There are plenty of options when visiting San Juan, Puerto Rico. We happened to take a family cruise vacation that left out of the port there a few years back. Our time in San Juan was phenomenal.
We toured the famous cobblestone streets, shopped, gambled in the casino, and really enjoyed our trip to one of the famous forts. It was affordable yet fantastic.
We certainly can’t wait to return to see the rest of this beautiful island. However, if you are visiting San Juan, here are a few interesting and fun ways to spend your time.
Gotta Go Back In Time!
Get Transported Back In Time and visit the San Juan National Historic Site.
The San Juan National Historic Site (World Heritage Site) is comprised of Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Castillo San Cristobal, most of the city walls, the San Juan Gate and Fort San Juan de la Cruz just across the entrance to the bay.
Countries have fought for control of Puerto Rico for centuries, and you can experience some of that history firsthand when visiting San Juan.
Constructed to defend the San Juan coastline during the 17th and 18th centuries, the dramatic fortress rises 140 feet above the sea on a rocky promontory, and is composed of six huge levels of ramps, barracks, dungeons, turrets, towers and tunnels.
Generations of soldiers have lived and worked within the forts, and the Spanish have spent over 250 years fortifying this prized location, since through it, Spain controlled all access in and out of the Caribbean.
It’s Awesome to see and experience it firsthand. You can have a picnic and spend an entire day there, or just a few hours, either way it’s a definite Must Do!
Yo Ho Ho….& A Bottle Of Rum!
We’ll let you in on a little secret…Bacardi Rum is actually not originally from Puerto Rico. Yes, the bottle says “Puerto Rican Rum,” but if you check out the history of Bacardi, you will see that it actually originated from Cuba. However, if we’re near the largest Rum Distillery in the world, you can believe we’re going to visit.
A quick 15 minute cab ride from San Juan gets you to the distillery, extra points if you take the ferry over. Once there, you have 3 options of tours to get your rum fix, and learn a little bit about the history of Bacardi Rum.
- Historical Tour – You get a drink at their Pavilion, then go on a guided tour to learn about the family, and the history of the company.
- Rum Tasting Tour – Now, we’re talking. You get a guided tour, and learn the history here as well, but also get to taste a lineup of different rums, and really learn about the tasting profiles of each. A good choice for anybody that wants to learn the finer nuances of their favorite rums, and what the differences of each are.
- Mixology Tour – This is our personal recommendation. If you are looking for some knowledge, and an experience that is worth taking your time to get to the distillery, this is the way to go. You get the same welcome drink at the Pavilion, get to see the distillery, and get to hear the history, but then you get behind the bar, and a Bacardi Specialist walks you through how to make 3 classic rum cocktails. Trust us, this is the way to go!
As you can see, each one comes with some free tastes of Bacardi, so factor that in when considering what the cost is. You can either pay for a drink at a bar in San Juan or pay for a drink and get a tour of the Bacardi Distillery.
Whichever way you decide to go, try not to sing, “Hey where’s the Bacardi At…” the whole time!
Try Some Local Cuisine
Walking down the cobble stone streets, you get hit with many wonderfully, delicious aromas from every restaurant. This one was just too savory to resist.
El Jibarito is definitely a true standout. If you are looking for a real taste of Old San Juan – this is it!
Lovingly named after the folkloric Puerto Rican farmer, this family-run restaurant has been dishing up Puerto Rican-style comfort food just like an abuela would since the 1970s.
A great stop for a quick yet traditional lunch while exploring the blue cobblestone streets of Old San Juan, try rich and classic criollo dishes like mofongo (mashed plantain) with camarones al ajillo (shrimps in garlic sauce) or the chicken fricassee.
This place is popular with the locals and the tourists. It does not accept reservations, so try to get there early…and go back often because it’s that good.
