I Went to Puerto Rico For a Week, and Fell in Love! Here's What to Do, See, Eat and Drink
Puerto Ricans have a strong cultural pride and an infectious joie de vivre.
This stood out to me within a few days of interacting with the locals—from friendly Uber drivers to chatty waitresses. Even the most beginner Spanish speaker will want to start Googling words, so they don’t miss out on the local gossip and mini history lessons told while dining or headed to the beach.
This makes them warm and inviting, akin to people in Haiti, so it’s no wonder I felt at home. As an island girl who grew up in 90-degree weather, eating fresh conch and fried foods on the way to the beach, Puerto Rico felt welcoming. Only a short 3-hour-and-42-min flight from JFK, it’s the Caribbean escape you’ll keep coming back to. Our trip was a week-long, but I honestly can’t wait to stay there longer.
My sisters and I visited at a time when some Covid-19 restrictions were still in place (12 am curfews, masks on all the time), but the vibes were still there. The island brings together a beautiful diversity of landscapes—from mountains to waterfalls, which makes for a wide range of rich experiences. We toured the El Yunque National Forest, and you’d have to watch our Instagram highlights for a laugh that will make your stomach hurt. Sam took about 10 minutes to jump off a cliff, and when she did, she landed on her face…and became our new favorite meme. It was the most exhilarating outdoor experience I’ve ever had, the sort of muddy, RIP-to-your-shoes kind that requires you to be fully present, all five senses engaged.
We also had the most fun, hopping from island to island and sipping rum-infused cocktails. It’s a beautiful place, with the loose structure of a U.S. state, but inefficiencies that are reminiscent of a third-world country. That doesn’t make it any less charming! We made friends with a few Uber drivers, who gave us the inside scoop on where to eat and go bailar, and eat and dance we did!
Sharing our fresh tips so you can plan to visit the truly heartwarming place that is PR. Be sure to also watch our YouTube vlog.
BEFORE YOU BOOK YOUR FLIGHT
✢ If you live in the U.S., all you’ll need is a valid ID card.
✢ The currency is American dollars, and your debit and credit cards will most likely work there.
✢ The private transportation system is not reliable. The Uber waits are usually long, and there randomly will be no cars to pick you up at 1 pm or close to the curfew time. It’s best to make friends with Uber drivers and arrange for them to pick you up.
✢ A good level of Spanish would help! Outside of San Juan, most people don’t speak good English.
You landed. Now what?
WHERE TO STAY
We stayed in this thoughtfully decorated three-bedroom apartment located near Calle Loiza, a buzzy San Juan street. Our sister Mhuriel, who’s been to PR a few times, recommended the host Stephan, so we immediately booked one of his beautiful locations. The space is well-furnished and you’ll be grateful for the air conditioners in each room. I struggled with the bathrooms’ shower heads, which aren’t movable, but it wasn’t a dealbreaker. I would book another location Stephan runs in a heartbeat, especially The Dreamcatcher, which is a nearby boutique hotel where we lunched.
2. The Dreamcatcher
From the entrance alley that lets you in to the communal spaces, everything about this place feels inviting. With the abundance of greenery , the textured walls, wood accents, and hammock details, it’s beautiful and decorated in a style that seems true to Puerto Rico. I can only imagine what it would've been like to stay in a room. The food here, although it comes in small portions, is also delicious and prepared in a charming little kitchen that’s next to a hangout room that features card games and other entertainment.
WHAT TO DO
↓ Day Trip to Cayo Icacos
Only a 12-min boat ride from the Fajardo Marina (which is about 45 mins away from San Juan), a day trip to Icacos is definitely the vibe! The island is inhabited, so you have to bring everything, including lots of sunscreen. We spent a couple hours sipping Don Q-infused passion fruit juice, basking in the warmth, and of course, being a fish in the clear blue water. It’s an all-around great experience, and I only wish we spent more than 3 hours there.
↓ Go to Piñones Beach
For a laidback, family-oriented vibe, plan a day trip to Playa Piñones. It’s surrounded with kiosks where you can buy agua frescas, Medalla Light bottles, $4 sangrias, arepas, and sizzling alcapurrias (a fritter dish stuffed with ground beef or shellfish). It has the real island feel, where you can watch the cooks fry your order and take your drinks to the beach. They rent sun chairs and beach umbrellas, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.
↓ El Yunque National Forest Tour
Only have these blurry images and a couple videos to show for it, but this was by far my favorite hike (and I’m never up for hiking). The tour guide advised us to leave our phones in the car, so we couldn’t capture our own content, but I’m glad we were fully present for a high adventure like this. I don’t usually buy into Airbnb experiences, but this was one for the books! My first time bungee jumping and cliff jumping, and definitely not the last.
We picked an early morning tour, which got us up at 6 am, hopping on a car to Fajardo, where the host picked us up in his van. By 8 am, we were in our hiking gear (bring shoes you don’t care to get muddy), water bottle in hand, and on exploration mode. I couldn’t think of a better way to start the day!
↓Visit (and bar hop in) Old San Juan
No Puerto Rico visit is complete without both a daytime and nighttime trip to Viejo San Juan, the island’s prized historic place that abounds with colorful houses, cobblestoned streets, and inviting cocktail bars. With buildings that date back to the 16th century, it’s the second oldest town in America, but the Spanish colonial influence remains strong.
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK
✢ Deaverdura—for fresh coconut water and unbelievably good cuchifritos plates.
✢ Pinky’s—for $4 smoothies served in the blender and very filling sandwiches.
✢ La Factoria—for a speakeasy-style bar experience with multiple rooms that play different music.
✢ Barrachina—Home of the piña colada, so you don’t want to miss out.
✢ The Deck at the Condado Ocean Club—For the champagne cocktails and a bougie poolside vibe.
✢ Racar—For the best red snapper fillet I’ve had so far.
✢ La Cueva del Mar—For good food and cheap cocktails in a casual environment.
On my next visit, I’m planning to go to Vieques, Isla Culebra, and Ponce.