Hola desde San Juan! How do I even begin to summarize 72 hours in Puerto Rico? I can’t think of anything better than making memories in PR with my 2 sisters. One thing I know for sure, I am definitely going back.
Take a stroll through Old San Juan and you come across these beautifully colored row houses and cobblestone streets. You can also find hidden treasures like the symbolic Puerto Rican Flag Door or other murals nearby.
In Puerto Rico we dance to everything.”
Bad Bunny
And dance we did! lol We went to La Placita. A very popular area filled with different bars and restaurants. It’s the perfect location for a night out to mix and mingle, let your hair down, dance like you have no home training, have shots upon shots, and have a great time. It reminded me of bourbon street in New Orleans.
I really wanted to eat traditional Puerto Rican food the entire time. There are so many options to choose from but I did get to try monfongo, alcapurria, and empanadas, and all were delicious. I loved the cube steak and onions with rice and plantain’s too. I would recommend visiting restaurants in Old San Juan like El jabarito and El Vaguez, but you can find some good restaurant options on ashford avenue such as Pannes
One of my favorite moments on our trip was to wake up every morning to the panoramic view of the ocean from our balcony. We loved the view so much we left the curtains opened all day and night. To see the colors of the sky and ocean constantly change depending on the hour of the day was really beautiful.
I’ve been to a few waterfalls but none were in a tropical rainforest. El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. There are about 250 different species of trees! The dominant tree species are the Tabonuco and the Ausubo, but there’s also a wide variety of wild orchids and fern. We hiked the short trail to the Juan Diego Waterfall and swam in the cool but crystal clear water. It was very soothing to just sit still and listen to the soundscapes of the rainforest, smell the fresh air and aroma of the surrounding native trees.
Yokahu Tower. You can walk all the way up to the top deck and observe a gorgeous 360 degree view of the rainforest.
Castillo El Morro – Construction began in 1539 and it took 200 years to complete. This fortress was built to defend San Juan from invasions by the British, Dutch, and Pirates during the Spanish empire. After the Spanish-American war, the U.S. military used it as a military base during World War II to track the movements of German submarines in the Caribbean.
Details
Airport – SJU (12 min drive to Condado)
Flight Time – 3 hours 30 minutes
Transportation – uber is available (there’s no lyft available as of august 2022) you can rent a car as well but be mindful of parking costs and availability, scooters are available if you just to need to go 4 or 5 blocks to the next location, you can find them parked near the curb all throughout Ashford avenue (you’ll need the kick app) SN: gas prices were really cheap btw, 0.97 cents a gallon!
Stay – We decided to book an Airbnb. This 1 bedroom apartment was clean, cost friendly, and the host was very friendly and great with communication. Some furniture and decor was a bit dated but for the price, a balcony with an ocean view, and a high number of positive reviews, this was a steal.
Places Visited
Old San Juan – A neighborhood within San Juan built by Spanish colonists in 1521. It’s a great place to walk around and view the striking architecture, and there’s plenty of shops and restaurants
Castillo San Felipe del morro – 10$ entry fee , includes entry to Castillo San Cristobal
Condado Beach – I enjoyed this beach. Not on my top 10 but It’s only a couple blocks from Ashford avenue. The water is not as clear as other beaches in San Juan and the current is very strong, but still worth a visit.
El Yunque Rainforest – 45 min drive from Condado, you will need to make a reservation, ticket costs 2 dollars per car (spots fill quickly so try to book in advance) driving through the rainforest reminded me of the winding roads on the road to Hana in Maui, but it was not a difficult drive. Bring water shoes for hiking near the falls, there’s lots of rocks at the base!
Make Reservation Here – You can book up to 1 month in advance. I would book a few days before you plan to visit as there are limited spots available daily
Emoji – After Hours spot, Latin music
Ocean Club – Juan Ponce de Leon avenue, hip hop, r&b, reggaeton, Latin music, hookah, seating first come first serve for the high chairs, expect to pay for booth seating
La Placita – this area operates more like a market place during the day and comes to life at night! lots of people around, great place to bar hop and enjoy authentic PR cuisine
La Concha – a luxury resort hotel that has a casino, there’s an outdoor restaurant and indoor restaurant that serve similar foods, upscale, NY steak and grilled veggies
El Jibarita – cube steak with onions and sweet plantains
Ayra Rooftop Bar – within Fifty Five Hotel, great ambiance, on the upscale side, tasty drinks and food, really nice panoramic view of Condado bay at all times of the day. I recommend to view at sunset. Moonlight – Vodka, lemon juice, lavender syrup, crème de violet, top with taittinger
Instagrammable Spots
Calle de la Fortaleza – A colorful ceiling of umbrellas hanging above the street
Puerto Rico Flag Door – there’s 2! separate locations
Calle imperial
The Cementerio Santa María Magdalena de Pazzi
San Felipe del morro castle
Puerto Rican Foods To Try
Great food on vacation is so important. I love eating at local restaurants that are one of a kind, and tasting authentic dishes and drinks like a Piña colada – tropical drink invented in Puerto Rico
Click here to view 25 Foods of Puerto Rico
Click here to view 11 traditional drinks in Puerto Rico
Additional Options
Kayaking Condado bay at night
Casa Bacardi Rum Tour
PR Treehouse, Yunque Hotel, Rainforest Resort, Glamping, Eco Lodge (yuquiyufarm.com)
San Juan, PR 2022
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