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3 days in Puerto Rico will not be a variety of time, however should you don’t get a lot day off work and also you’re solely in a position to journey on weekends, then generally you simply need to work with it!
Since my good friend was ready on her visa and couldn’t go away the U.S., we needed to go someplace a bit totally different for our lengthy weekend with out leaving the nation. An apparent alternative was Puerto Rico – a Caribbean island that additionally occurs to be an unincorporated U.S territory.
At 3.5 hours flight time, the journey from New York to San Juan is pretty quick and also you don’t need to take your passport because it’s a home flight. A U.S driver’s license will do. We stayed 3 nights in San Juan and rented a automotive for twenty-four hours so we might discover a bit extra of the island.
Since the island is pretty massive it’s not possible to cowl the whole lot there may be to do in Puerto Rico in 3 days, so we caught to the north and east coast. I actually loved my time in PR and totally intend to return one other time to discover different components of the island.
If you intend to spend 3 days in Puerto Rico, right here’s my steered itinerary.
Where to Stay On Your 3 Days in Puerto Rico
First somewhat observe on the place to remain. We stayed in an Airbnb, particularly this one. It has a pool and an unbelievable ocean view. It’s additionally centrally positioned in Condado so that you’re only a few steps from all of the eating places and bars, in addition to the seashore.
If you don’t keep at an Airbnb, there are a number of accommodations in San Juan space I’d suggest.
Condado:
O:LV Hotel – This is undoubtedly one of many nicest boutique Design Hotels I’ve ever seen. Situated in Condado, the OL:V has a stylish rooftop with unbelievable views of the lagoon, which you’ll go to whether or not you’re staying at there or not. This isn’t simply your typical lodge – the interiors are to die for, with brass, marble and velvet accents a-plenty.
La Concha Renaissance – If you’re searching for a bigger resort, La Concha Renaissance boats an infinity pool overlooking Condado Beach, a number of eating places, a health heart and a 24 hour on line casino. Rooms even have floor-to-ceiling home windows and balconies with ocean views.
Old Town:
Villa Herencia Hotel – I you’d choose to remain in San Juan Old Town, this boutique lodge has previous world appeal, funky interiors, native artwork work and a soothing roof terrace. It’s additionally positioned only a quick stroll from Museum of the Americas and Santa Catalina Palace.
How to Get Around on Your 3 Days in Puerto Rico
For your 3 days in Puerto Rico I’d counsel getting a automotive so you’ll be able to discover the island. You can discover rental automotive offers utilizing Kayak or Rentalcars.com. Don’t overlook to carry your U.S driver’s license with you in an effort to lease the automotive. If you intend to stay round San Juan and Condado, then you’ll be able to simply get round by Uber, which is pretty cheap.
Day 1 – Relax in Condado
Flying will be exhausting so plan to have a soothing day the primary day of your Puerto Rico itinerary. Once you land at San Juan Airport (SJU), both order an Uber or decide up your rental automotive and make your approach to your lodging.
San Juan is principally break up into two components. There’s the previous city, which is filled with colourful buildings and bars, then there’s the newer half, Condado, which is by the seashore. I’d counsel staying in Condado so you’ll be able to simply stroll to the seashore. You can then Uber to Old San Juan within the evenings.
Relax on Condado Beach
Once you’ve checked in an unpacked your stuff, head on over to San Juan’s important seashore space, Condado, which is lined with accommodations such because the Marriott and La Concha Renaissance.
Condado Beach is a windswept metropolis seashore lined with palm bushes, accommodations and high-rises. The water can get fairly wavy and the present is powerful so it’s probably not advisable to swim there. The seashore will get energetic within the afternoons, significantly on weekends, so it’s nice for folks watching. Spend the afternoon absorbing the solar and sip on a piña colada or two.
Lunch at Jose Enrique
If you’re feeling a bit peckish you’ll be able to stroll alongside Ashford Ave, which has loads of eating places providing the whole lot from Puerto Rican meals to sushi.
One nice restaurant I’d suggest is Jose Enrique, which serves actually good Puerto Rican meals with a contemporary twist. The restaurant’s inside is brilliant and ethereal, with easy picket tables and mirrors adorning the partitions.
