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3 days in Puerto Rico might not be plenty of time, however when you don’t get a lot day without work work and also you’re solely in a position to journey on weekends, then typically you simply need to work with it!
Since my buddy was ready on her visa and couldn’t depart 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 brief 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 every little thing 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 propose to spend 3 days in Puerto Rico, right here’s my steered itinerary.
Where to Stay On Your 3 Days in Puerto Rico
First just a little notice 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 situated 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 couple of lodges in San Juan space I’d suggest.
Condado:
O:LV Hotel – This is certainly 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 resort – the interiors are to die for, with brass, marble and velvet accents a-plenty.
La Concha Renaissance – If you’re on the lookout for a bigger resort, La Concha Renaissance boats an infinity pool overlooking Condado Beach, a number of eating places, a health middle 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 want to remain in San Juan Old Town, this boutique resort has previous world attraction, funky interiors, native artwork work and a calming roof terrace. It’s additionally situated only a brief 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 possibly can discover the island. You can discover rental automotive offers utilizing Kayak or Rentalcars.com. Don’t neglect to convey your U.S driver’s license with you so as to lease the automotive. If you propose to stay round San Juan and Condado, then you possibly can simply get round by Uber, which is pretty cheap.
Day 1 – Relax in Condado
Flying could be exhausting so plan to have a calming 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 strategy 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 possibly can 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 fundamental seashore space, Condado, which is lined with lodges such because the Marriott and La Concha Renaissance.
Condado Beach is a windswept metropolis seashore lined with palm timber, lodges 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 vigorous within the afternoons, significantly on weekends, so it’s nice for individuals 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 possibly can stroll alongside Ashford Ave, which has loads of eating places providing every little thing 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 vivid and ethereal, with easy wood tables and mirrors adorning the partitions.
Dishes are designed for sharing and are made with substances from native producers. The menu adjustments each day however you possibly can count on every little thing 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 possibly can head on over to ARYA rooftop on the O:LV resort, which fingers down is among the most fashionable lodges I’ve ever seen. Artsy, daring and splendid, the resort is so stunning that it was awarded Best Design Hotel of the World and Best New Boutique Hotel by London’s Boutique Hotel Awards. If you have got the money to remain there, then do it!
The rooftop has an exquisite pool/fountain and views of the Condado lagoon, so head on over at sundown to snap some pictures and luxuriate 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 individuals might purchase contemporary produces reminiscent of fruit, greens and meat. Today it nonetheless capabilities as a market throughout the day but it surely transforms right into a vibrant native hangout at evening. It’s significantly vigorous Thursday by Sunday, so be sure you go to on considered one of today.
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 situated one block from the seashore. This neighborhood cafe serves high quality espresso and wholesome menu gadgets made with substances 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 photographs of espresso, natural maple syrup, and cinnamon.
Cafe Regina is open each 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 numerous rainforest covers an space of almost 29,000 acres and boasts breathtaking views, stunning waterfalls, and loads of mountain climbing trails.
Access to the rainforest is managed and to enter you’ll must e-book on-line from a alternative of morning or afternoon slots. We selected the morning slot so we might beat the crowds and luxuriate in the remainder of our day doing different issues.
Since the doorway is timed, I’d advise reserving upfront at a few days beforehand so that you just aren’t disenchanted. Tickets to El Yunque could be bought on the Recreation.gov web site.
You’ll enter El Yunque Rainforest on the customer’s middle after which drive up steep, windy roads stopping at numerous lookout factors alongside the best way.
If you get automotive sick in any respect (I positively do) don’t go on an empty abdomen and be sure 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 could possibly hike one of many trails, or when you’d moderately do one thing extra leisurely, you possibly can take some pictures and cease at one of many waterfalls for a swim.
Luquillo Beach
After visiting El Yunque it’s time to calm down, 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 timber that present some shade. There are restrooms, showers and picnic spots, so you have got every little thing 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 liked 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 car parking zone and parking is fairly priced at $4 for your entire day.
Fajardo and Bio Bay
Finish your day by driving to Fajardo, which is on the east coast of the island. It’s a few 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 count on something fancy; this can be 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 positive to convey money!
Our Bio Bay kayaking tour with Kayaking Puerto Rico was severely one of many highlights of our journey. We kayaked in nearly full darkness and it was so enjoyable below the celebs that I needed I might keep longer.
If you wish to see bioluminescence then it’s greatest to go near a brand new moon when the sky is as darkish as doable. However, when you go to when the moon is out don’t fret! They offer you a tarp to place over your head so you possibly can 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 stunning, palm tree-lined seashores. It’s a few 15-20 minute drive from San Juan, relying on the place you’re staying.
You can both take an Uber there or drive if in case you have a rental automotive. Two widespread 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 embrace 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 really like a very good IPA within the solar and their yellowfin tuna poke bowl is actually 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 true on the seashore with oceanfront seating and a calming chill space.
Drift has some nice completely satisfied 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 thought!
Old San Juan
In the night, head again to San Juan to discover 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 residence 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, individuals can’t resolve on the place it was invented. Some individuals 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 situated within the middle of the Old Town.
We visited Barrachina to strive 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 disenchanted. 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 buddy love making them at residence!), and this was simply not like that, however you will discover loads of nice pina coladas on the island! I haven’t tried the piña colada on the Caribe Hilton however you could wish to give that one a strive as an alternative.
San Juan has plenty of cocktail bars and eating places – our favourite bar being La Factoria, which was tremendous busy. It appears 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 just a little style of the island and see widespread sights reminiscent of 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 positively value renting a automotive so you will get out of San Juan and see the much less touristy areas. There are all types of locations to go to in Puerto Rico, reminiscent of Rincon, Vieques and the island of Culebra, so I’ll positively be making a visit again in some unspecified time in the future to see extra. A protracted weekend in Puerto Rico is simply sufficient to get just a little taster however there are such a lot of issues to do.
More Itineraries:
