Trip Motivation
In March 2022, we celebrated Carter’s Spring break by heading to Puerto Rico! Our kids were 4 and 7 on this trip and we had a great time. We often like to split up long trips by staying in a cheaper hotel closer to the action while exploring at the beginning of a trip and finishing off with a resort stay where we lounge all day and sip pina coladas. For the first part of our trip, we stayed near Old San Juan and had a great time visiting forts, walking the cobble streets and eating yummy Puerto Rican food!
See additional posts on this trip at the following links: Flights and Itinerary, El Yunque Rainforest, and Hyatt Grand Reserve Resort
Where to Stay
We stayed in an AirBnb near the Condado area. We were looking for a location that was cheap and convenient to our time in Old San Juan. I would not recommend the place we stayed. The area felt a little unsafe and there was loud music and yelling and fights on the street throughout the night. While we don’t want to be isolated from the local culture, this was a little much. In the future, we could pay more to stay at established hotels such as Hilton Caribe, or the Hyatt Place a short drive away.
Old San Juan
Forts!
Wandering the Streets of Old San Juan
Old San Juan is full of dreamy streets reminiscent of other far away destinations. The cute colorful houses were gorgeous and fun to view. After our first fort visit, we made a quick stop for some lunch and drinks at a patio and continued our exploring with a walk. The streets are very old and cobbled, so keep a hand on your kids. If you have a baby, I recommend using a carrier instead of a stroller. There is a lot of walking so take your time, pack water, and stop for snacks if you need to! In the Southwest corner of Old San Juan, there were some instagram worthy spots near Anita Gelato!
More Forts!
Mural Drive
The area of Santurce is around 10 minutes East of Old San Juan and full of beautiful murals. Start your drive on Calle Cerra and explore the few blocks around this area for truly unique, gorgeous outdoor art. If you have additional time, there are museums in this area as well.
Where to Eat
Puerto Rico cuisine consists of various culinary influences. We enjoyed piraguas, plantains, empanadas, mofongo, and numerous other yummy meals while exploring. There are numerous restaurants with great options. We didn’t have time for them all but enjoyed the following locations.
Ocean Lab Brewery: Of course, on all our trips, we stop at a local brewery. This restaurant/brewery was close to the airport area and had a nice open air patio looking over a beach club with pools ($ to access) Ben ordered a beer sampler and we enjoyed the food options: Chicken sandwiches, wings, and poke bowls. A step up from bar food and a fun view! Definitely worth a visit.
Bebo’s Cafe: This restaurant was recommended by an instagram friend. This was a short drive from our AirBnB in Condado and we had a short wait to get a table. A very local establishment not very touristy at all. They had great big portions of Puerto Rico food like Mofongo and empanadas. The kids also enjoyed a big plate of chicken alfredo. Yum!
More Puerto Rico
See additional posts on this trip at the following links: Flights and Itinerary, El Yunque Rainforest, and Hyatt Grand Reserve Resort
