Travel Channel

Inspiration

Great Sun, beaches everywhere (the whole island is only 100mi long so you’re never far from the beach), great golf, food, easy trip from east coast cities & no passport needed. Oh, and they have fun casinos.

Itineraries

1 Day – spend the morning in Old San Juan walking around and enjoying the bright buildings and historical churches and buildings including Fort San Cristóbal – do the tour if you’re into that kind of thing. Hit the beach area in the afternoon…then come back for dinner and drinks in Old San Juan after dark.

3 Days – make sure you do a day trip to Mosquito Bay in Vieques, or a day trip to the rainforest to go for a hike. Hit the casinos one night for some blackjack (I always stick to the ones at the big name hotels)

5 Days – See above but also since you have extra days it’s worth it to go to the Bacardi Rum factory tour. It’s a little touristy, but you get free samples at the end. Also a day or so on one of the islands off Puerto Rico would be fun. I’ve been told Isla Culebra (Snake Island) is very cool. I’ve never been there, but it’s supposed to have some of the clearest waters and most amazing wildlife.

Activities/Sights/Museums/Landmarks

I could spend my entire time at the beach. The first Tuesday of every month there is a festival in the old city where the streets fill up with people and all kinds of fun stuff.

Restaurants/Food

It’s all about the local places/street food in Puerto Rico.
• “Pinchos” – chicken on a stick. You’ve gotta find a guy grilling out of the back of his truck. Usually it comes with a piece of bread. SO good.
• “Mofongo” – mashed garlic & onions w/ pulled pork served casserole style.
• Rotissierie Chicken – juicy & buttery, better than any chicken I’ve had anywhere else
• Yucca & Plantains - try ‘em all different ways.
• The mojitos are out of this world. Puerto Rico is also famous for the Pina Colada…basically anything with rum.

Hotels

The Water Club. It’s a boutique hotel on the beach in San Juan with floor to ceiling window views of the ocean. http://www.waterclub.com/

Shopping

Old San Juan

Nightlife

Old San Juan – after dark this place fills up. People are cool, and you can pretty much bar-hop all night long.

Travel Tips

They are famous for rum in Puerto Rico, and they like to show that off. Anytime I’ve ordered a rum drink in this country, it’s always been very strong. Be careful which beach you pick. Some are over crowded, and some have really strong currents with big waves.