restaurants
Many restaurants get very busy after 7pm. We strongly recommend making reservations in advance, especially for groups. Almost everywhere you go will have long waits for larger groups. Plan ahead so you don’t get hangry!
The Atlantic at The Tryst (Condado) GREAT brunch on the beach!
Barranchina (Old San Juan) Where the first ever piña colada was created!
Princesa Cocina Cultura (Old San Juan)
Christianson (Condado)
Casita Miramar (Condado)
La Cantina Argentina (Condado)
Deaverdura (Old San Juan)
The Cave (Old San Juan)
Restaurante Raíces (Old San Juan)
La Casita Blanca (Condado) Authentic Puerto Rican Food
Muelle 13 (Old San Juan)
La Picadera Bar & Grill (Old San Juan)
Al Fresco Rooftop Wine Bar (Old San Juan)
La Casita de Rones (Old San Juan)
Beaches
While the area we'll be staying in is convenient, the most beautiful beaches are NOT in San Juan. Whether you’re willing to make a road trip or just a short uber ride away, there’s so much more worth seeing in the surrounding parts of the island that will make your trip worthwhile!
Some of our favorite recommendations:
Luquillo Beach (45 min drive)
Picture-perfect beach with lots of restaurants and shops. (Usually also a stop on the way back from tours to El Yunque!)
Mar Chiquita Beach (50 min drive)
One of the most unique beaches you will ever see!
Piñones Beach (10-15 min drive)
Calm waves & shallow water. Plenty of food vendors along the beach too!
Flamenco Beach (ferry ride to Culebra)
One of the the top beaches in the world! White sand & crystal-clear water. Soooo worth the journey to get there.
Crash Boat Beach (2 hr drive)
Nightlife
La Placita (walkable from our area of San Juan)
La placita is where you go if you’re trying to PARTY. Tons of bars & clubs that stay open super late, and always a good time.
Voted one of the top 50 bars in the WORLD. It gets packed the later the night gets, but you must go check it out at least once!
EXPERIENCES & ICONIC SPOTS
If you don't want to go too far or don't have too much time, the one thing you need to do is explore Old San Juan! Start off at Plaza Arturo Somohano. Check out all of the little shops and local boutiques on Calle de la Fortaleza. Grab a drink at the historic bars by the corner of Calle San Sebastian and Calle San Jose. Take a photo at Callejón de la Puerta con la Bandera and at El Morro.
Here's a few things to check out in San Juan and surrounding parts of the island:
Carribean Chilliboats Bike-peddle boat around El Morro off the coast of Old San Juan. Did this a few years ago and it was SO fun and not hard at all. Highly recommend!
El Yunque National Forest (35-40 min drive)
Beautiful mountains, waterfalls to swim under, and stunning views! El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest of all the United States’ national parks. Go on a guided tour or a hike on your own. There are easy, kid-friendly trails and advanced hikes if that’s what you’re into.
Feed the pigeons at Parque de las Palomas (Old San Juan)
Only costs $2!
Casa Bacardi (15 min drive from San Juan)
Take a tour of the Bacardi distillery, go for a tasting, take a bartending class, or just go for the bar and nice views.
El Morro (Old San Juan)
500-year-old Spanish castle/fort and a major historical location in PR. Take a tour inside or enjoy the gorgeous park out front for free.
Sunset trail along the water outside El Morro (Old San Juan)
Start at the Puerta de San Juan and walk along the water around El Morro. There's tons of cute cats that live along this trail too, so go say hi to them. Before 5pm, you can exit the trail through the El Morro fort. After 5pm, that one exit closes, so you'll just have to turn back at the end and enjoy the same views a second time to exit where you started. 1000/10 perfect views at sunset.