3 days in Puerto Rico might not be a variety of time, however when you don’t get a lot day without work work and also you’re solely in a position to journey on weekends, then generally you simply should work with it!
Since my buddy was ready on her visa and couldn’t go away the U.S., we needed to go someplace a bit completely different for our lengthy weekend with out leaving the nation. An apparent selection was Puerto Rico – a Caribbean island that additionally occurs to be an unincorporated U.S territory.
At 3.5 hours flight time, the journey from New York to San Juan is pretty quick and also you don’t should take your passport because it’s a home flight. A U.S driver’s license will do. We stayed 3 nights in San Juan and rented a automobile for twenty-four hours so we may discover a bit extra of the island.
Because the island is pretty large it’s inconceivable to cowl all the pieces there may be to do in Puerto Rico in 3 days, so we caught to the north and east coast. I actually loved my time in PR and totally intend to return one other time to discover different elements of the island.
For those who plan to spend 3 days in Puerto Rico, right here’s my steered itinerary.
The place to Keep On Your 3 Days in Puerto Rico


First a bit observe on the place to remain. We stayed in an Airbnb, particularly this one. It has a pool and an unbelievable ocean view. It’s additionally centrally situated in Condado so that you’re just some steps from all of the eating places and bars, in addition to the seaside.
For those who don’t keep at an Airbnb, there are a number of motels in San Juan space I’d suggest.
Condado:
O:LV Resort – That is certainly one of many nicest boutique Design Lodges I’ve ever seen. Located in Condado, the OL:V has a classy rooftop with unbelievable views of the lagoon, which you’ll be able to go to whether or not you’re staying at there or not. This isn’t simply your typical resort – the interiors are to die for, with brass, marble and velvet accents a-plenty.
La Concha Renaissance – For those who’re searching for a bigger resort, La Concha Renaissance boats an infinity pool overlooking Condado Seaside, a number of eating places, a health middle and a 24 hour on line casino. Rooms even have floor-to-ceiling home windows and balconies with ocean views.
Outdated City:
Villa Herencia Resort – I you’d desire to remain in San Juan Outdated City, this boutique resort has outdated world allure, funky interiors, native artwork work and a calming roof terrace. It’s additionally situated only a quick stroll from Museum of the Americas and Santa Catalina Palace.
Get Round on Your 3 Days in Puerto Rico
On your 3 days in Puerto Rico I’d counsel getting a automobile so you may discover the island. Yow will discover rental automobile offers utilizing Kayak or Rentalcars.com. Don’t neglect to carry your U.S driver’s license with you in an effort to lease the automobile. For those who plan to stay round San Juan and Condado, then you may simply get round by Uber, which is pretty cheap.
Day 1 – Loosen up in Condado


Flying might be exhausting so plan to have a calming day the primary day of your Puerto Rico itinerary. When you land at San Juan Airport (SJU), both order an Uber or decide up your rental automobile and make your technique to your lodging.
San Juan is mainly cut up into two elements. There’s the outdated city, which is filled with colourful buildings and bars, then there’s the newer half, Condado, which is by the seaside. I’d counsel staying in Condado so you may simply stroll to the seaside. You may then Uber to Outdated San Juan within the evenings.
Loosen up on Condado Seaside


When you’ve checked in an unpacked your stuff, head on over to one among San Juan’s essential seashores, Condado, which is lined with motels such because the Marriott and La Concha Renaissance.
Condado Seaside is a windswept metropolis seaside lined with palm timber, motels and high-rises. The water can get fairly wavy and the present is powerful so it’s probably not advisable to swim there. The seaside will get energetic within the afternoons, significantly on weekends, so it’s nice for individuals watching. Spend the afternoon absorbing the solar and sip on a piña colada or two.
Lunch at Jose Enrique


For those who’re feeling a bit peckish you may stroll alongside Ashford Ave, which has loads of eating places providing all the pieces from Puerto Rican meals to sushi.
One nice restaurant I’d suggest is Jose Enrique, which serves actually good Puerto Rican meals with a contemporary twist. The restaurant’s inside is brilliant and ethereal, with easy wood tables and mirrors adorning the partitions.
Dishes are designed for sharing and are made with components from native producers. The menu adjustments day by day however you may anticipate all the pieces to be tremendous recent and scrumptious. I significantly loved the tuna crudo and pork stomach with shishito peppers.
Sundown Drinks at ARYA Rooftop






For sundown you may head on over to ARYA rooftop on the O:LV resort, which arms down is without doubt one of the most trendy motels I’ve ever seen. Artsy, daring and opulent, the resort is so stunning that it was awarded Finest Design Resort of the World and Finest New Boutique Resort by London’s Boutique Resort Awards. In case you have the money to remain there, then do it!
The rooftop has an attractive pool/fountain and views of the Condado lagoon, so head on over at sundown to snap some photographs and luxuriate in a cocktail or two. A spotlight of the rooftop is the ’77 Rolls Royce that’s been transformed right into a DJ Sales space.
La Placita de Santurce
For those who nonetheless have some power left in you, head over to La Placita de Santurce which is a bustling market space that comes alive after 6pm. Locals flock there to have meals, cocktails and dance salsa – it’s tremendous enjoyable!
La Placita has been round for 100 years and began as a two-tiered market the place individuals may purchase recent produces resembling fruit, greens and meat. Right now it nonetheless features as a market throughout the day nevertheless it transforms right into a vibrant native hangout at evening. It’s significantly energetic Thursday by means of Sunday, so be sure you go to on one among lately.
Day 2 – El Yunque Rainforest and Bio Bay
For the second day of your Puerto Rico itinerary you’re going to drive out to El Yunque Rainforest and go to the city of Fajardo, which is on the east coast of the island. You’ll want a automobile for this half, because it’s too far to Uber from San Juan.
Breakfast at Cafe Regina


For an Instagram-worthy (and wholesome) breakfast, go to Cafe Regina in Condado/Ocean Park, which is situated one block from the seaside. This neighborhood cafe serves high quality espresso and wholesome menu gadgets made with components from native producers. You will need to, should, should get their avocado toast with black garlic, it’s so good!
One other must-try from the menu is the Cashew Milk Iced Latte, which is made with cashew milk, two photographs of espresso, natural maple syrup, and cinnamon.
Cafe Regina is open day by day from 8am to 4pm.
Handle: 58 Calle Taft, San Juan, PR 00911.
El Yunque Nationwide Forest


For those who haven’t already, decide up a rental automobile and drive to El Yunque rainforest, which is a tropical rainforest within the northeastern a part of Puerto Rico. This various rainforest covers an space of almost 29,000 acres and boasts breathtaking views, stunning waterfalls, and loads of climbing trails.
Entry to the rainforest is managed and to enter you’ll have to e book on-line from a selection of morning or afternoon slots. We selected the morning slot so we may beat the crowds and luxuriate in the remainder of our day doing different issues.
Because the entrance is timed, I’d advise reserving prematurely at a few days beforehand so that you simply aren’t disillusioned. Tickets to El Yunque might be bought on the Recreation.gov web site.


You’ll enter El Yunque Rainforest on the customer’s middle after which drive up steep, windy roads stopping at varied lookout factors alongside the way in which.
For those who get automobile sick in any respect (I undoubtedly do) don’t go on an empty abdomen and be sure you get out of the automobile for recent air. The parking areas are tremendous small so I can’t think about how busy it might get if we had gone later within the day.
For those who’re up for some train you may hike one of many trails, or when you’d quite do one thing extra leisurely, you may take some photographs and cease at one of many waterfalls for a swim.
Luquillo Seaside


After visiting El Yunque it’s time to chill out, so drive over to Luquillo Seaside, which is roughly 20 minutes away, simply off Route 3.
This tranquil bay is nice for swimming and snorkeling and is lined with palm timber that present some shade. There are restrooms, showers and picnic spots, so you’ve got all the pieces you want proper there. For those who get hungry or thirsty, there are a variety of kiosks subsequent to the seaside serving issues like empanadas, ice cream and piña coladas. I cherished the piña coladas right here and thought they have been significantly better than those I attempted in Outdated San Juan.
Luquillo Seaside has its personal car parking zone and parking within reason priced at $4 for your entire day.
Fajardo and Bio Bay


