I have to admit, I love travel – adventure getaways, relaxing weekends, solo, couple or group stays and trips! Over the years I’ve learned that traveling with other women, especially your friends (commonly known as a “girls trip”), has become increasingly popular among those 25-60.
And since Caribbean Airlines started flying to Puerto Rico recently, four of us decided to go on a seven-day girls’ trip to Old San Juan. We wanted to explore the old town, see what it had to offer for a combination of fun, relaxation and a bit of shopping (a favorite pastime of ours) – as well as what the rest of the island had to offer for curious visitors.
Before leaving, we diligently did our homework, looking for the best places to say and what the city had to offer in terms of food, culture and entertainment. We also found that minimal packing was a real boon if you were going to be wandering the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan; venturing into the island’s beautiful interior for hiking, ATV riding or bungee jumping; or just going shopping (because shopping is awesome!).
As we began our descent into Puerto Rico after our three-hour Caribbean Airlines flight from Port of Spain, we marveled at the island’s sparkling blue water, lush vegetation, and many high-rise buildings.
From the moment we landed at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, we could feel the country’s energy building up our excitement. The people were warm, friendly and welcoming. Our adventure had begun.
Old San Juan – the oldest district of San Juan, the capital and largest city of Puerto Rico – did not disappoint. The ride felt like we were entering downtown Miami, but with a quieter, inviting, island appeal.
The vibrant, historic town – with vibrant and distinctive buildings dating back to the 16th century – oozed old-world charm and we were greeted by a lovely Atlantic breeze that offered a respite from the tropical heat.
We stayed in a hotel near Plaza Colón – close to many different shops, restaurants and bars, and a few minutes’ walk from the famous Castillo San Cristóbal. Of course, we popped into as many stores as we could along our route, as well as nine or 10 parallel ones. the streets that made up this unique walled city. Walking around, we often felt like we were traveling back in time. And if you’ve seen the Netflix series Outlanderyou will know what i mean!
Our rooms were beautifully appointed, with views of the city’s rooftops, castles, and the massive cruise ships that came into port the few days we were there. Jacuzzis were available, plus stone tubs, where we spent a few luxurious evenings after full days of revelry. After all, pampering yourself is part of a girls trip, right?
The bustling historic town – with vibrant and distinctive buildings dating back to the 16th century – oozed old-world charm
As we explored the town’s restaurants, cafes and shops, we noticed that many offered the typical American-style breakfast, but with some local breads – as most of the visitors seemed to be from the United States. There were also many American chains interspersed with numerous souvenir shops – many offering similar prices, but some featuring unique artisanal specialties that tempted us shopaholics.
Every day, we ate lunch and dinner at a different restaurant and could have easily stayed a year without running out of options. Some of the more memorable ones included two Mexican restaurants on a popular strip called SOFO (south of Calle Fortaleza), Puerto Criollo, El Rincón de Paco (off Calle San Sebastián – a historic gem) and Barrachina (with a courtyard feel of beautiful and extraordinary piña coladas … which is not a surprise, considering that San Juan is where this delicious drink was born).
A highlight for us was dinner at the Triana restaurant, offering tapas and flamenco rumba. Juan Carlos García, the famous guitarist who accompanied the dancers and who plays in the restaurant most weekends, was outstanding. At 84, his vocal and guitar skills did not disappoint. Born in Barcelona, Spain, he grew up in San Juan and has appeared in The Ed Sullivan Showplayed with many famous musicians and is back home in Puerto Rico after touring the world.
After dinner, we got to try the late-night pump on the energetic Calle San Sebastián, where all the festivities happen every night — especially during the annual San Sebastián Street Festival every January (so add it to your bucket list). A popular hangout is La Factoría, but we didn’t go in, as the line wrapped around at least two odd buildings.
So we settled on a more mellow restaurant, El Tortuga, that offered salsa, bachata and other Latin styles of music. Some of the kitchen favorites: Mafongo and everythingMango fish ceviche, spicy crab bowl, and shrimp tacos—but, just so you know, the shrimp come in soft tacos, while all the other offerings came in hard shells. It didn’t matter, it was delicious!
Windulged in a number of sights in San Juan and beyond, including a visit to the Bacardi factory, where an entertaining tour guide provided the history of the products. Sampling the most expensive cocktails and rum was a treat.
Of course, when the girls get together, shopping is a must and there are plenty of malls to explore. Plaza Las Américas – the largest in the Caribbean and the second largest in Latin America – was the first we visited, featuring hundreds of popular American stores and brands alongside local ones. We also visited a mall about half an hour away from Old San Juan that had some great shopping (we were lucky to be there on an American holiday weekend, which we didn’t realize until we saw all the big discounts).
We were amazed by the wonderful murals on the walls and sides of the large buildings along Calle Cerra in Santurce – another San Juan neighborhood 10 minutes from Old San Juan and an unexpected surprise. Some consider it the “art capital of the Caribbean”.
To cool off and chill out, we also went to the closest little beach in San Juan, Playa Puerta de Tierra – just over the bridge from Old San Juan. It was a great day and we actually made it back to the hotel to see some of the many sights along the way, despite it taking about an hour.
Old San Juan was great and we will definitely be back as it is ideal for girls trips, family vacations and romantic getaways. The only thing that was lacking in some of the smaller restaurants and even in our hotel was stable Wi-Fi. But if you’re having so much fun in such a beautiful city, who really needs it?
