San Juan, Puerto Rico Travel Guide: 6 Day Itinerary Where To Eat, Stay & Play In San Juan
This island of Puerto Rico is where adventure, relaxation, and cultural immersion meet. With turquoise waters, lush mountains, and warm hospitality you’ll find yourself quite charmed by the rich culture that this Caribbean destination boasts.
Although you may feel like you’re in a different country with such a big change in atmosphere, Puerto Rico became a United States territory in 1899 meaning you don’t need a passport to travel here!
Today I’m breaking down our full 6-day itinerary so you can make the most of your visit. From delicious restaurant recommendations to packing essentials to must-see attractions, this travel guide is packed full of information to ensure your Puerto Rican adventure is nothing less than spectacular.
Where To Stay
Most people traveling to Puerto Rico choose to stay in the capital city, San Juan. Old San Juan is full of cute, colorful Airbnbs, and the downtown area is lined with stunning ocean-front hotels. I’m a beach girl at heart and was traveling to Puerto Rico for spring break so I chose to stay right along the water.
I split my time between two different hotels— Condado Ocean Club and La Concha Resort. Despite being totally different, they are actually sister hotels! I had 5-star experiences at both.
La Concha Resort
La Concha is a luxury resort with nearly 500 rooms & suites. A popular destination for spring breakers, work conferences, and weddings this property has everything you could want right at your fingertips.
I stayed in one of their Deluxe Ocean View rooms which had two queen beds. If you thought the view at the last resort was crazy, this one is even better!
The bathroom had a huge mirror, tons of countertop space, and a walk-in shower.
With seven restaurants and bars, a casino, a spa, three pools, and private beach access, this is the ideal property for those wanting to stay on-site.
Condado Ocean Club
Condado Ocean Club is a small boutique hotel nestled right along the coast. With stunning ocean-front rooms and bright white spaces, this is a relaxing oasis for your spring break vacation.
I stayed in one of their Premium Oceanfront Rooms with two queen beds. Apart from the incredible view, this room was clean, comfortable, and spacious.
Condado Ocean Club has an incredible infinity pool overlooking the ocean. Seating is limited here so I suggest getting outside right at 9:00 am if you want to lay out in the sun. Additionally, the hotel has its own private beach access. It’s truly stunning!
The hotel also has a 5-star restaurant, SOCIAL which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Cocktails and small bites are available daily at the pool bar.
Things To Do
Puerto Rico is one of those destinations that has something for everyone. Whether you want to relax on a sandy beach, adventure with an excursion, or explore the historical city center you get the best of all worlds here. Such a diverse location.
I spent a lot of my time soaking up the sun but breaking down some other things to add to your itinerary.
Horseback Ride On The Beach
One of the most popular things to do here is a horseback ride! We booked an excursion through this company and had a three-hour ride. The Carablai Park is a 700-acre stretch of beautiful, lush scenery.
Half the ride is through dirt forest paths and the other half is along the beach. You make a stop to grab some drinks, snacks, and a few photos. It was an epic experience!
ATV In The Rainforest
Puerto Rico is home to the Yutacan Rainforest, the only tropical rainforest in the United States. Its year-round tropical climate makes it a picture-perfect backdrop.
The best way to enjoy it? ATVing! I was a little nervous to book this excursion and it ended up being one of my favorite travel experiences to date. We booked through the Adventure Park and enjoyed an hour-long ride through their park.
Our guide stopped in several locations to tell us more about the rainforest and photograph it from afar. Such a great way to see the sights and you’ll truly see it all— cows, water, forest, and more.
Explore Old San Juan
Old San Juan is Puerto Rico’s capital city. It’s got colonial charm, vibrant culture, and rich history. With cobblestone streets and colorful buildings, there’s so much to see here.
You must take an Uber here and spend an afternoon (or two) exploring. Tons of restaurants, stores, nightlife, and history to check out. Each corner turned is more photogenic than the last.
Enjoy The Beaches
Puerto Rico is known for its golden sand beaches and warm turquoise waters. Snorkeling, paddleboarding, and surfing are all popular here. The waves are huge so you’ll want to add a few beach days to your itinerary.
Have A Pina Colada @ Barrachina
The Pina Colada was invented in Puerto Rico in the 1950s at the Caribe Hilton Hotel’s beach bar. You must stop in and grab a drink (or two!). The line can be long but it’s so worth it.
They are made fresh here and are so yummy.
Restaurant Recommendations
The best part about visiting a new destination is getting to try the food. Puerto Rican cuisine is a flavorful fusion of Spanish, African, and American influences with dishes like mofongo, rice and beans, and plantains.
Expect to see lots of fried + seafood options on the menus! While it’s so fun to try the local restaurants and street food, Puerto Rico is an American territory so there are lots of spots that may feel more “traditional” to someone from the US.
Tavola Condado
✈ menu || directions
You enter this restaurant through a Coca-Cola machine and are transformed into a fun speakeasy vibe with a full Italian menu. Their cocktail menu is fantastic with tons of fruity options.
Highly suggest checking out the shrimp alfredo and their fried arancini balls. They are also well known for their thin-crusted pizzas. Finish off with a limoncello shot!
Social
✈ menu || directions
I love a good hotel restaurant. Social is nestled inside of Condado Ocean Club. Perfect for a chic, upscale experience with a stunning ocean view. They have tons of unique appetizers — the fried cauliflower and tartare tacos being favorites.
If you want to try red meat, this is the place to do it. Their filet was incredible. Don’t skip the banana pudding— this dessert is very popular in this area!
La Casita Des Rones
✈ menu || directions
One of Puerto Rico’a most famous restaurants, this restaurant has a full rum-based menu. Their steak tacos were an easy 10/10. Tender and perfectly seasoned.
This pink restaurant is perfectly decorated, making it one of the most Instagrammablke restaurants in Puerto Rico.
Cayo Caribe
✈ menu || directions
Try local Puerto Rican cuisine with a hint of Caribbean flare at Cayo Caribe. Here you can try all of the popular dishes like red beans and rice, mofongo, and plantains.
Pina Loka
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There are acai bowl stands everywhere along the beach. Pina Loka was my favorite that we tried. $10 bowls full of creamy base and the freshest fruits.
Tekka Bar & Saki
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If you’re craving Asian, check out Tekka Bar! They have handrolls (sushi that hasn’t been cut into pieces) with all kinds of fish options. Whether you’re craving lobster, crab, shrimp, or vegetarian they have an option for everyone. I’m not even a such girl and had so much fun with this unique dining experience!
What To Wear + Packing List
Not sure what to wear in Puerto Rico?! Don’t worry I’ve got you covered—sharing everything I wore during my spring break stay in this blog post. Per usual I’m sharing links to everything so you can shop as well as directions to each photo location so that you can spice up your Instagram feed!
Despite being a United States territory, traveling to Puerto Rico is truly an other-worldly experience. From the beautiful beaches to the rich culture, I was in awe of all this destination has to offer. My only regret is not coming sooner!
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After an incredible five-day stay in San Juan, I know I’ll be back soon to explore the rest of the island. The local villages and mountainous regions are calling my name. Until then…. feel free to check out more travel guides from some of my favorite tropical destinations here.
