Island Adventures

Our Local Expert Says:

Fantastic location in Old San Juan.

Description:

Great apartments in the heart of beautiful and historic Old San Juan. The company offers many options depending on your budget and needs. Travelers will find that staying longer in Old San Juan will bring the experience of a vacation into more detail where you can actually become part of the city's lively action. Just contact Michael Giessler for information.

Our Local Expert Says:

Educational and breath-taking, El Morro is the picturesque gem of Old San Juan and well worth the trek to its massive front doors.

Description:

Construction of El Fuerte San Felipe del Morro or just El Morro, was started in 1540 to protect the coast from invading enemies. The fort is the main attraction of Old San Juan and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 16th century citadel is monumental in size and breathtaking to look at. The grounds that surround it make it an even more majestic place. Enjoy the area like locals do; by flying kites, eating piraguas (shaved flavored ice)  or just laying on the grass, feeling the wind that comes from the Atlantic sea.

Our Local Expert Says:

One of the few restaurants in San Juan that offers plenty of vegetarian and health-conscious options, they also offer al fresco dining, a fantastic brunch on Sundays, and live music on weekends

Description:

This cafe has a pleasant casual feel in its outdoor seating overlooking the Plaza Colón. For vegetarians, there are creative salads and for those with a sweet tooth, the desserts include a wide selection of pastries. Juices and Puerto Rican coffees make this stop a great respite from a day of touring. For those who want to surf the net, the cafe provides a high speed wi-fi.

Our Local Expert Says:

The Bacardi Rum distillery offers educational guided tours livened by free mojitos and cuba libres at the end.

Description:

The world famous rum distillery is a quick jaunt from Old San Juan. The facilities are the largest in the world. Visitors can take a guided tour and witness the entire distillation process, from fermentation to bottling. There is a family museum and gift shop on premises. Of course, the best reason to take the tour may be the free Bacardi rum drinks offered at the end.

Description:

A sophisticated fine Italian eatery in the evening hours, Fratelli's keeps its doors open late for cocktails most evenings, and goes all-out lounge on Fridays and Saturdays with great DJ music.

Description:

One of the hottest spots in old San Juan, the Nuyorican Café is a great place to hang out. It is home to the new and up coming artists. The music scene here is worth a mention. You will find that this café sells records of the artists who perform live on a daily basis! They also host their own jazz festival of late. The atmosphere of this cafe is specifically Bohemian - wood-paneled chamber and great Latino music. All kinds of people visit the place for a taste of Puerto Rican culture, in all its glory and authenticity. Try out the grub here which is very delicious and easy on your pocket too. For a great, fun night out with your buddies, this is the place to go!

Description:

Located on hopping Fortaleza St., this posh late night lounge serves excellent cocktails in to a sleek but raucous crowd.

Our Local Expert Says:

Fantastic location in Old San Juan.

Description:

Great apartments in the heart of beautiful and historic Old San Juan. The company offers many options depending on your budget and needs. Travelers will find that staying longer in Old San Juan will bring the experience of a vacation into more detail where you can actually become part of the city's lively action. Just contact Michael Giessler for information.

Description:

The north coast of Puerto Rico is a premier destination for this dynamic new sport. This school offers lessons and packages for beginner, intermediate, and advanced kitesurfers, including a women's workshop with top-ranked world pro Julie Simsar

Description:

Breakfast, lunch, and early dinner, this restaurant specializes in gourmet wraps and sandwiches, salads, and fruit shakes. Casual and fun, the energetic owner, Alex Garcia, is always around. Grab food to go on the way to the beach, or have it delivered right to your lounge chair.

Our Local Expert Says:

La Placita is the best place in San Juan to get a true feel of local food and culture. Day and night, the bars and cafes churn out Latin beats, criollo delicacies, cheap drinks, and friendly smiles.

Description:

Tucked into a residential neighborhood between Ponce de Leon Ave. and Baldorioty de Castro, day or night this is a great place for local food and flavor. The market is open M-S from 7 am to 6pm; pick up some local fruit and sip on fresh coconut water. On Thursday and Friday nights, locals pack the streets and bars in droves, and there are frequent concerts by local artists.

Description:

The Plaza del Mercardo in Santurce is a San Juan institution on Thursday and Friday nights. This trendier but still cozy and wildly fun bar packs them in after 10 or 11 when the plazita crowd starts to dwindle. Serves up sandwiches and gourmet pinchos too.

Our Local Expert Says:

Fantastic location in Old San Juan.

