Puerto Rico Trip

I was genuinely surprised by how pleasant and well-organized the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport was! From the moment we arrived, everything went incredibly smoothly. Absolutely all the staff we interacted with were extremely friendly, helpful and polite. The airport is very well organized, and you can tell that everyone knows exactly what they are doing. When we arrived, our checked luggage came out surprisingly quickly, which was a huge plus after a long flight. On departure, we waited no more than about 10 minutes to check in and drop off our luggage, and the security control was just as fast and efficient. For such a busy international airport, I was honestly impressed by how little time we spent waiting. I also really liked the area after security, especially the Duty Free section. There are many shops selling traditional Puerto Rican souvenirs and local products, which gives the airport a much more authentic and welcoming feeling. It was actually nice to have some time to browse and pick up a few last souvenirs before leaving. Overall, this was one of the most pleasant airport experiences we have had. Friendly staff, excellent organization, quick baggage handling and a nice selection of traditional shops — everything made the journey much easier and more enjoyable. I would happily travel through this airport again! ✈️🇵🇷🌴

One of my least favorite airports. The restaurants are a mix of American fast food: dominoes, popeyes; international fare: ramen, Spanish; and gas station food. And it's so expensive. Yes airports are expensive, but it's expensive and unsatisfying. Then the duty free is a waste of time. You can get the same items on the island and just pack it in your bag and save a bunch of money. And the security is super relaxed. I have a subdermal device that always get me pat down. I went through, they asked if I had a necklace, I said yes, and they cleared me. The airport isn't bad, it's just not good and spending time there isn't fun.

I was flying out of Terminal A at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, and honestly the experience getting in was rough. With everything going on around the government shutdown, TSA was extremely slow—long lines and pretty chaotic just to get through the initial checkpoint. Definitely give yourself extra time. The airport itself feels older and a bit worn down. It could really use a refresh. That said, once you’re inside, there are actually a lot of solid food options for breakfast and lunch, plus some good shopping and local snacks. On the bright side, flights seem to run pretty smoothly and leave on time, which helps make up for the hassle getting in. Not my favorite airport, but it gets the job done for the area.

Arriving at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport was a good experience. The airport was clean, organized, and easy to get around. Signs for baggage claim and transportation were clear. My luggage came out quickly, and the whole process was smooth from landing to exit. A nice first impression of Puerto Rico!!

Got to the airport around midnight. Ready to navigate clean airport. Bathroom were clean. Uber pick up was from B 19-20 area. Since landed in PR, its been a great experience.

For those of you who are students of history, this is a great museum, especially considering it’s history, however it’s in need of some time and money to help renovate and make it presented in a better way for public viewing. It’s only $5.00 to enter and worth the visit but expect a little rustic presentation. There are some interesting gardens around the house but again, in need of some TLC.

Museo Casa Blanca is one of the most magical wedding venues in Old San Juan. After years of recommending it to my couples, I finally had the chance to photograph a wedding here, and it exceeded every dream I had!! With its historic architecture, sweeping ocean views, and lush gardens, Casa Blanca is a rare gem. We had a beautiful First Look in the garden near the fountain, followed by a ceremony in the lower patio with a panoramic view of the San Juan Bay. The setting was quiet, intimate, and unlike anywhere else in the city. As a wedding photographer, I especially love that you don’t need to leave the venue grounds to get a variety of stunning portrait locations: it offers the full Old San Juan aesthetic, all in one place. Sharing a few of my favorite photos to show just how breathtaking this venue can be for an intimate wedding or elopement.

Former home of Juan Ponce de Leon built in 1521. We visited on a weekday. Casa Blanca was an interesting walk through history. The old house features antique furniture and portraits. There was no tour guide so it was a self-guided open house experience. Admission was inexpensive. There are several cat residents to meet and a beautiful tropical garden with grand trees. Spent about 30 minutes looking around and snapped some pictures. Loved the old furniture and history. This was my second visit to Casa Blanca, last year I tried to visit on a Saturday and it was closed for an event so I recommend having a backup plan nearby if it's closed.

A bit underwhelming. We paid $5 a person to get in, but we could have just walked around the gardens for free and seen almost as much. The gardens are beautiful and lush. Definitely worth walking through

So close to the cruise port and so worth the time! My wife and I spent a few hours visiting old San Juan just before Christmas, 2025. The Paseo de la Princess is gorgeous! It was all decked out in Christmas decorations when we were there. We enjoyed an art exhibit at the old jail. We went into the courtyard at the back of the building, then turned right to go through a narrow passageway to see a few preserved old jail cells (not the most inviting accommodations!). We went on to walk around the path by the sea, then onward to the National Monument and through the old town back to our ship. Lots of atmosphere, and well worth the time spent!

San Juan is beautiful and this is a lovely place to stroll along, in the shade from the trees and browsing the many local crafts at the stalls dotted along the way. If coming off a cruise ship head left.

Great memory place. People get together with chairs and enjoy music. Dancing n having lots of fun. Lots of "Artesanos" booth. Selling their handmade beautiful pieces. Drinks, food etc

The Paseo de la Princesa is, without a doubt, one of the most magical places in Old San Juan. From the moment you start walking among the trees and colonial style lanterns, you feel like you're traveling back in time. The ocean breeze, the sound of the fountain, and the view of the bay create a unique experience...perfect for a stroll with family, your partner, or simply to disconnect from the noise of the world. Along the path, you'll find local artisans, live music, and if you're lucky, even a cultural performance. All of this set against the majestic backdrop of El Morro and the city’s protective walls. It’s safe, clean, and has a special vibe you can only feel in Puerto Rico. Every time I go, I'm reminded why this piece of history remains one of my favorite spots. Highly recommended for both tourists and locals!

