Puerto Rico offers the chance to experience the Caribbean without leaving U.S. soil. You can discover the highlights of this beautiful island in four to five days. Since I love great food and wine, I prefer an itinerary that combines cultural discovery with a little bit of adventure.
I love the upscale neighborhood of Condado, just outside of Old San Juan. I love this neighborhood which offers beach access, great restaurants, and vibrant night life. It's also convenient to the airport and major highways, making it a great base of operations. Other great places to base yourself include the colonial heart of Old San Juan or the beach area of Isla Verde. Whether you want a five star luxury resort or more simple hotels, there are numerous options for every budget in these areas.
Day 1 - Arrive in San Juan Puerto Rico
Arrive in the early evening, settle into your Condado Hotel. Walk a few blocks to Café del Angel for authentic Puerto Rican cuisine. I recommend the Puerto Rican Sampler and the Mofongo. Explore the Condado neighborhood after dinner, which is great for walking in the evenings.
Day 2 – Snorkeling to Palomino Island
Your guide/driver will pick you around 9:00am for a 45-minute drive to Fajardo, where you will join a group for a Catamaran sail and snorkeling around the islands of Palomino & Palominito. The boat provides a simple lunch onboard, and returns to dock at around 3:30pm. After you return to your hotel, freshen up and then take a taxi into Old San Juan for a walk along the Paseo de la Princesa, a promenade around the outside of the city walls and through the old city gate to end at Hotel El Convento, where you can have tapas in an outdoor setting at the El Picoteo.
Day 3 - El Yunque and Luquillo
Your driver will pick you up in the morning and drive you out to El Yunque so you can explore the rain forest. There are also zip line tours companies if you want something more adventurous. In the afternoon, you will be taken to Luquillo Beach, one of the nicest public beaches on the island, where you will get a chance to relax and swim. Make sure you stop by the food stands at the beach for typical Puerto Rican fried treats – alcapurrias, bacalaitos, and other yummy treats.
Day 4 - Explore Old San Juan
Take at taxi to Old San Juan and tour the fortresses of El Morro & San Cristobal. After, you can explore the colonial city at your leisure. For lunch, stop at Raices, another great spot for authentic Puerto Rican food. You can take a taxi back to the hotel to enjoy some time by the pool or, if you prefer, make a visit to the Bacardi distillery for a rum tasting and tour. Enjoy a special dinner at Pikayo this evening.
Day 5- Say Goodbye to Puerto Rico
Enjoy a last leisurely breakfast before heading to the airport.
You could go online and do this yourself, but I go to Puerto Rico at least once a year and can save you a lot of time and legwork. Set up a luxury travel consultation using the link below!