Family Fun in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

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

Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

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.

TravelsMorgan Pelt