Family Fun in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
This past summer, my family and I traveled to the beautiful island territory, Puerto Rico. We stayed in a beautiful villa in Old San Juan, on Calle Del Sol (translation: Street of the Sun) and what an experience.
Old San Juan is a beautiful city covered in cobblestone streets, diverse in culture, rich in history, and offers colorful architecture. I would highly recommend a visit or stay in Old San Juan. I promise you it will be an experience you’ll never forget.
Beaches (las playas):
1. Ocean Park Beach
2. Flamenco Beach – rated top ten for most beautiful beach in the world
Requires a ferry ride from Farjardos Ferry Terminal to Culebra Island
About an hour drive from San Juan
A ferry ride is about an hour and a half and costs $4.50 round trip
3. Condado Beach
4. La Playa de Isla Verde
This was the first beach we went too and it was beautiful
It had white sand and crystal clear water, I loved it!
5. Escambron Beach
If you’re looking to do freestyle snorkeling, come here!
The water is so warm and you’ll love seeing all the tropical fish swimming around you
Things To-Do (cosas por hacer):
Eat breakfast at Mallorca and order a Mallorca
Try Puerto Rican cuisine and taste an Arepa (a fried seafood calzone)
Sip on fresh coconut water on the beach
Taste a plantain, a local delicacy in Puerto Rico
Grab a cold treat at Senor Paleta in Old San, 153 Calle de Tetuan
Do not touch the cobblestone cats; just a warning
Buy local authentic art, souvenirs, and/or jewelry made my Puerto Ricans
Combine art and chocolate at Chocobar at Casa Cortes, 210 Calle San Francisco
Sip at the homemaker of rum at Barcardi Rum Tours
Go salsa dancing at “La Placita” on Friday or Saturday & eat Spanish tapas and paella
Eat at the sister-restaurant of the Bacardi Rum Distillery
Are you still hungry? Eat out at Jose Enrique
Try driving down Tranquility Street which is the narrowest street in Old San Juan
Live the history in Old San Juan at the San Juan National Historic Site
Swing through the jungle at El Yunque National State Park or bathe in a waterfall
Visit the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista
Take a moment of silence at the Santa Maria Magdalena Cemetery
Give directions to your taxi cab driver in Spanish
Order a flask ($6) and share chichaíto shots with the locals
Roam the cobblestone streets after dinner & listen to the local bands playing in alleys
Go on a walking food tour with Flavors of Old San Juan
Oh, and don’t forget to take a ton of photos for memories
Booze (bebidas):
Order a piña colada at the birthplace of the piña colada – Barrachina
Be fancy at La Factoria (age requirement: 23-years old and over)
Go bar-hopping with your younger sibling whose not 21, b/c the legal drinking age is 18
Sip on cocktails and good beer at La Taberna Lupulo
Try a chichaíto (American Translation: after-dinner concoction, Spanish Translation: “Little F*%K”). This is extremely cheap vodka with a splash of juice that does not come pre-mixed. That is my only warning my friends, so proceed with caution.
Excursions (excursiones):
I had an amazing time in Old San Juan and I would highly recommend this city as a destination of travel for those looking to get an international feel without having a passport (if you’re a citizen of the U.S.). It’s kid-friendly, but the atmosphere of the city makes it tailored towards adults.
If you have any additional tips, questions, or recommendations to add to my post, please feel free to share. Diviértete!
Disclaimer: I stayed in a villa in Old San Juan so my experience is slightly tailored towards that specific area.