In episode 65, The Travel Brats share the best recommendations for what to do and what not to do while in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. From late night hotel scandals to hiking the El Yunque rainforest to enjoying the rich historical sites, Ashley lets everyone know the most interesting destinations are on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. With endless activities to do there, Ashley's insight can save you from the headaches of planning your next travel adventure.
Puerto Rico is known for its rich history and culture, and for being the perfect island getaway. If you are looking for close quarters with historical sites, landmarks, delicious locally owned restaurants and bars, and only feet from the coastline, Old San Juan is where you should look for your next travel adventure.
There are so endless things to do while in Puerto Rico, but beware - make reservations, know the rules and regulations with COVID-19 in the area, plan ahead, and check the reviews of where you are going to stay.
Where to Stay in Puerto Rico
While staying in Puerto Rico, there are many chain hotels available if you are looking for a resort vibe. The San Juan Marriott Resort is top of the line with insane views, a relaxing beach vibe, and in a prime location. If you are looking to stay in Old San Juan like Jon and Ashley did during their travels, find an Airbnb in all the action.
What to do in Puerto Rico
While you are exploring, type “Landmarks” into your Apple Maps so you can see sites that are nearby. Some main historical sites to see are the largest fort built by the Spanish, Castillo San Cristóbal, and Castillo San Felipe del Morro. I recommend packing your walking shoes because there are cathedrals and art to view on every corner, so stroll through the beautiful streets. Old San Juan is located on a port, where you can catch a ferry to Cantano. The quick 10 minute boat ride takes you across to another part of the island where the Barcadi factory is. Book your tour ahead of time because after a ferry ride and waiting for an uber or the public bus, I don’t want you turned away like we were. LOL
A bucket list item is to go to the Laguna Grande Bioluminescent Bay, which is one of 7 bio bays in the world. There are 3 located in Puerto Rico. If you enjoy kayaking, this is a great excursion.
What to Eat in Puerto Rico
For delicious authentic Puerto Rican food, there are amazing options. We were not disappointed on this trip when it came to food. A highly rated restaurant that we couldn’t get into, but tried to twice, was Barrachina. If you are not on a time crunch or have time to kill, this is the place for you. Since we didn’t want to wait much longer, we went across the street from Barrachina to Cafe El Punta, which was a hole in the wall spot with amazing ceviche and Monfongos. For a more secluded, intimate setting with finer food, Princessa Cocina is a great choice.
El Yunque Rainforest
Uber was a great way to get around, but to go longer distances, there are a ton of rental car places near the San Juan Puerto Rico. Like I’ve said, book ahead because we paid a premium to get a car last minute. We rented from Sixt rental car and had a reliable Kia that took us across the island.
When planning your trip to El Yunque Rainforest, the best way to go is booking a tour so you can explore safely and see the best of the best waterfalls and cliffs. We booked with BesTours, and Carlos was our guide who was born and raised in PR. I had an amazing time and would recommend them if you want a more intense hike where you will get wet and slide off waterfalls. This way you will have a guide who shows you where to park, where to explore, and where the most scenic spots are.
While in Puerto Rico, stay safe, be aware of your surroundings, adventure where you want to go, and try out something new. Thank you for tuning in. Share your favorite Puerto Rican adventures.