Bryanna & Shane
Things To Do
Old San Juan
Old San Juan, the historic area of the city. You can spend days walking the cobblestone streets, exploring all the hidden gems this area has to offer or take a walking tour! There is so much history and culture around every corner! Suggested sites: Plaza de Armas - Grab a café con leche and people-watch in one of the central squares. Castillo San Felipe del Morro ("El Morro") - Explore this iconic 16th-century fortress with sweeping views of the Atlantic. Great for history buffs and perfect for photos! Castillo San Cristobal - Historic fort with tunnels and panoramic views — less crowded than El Morro. Visit La Fortaleza & Calle Fortaleza - Home to the Governor and one of the most Instagrammed spots in Old San Juan, thanks to the colorful umbrella installation. Barrachina - Rumor has it this is where the piña colada was invented. Eat! - Try mofongo, tostones, lechón, or fresh seafood at nearby favorites like Marmalade, Princesa Cocina Cultura, Deaverdura.
Condado Beach
This is one of the most popular beach destination in San Juan area. There are tons of beachfront hotels as well as plenty great air bnb options within walking distance to the beach. With great bars and restaurants all around (Chloe being our favorite), you can easily spend the entire day here! Just be mindful of the ocean here - generally these waters are safe to swim in, but there can be strong waves and rip currents during "winter" (hint: if you see a lot of surfers and not a lot of swimmers - stay out).
La Placita de Santurce
A historic farmers market by day, La Placita is one of the most famous nightlife spots in Puerto Rico! Check it out early in the day and you'll find a calm marketplace/ lineup of restaurants, but after 5pm you'll find yourself surrounded by salsa, merengue and reggaeton all along the streets!
Casa Bacardi
Located in Catano, Casa Bacardi is the largest premium rum distillery in the world! You can take a tour of the grounds, sign up for a rum tasking class or mixology class or just hang out and enjoy the open-air bar! Pro-tip: If you're in Old San Juan, take The Puerto Rico Ferry across the San Juan Bay to get to Catano - its only costs $0.50 each way and takes less than 15 minutes! From there it is just a 5-minute Uber drive to the distillery.
El Yunque National Forest
The only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System! Hike to waterfalls, enjoy lush views, and spot coquí frogs along the way. El Yunque is one of the most gorgeous places in all Puerto Rico. There are a variety of hikes throughout the rainforest, lots of hidden waterfalls and amazing vies of the Puerto Rican mountainsides. We highly recommend planning a day to explore the forest and either hiking a trail or taking a tour to the hidden waterfalls!
Kioskos De Luquillo
Los Kioskos de Luquillo consist of about 30 locally owned bars and restaurants right on the beach! Located about an hour east of San Juan area, this is a great place to spend a lowkey evening by the beach and trying some classic Puerto Rican dishes (Terruno is the spot for some really good mofongo!). If you decide to go to El Yunque, this is a great spot post-hike to hit on your way back to San Juan!
Piñones
Just east of San Juan, Piñones is a lively coastal area known for its Afro-Caribbean roots, oceanfront views, and incredible street food. Stroll or bike along the boardwalk, stop at roadside kiosks (called kioskos) for fresh alcapurrias, bacalaítos, and pinchos, and soak in the laid-back, local vibe. It’s the perfect spot for a beachy afternoon with music, sunshine, and authentic Puerto Rican flavor.
Culebra and Vieques
Take a quick trip out to either of these little islands located off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico to see some of the most gorgeous waters in the Carribean! You can spend a few days on either island or even plan a small day trip. The Puerto Rico Ferry operates out of Ceiba and can take you to Culebra for $4.50 round trip and to Vieques for $4 round trip. You can also book flights through Cape Air that take you on a small 8 person aircraft. Lastly, you can also book a tour via Viator for a day trip!