San Juan, PR

I went to San Juan in late 2019 and again in spring of 2021 for leisure. I'm a sucker for history so I knew from the start that I would love this city. This is one of those places that has everything: nightlife, beaches, historical buildings, and plenty of nature to explore nearby.

1. Old San Juan - Walking Food Tour

I went on a fantastic food tour with Spoon in 2019 and liked it so much that I booked it again in 2021. You get to explore Old San Juan on foot, while stopping along the way to taste drinks and dishes that are unique to Puerto Rico, and listening to the guide explain the history of the city. I enjoyed the tour with another adult the first time and with children the second time. I highly recommend this tour to anyone.

2. Old San Juan - Walking Rum Tour

I did this tour in 2019 and I'm so glad that it followed the food tour because otherwise, I'd have been in trouble. This was with a different tour company and we got to see the night life of Old San Juan. We were taken to several adorable bars to try different cocktails. The bar scene in Old San Juan has a fun and upbeat feeling. Clearly and adults only tour :-)

4. Bioluminescent Bay - Kayaking Tour

We took a kayaking tour to see the bioluminescent organisms in Laguna Grande in Fajardo. It was a group tour that started at dusk on a beach, then we were guided through a path in the mangroves to the spot where the bioluminescent phytoplankton could be seen. It was dark but we were instructed to put a tarp over our kayak for the best experience. We disturbed the water with our hands and saw the small blue lights all around our fingers. We were not allowed to use flash so this is the best picture I have from the tour.

5. El Yunque Rainforest - Walking Tour

I used a small family owned tour for this experience and I'm so glad that I did. Our tour guide, Lismar, took us through a path in the forest, and her daughter made hats for the kids out of the huge fallen leaves found along the path. Our hike led us to a beautiful pond with a waterfall. There was a spot where we were able to slide into the waterfall. Our guides showed the children how to use the multicolored river rocks to draw pictures. It was unforgettable and if you can physically hikes with steep inclines, I think that this is an experience you shouldn't miss.

6. El Yunque Rainforest - Horseback and ATV Tour

This was a completely different kind of tour. It had more of a tourist feeling to it because it was on an enclosed property. It was still very enjoyable and less physically taxing. I personally liked the walking tour better because it was more rugged and felt physically challenging, but that's just my preference. This tour was much easier but just as beautiful. The property had trails that lead to a shallow river where we stopped and the kids could play. The horses are very tame and know the routes well so there is little effort needed by the rider.

7. Castillo San Felipe del Morro

I love old forts, especially the kind that you can thoroughly explore all of the corners and staircases. I love it when they have displays of the old weapons and awesome views from the top. Castillo San Felipe del Morro has it all. It's fun for history buffs and for kids. We didn't book a tour for this one, we just took a taxi from our hotel, bought tickets, and walked around.

Summary:

Was it a good time? Yes

Would I go again? Yes

I really loved the historical Old San Juan the best and I will definitely go back one day. I also want to explore more of PR at some point so next trip, I will probably make a stop in Old San Juan, and then continue to a different part of the island. I think Puerto Rico has something for everyone and is a great place to visit.