End your day by driving to Fajardo, which is on the east coast of the island. It’s a couple of 15 minute drive from Luquillo Seaside. Fajardo is a well-liked place to do a bioluminescent bay tour. We have been feeling peckish earlier than the tour, so we stopped for some fried snapper and arepas at Pescaderia Don Candi, which is a tiny native spot on the water with a bar subsequent door. Don’t anticipate something fancy; this can be a no-frills restaurant serving recent seafood straight from the ocean. You order on the counter after which sit on bar stools overlooking the water. Be sure to carry money!
Our Bio Bay kayaking tour with Kayaking Puerto Rico was critically one of many highlights of our journey. We kayaked in virtually full darkness and it was so enjoyable underneath the celebrities that I wanted I may keep longer.
If you wish to see bioluminescence then it’s greatest to go near a brand new moon when the sky is as darkish as potential. Nevertheless, when you go to when the moon is out don’t fret! They provide you a tarp to place over your head so you may create shade and see the flicker. It truly is magical, and appears such as you’re holding glitter in your hand.
Day 3 – Pinones and San Juan’s Outdated City


On the ultimate day of your Puerto Rico itinerary, head to Piñones, which is an space near San Juan airport that has stunning, palm tree-lined seashores. It’s a couple of 15-20 minute drive from San Juan, relying on the place you’re staying.
You may both take an Uber there or drive you probably have a rental automobile. Two standard seashores are La Pocita and Vacía Talega, each of that are nice for snorkeling.
Ocean Lab Brewing Firm


Begin by visiting Ocean Lab Brewing Firm, an award-winning brewery that serves craft beers brewed on the seaside in Puerto Rico! Fashionable beers brewed by Ocean Lab embody Mambo – a hazy wheat beer with a scrumptious passionfruit aroma, and Blood Orange Blonde – a light-weight, crisp beer infused with blood orange from California.
Personally I really like a superb IPA within the solar and their yellowfin tuna poke bowl is basically recent.
Drift Seaside Bar


After Ocean Lab, seize some cocktails on the seaside at Drift Seaside Bar, which is barely additional alongside the coast. Their restaurant/bar Hook’d is true on the seaside with oceanfront seating and a calming chill space.
Drift has some nice completely happy hours and drinks specials, plus there are particular occasions all through the week. There’s salsa on Wednesdays, reggae on Fridays and a ‘Sundaze brunch’ on Sundays…you get the thought!
Outdated San Juan


Within the night, head again to San Juan to discover the town’s Outdated City, which is thought for its cobbled streets, and colourful buildings and historic sights that date again to the sixteenth and seventeenth century. Outdated San Juan is residence to the San Juan Nationwide Historic Web site, which incorporates the outdated metropolis partitions, San Cristóbal fortress and a citadel referred to as Castillo San Felipe del Morro.
Sip Piña Coladas


Puerto Rico is thought for being the birthplace of the piña colada though from what I learn on-line, individuals can’t resolve on the place it was invented. Some individuals say it was invented in 1954 by a bartender on the Caribe Hilton Resort. Some say it was invented by a bartender at Barrachina – a cocktail bar situated within the middle of the Outdated City.
We visited Barrachina to attempt their piña colada and I’m unhappy to say, it was not good. It tasted to me prefer it had come out of a machine and I used to be a tad disillusioned. I’m guessing that since they get so many vacationers coming by means of they maybe rush and even have them pre-prepared.
To me a piña colada needs to be creamy and made with love (me and my buddy love making them at residence!), and this was simply not like that, however yow will discover loads of nice pina coladas on the island! I haven’t tried the piña colada on the Caribe Hilton however you could need to give that one a attempt as a substitute.
San Juan has a number of cocktail bars and eating places – our favourite bar being La Factoria, which was tremendous busy. It seems fairly small once you first stroll in however there’s truly a a lot bigger space for dancing by means of the again.
A Ultimate Phrase…
3 days in Puerto Rico will assist you to have a bit style of the island and see standard sights resembling Outdated San Juan, El Yunque Nationwide Forest and a few of Puerto Rico’s unbelievable seashores.
I actually loved my time on the island and it’s undoubtedly price renting a automobile so you may get out of San Juan and see the much less touristy areas. There are all kinds of locations to go to in Puerto Rico, resembling Rincon, Vieques and the island of Culebra, so I’ll undoubtedly be making a visit again in some unspecified time in the future to see extra. An extended weekend in Puerto Rico is simply sufficient to get a bit taster however there are such a lot of issues to do.
Extra Itineraries:



