To be honest, I love traveling. Adventurous vacations, relaxing weekends, staycations, and solo, couple or group trips. In recent years, we’ve found that traveling with other women, especially friends (commonly known as “girls’ trips”), has become increasingly popular among people in their 25s to 60s.
And since Caribbean Airlines recently started flying to Puerto Rico, the four of us decided to take a 7-day girls trip to Old San Juan. We explored the Old Town, a combination of fun, relaxation, and a little shopping (our favorite pastime), and what the rest of the island has to offer the curious visitor. I wanted to know.
Before we left, we did a lot of research, researching the best places to visit and what the city has to offer, including food, culture, and entertainment. We also found that keeping your luggage to a minimum is extremely beneficial, even when wandering the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan. Venture into the island’s beautiful interior for hiking, ATV riding, or bungee jumping. Or you can just go shopping (because shopping is awesome!).
As we began our descent into Puerto Rico after a three-hour flight on Caribbean Airlines from Port of Spain, we marveled at the island’s sparkling blue waters, lush vegetation, and numerous skyscrapers.
From the moment we landed at Luis Muñoz MarÃn International Airport, we could feel the energy of the place as the excitement grew. The people were warm, friendly and helpful. Our adventure has begun.
â—‹ld San Juan — the oldest neighborhood in San Juan, Puerto Rico’s capital and largest city — did not disappoint. The drive-in felt like we were in downtown Miami, but with a calmer, more inviting island charm.
Lined with vibrant, characterful buildings dating back to the 16th century, this vibrant, historic city oozes old-world charm and offers a refreshing Atlantic breeze that provides a respite from the tropical heat. welcomed us.
We stayed at a hotel near Plaza Colon. A variety of shops, restaurants and bars are nearby, and the famous San Cristobal Castle is just a few minutes’ walk away. Of course we visited as many shops as we could along the street. I also went into 9 or 10 other parallel stores. make a call That created this unique walled city. As I walked around, I often felt as if I had traveled back in time. If you watch a Netflix series outlanderYou will understand what I mean!
Our room was nicely appointed and had a view of the city rooftops, the castle, and the huge cruise ships that came in during the few days we were there. It has a jacuzzi and a stone bathtub, and we spent several luxurious nights there after a full day of fun. After all, girls’ trips are all about pampering yourself.
This vibrant, historic city oozes old-world charm with vibrant, characterful buildings dating back to the 16th century
As we explored the city’s restaurants, cafes, and shops, we noticed that many of the establishments served a typical American-style breakfast, although most of the visitors seemed to be American. They also had some local breads. It was also dotted with many American chain stores and numerous souvenir shops, many of which offered similar cuisine, but some of which showcased unique artisanal specialties, making it a great place to shop. There were also stores that tempted us addicts.
We ate lunch and dinner at a different restaurant every day and could have stayed a year without running out of options. Some of the most memorable restaurants include Puerto Criollo, two Mexican restaurants in a popular neighborhood called SOFO (south of Calle Fortaleza), and El Rincon de Paco (a historic gem just off Calle San Sebastian); and Baracina (with a lovely courtyard setting and exceptional atmosphere). Pina Colada (this is not surprising considering San Juan is the birthplace of this delicious drink).
The highlight for us was dinner at Triana Restaurant, which served tapas and rumba flamenco. Juan Carlos Garcia, a well-known guitarist who accompanied the dancers and played at the restaurant most weekends, was exceptional. The 84-year-old’s voice and guitar skills did not disappoint. Born in Barcelona, ​​Spain, raised in San Juan, ed sullivan showhas performed with many famous musicians and is returning to Puerto Rico after a world tour.
After dinner, we had to soak up the late-night vibrancy of the lively San Sebastian Street, where parties are held every night, especially during the San Sebastian Street Festival held each January (an addition to our bucket list) please). A popular hangout is La Factoria, but we didn’t go inside as the line wrapped around at least two quaint buildings.
So we settled on El Tortuga, a more peaceful restaurant that offers live music of salsa, bachata, and other Latin-style music. Favorite dish: with mafongo allMango Fish Ceviche, Spicy Crab Bowl, and Shrimp Tacos, but as you know, the shrimp is served in a soft taco and all other products are served in a hard shell. It doesn’t matter, it was delicious!
WWe were pleased with the variety of sightseeing in San Juan and beyond, including a visit to the Bacardi factory where a fun tour guide explained the history of the product. We had a lot of fun sampling cocktails and expensive rums.
Of course, if you’re going to get girls together, shopping is a must, and there are many shopping malls. Our first stop was Plaza Las Americas, the largest in the Caribbean and second largest in Latin America, where hundreds of popular American shops and brands were showcased alongside local shops and brands. There were also some great bargains at an outlet mall about 30 minutes away from Old San Juan (I was lucky enough to be there during an American holiday weekend, but it was a good idea to see all the big discounts (I didn’t realize it until then).
We were awed by the spectacular murals painted on the walls and sides of huge buildings along Calle Serra in Santurce, another San Juan neighborhood 10 minutes from Old San Juan. However, it was an unexpected surprise. Some consider it the “art capital of the Caribbean.”
To cool down and cool off, we also went to Playa Puerta de Tierra, the closest small beach to San Juan, just across the bridge from Old San Juan. It was a wonderful day. It took about an hour and we actually walked back to the hotel to see some of the many sights along the route.
Old San Juan was amazing. Perfect for girls’ trips, family trips, and romantic getaways, we’ll definitely be back. The only thing missing in some small restaurants and even our hotel was reliable Wi-Fi. But who really needs that when you’re having so much fun in such a beautiful city?
