I just came back from a trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico and it was an experience. I did not know what to expect, therefore, I had no expectations. The culture is beautiful, the island is breathtaking, but there were some factors of this trip that I could have done without. Here is a guide for the average traveler on what to expect, and how to enjoy the island in a short amount to time.
San Juan, Puerto Rico is an absolute paradise, and fairly hassle-free to travel to. There is no need for a passport for U.S. citizens to travel between the U.S and Puerto Rico. The currency is the U.S. dollar, making spending all of your hard-earned money easy; and you can arrive to Puerto Rico in as little as 3 hours by commercial air from major U.S. cities. Puerto Rico is also a great place to travel to if you want to get away from the cold weather of the winter season. The average temperature during the winter is 83 degrees and 85 degrees in the summer.
There is an endless selection of places to stay. I stayed at the Sheraton Old San Juan, which has a casino, lounge/restaurant, pool, hot tub, gym, meeting rooms, and is in the middle of various activities, nightlife, and tourist attractions. Along with the Sheraton, you could stay in anyplace from a small inn to a world class resort. No matter where you stay, make sure you are within walking distance of attractions, or the trolley, buses, and taxis because the traffic can be complicated and you would not want to deal with that on your vacation.
No matter when you go to San Juan, PR, there will always be something wonderful to do, and many of the attractions prices range from free to $5 per person. If you are not really sure of what you would want to do, and you only have a few days to enjoy the island and what it has to offer, here is what you can do in a small amount of time yet still enjoy the island:
Fort San Cristóbal – is located where once the eastern gate to the walled city of Old San Juan was. Construction on the fort was begun in 1634 and finished in 1790, although modifications were made well into the 18th Century. The views from this fort are breathtaking and serine as is overlooks the San Juan Bay. The cost of this attraction is $3 per person and the hours of operation are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm from June to November and 9:00 am to 6:00 pm December to May.
El Morro – also known as Fuerte San Felipe del Morro, is the sister fort to Fort San Cristóbal and is just as beautiful. El Morro is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Historic Site in the U. S. National Park Service.
El Yunque – The Caribbean National Forest, often called El Yunque Rainforest, has the highest visitation of any natural site in Puerto Rico. When you see it, you’ll easily understand why. Magnificent waterfalls run alongside its well-maintained (but slippery) trails. There are many favorite spots for visitors to take photos or even a refreshing dip in the immaculate pools. Be sure to visit the El Portal Rain Forest Center. It features fascinating exhibits in English and Spanish, a bookstore, and a souvenir shop. The Center’s theater presents a documentary film every half-hour, and has several interactive exhibits, including one entitled “Understanding the Forest.” The cost is $3 per person and is well worth it.
Beaches – There are so many beaches to choose from and they are all beautiful so here is a comprehensive list of the beaches that you could visit: Cana Gorda, Seven Seas, Flamenco, Ballenas, and Boqueron.
Bacardi Rum Tour – is the largest in the world and only a few minutes by car or ferry from Old San Juan and is one of the most popular attractions for visitors in Puerto Rico. The cost for this tour is free, and you also get 2 free drinks made from your choice of Bacardi Rum. The gift shop has great prices and the tour itself is very interesting.
Other Activities – There are an array of activities for you to do while vacationing in Puerto Rico. Choices are a Walking Tour of Old San Juan, museums, horseback riding, scuba diving, snorkeling, and the list could go on and on.
Eating in Puerto Rico is an experience in itself. The cuisine is exotic and delightful and there are so many restaurants to choose from, it’s hard not to over-indulge. Chances are any restaurant that you dine in; there will something on the menu that will speak to your taste. My rule of thumb is to ask the server what they recommend and if you have questions on a dish, ASK THE SERVER!
There is a fantastic nightlife there, if you like Caribbean and Spanish inspired music but I recommend that if you go to a night club or dance bar, be prepared to dance alone or take a mate. From my experience, the locals were not very friendly, (whether at a restaurant or a nightclub).
Outside of the cold shoulder that I received from some of the locals, Puerto Rico is a great place to go for a honeymoon or romantic getaway. I recommend that you do your homework on the island before you travel there and have your trip planned out because it is easy to let your vacation slip away from you without enjoying the culture of Puerto Rico.
