerts on two Steinway pianos.
Los 3 Cuernos - Viejo San Juan
Whether its breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee or drinks, the venue is a popular spot at any time of the day. Los 3 Cuernos has a local reputation for its chichaíto – anise infused white rum shots. These are cheap and come in a whole range of flavous, including chocolate, coffee, fruit punch and banana split.
La Taberna Lúpulo - Viejo San Juan
Pioneers in Puerto Rican micro-brewing chill, this is a chill funky taproom offering a wide variety of craft beers on tap or in bottles, plus light bites.
Castillo San Felipe del Morro - Viejo San Juan
Castillo San Felipe Del Morro is the bigger of the two Spanish military forts in Old San Juan. This beautiful fort is on the northwesternmost point of the island of Old San Juan and named in honor of King Philip II of Spain. The fort was designed to guard the entrance to the Bay, and defend the Spanish colonial port from sea attacks. $10 fee to enter.
Balneario del Escambrón
El Escambrón Beach is a public-access beach next to the Luis Muñoz Rivera Park in Old San Juan. At Escambron you can swim safely, snorkel to observe sea turtles, scuba dive, or walk along the scenic oceanside trail. This beach is a 10 min walk/5min drive from the Caribe Hilton.
La Placita
La Placita de Santurce is where the district's quintessential nightlife thrives. A marketplace by day turns into a huge street party at night, with some of the best dancing and mingling in the city. When the sun goes down, you’ll find people bar-hopping and dancing until late. Be ready to practice your salsa dancing skills.
Isla Verde
With a strip of hotels and restaurants along its shores, Isla Verde is one of the most popular beaches. This beach – perfect for relaxing and water sports, is often voted as the best urban beach in the Caribbean.
Condado Beach
One of many beautiful, local beaches just a quick 10-15 drive from Old San Juan.
Luquillo Beach
A less touristy beach with jet ski rentals & tons of nearby kiosks consisting of bars, street food and gift shops!
Casa BACARDÍ
Visit the world's largest premium rum distillery by taxi, tour, Uber or take the ferry across the bay from Old San Juan. Join a guided tour to discover how BACARDÍ rum is made, and learn about the family-owned company’s history of craft and innovation. Other experiences include a rum tasting tour, mixology class and bottling your own BACARDÍ.
Piñones
Come here to eat like a local all day, jumping from stall-to-stall surrounded by Atlantic Ocean views. Authentic street food and drink kiosks right on the beach with PR locals. Taste a full spectrum of Afro-Caribbean cuisine or enjoy cold coconut water and a classic piña colada (sometimes made inside a fruit). Don't forget your swimsuit! Pro tip: Grab a bacalaito, alcapurria and Medalla (our local beer) at Kiosko el Boricua - you won't regret!
El Yunque National Rain Forest
El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the national forest system. Take a hike, bathe in natural pools beneath waterfalls, zipline through the mountains, or simply relish the stunning scenery. The forest spans 28,000 acres of land, houses more than 240 types of trees, 25 waterfalls, abundant rivers, unique birds, and native species like the coquí tree frog.
Bioluminescent Bays
Puerto Rico has some of the best spots for seeing bioluminescence anywhere in the world. Take a kayaking tour in the evening tides to see the glow of dinoflagellates in the ocean. Check out the link for various options.
Culebra
Located 20 miles off the coast of Fajardo, Culebra holds countless natural areas and pristine beaches to explore and enjoy during your stay. Culebra is surrounded by more than 20 cays and vibrant underwater landscapes – a haven for those interested in getting closer to ocean life through snorkeling or diving. Mingle with locals, immerse yourself in nature, beach hop, and above all, disconnect from your busy life with the much-needed peace and tranquility that Culebra offers. Culebra is accessible by plane or ferry.