San Juan was a last minute trip we decided on to bring in the New Year! I'm glad that we decided on this destination because it gave us a mixture of both city and tropical experiences. For those traveling from the States, you can fly into Puerto Rico without a passport since it is technically a part of the US. Despite visiting around the peak holiday season, Puerto Rico was still one of the less expensive destinations that we've been to. However, we didn't have as many rental options to choose from since we booked last minute. We ended up in a very cute studio found on Airbnb and took an Uber to get around. The locals were very kind and most of them have traveled to the States or have family there. Puerto Rico also felt very safe and I was able to walk alone at night without being bothered. Overall, we felt safe and comfortable traveling to San Juan.
Where to Stay:
We stayed in an area called called Condado, which was located not too far from the main hotel strip along the Condado Beach. As stated previously, we were limited in our options due to booking so late. I would recommend our airbnb for solo travelers or couples on a budget. It is called the Monaco Guest Suite and was located within walking distance to the beach, shops, and restaurants. It was also very central to all activities and other parts of San Juan. We never paid more than $18 USD in a taxi and the furthest we had to ride was about 15 minutes away for Isla Verde. The aesthetics of the property also gave similar vibes to Greece, which was a bonus.
Condado, Old San Juan, and Isla Verde are your best options when searching for a place to stay, especially if you are not renting a vehicle. You can easily browse through Airbnb and narrow your search by adding the specific location as well as reading through reviews. I would personally stay at an airbnb if I chose to be located in Old San Juan or Isla Verde. There are more options to choose from with the airbnb's and at a much more affordable price than the hotels.
You can also choose an airbnb in Condado like we did, but another common (yet more expensive) option is to stay at a hotel somewhere along the Condado Beach strip. Below are some of our favorite hotels we found when browsing:
Good Eats:
Barrachina- "home of the pina colada"- Located in Old San Juan, Barrachina has affordably priced Puerto Rican cuisine with a cute tropical ambiance. I would recommend making reservations since this is a popular restaurant.
Casita Miramar- A nice place for either lunch or dinner. This restaurant offers local cuisine and is well known for their Mofongo. Customers often have really great things to say about the service as well.
Alambique Beach Lounge- Located on the beach in Isla Verde. It was the perfect place to grab food and drinks after a long day in the sun. We came here twice.
Raices- Affordable and delicious authentic Puerto Rican cuisine. I would come here during lunchtime.
Cafe Manolin- A restaurant that offers creole-style cuisine. Located in Old San Juan. I would come here for lunch.
Kasalta- A spanish bakery. Good for breakfast or lunch.
Entrevinos- A restaurant that offers a large selection of wines to choose from. Dinner is also good here and they offer a global menu.
Condal Tapas- Located in the Condado strip. We came here for NYE and made reservations to sit on the rooftop. Right next door was a rooftop bar that played live music. We enjoyed the atmosphere, wine, and tapas. Plus the service was really great.
La Facotoria- A speakeasy bar that offers special cocktails and small bites. Located in old San Juan.
Bistro Cafe- This is the spot to go to for brunch. You can find several breakfast spots on almost every other block and cant go wrong. Bistro Cafe provides a bit of a more upscale experience with a cute ambiance.
The Egg Joint- You can get a variety of different breakfast sandwiches here. We didn't personally eat here but we walked by it and the sandwiches looked really yummy.
Activities/ Excursions:
1. Go swimming & sunbathing at the beach for a day. All of the following beaches have free access and opportunities for water sport rentals:
Isla Verde- It's located on the end of the Condado strip and will cost about $10 USD to take an uber there from the Condado beach area. This beach has clearer water and is less crowded than other beaches in the San Juan area. They have sunbeds ($5 USD) and umbrellas ($10 USD) available for rent. The beach lounge, Alambique, is also located in Isla Verde. It is legal to bring your own alcohol onto the beach as well as food.
Condado Beach- This beach is popular among tourists because the hotel zone runs along the shores of this beach. The tides here are a bit stronger, so you'll often find less people swimming here and more people sunbathing.
Escambron Beach- It is located in Puerta de Tierra within walking distance from Old San Juan and Condado. We did not have time to personally visit this beach, but some reviews believe this to be the best public beach closest to San Juan. It is a small beach with "golden sands and tall palm trees." It usually has calm and clear water. Restaurants are also located within walking distance.
Ocean Park Beach- This small beach is located between Condado Beach and Isla Verde. It is most popular among locals and specifically the LGBTQ community. It has a laid-back vibe like California with shops and quick places to eat as well.
2. Spend a day in Old San Juan.
Old San Juan is the home to the historic sites in San Juan. This includes the San Cristóbal fortresses, the San Felipe del Morroa, and the tomb of Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León inside of the Bautista Cathedral. You will naturally come across some of these historical sites as you stroll through the cobbled streets and brightly colored buildings.
You can visit Old San Juan both during the day and at night. It is also filled with restaurants, bars, and plenty of places to go shopping and spend all of your money :) As mentioned above, it would be in your best interest to make a reservation ahead of time to eat at Barrachina, although it is not required.
3. Attend a tour through the Bacardi Rum Factory.
4. Visit Museums and Street Art
Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico- exhibitions of Puerto Rican art from the 16th century to the present.
Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Puerto Rico- This is a smaller museum that once used to be a public school. The two floors exhibit contemporary artwork from a Caribbean and Latin American perspective.
5. Go hiking through the El Yunque Rainforest and swim beneath the waterfalls
Browse through the many different tour options through viator.com or getyourguide.com
6. Catamaran/ Snorkeling day trip to a nearby tropical Island
Island day trip to Cayo Icacos
Browse through the many different tour options through viator.com or getyourguide.com
7. Nightlife
La Plascita- It is a square in San Juan that functions as a produce market during the day but opens up to a completely different scenery at night. Young locals typically eat and go bar-hopping here in the evenings.
T- Mobile Distrito- A newer and more "Americanized" experience. This venue has a variety of different bars/ restaurants/ games. If you have ever been to Xfinity lounge in Philadelphia, you will probably find this place to feel very similar. It can be fun both during the day or at night.
La Factoria- A speakeasy with creative cocktails and small bites
Club Brava- One of the more "exclusive" clubs in Puerto Rico
The Mezzanine- A popular cocktail bar
El Batey Bar- A lowkey dive bar located in Old San Juan.
Extend Your Trip:
Extend your Trip and take a 17 minute flight to the U.S. Virgin Islands for only $40 USD! Follow us on IG: @thephilemons to stay tuned for the next blog on our extended trip to St. Thomas and St. John.
Dope itinerary. Thanks