Dishes are designed for sharing and are made with elements from native producers. The menu adjustments every day however you’ll be able to anticipate the whole lot to be tremendous contemporary and scrumptious. I significantly loved the tuna crudo and pork stomach with shishito peppers.
Sunset Drinks at ARYA Rooftop
For sundown you’ll be able to head on over to ARYA rooftop on the O:LV lodge, which palms down is among the most fashionable accommodations I’ve ever seen. Artsy, daring and splendid, the lodge is so lovely that it was awarded Best Design Hotel of the World and Best New Boutique Hotel by London’s Boutique Hotel Awards. If you’ve gotten the money to remain there, then do it!
The rooftop has a fantastic pool/fountain and views of the Condado lagoon, so head on over at sundown to snap some images and revel in a cocktail or two. A spotlight of the rooftop is the ’77 Rolls Royce that’s been transformed right into a DJ Booth.
La Placita de Santurce
If you continue to have some vitality left in you, head over to La Placita de Santurce which is a bustling market space that comes alive after 6pm. Locals flock there to have meals, cocktails and dance salsa – it’s tremendous enjoyable!
La Placita has been round for 100 years and began as a two-tiered market the place folks might purchase contemporary produces equivalent to fruit, greens and meat. Today it nonetheless features as a market throughout the day but it surely transforms right into a vibrant native hangout at night time. It’s significantly energetic Thursday by Sunday, so ensure you go to on one in all nowadays.
Day 2 – El Yunque Rainforest and Bio Bay
For the second day of your Puerto Rico itinerary you’re going to drive out to El Yunque Rainforest and go to the city of Fajardo, which is on the east coast of the island. You’ll want a automotive for this half, because it’s too far to Uber from San Juan.
Breakfast at Cafe Regina
For an Instagram-worthy (and wholesome) breakfast, go to Cafe Regina in Condado/Ocean Park, which is positioned one block from the seashore. This neighborhood cafe serves high quality espresso and wholesome menu gadgets made with elements from native producers. You should, should, should get their avocado toast with black garlic, it’s so good!
Another must-try from the menu is the Cashew Milk Iced Latte, which is made with cashew milk, two pictures of espresso, natural maple syrup, and cinnamon.
Cafe Regina is open every day from 8am to 4pm.
Address: 58 Calle Taft, San Juan, PR 00911.
El Yunque National Forest
If you haven’t already, decide up a rental automotive and drive to El Yunque rainforest, which is a tropical rainforest within the northeastern a part of Puerto Rico. This various rainforest covers an space of almost 29,000 acres and boasts breathtaking views, lovely waterfalls, and loads of climbing trails.
Access to the rainforest is managed and to enter you’ll must guide on-line from a alternative of morning or afternoon slots. We selected the morning slot so we might beat the crowds and revel in the remainder of our day doing different issues.
Since the doorway is timed, I’d advise reserving prematurely at a few days beforehand so that you simply aren’t upset. Tickets to El Yunque will be bought on the Recreation.gov web site.
You’ll enter El Yunque Rainforest on the customer’s heart after which drive up steep, windy roads stopping at varied lookout factors alongside the way in which.
If you get automotive sick in any respect (I undoubtedly do) don’t go on an empty abdomen and ensure you get out of the automotive for contemporary air. The parking areas are tremendous small so I can’t think about how busy it will get if we had gone later within the day.
If you’re up for some train you might hike one of many trails, or should you’d fairly do one thing extra leisurely, you’ll be able to take some images and cease at one of many waterfalls for a swim.
Luquillo Beach
After visiting El Yunque it’s time to loosen up, so drive over to Luquillo Beach, which is roughly 20 minutes away, simply off Route 3.
This tranquil bay is nice for swimming and snorkeling and is lined with palm bushes that present some shade. There are restrooms, showers and picnic spots, so you’ve gotten the whole lot you want proper there. If you get hungry or thirsty, there are a selection of kiosks subsequent to the seashore serving issues like empanadas, ice cream and piña coladas. I cherished the piña coladas right here and thought they have been a lot better than those I attempted in Old San Juan.
Luquillo Beach has its personal parking zone and parking in all fairness priced at $4 for the whole day.
