A Weekend in Old San Juan

If you read my last post you'll know that my friend Van and I recently went on a weekend adventure to the beautiful Puerto Rican city of Old San Juan. As I mentioned there, the city has been resilient since the devastation of Hurricane Maria and is ready to welcome tourists back to its colorful streets. The best way to support its recovery is with your travel dollars, and in turn you will enjoy a trip of energetic culture, amazing food, and an overall friendly atmosphere. 

I can't stress more the importance of visiting Old San Juan now more than ever, and luckily getting there is generally low-cost and hassle-free. Hopefully these photos will convince you to book a trip to explore and support this colorful, incredibly unique city.

Where To Stay:

We stayed in the dreamy Hotel El Convento, a historic luxury hotel at the center of Old San Juan. For a full review of everything the hotel has to offer, feel free to read my last post here.

Where To Go:

The best way to get around Old San Juan is by foot. Because we were short on time, we spent the weekend wandering through the colorful streets and simply enjoying Old San Juan's lively culture. It was nice to return to the city having already hit the major tourist spots, as we spent this weekend on a more spontaneous schedule. 

Some of the major spots to visit for first-time travelers are the two main fortresses, El Morro and Castillo de San Cristobal, the lovely promenade of Paseo La Princesa, and a number of art galleries. I also recommend extending your trip to visit other nearby areas of Puerto Rico, such as Condado or Vieques for beach getaways. 

What To Eat:

It should come as no surprise that San Juan has some of the best food you'll have on any travel experience. We've had the chance to enjoy a few of the many delicious Puerto Rican dishes, and all have been memorable proven by our decisions to revisit several favorite spots. With just two days we tried to fit in as many meals as possible with no regrets. The flavors you'll experience here are guaranteed to keep you coming back.

Breakfast: La Mallorca

My coworker spent a lot of her childhood visiting family in San Juan and highly recommended this low-key, authentic spot for mallorca. This delicious treat is a sweet bread best paired with Puerto Rican coffee in the morning, and even with ham and swiss for a savory option. I can honestly say I wish I could have this for breakfast every morning.

Lunch: Cafe Puerto Rico

My personal favorite spot for mofongo! Van and I had both eaten here before and knew we had to go back for this signature Puerto Rican dish. I went for a yuca mofongo with shrimp and enjoyed every single bite.

Afternoon Snack: Pirilo Pizza Rustica

Yes,  we had pizza in San Juan. Van swore this pizza was amazing based on her first trip, and she wasn't wrong. We snacked on a thin crust pie with truffle oil and salmon mousse - paired with mojitos, of course.

Tapas: Verde Mesa

We accidentally found ourselves in this incredible restaurant I had dined at with my boyfriend four years ago. Verde Mesa's head chef was recently nominated for a James Beard Award and rightfully so. This hidden gem serves innovative small plates using local ingredients in an absolutely stunning space. Along with the delicious food is an overall friendly experience in terms of service. We had great conversation with the staff and enjoyed some personalized cocktails that I only wish I could recreate!

Dinner (not pictured): Marmalade

For a fantastic upscale dining experience, book a table at Marmalade located in the heart of Old San Juan. Van had also dined here with her boyfriend and raved about the experience. Marmalade offers unique pricing options by number of courses, giving you the chance to enjoy a variety of dishes. We opted for four courses priced at a reasonable $69, and the main highlight was the restaurant's famous white bean soup. Overall it was the perfect way to finish out our weekend trip.

Drinks (not pictured): La Factoria

You can't visit Old San Juan without experiencing its vibrant nightlife, and La Factoria is the best place to do it. Housed in a four-room speakeasy, this bar has everything from a salsa dancing floor to a more intimate space for date night. The experience is nothing but pure fun - we even learned how to (kind of) salsa dance!