In just four hours from EWR to San Juan, you’re transported into a new lifestyle, culture, and tropical escape. I absolutely fell in love with this island. Even though we were only there for three days, I never wanted to leave. We met incredible people, tasted delicious traditional food, explored El Yunque National Forest, and wandered through a city full of life, color, and history. 

Before traveling to Puerto Rico, we really wanted to embrace the culture. Although the island is a U.S. territory, it has its own rhythm, customs, and traditions. 

Here are some useful tips that helped us make the most of our time in Puerto Rico:

• Food is a huge cultural connector. Must-try dishes include mofongo, pernil, plantains, arroz con gandules, and croquetas de bacalao. The list goes on, but we sampled a platter from Deaverdura and these were the standout dishes.
• There are so many beaches to choose from near San Juan. We spent time at Condado Beach but also explored the calmer, more tucked-away Escambrón Beach and Playita del Condado. Escambrón, with its palm trees and more natural vibe, was a refreshing change from the urban scenery that’s common along the coast.
• Rent snorkel masks at Escambrón Beach and skip the costly tours. We swam with several sea turtles here with no guide needed!
• They use USD and tipping culture is the same as the mainland U.S. We received excellent service throughout our trip and tipped 20%.
• Calle San Sebastián is a lively street full of bars and nightlife in Old San Juan. Great for bar hopping and soaking in the energy.
• El Yunque National Forest is a must. From hiking and swimming in waterfalls to meeting fellow travelers and being surrounded by lush greenery (with surprisingly few bugs), it’s easily one of the best experiences you’ll have.
• Public transportation is free! While Uber is common, traffic in and out of San Juan can be rough, especially at night. The public bus system has its own lane, which makes it super convenient. We even met a few locals along the way!

3 Day Itinerary: 

Day One 

Start your morning or afternoon at Condado Beach, where you can rent lounge chairs, sip a delicious piña colada served in a pineapple or coconut (embrace it!), and swim in perfectly warm waters.

Once you’ve come home sun kissed and rinse of the saltiness, take the buss to Old San Juan for the rest of the evening, where you can wander the vibrant streets or stop for a Happy Hour Drink. Here are other notable activities to do while in Old San Juan:

• Visit Bastion de San Sebastián
• Stop by Barrachina where the Pina Colada was invented
• Enjoy sunset views along the water at Paseo del Morro

Grab dinner at Deaverdura, known for its authentic Puerto Rican menu and amazing food. (Tip: Get the sampler platter to enjoy a taste of multiple Puerto Rican dishes.)

Early night to sleep and prepare for day two in El Yunque National Forrest. 

Day Two:

Spend the day in El Yunque National Forest and enjoy the water activities offered. We booked a tour with transportation included, with two authentic food stops ($ not included) Tour HERE

Find your way back to San Juan for dinner at La Garita with amazing seafood, ocean views and delicious Mofongo! 

Spend the rest of night touring the night life in Old San Juan

We enjoyed a laid back beer bar, La Taberna Lúpulo, but other well known places include: La Factoría, Scryer Rum Barrelhouse & Rooftop, El Batey Bar

Day Three:

Visit one of the coves with calm waters and enjoy snorkeling! We tried Playita del Condado and Escambron Beach. We rented snorkeling masks at Escambron Beach and saw sea turtles here! I liked the vibes here more than Playita del Condado, but both were nice to relax.

End the day with another delicious authentic Puerto Rican Dish at Los Yeyos where I had the best Pernil and Alberto had the most flavorful Pork Chops. The walls are coated with dollar bills, making this a very unique atmosphere. The drinks here did not disappoint either, I absolutely recommend checking out this place!

Overall:

After spending three days here, I truly felt like I was able to explore so much of San Juan and I left feeling like I took a piece of the island’s culture with me to share with you all. While Puerto Rico has so much more to offer beyond the city walls, San Juan made for the perfect home base for a short and unforgettable getaway.