Description:

Great apartments in the heart of beautiful and historic Old San Juan. The company offers many options depending on your budget and needs. Travelers will find that staying longer in Old San Juan will bring the experience of a vacation into more detail where you can actually become part of the city's lively action. Just contact Michael Giessler for information.

Description:

The spacious neoclassic building holds an impressive collection of Puerto Rican and contemporary Latin American art. Recent temporary showcases have included naïf and baroque exhibits and works by Basquiat. The Muséo de Arte de Puerto Rico also boasts a beautiful outdoor sculpture garden and an interactive kids' room. Wilo Bennet, one of Puerto Rico's top chefs, serves contemporary Latin cuisine at the upscale restaurant on the premises. The Fine Arts Center, located around the corner from the museum, is a good bet for music and theatre in the early evening after the museum.

Our Local Expert Says:

Only a few miles away from the hotels and condos that swamp San Juan, Piñones remains unabashedly funky, unpretentious, and true to its Caribbean flavor. The Piñones trail is also a favorite of local bikers, joggers, and runners.

Description:

Piñones is both a unique enclave of Puerto Rican culture and an impressive nature reserve. At night, locals flock to beachside bars and kiosks for irresistible fried delicacies, cheap drinks, and vibrant salsa and merengue beats. By day, bike or hike along the beach trail that leads to a mangrove estuary and pine forest. Wear mosquito repellent and stay hydrated with fresh coconut water.

Description:

Just a short drive away from the Isla Verde tourist area, Soleil has it all — exciting ambience, delicious cuisine and lively music. The minute you walk into this casual shed (facing the Paseo Piñones Recreational Trail) you become part of the vivacious young crowd gathered inside. Either stopping by for a refreshing drink or sitting down for some delicious criollo treats, you're guaranteed a great time.

Our Local Expert Says:

Fantastic location in Old San Juan.

Description:

Great apartments in the heart of beautiful and historic Old San Juan. The company offers many options depending on your budget and needs. Travelers will find that staying longer in Old San Juan will bring the experience of a vacation into more detail where you can actually become part of the city's lively action. Just contact Michael Giessler for information.

Our Local Expert Says:

The El Yunque Reserve is the biosphere gem of Puerto Rico. The park is designed and maintained so that visitors of all ages and physical abilities can enjoy their own rainforest adventures.

Description:

El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the greater U.S. It is only a 45-minute drive from Old San Juan, and a stone's throw away from Luquillo Beach and the island's mammoth resorts, the Westin Rio Mar and El Conquistador. Numerous tour groups offer transportation and guided tours, but most trails are paved, well maintained, and easily self-guided. The popular trails vary in degree of strenuousness, and take 45 minutes to 2 hours to cover. Visitors can swim at La Mina Falls, the most picturesque trail, or ascend into the clouds on the El Yunque trail. The more adventurous can obtain trail maps and camping permits from park services.

Description:

Las Tortugas Adventures offers guided kayak tours of the Rio Grande River and the bioluminescent bay in Fajardo. The Rio Grande tour, just outside of Loiza, takes kayakers through a mangrove estuary and docks for lunch at a private beach. The biobay kayak tour in Fajardo is not to be missed! Kayakers can opt to leave at sundown or 8pm. The tour moves through a mangrove estuary and into the phosphorescent bay, where guides provide educational talks on the unique ecosystem. It's like kayaking through the stars. Charter tours to Monkey Island can also be arranged.

Our Local Expert Says:

Fantastic location in Old San Juan.

Description:

Great apartments in the heart of beautiful and historic Old San Juan. The company offers many options depending on your budget and needs. Travelers will find that staying longer in Old San Juan will bring the experience of a vacation into more detail where you can actually become part of the city's lively action. Just contact Michael Giessler for information.

Description:

Dragonfly is one of the latest entries in Old San Juan. Owned by Emilio Figueroa and Gigi Zafero. This is the same couple that opened the Parrot Club, just across the street. The décor is contemporary with seating at the bar or cabaret tables. There is also a noodle bar that accommodates ten or more, and a menu offering eclectic Chinese-Latin fusion cuisine. Try the delicious peking duck nachos or the quesadilla spring rolls. There is full bar service available and a wine list.

Our Local Expert Says:

Fantastic location in Old San Juan.

Description:

Great apartments in the heart of beautiful and historic Old San Juan. The company offers many options depending on your budget and needs. Travelers will find that staying longer in Old San Juan will bring the experience of a vacation into more detail where you can actually become part of the city's lively action. Just contact Michael Giessler for information.