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3 days in Puerto Rico will not be lots of time, however when you don’t get a lot day off work and also you’re solely in a position to journey on weekends, then typically you simply must work with it!
Since my pal was ready on her visa and couldn’t go away the U.S., we wished to go someplace a bit totally different for our lengthy weekend with out leaving the nation. An apparent selection 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 must 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 may discover a bit extra of the island.
Because the island is pretty massive it’s inconceivable 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.
Should you plan to spend 3 days in Puerto Rico, right here’s my instructed itinerary.
The place to Keep On Your 3 Days in Puerto Rico
First just a little word on the place to remain. We stayed in an Airbnb, particularly this one. It has a pool and an unimaginable 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.
Should you don’t keep at an Airbnb, there are a couple of inns in San Juan space I’d suggest.
Condado:
O:LV Lodge – That is indubitably one of many nicest boutique Design Lodges I’ve ever seen. Located in Condado, the OL:V has a classy rooftop with unimaginable 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 – Should you’re searching for a bigger resort, La Concha Renaissance boats an infinity pool overlooking Condado Seaside, 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.
Outdated City:
Villa Herencia Lodge – I you’d favor to remain in San Juan Outdated City, this boutique lodge has previous world allure, funky interiors, native artwork work and a soothing roof terrace. It’s additionally situated only a brief stroll from Museum of the Americas and Santa Catalina Palace.
How one can Get Round on Your 3 Days in Puerto Rico
On your 3 days in Puerto Rico I’d counsel getting a automotive so you may discover the island. You will discover rental automotive offers utilizing Kayak or Rentalcars.com. Don’t neglect to convey your U.S driver’s license with you in an effort to hire the automotive. Should you plan to stay round San Juan and Condado, then you may simply get round by Uber, which is pretty cheap.
Day 1 – Loosen up in Condado
Flying may be exhausting so plan to have a soothing day the primary day of your Puerto Rico itinerary. When you land at San Juan Airport (SJU), both order an Uber or decide up your rental automotive and make your option to your lodging.
San Juan is mainly 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 may simply stroll to the seashore. You may then Uber to Outdated San Juan within the evenings.
Loosen up on Condado Seaside
When you’ve checked in an unpacked your stuff, head on over to San Juan’s principal seashore space, Condado, which is lined with inns such because the Marriott and La Concha Renaissance.
Condado Seaside is a windswept metropolis seashore lined with palm timber, inns and high-rises. The water can get fairly wavy and the present is powerful so it’s not likely advisable to swim there. The seashore will get vigorous 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
Should you’re feeling a bit peckish you may 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 day by day however you may count on every little thing to be tremendous recent and scrumptious. I significantly loved the tuna crudo and pork stomach with shishito peppers.
Sundown Drinks at ARYA Rooftop
For sundown you may head on over to ARYA rooftop on the O:LV lodge, which palms down is likely one of the most trendy inns I’ve ever seen. Artsy, daring and opulent, the lodge is so stunning that it was awarded Finest Design Lodge of the World and Finest New Boutique Lodge by London’s Boutique Lodge Awards. You probably have the money to remain there, then do it!
The rooftop has a wonderful pool/fountain and views of the Condado lagoon, so head on over at sundown to snap some images 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 Sales space.
La Placita de Santurce
Should you nonetheless 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 may purchase recent produces corresponding to fruit, greens and meat. At this time it nonetheless capabilities as a market through 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 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 situated one block from the seashore. This neighborhood cafe serves high quality espresso and wholesome menu objects made with substances from native producers. You should, should, should get their avocado toast with black garlic, it’s so good!
One other 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 day by day from 8am to 4pm.
Deal with: 58 Calle Taft, San Juan, PR 00911.
El Yunque Nationwide Forest
Should 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 practically 29,000 acres and boasts breathtaking views, stunning waterfalls, and loads of climbing trails.
Entry to the rainforest is managed and to enter you’ll have to e book on-line from a selection of morning or afternoon slots. We selected the morning slot so we may beat the crowds and luxuriate in the remainder of our day doing different issues.
Because the entrance is timed, I’d advise reserving upfront at a few days beforehand so that you just aren’t disillusioned. Tickets to El Yunque may 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 numerous lookout factors alongside the best way.
Should 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 recent air. The parking areas are tremendous small so I can’t think about how busy it could get if we had gone later within the day.
Should you’re up for some train you possibly can hike one of many trails, or when you’d moderately do one thing extra leisurely, you may take some images and cease at one of many waterfalls for a swim.
Luquillo Seaside
After visiting El Yunque it’s time to calm down, so drive over to Luquillo Seaside, 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’ve gotten every little thing you want proper there. Should you get hungry or thirsty, there are a variety of kiosks subsequent to the seashore serving issues like empanadas, ice cream and piña coladas. I beloved the piña coladas right here and thought they had been a lot better than those I attempted in Outdated San Juan.
Luquillo Seaside has its personal parking zone and parking is fairly priced at $4 for your complete day.
Fajardo and Bio Bay
End your day by driving to Fajardo, which is on the east coast of the island. It’s a few 15 minute drive from Luquillo Seaside. Fajardo is a well-liked place to do a bioluminescent bay tour. We had 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 recent seafood straight from the ocean. You order on the counter after which sit on bar stools overlooking the water. Be certain that to convey money!
Our Bio Bay kayaking tour with Kayaking Puerto Rico was significantly one of many highlights of our journey. We kayaked in nearly full darkness and it was so enjoyable underneath the celebrities that I needed I may keep longer.
If you wish to see bioluminescence then it’s finest to go near a brand new moon when the sky is as darkish as doable. Nevertheless, when you go to when the moon is out don’t fret! They offer you a tarp to place over your head so you may create shade and see the flicker. It truly is magical, and appears such as you’re holding glitter in your hand.
Day 3 – Pinones and San Juan’s Outdated City
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 may both take an Uber there or drive you probably have a rental automotive. Two common seashores are La Pocita and Vacía Talega, each of that are nice for snorkeling.
Ocean Lab Brewing Firm
Begin by visiting Ocean Lab Brewing Firm, an award-winning brewery that serves craft beers brewed on the seashore in Puerto Rico! Standard beers brewed by Ocean Lab embody Mambo – a hazy wheat beer with a scrumptious passionfruit aroma, and Blood Orange Blonde – a lightweight, crisp beer infused with blood orange from California.
Personally I really like a superb IPA within the solar and their yellowfin tuna poke bowl is de facto recent.
Drift Seaside Bar
After Ocean Lab, seize some cocktails on the seashore at Drift Seaside 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 completely happy 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!
Outdated San Juan
Within the night, head again to San Juan to discover the town’s Outdated City, which is thought for its cobbled streets, and colourful buildings and historic sights that date again to the sixteenth and seventeenth century. Outdated San Juan is residence to the San Juan Nationwide Historic Website, 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 thought 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 Lodge. Some say it was invented by a bartender at Barrachina – a cocktail bar situated within the heart of the Outdated City.
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 disillusioned. 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 ought to be creamy and made with love (me and my pal love making them at residence!), and this was simply not like that, however you’ll 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 while you first stroll in however there’s really a a lot bigger space for dancing by the again.
A Remaining Phrase…
3 days in Puerto Rico will mean you can have just a little style of the island and see common sights corresponding to Outdated San Juan, El Yunque Nationwide Forest and a few of Puerto Rico’s unimaginable seashores.
I actually loved my time on the island and it’s positively value renting a automotive so you may get out of San Juan and see the much less touristy areas. There are all kinds of locations to go to in Puerto Rico, corresponding to 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.
Extra Itineraries:
