Trip: May 2016
Below is our Top 5 Things To Do in Puerto Rico after visiting San Juan, Ponce, Culebra, and El Yunque, part of the Just Carrying On – Top 5 Things To Do series. These lists are our favorite activities, eats, and drinks from around the world.
1. Flamingo Beach
Some things are hyped up and highly rated for a reason. After taking the local ferry to Culebra (which was not without a fair deal of confusion), staying overnight on Culebra in a beautiful hilltop house, and taking our rented Jeep down the road we arrived to this quintessential tropical paradise. White sand beaches, turquoise emerald Carribean bathwater and cheap nearby snacks to keep us sated all day. Even the beach-going naysayers in the group fell in love.
2. El Yunque
The surprise delight of the trip, this tropical rainforest offered multiple look outs as we drove through the park. My Puerto Rican father proclaimed the pasteles at XXX delicious. We hiked to La Mina waterfalls, a good descent then ascent. While the falls was beautiful the best part was playing in the many smaller areas of rock and water along the way.
3. Airbnb
We stayed at a charming AirBnB with the lovliest hosts who made us feel at home as they explained all the things in the neighborhood to explore. We were just outside of Condado, the more touristy area, and stayed close to Ocean Park Beach. Being off the beaten path and getting to enjoy more of a local life was wonderful. Our place had a rooftop terrace with a BBQ; the outdoor space proved to be unbeatable.
4. Kiosco La Comay en Pinones
Enroute back to San Juan from El Yunque we found this highly recommended food kiosk serving the best authentic Puerto Rican food of the trip. Order at the counter, pay with cash and don’t be afraid to indulge in the multiple fried food delicacies.
5. Nuyorican Cafe
A touristy cafe but wonderful nonetheless. Live salsa music with dancing in tight quarters, tucked away on a cobblestone side street of Old San Juan.
Honorable Mentions
Pistachio Flan, cigars and Cuatro Sombras.
I didn’t know pistachio flan was a thing but after enjoying one, then two while wandering Old San Juan at night, I am a converted fan. While I was eating flan Jason and my dad were enjoying cigars down the street. The best coffee on the trip was at Cuatro Sombras, delicious coffee and a great ambiance if you want a place to contemplate life for the afternoon.
Top 5 Things To Do in Puerto Rico is part of the Just Carrying On – Top 5 Things To Do series, which offers our best travel recommendations from around the world.