Feb. 25 - March 3, 2021 (7D6N): Given the new COVID-19 testing requirement when traveling abroad, I decided to re-visit Puerto Rico as U.S. territories are excluded from the testing requirement. While this is my 3rd time visiting Puerto Rico, I feel like there is still so much more to see after spending almost a week there. The itinerary below includes some R&R on the beach as well as exploring sites outside of San Juan. Driving is easy, and you can get by without knowing much Spanish.

Day 1

• Afternoon flight to SJU from JFK (via Delta)

• Uber to Airbnb in Condado del Mar (~$22; 20 mins)

• Dinner @ Paulina Escanes-Gourmandize & Pico Rico BBQ

Day 2

• Uber to Old San Juan (~7; 12 mins)

• San Juan National Historic Site (9:30 am-4:30 pm; $10 pp):

  • Castillo de San Cristobal

  • Castillo San Felipe del Morro

• Plaza Del Quinto Centenario

• Try the rose vanilla flavor iced coffee @ Cafe Don Ruiz*

• Visit the garden @ Casa Blanca Museum (free)

• La Rogativa

• La Puerta de San Juan

• Paseo de la Princesa

• Pina Colada @ Barrachina (pina colada was invented here)

• Lookup for beautiful decoration @ Fortaleza Street and take a picture of La Fortaleza (Governor’s Manor) at the end of the street (closed at the time of this post)

• Shop @ COACH Outlet

• Catedral de San Juan

• Picture of the steps @ Caleta de las Monjas

• Plaza De Armas

• Dinner @ Restaurante Raices (try the Kan Kan and mofongo)

• SuperMax

Day 3

• Pick-up rental car @ Enterprise (Hilton Condado)

• The Taina Route:

  • Cueva del Indio (Cave of the Indian) of Arecibo (admission $5 pp; parking included; suggested duration 2-3 hrs)

  • Caguana Ceremonial Indigenous Heritage Center ($3)

• San Sebastian Waterfalls ($10/car, 2 pools to enjoy)

• Mayaguez (45 mins drive):

  • Dinner @ Gonzalez Seafood*

  • Plaza Colon

• Ponce (1 hr drive):

  • Plaza de Ponce

  • The Fox Hotel

  • Parque De Bombas

Day 4

• Luquillo Beach

• Seven Seas Beach:

  • Lunch @ The House of Pastelillos (park your car here and grab some delicious fish tacos/mojitos before heading to the beach)

• Sunset @ Vacia Talega Beach

• Drinks @ Drift (skip, overpriced)

• Dinner @ El Nuevo Acuario*

Day 5

• El Yunque National Forest (reserve time entry for $2/car):

  • Mt. Britton Lookout Tower (hike Mt. Britton trail for ~ 20 mins each way; amazing view)

  • Bano Grande (short walk)

  • La Mina Falls (closed at the time of this post)

  • Juan Diego Falls (hike to the upper falls; suggested duration 30 - 45 mins)

  • Yokahu Lookout Tower (right by the parking lot, can’t climb up during the time of this post)

  • La Coca Falls (right by the side of the road, pic only)

• Las Pailas (waterfall)

• Playa Aviones

• Dinner @ Mi Casita Seafood

• Check-in @ Condado Ocean Club

• Return rental at Enterprise (allows for after-hour returns)

Day 6

• Hang out by the hotel pool/beach

• Lunch @ Wicked Lily* (fish tacos & lobster guac)

• H&R Food & Liquor Market

• Dinner @ La Verguenza* in Condado (cheap food & drinks; right next to Red Mango Cafe)

• Casino Del Mar

Day 7

• Hang out @ the hotel pool

• Lunch @ Ropa Vieja* (delicious food but terrible service)

• Casino Del Mar

• Evening flight to JFK

Other points of interest/food:

Puerto Rico

• Río Camuy Cave Park

• Aventura Cueva Ventana (advance tour booking required)

• Arecibo Observatory

• Eat @ La Casita Blanca

• Get some alcapurrias @ El Sazón de Sylvia

• Playita del Condado

Culebra

• Snorkel @ Tamarindo Beach & Melones Beach (stay to the right)

• Swim @ Flamenco Beach/Zoni Beach

• Eat @ Krusty Krub; Zacco’s Tacos; Vibra Verde

Tips:

• Amex Centurion Lounge opened up in October 2020 - take advantage of it and visit the speakeasy (1850) if you fly out of JFK T4.

• As this is a U.S. territory, no passport is needed.

• The ferry to Culebra is very weather-dependent (our ferry was canceled due to high wind). Please have a backup plan if you do plan to visit Culebra.

• Bring water shoes/ponchos if you plan to visit the Rainforest.

• Get your rental car outside of the airport to save you on fees. We went with the Enterprise in Condado as it offered the best price ($34/day for a full-sized vehicle).

• Uber is easy and convenient - it is the best way to get from the airport to your lodging in the Condado area.