Will travel for beer and art: Old San Juan

Puerto Rico - how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. From your turquoise, pristine waters to mouthwatering food, colorful architecture, castles, picture perfect weather, and lovely people.

In my opinion, Puerto Rico is a slice (or two) of paradise. This was my first trip to the Caribbean, and I really lucked out by picking a winner. While I intended to venture into San Juan, I stayed in Old San Juan all five days because I couldn’t tear myself away. It’s so aesthetically pleasing and self-guided walking tours are a breeze.

Tips

*I took a taxi to and from the airport due to my arrival/departure times. I was overcharged, so be wary of that, as there are fixed rates in place. I don't recommend Metro Taxi, as they overcharged me $9.00.

*The Visitor's Center near Plaza de Colon has fantastic maps and friendly faces to answer your questions.

*Most of the streets and sidewalks are cobblestone, so pack good walking shoes (leave the stilettos at home:)

Accommodations

Posada San Francisco Hostel - I stayed in a 4-person female dorm room for only $25/night. The location is exceptional and offers helpful staff, social events, nice common areas, and balconies overlooking the plaza. The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the bathrooms - they could use some updating. I would definitely stay here again and highly recommend it to other budget travelers.

View of Plaza de Colon from hostel balcony

Food and Drink

*See my individual post for food entitled "Puerto Rican Foodporn"

*La Taberna Lupolo - killer craft beer list

*Restaurante Don Tello on Catano Island near the ferry dock for local brews

Nice view of the skyline from the ferry

Shops

*Marisel Herbal Bath & Body - I bought some yummy handmade soaps

*Ayurvedics Natural Store - this store has it all including fresh smoothies

*Franky’s Vintage Store

*Gift Shop at Poet’s Passage

*Super Max Grocery Store

Marisel Bath & Body

Culture

*Castillo San Cristobal

*Santamaria Magdalena Depazzis Cemetery

*San Felipe Del Morro

*San Juan Cathedral

*San Juan Gate

*Raices Fountain

*The Totem

*Abraham Lincoln School
*Plaza de Colon
*Butterfly People Art Gallery
*St. John the Baptist

San Felipe Del Morro

St. John the Baptist strikes a pose

Raices Fountain

Santamaria Magdalena Cemetery

San Juan Gate

Castillo San Cristobal

Abraham Lincoln School

Entertainment

*Carli’s Fine Bistro & Piano - Owned and operated by former Beach Boys keyboardist Carli Munoz

*Poet’s Passage - Tuesday night Poetry Reading
*Take the ferry to Catano Island for .50
*Stroll the city walls, Marina Bay and waterfront
*Watch the sunset at El Morro

Honored to see the one and only "Lady Lee Andrews"

Love the way Catano does palms

I desperately wanted to be a stowaway

Stroll and imagine along the City Walls

Spectacular beauty at El Morro

My intro to street art in Puerto Rico was a riveting piece on Posada San Francisco's Facebook page (the hostel I stayed at). I couldn't wait to see it with my own eyes and was absolutely mesmerized when I stood in front of it. Can you blame me? It was so tempting to investigate from the inside.

One of the street art Facebook pages suggested I visit the La Perla community for street art finds. As you can see, this adventure did not disappoint.

Rather than tour the Bacardi Rum Factory in Catano like everyone else, I chose to see what the island had to offer. This abandoned church was my first eye-opener.