Fajardo and Bio Bay
Finish your day by driving to Fajardo, which is on the east coast of the island. It’s a couple of 15 minute drive from Luquillo Beach. Fajardo is a well-liked place to do a bioluminescent bay tour. We have been feeling peckish earlier than the tour, so we stopped for some fried snapper and arepas at Pescaderia Don Candi, which is a tiny native spot on the water with a bar subsequent door. Don’t anticipate something fancy; it is a no-frills restaurant serving contemporary seafood straight from the ocean. You order on the counter after which sit on bar stools overlooking the water. Make certain to carry money!
Our Bio Bay kayaking tour with Kayaking Puerto Rico was significantly one of many highlights of our journey. We kayaked in virtually full darkness and it was so stress-free beneath the celebs that I wanted I might keep longer.
If you need to see bioluminescence then it’s greatest to go near a brand new moon when the sky is as darkish as doable. However, should you go to when the moon is out don’t fret! They offer you a tarp to place over your head so you’ll be able to create shade and see the flicker. It actually is magical, and appears such as you’re holding glitter in your hand.
Day 3 – Pinones and San Juan’s Old Town
On the ultimate day of your Puerto Rico itinerary, head to Piñones, which is an space near San Juan airport that has lovely, palm tree-lined seashores. It’s a couple of 15-20 minute drive from San Juan, relying on the place you’re staying.
You can both take an Uber there or drive when you have a rental automotive. Two fashionable seashores are La Pocita and Vacía Talega, each of that are nice for snorkeling.
Ocean Lab Brewing Company
Start by visiting Ocean Lab Brewing Company, an award-winning brewery that serves craft beers brewed on the seashore in Puerto Rico! Popular beers brewed by Ocean Lab embody Mambo – a hazy wheat beer with a scrumptious passionfruit aroma, and Blood Orange Blonde – a light-weight, crisp beer infused with blood orange from California.
Personally I like a very good IPA within the solar and their yellowfin tuna poke bowl is absolutely contemporary.
Drift Beach Bar
After Ocean Lab, seize some cocktails on the seashore at Drift Beach Bar, which is barely additional alongside the coast. Their restaurant/bar Hook’d is correct on the seashore with oceanfront seating and a soothing chill space.
Drift has some nice comfortable hours and drinks specials, plus there are particular occasions all through the week. There’s salsa on Wednesdays, reggae on Fridays and a ‘Sundaze brunch’ on Sundays…you get the concept!
Old San Juan
In the night, head again to San Juan to discover the town’s Old Town, which is understood for its cobbled streets, and colourful buildings and historic points of interest that date again to the sixteenth and seventeenth century. Old San Juan is house to the San Juan National Historic Site, which incorporates the previous metropolis partitions, San Cristóbal fortress and a citadel known as Castillo San Felipe del Morro.
Sip Piña Coladas
Puerto Rico is understood for being the birthplace of the piña colada though from what I learn on-line, folks can’t resolve on the place it was invented. Some folks say it was invented in 1954 by a bartender on the Caribe Hilton Hotel. Some say it was invented by a bartender at Barrachina – a cocktail bar positioned within the heart of the Old Town.
We visited Barrachina to attempt their piña colada and I’m unhappy to say, it was not good. It tasted to me prefer it had come out of a machine and I used to be a tad upset. I’m guessing that since they get so many vacationers coming by they maybe rush and even have them pre-prepared.
To me a piña colada needs to be creamy and made with love (me and my good friend love making them at house!), and this was simply not like that, however you could find loads of nice pina coladas on the island! I haven’t tried the piña colada on the Caribe Hilton however you could need to give that one a attempt as a substitute.
San Juan has a number of cocktail bars and eating places – our favourite bar being La Factoria, which was tremendous busy. It seems fairly small if you first stroll in however there’s really a a lot bigger space for dancing by the again.
A Final Word…
3 days in Puerto Rico will will let you have somewhat style of the island and see fashionable sights equivalent to Old San Juan, El Yunque National Forest and a few of Puerto Rico’s unbelievable seashores.
I actually loved my time on the island and it’s undoubtedly price renting a automotive so you may get out of San Juan and see the much less touristy areas. There are all types of locations to go to in Puerto Rico, equivalent to Rincon, Vieques and the island of Culebra, so I’ll undoubtedly be making a visit again sooner or later to see extra. A protracted weekend in Puerto Rico is simply sufficient to get somewhat taster however there are such a lot of issues to do.
More Itineraries:
