This is how we do it down in Puerto Rico

San Juan, El Yunque, & the East Coast.

Day 1

Arrive in San Juan!

Check into your hotel/ airbnb in Viejo (old) San Juan

Explore Viejo San Juan - the whole area is walkable (must see the umbrella street #doitforthegram)

To eat/ drink:

Princesa Gastropub - we loved the atmosphere & the ceviche, try a shot of Pitorro (known as "rum moonshine")

Barrachina - one of the bars that claims to be the birth place of the piña colada (not sure which one actually is, but the piña colada was delicious!)

To go out:

La Factoría aka where Despacito was filmed (FYI, you need to walk into the unmarked bar on the corner where your GPS says the bar is, then go through another door to get to the cool part and see some salsa dancing!)

Day 2

You're basically a local now, so let's get down to it.

Breakfast at Café Cuatro Sombras (the coffee & tostadas with guava butter OMG)

Back through #ViejoSanJuan to explore the forts - start outside San Cristobal and follow the path along the coastline to get to El Morro (pay the $7 to go in)

Mofongo in town for lunch (this is basically like getting a slice of pizza in Manhattan, so try your luck wherever you stumble into!)

Late afternoon tour of #CasaBacardi - the Mixology class gets you a tour of the factory + you make 3 cocktails + they make you another drink at the bar... so... take an Uber.

Metro San Juan for dinner & a night out:

Jungle Bird for laid back drinks & apps

Asere for yummy Cuban food & a terrace with a view of Placita de Santurce

There was a festival in the plaza when we were there (Grupo Mania was performing. Only describable as Puerto Rican NSYNC - please google now). There a lots of bars/ clubs in this area to choose from!

Day 3

Warning: This day's schedule is not for the weak.

Breakfast at Café Cuatro Sombras, again. (Yup, it's that good, you will want to go back.)

Early morning trip to El Yunque Rainforest - Juan Diego Falls was barely a hike to a beautiful #waterfall (larger than the one pictured here) with a cold swimming hole. We were happy to have a rental car and do our own thing (even though the drive was slightly frightening). Otherwise, there are plenty of options for tours with transportation you can book!

Stop in Luquillo on the way to the East Coast - beautiful beaches near “Kioskos de Luquillo” (souvenir shopping, bars & restaurants).

We ate great seafood for lunch at La Parilla (kiosk #2) - try different types of mofongo or splurge on whole lobster!

Then continue the drive & check-in at your next hotel/ airbnb in Fajardo.

Check out Seven Seas Beach if you have time before dinner in Las Croabas - must try the frozen coconut mojito at El Pescador (seafood restaurant with great tiki-vibes)

Finally, evening #BioluminescentBay tour - kayak through a “tunnel” of mangrove trees to Laguna Grande where the plankton light up with you move your hand through the water. (Some photos online are extremely photoshopped, the water isn’t glowing.)

We took the later tour with the company EcoAdventures (there are several to choose from, all follow the same route). It was pitch black out leaving at 8:30 pm (and not going to lie, we were scared getting into the water) but this was our favorite experience of the trip.

Grabbed a beer from a local bar on our walk back to the airbnb - beware of stray dogs, cats, and roosters!

Day 4

Extra shot of espresso, please.

Early morning catamaran tour - we booked the Traveler with Snorkel and Beach Tour (they all seem similar in price/ itinerary. Lunch & cocktails are provided on the boat.)

You visit Icacos Island to chill at the beach before going to the #coralreef for unbelievable #snorkeling!

After showering and applying aloe vera...

Dinner at La Estación - a converted gas station serving incredible BBQ.

There were some small bars on the way back to our airbnb but nightlife in the area is limited (...and we were ready for bed).

Day 5

Before you say, "adiós, PR"

There's always more time for another beach, right?

Leave Fajardo firth thing in the morning (since you passed out early last night).

Find a public parking spot along Isla Verde - beach area conveniently located right next to SJU.

We had a tasty breakfast at Alambique Beach Lounge and got some last rays in before heading to the airport.

If you have more time:

Culebra is an Island a ferry ride away from the east coast with beautiful beaches 

Rincon is a surfing town on the west coast

Notes:

You could stay the entire trip in San Juan and choose to add-on transportation to a rainforest tour and both boat tours if you want to go to out more nights than we did (it’s only about an hour ride each way)

The portions are generally huge, so we shared an entree or a few apps everywhere we went #savemoneyforbeer 

Lastly, there are no rules. So, take your Medalla Light into the street and have the best trip ever.