3 days in Puerto Rico will not be a whole lot of time, however for those who don’t get a lot day without work work and also you’re solely capable of journey on weekends, then generally you simply must 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 completely 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 quick 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 large 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 absolutely intend to return one other time to discover different elements of the island.
For those who plan to spend 3 days in Puerto Rico, right here’s my recommended itinerary.
The place to Keep On Your 3 Days in Puerto Rico
First a little bit 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 seaside.
For those who don’t keep at an Airbnb, there are a couple of lodges in San Juan space I’d advocate.
Condado:
O:LV Hotel – That is definitely one of many nicest boutique Design Motels 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 resort – the interiors are to die for, with brass, marble and velvet accents a-plenty.
La Concha Renaissance – For those who’re in search of a bigger resort, La Concha Renaissance boats an infinity pool overlooking Condado Seaside, 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.
Previous City:
Villa Herencia Hotel – I you’d choose to remain in San Juan Previous City, this boutique resort has outdated world appeal, funky interiors, native artwork work and a calming roof terrace. It’s additionally situated only a quick stroll from Museum of the Americas and Santa Catalina Palace.
Tips on how to Get Round on Your 3 Days in Puerto Rico
In your 3 days in Puerto Rico I’d recommend getting a automotive so you possibly can discover the island. You could find rental automotive offers utilizing Kayak or Rentalcars.com. Don’t overlook to deliver your U.S driver’s license with you as a way to hire the automotive. For those who plan to stay round San Juan and Condado, then you possibly can simply get round by Uber, which is pretty cheap.
Day 1 – Calm down in Condado
Flying could be exhausting so plan to have a calming day the primary day of your Puerto Rico itinerary. When you land at San Juan Airport (SJU), both order an Uber or choose up your rental automotive and make your solution to your lodging.
San Juan is mainly cut up into two elements. There’s the outdated city, which is stuffed with colourful buildings and bars, then there’s the newer half, Condado, which is by the seaside. I’d recommend staying in Condado so you possibly can simply stroll to the seaside. You possibly can then Uber to Previous San Juan within the evenings.
Calm down on Condado Seaside
When you’ve checked in an unpacked your stuff, head on over to one in every of San Juan’s main beaches, Condado, which is lined with lodges such because the Marriott and La Concha Renaissance.
Condado Seaside is a windswept metropolis seaside lined with palm bushes, lodges and high-rises. The water can get fairly wavy and the present is powerful so it’s not likely advisable to swim there. The seaside will get energetic 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
For those who’re feeling a bit peckish you possibly can 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 advocate 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 components from native producers. The menu adjustments each day however you possibly can count on the whole lot to be tremendous contemporary and scrumptious. I significantly loved the tuna crudo and pork stomach with shishito peppers.
Sundown Drinks at ARYA Rooftop
For sundown you possibly can head on over to ARYA rooftop on the O:LV hotel, which fingers down is without doubt one of the most trendy lodges I’ve ever seen. Artsy, daring and splendid, the resort is so lovely that it was awarded Greatest Design Resort of the World and Greatest New Boutique Resort by London’s Boutique Resort Awards. When you have 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 Sales space.
La Placita de Santurce
For those who 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 individuals may purchase contemporary produces akin to fruit, greens and meat. At the moment it nonetheless capabilities as a market in the course of the day however it transforms right into a vibrant native hangout at night time. It’s significantly energetic Thursday by Sunday, so be sure to go to on one in every of 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 seaside. This neighborhood cafe serves high quality espresso and wholesome menu objects made with components from native producers. You will need to, 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 pictures of espresso, natural maple syrup, and cinnamon.
Cafe Regina is open each day from 8am to 4pm.
Deal with: 58 Calle Taft, San Juan, PR 00911.
El Yunque Nationwide Forest
For those who haven’t already, choose 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 mountain climbing trails.
Entry to the rainforest is managed and to enter you’ll must guide 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 prematurely at a few days beforehand so that you simply aren’t upset. 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 way in which.
For those who get automotive sick in any respect (I positively do) don’t go on an empty abdomen and be sure to get out of the automotive for contemporary 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.
For those who’re up for some train you would hike one of many trails, or for those who’d fairly do one thing extra leisurely, you possibly can take some pictures 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 bushes that present some shade. There are restrooms, showers and picnic spots, so you’ve the whole lot you want proper there. For those who get hungry or thirsty, there are a variety of kiosks subsequent to the seaside serving issues like empanadas, ice cream and piña coladas. I liked the piña coladas right here and thought they had been a lot better than those I attempted in Previous San Juan.
Luquillo Seaside has its personal parking zone and parking in all fairness priced at $4 for all the 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; 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. Be certain that to deliver 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 below the celebrities that I wanted I may 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 attainable. Nonetheless, for those who go to when the moon is out don’t fret! They provide you a tarp to place over your head so you possibly can 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 Previous City
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 few 15-20 minute drive from San Juan, relying on the place you’re staying.
You possibly can both take an Uber there or drive in case you have a rental automotive. Two standard seashores are La Pocita and Vacía Talega, each of that are nice for snorkeling.
Ocean Lab Brewing Firm
Begin by visiting Ocean Lab Brewing Company, an award-winning brewery that serves craft beers brewed on the seaside in Puerto Rico! Common 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 like a superb IPA within the solar and their yellowfin tuna poke bowl is actually contemporary.
Drift Seaside Bar
After Ocean Lab, seize some cocktails on the seaside at Drift Beach Bar, which is barely additional alongside the coast. Their restaurant/bar Hook’d is true on the seaside with oceanfront seating and a calming 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 thought!
Previous San Juan
Within the night, head again to San Juan to discover town’s Previous City, which is understood for its cobbled streets, and colourful buildings and historic sights that date again to the sixteenth and seventeenth century. Previous San Juan is dwelling to the San Juan Nationwide Historic Website, which incorporates the outdated metropolis partitions, San Cristóbal fortress and a citadel known as Castillo San Felipe del Morro.
Sip Piña Coladas
Puerto Rico is known for being the birthplace of the piña colada though from what I learn on-line, individuals can’t determine on the place it was invented. Some individuals say it was invented in 1954 by a bartender on the Caribe Hilton Resort. Some say it was invented by a bartender at Barrachina – a cocktail bar situated within the middle of the Previous 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 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 must be creamy and made with love (me and my good friend love making them at dwelling!), and this was simply not like that, however yow will discover loads of nice pina coladas on the island! I haven’t tried the piña colada on the Caribe Hilton however chances are you’ll need to give that one a attempt as a substitute.
San Juan has a lot of cocktail bars and eating places – our favourite bar being La Factoria, which was tremendous busy. It seems to be fairly small once you first stroll in however there’s truly a a lot bigger space for dancing by the again.
A Closing Phrase…
3 days in Puerto Rico will can help you have a little bit style of the island and see standard sights akin to Previous 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 will get out of San Juan and see the much less touristy areas. There are all kinds of locations to go to in Puerto Rico, akin 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. An extended weekend in Puerto Rico is simply sufficient to get a little bit taster however there are such a lot of issues to do.
Extra Itineraries:
