Puerto Rico - North
Old San Juan: Here you'll find charm, history, color, art, food and salsa dancing. During the day visit El Morro fort. From the fort, look to your right to see mausoleums with a view and look up to see kites flying over the large green hill in front of the fort. Wander through the old streets and appreciate the colorful city. Cool off with a piragua (flavored ice) from a street vendor and watch a domino match among old men smoking cigars under the nispero trees. Visit the plethora of galleries for a taste of Caribbean art. Sip a cafe con leche and enjoy a mallorca at La Bombonera. In the evening, stop by El Convento hotel for a drink at the bar overlooking their romantic courtyard and fall in love with it's colonial charm. Continue with the colonial Spanish -Caribe vibe with dinner at The Parrot Club. If you enjoy the warm weather like us, sit upstairs on their small outdoor patio for dinner with a view of the stars. After filling your belly, stroll down Calle Fortaleza and drop by Nuyorican - a small but vivacious salsa club. Here you can watch amazing salsa dancers and participate yourself, regardless of your experience. If you are up for a late night beer, head up to El Batey (across from El Convento). Remember to sign the wall!
Isla Verde & Condado: For the best of both worlds, stay at a hotel in these areas because they are close to Old San Juan and located right on the beach. Our favorite hotel is the El San Juan in Isla Verde. The beach is fantastic, the teak wooden lobby is lovely and the bar in front of the casino is luxurious. This hotel can be expensive in the high season (Dec-Apr) but you can get reasonable rates over the summer (below $200/night). During the day enjoy long walks on the beach (especially if you are in Isla Verde), sipping drinks by the pool, and swimming in the bath like water. For an evening drink go to the modern Beach & Water club roof top bar for a fantastic view. For dinner head to Condado and visit a restaurant called Ropa Vieja. Another good choice is Yerba Buena. If you are staying in Isla Verde and want good food within walking distance, head to the shopping center and visit Mi Casita for mofongo dishes (mashed plantains). Also, look for a food truck called El Churry that is usually on Isla Verde Avenue Friday and Saturday nights. The sandwiches are amazing!
Piñones: If you are into stunning beaches, waves and delectable fried food visit Piñones for lunch. Piñones is an ecological jungle forest along one of PR's longest beaches the connects San Juan to Loiza. Drive along route 187 until you see some shacks along the lefts side of the road. Here you will find alcapurrias, bacalaitos, pasteles and emapanadillas - fried finger food loved by locals. After lunch, drive up route 187 until you are past the little town and stop along the road to see an untouched golden beach.
WARNING: Waves here are strong and there are no lifeguards so swim at your own risk. Do not go here after dark as it's known for crime at night.
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Isla Verde & Condado: For the best of both worlds, stay at a hotel in these areas because they are close to Old San Juan and located right on the beach. Our favorite hotel is the El San Juan in Isla Verde. The beach is fantastic, the teak wooden lobby is lovely and the bar in front of the casino is luxurious. This hotel can be expensive in the high season (Dec-Apr) but you can get reasonable rates over the summer (below $200/night). During the day enjoy long walks on the beach (especially if you are in Isla Verde), sipping drinks by the pool, and swimming in the bath like water. For an evening drink go to the modern Beach & Water club roof top bar for a fantastic view. For dinner head to Condado and visit a restaurant called Ropa Vieja. Another good choice is Yerba Buena. If you are staying in Isla Verde and want good food within walking distance, head to the shopping center and visit Mi Casita for mofongo dishes (mashed plantains). Also, look for a food truck called El Churry that is usually on Isla Verde Avenue Friday and Saturday nights. The sandwiches are amazing!
Piñones: If you are into stunning beaches, waves and delectable fried food visit Piñones for lunch. Piñones is an ecological jungle forest along one of PR's longest beaches the connects San Juan to Loiza. Drive along route 187 until you see some shacks along the lefts side of the road. Here you will find alcapurrias, bacalaitos, pasteles and emapanadillas - fried finger food loved by locals. After lunch, drive up route 187 until you are past the little town and stop along the road to see an untouched golden beach.
WARNING: Waves here are strong and there are no lifeguards so swim at your own risk. Do not go here after dark as it's known for crime at night.
Back to Puerto Rico's Main Page
