In Puerto Rico, residents proudly identify as Boricuas, whether by birth or descent. But you don’t have to necessarily be a Boricua to embody the spirit, flavor, and rhythm that makes the island of Puerto Rico what we know and love about it today.

Puerto Rico exudes rich history and culture, boasts exceptional beaches, offers mouthwatering cuisine, and showcases mesmerizing natural beauty, but the best part is that immersing yourself in its vibrant cultural experiences will make you feel like more than just a visitor, you’ll feel like family. Since Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, traveling from Texas to Puerto Rico is convenient. You don’t even need a passport!

Once you’re basking in the sun with the sand between your toes on the beautiful beaches, immersing yourself in the music and nightlife, tasting all the love that’s put into the food, and embracing whatever adventure is to come, this is when you’ll live like a true Boricua.  

Here’s an itinerary featuring recommendations for accommodations and activities on this beautiful island so you can experience living like a Boricua!

Stay at the Caribe Hilton

We recommend staying at the beautiful Beachside resort Caribe Hilton. This isn’t an ordinary Hilton, this Hilton was the first national hotel that opened internationally. (They celebrate their 75th anniversary this year on Dec 9th!) This iconic property has welcomed many famous faces, including celebrities, politicians and royalty.

Stepping into the open-air lobby, you’re greeted with a blend of tropical vibes, comfort and beauty. Read a book on the super relaxing hammock while the sun sets, or get your yoga flow on (offered at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays). Whether you’re choosing a room for 10 or 6 people, you’ll find beautiful views everywhere. 

There’s even a small little pond on the property where every Wednesday and Friday you can feed the fish. Near the pond you’ll hear the iconic Coqui, which are native small frogs to the island. They may be small, but they make a loud noise! 

Enjoy one of the pools or private beach on the property with an exclusive entrance for guests only, as well as club members. Sunbathe on the expansive circular deck. (Some people like staying here because of this deck!) 

There are plenty of pools to choose from, especially the one by the swim-up bar, but relaxing on the sand and listening to the waves is the ultimate way to unwind.

The Birthplace of the Piña Colada

Here at the Caribe Hilton is where the first piña colada was ever created. Bartender Ramón “Monchito” Marrero wanted to create a drink that represented Puerto Rico. It was originally crafted as a virgin drink; it wasn’t until later that Rum was added. After all, Puerto Rico is known as the rum capital of the world. So, of course it’s no question, you have to get a piña colada while staying here. This is the best piña colada I’ve ever tasted. It’s a really great blend, not too sugary. They do it without the cream so you can really taste the alcohol and fresh ingredients. Ramón left quite the legacy because in 1978 Puerto Rico named the piña colada as its official national drink. Today we celebrate July 10 as the worldwide official Piña Colada Day!

Now that you know where to stay, we’ll assist you in planning your entire itinerary for the next few days. You’ll thank us later! 

Night 1:

Dine at Areyto Modern Cuisine

When it comes to where to eat in Puerto Rico, we know just the right places.  Areyto Modern Cuisine offers unique Puerto Rican flavors with international fusions. There’s always something new here! Made by Chef Jason Gonzalez, this local restaurant was awarded the Travelers Choice 2022 and 2023 award. Whether a casual dinner and drinks with friends or a romantic dinner for two, it’s a great ambience for any occasion. 

For an appetizer, I loved the Croquetas de Corned Beef, and lucky for me, the soup of the day was loaded baked potato soup (my favorite). It was absolutely delicious. For my main meal I enjoyed the “Sous Vide” filet mignon with truffle and mushrooms risotto, along with grilled asparagus and a breaded poached egg. Seafood lovers may be interested in the De Camarones (Shrimp) or De Mar y Tierra (Surf and Turf). For vegans, the Aguacate Relleno de Granos or the Roasted Vegetable Lo Mein are excellent choices.  Buen provecho! (This means “good appetite” or “enjoy your meal!”)

Day 2:

Old San Juan Walk & Taste Tour with The Spoon Experience

Start your day with a guided San Juan Food and City Tour (via The Spoon Experience), so you can eat, drink and learn as you walk through the historic, colorful 500-year-old Spanish colonial city. There’s no better way to immerse yourself in the local culture than by exploring on foot and indulging in its culinary specialties.

While exploring, you’ll find that everything on the island has touched San Juan in some way. You’ll be drawn to the forts, churches, and historical seals, such as their oldest seal symbol, a sitting lamb that represents the city. The most famous castle in San Juan is known as Castillo San Felipe del Morro. The iconic castle was made in the 1630s. It’s a very popular spot for tourists and locals alike, as you’ll see people flying kites on the greenery, having picnics, going on runs or doing yoga. It’s a great spot for the community to gather.

Other fun facts I learned on the tour: 

• Pork is highly favored (and delicious) in Puerto Rico. On Christmas they roast a whole pig! It’s considered good luck to eat pig on Christmas. 
• Coffee is very infused in the culture and a huge part of history. Coffee arrived on the island in 1736, and the quality standards of coffee have been very high since. “Puya” is what they call coffee without sugar. 
• Visit Chocoshop! Hot chocolate is really big here. They usually drink it for funerals or when it’s cold. (But cold to them is like 75°!) They break off chocolate bars to use as hot chocolate. Delish!
• Coquito is a drink for celebrating anything, but people mainly have it during Christmas. Coquito means “little coconut” in Spanish, and coconut provides the majority of the drink’s flavor and texture, but there’s different flavors as well, like chocolate and almond.

Mixology Class at Casa BACARDÍ

We highly recommend checking out the Mixology Class at Casa BACARDÍ, the world’s largest rum distillery. You’ll learn some cool party tricks and skills on how to craft the perfect drink with BACARDÍ. This is a unique experience that should be on anyone’s checklist who loves trying new things (and sipping BACARDI!) It’s perfect for bachelorette parties, birthday celebrations, corporate events, or those just wanting to let loose on vacation. 

Distrito T-Mobile – Your Ultimate Entertainment Destination

Distrito T-Mobile is an entertainment and retail district complex located adjacent to the Puerto Rico Convention Center, part of a redevelopment of the Convention Center area that initially had opened in 2005. There’s plenty of entertainment, dining and shopping in this 476,000 square-foot complex. 

Roam the popular plaza, the main space of the entertainment destination. (We happened to stop by during a wrestling match!) Catch an exciting concert at the Coca-Cola Music Hall. Enjoy the best Caribbean Cinemas VIP. Zip on down TOROVERDE’s indoor adventure attractions and experience the two-time Guinness Book of World Records holder for the longest zipline. 

Walk over to La Central by Mario Pagan

It’s super convenient that La Central by Mario Pagan is located in the Distrito T-Mobile.  This modern tropical steakhouse is inspired by Puerto Rican cuisine, where the taste of the la brasa, sugarcane, and rum flavors are the star. This is the perfect open charcoal kitchen to enjoy a selection of the best cuts grilled to perfection, such as a decadent Chateaubriand Steak, or for seafood lovers, a fresh crispy Branzino, Lobster Tail, or Scallops. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the Short Rib Montadito, delicious breaded cups filled with savory meat. The sides are served family-style, so prepare for big portions to share with the table. 

Day 3:

Go Snorkeling on a Sailing Trip to Icacos

Book a private sailboat with Sandy Bottoms PR and experience the wonders of Puerto Rico’s offshore islands in a whole new way. This was one of my favorite experiences from the trip. We visited Fajardo to sail and snorkel and went to one of the offshore islands called Icacos. In Fajardo, Puerto Rico has the largest marina in the world, the Puerto del Rey Marina. There are over 1,000 boats in the marina, and the trench is the second deepest in the world. 

If you want to stay in the area, but still do snorkeling, there is snorkeling at the Caribe Hotel. This is an all day exhibition that the hotel does every day for certain times. You’ll get picked up at 6 a.m. and won’t get back until 2 p.m.. The snorkeling is really unique. You’re basically putting on a space-like helmet, then you sink to the bottom to view the mesmerizing sea creatures. You may even spot some seahorses! It’s super easy and convenient for kids.

Explore One of the Bioluminescent Beaches

If you’re looking to explore beyond the hotel beach, you should know that there are five bioluminescent beaches in the world, and Puerto Rico boasts three of them. I definitely will be back to experience one of them! 

Dinner at La Alcapurria Quemá

For the most authentic Caribbean flavors, we suggest eating dinner at La Alcapurria Quemá located in La Placita de Santurce. This hole in the wall restaurant is turning 26 years old this year, and didn’t have any cooks at first. It was a collective of grandmas who would come in at 6 a.m. and cook all day. You can truly taste the quality, so much so that it has been acclaimed to “throw down these grandmothers against any other chefs.”

Here is where you’ll find “chinchorros” around the beach. Try some alcapurrias with mashed plantains for the most authentic Caribbean flavors. If you haven’t tried plantains at this point, you should be ashamed! Try the fried (green) or boiled (yellow) plantains. I personally love the tostones with mayo and ketchup sauce. 

Experience the La Placita de Santurce Nightlife

 

Walk on down to La Placita de Santurce, a must for anyone visiting. Founded more than 100 years ago as a two-tiered market square, it’s the second oldest plaza on the island and a good representation of Puerto Rico. The market is the main place where you can buy food, vegetables, meat and much more. Nowadays it functions as a marketplace during the day, but in the evening La Placita comes alive. You’ll catch the livelier days from Thursday through Sunday. The locals flock here to hang out, have some drinks and dance the night away!

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Cover photo courtesy Discover Puerto Rico

Leean Vargas is the Highlight Reel newsletter editor at Texas Lifestyle Magazine and an honors graduate of Texas State University with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. She is a concert enthusiast who loves traveling, photography, good