Extremely disappointed experience to say the least. Idecided to visit, La Verguenza as I love the ocean view that one can get from this place. However, I won't come back anytime in the future neither recommended this place after today's experience. The customer service and the food are just poor quality. I got to the place and the lady at the entrance not even welcome you (it was like she didn't care to say hello). I asked her for a table with an ocean view so she told me to go to the third floor (bar area) so I did. I got a server within a matter of second; therefore, I placed my order (grilled chicken breast with a side of yellow rice and maduros) fairly quickly. However, they took almost an hour to bring me my order, and any of the servers had the courtesy to apologize about the delay as the place wasn't even busy. I finally got my order after asking one of the server about my food. She said that because I ordered a grilled chicken it takes longer, which I found her answer nonsense. The food was bad (the chicken was dry and tasteless). I waited almost an hour for nothing. The place have decreased it service and the people working there not even care. Don't waste your precious time and money at this low class/ overpriced place.

On of my favorite spots out here. They have some great piña coladas. I wish I took the name of my first waiter to give him credit. He has a bald head and curling mustache. And I need to give credit to the beautiful Afro-latina with the curly hair, behind the bar on the first floor, who made the piña coladas while we waited for seating upstairs. My review is based on those two. Definitely reserve the tables upstairs if you have time to wait. I had the Skirt steak one night with mofongu and stewed rice and beans. The steak was very tender ordered with a medium doneness. The picture below is the surf and turf which was also pretty good.

To start the service here was the highlight. The servers were both friendly and attentive. The main issue we had was with cockroaches which invaded our dinner about halfway through. From behind the bar we saw 5-10 cockroaches the size of dates crawl all over the bar, ceiling, and walls around our table. At one point our server had to swat away a cockroach for us as it got very close to our table. The food here was alright. I had the shrimp and carne frita mofongo with a side of arroz mamopasteao. The rice was excellent. The best I had on my trip to PR was 100% recommend. The carne frita was dry and the mofongo was similarly dry and hard. I couldnt cut through the monfongo with my fork. Additionally they didnt give enough sauce for the mofongo so that didnt help the dryness. The flan de queso was good. The drinks were good. I got the pina colada and the mojito and both were excellent. Well balanced with alcohol and sweetness. The wait is very long. Expect to wait at least 1hr before being seated and one of the nights we tried to go and never got called back.

Didn't get a full meal since we were just looking for a snack and a drink. The fish and chips didn't disappoint. Service was great, not much of a wait to get a table. The view is awesome from the 2nd and 3rd floor.

Such a beautiful spot. I spent a few hours hiking and honestly could've stayed even longer. Wear good shoes because some of the trails can get pretty slippery, and try to get there early before it gets too crowded.

My family and I had a great time here. We explored different trails and made it to the Britton tower. We didn't get to the big waterfall but we enjoyed the small one. We ate some good food and had some drinks. The vibe was nice. Definitely the place to check out while in Puerto Rico.

An amazing beautiful part of PR, a must view. The trails are tricky and uneven, so trail shoes are recommended. Bring water and sugary snacks, after an hour you run low on energy. There are little to no trail signs to advise where you are or how far to you have left, which is dissapointing. Otherwise its a spectacular visit.

Sooooo beautiful. It's a nice workout but worth the views and memories. They don't allow rideshare so unless you want to walk from the visitors center get a rental. I had cell signal the whole time. Come prepared because this is a real hike. Amazing experience.

Amazing! Beautiful rainforest. We'll maintained and accessible. Staff at the visitor center were friendly and the facility was clean, informative, and offered great information. Highly recommend visiting. There are frequent locations to pull off and see various sites. Was easy to navigate for first time visitors but roads are narrow, so use caution when driving.

What an absolutely beautiful place! We really enjoyed the visitors center and then the drive up through the rainforest! This is a must do, especially if you love nature, hiking, waterfalls,and seeing breathtaking views!

Such a beautiful spot. I spent a few hours hiking and honestly could've stayed even longer. Wear good shoes because some of the trails can get pretty slippery, and try to get there early before it gets too crowded.

My family and I had a great time here. We explored different trails and made it to the Britton tower. We didn't get to the big waterfall but we enjoyed the small one. We ate some good food and had some drinks. The vibe was nice. Definitely the place to check out while in Puerto Rico.

An amazing beautiful part of PR, a must view. The trails are tricky and uneven, so trail shoes are recommended. Bring water and sugary snacks, after an hour you run low on energy. There are little to no trail signs to advise where you are or how far to you have left, which is dissapointing. Otherwise its a spectacular visit.

Sooooo beautiful. It's a nice workout but worth the views and memories. They don't allow rideshare so unless you want to walk from the visitors center get a rental. I had cell signal the whole time. Come prepared because this is a real hike. Amazing experience.

Amazing! Beautiful rainforest. We'll maintained and accessible. Staff at the visitor center were friendly and the facility was clean, informative, and offered great information. Highly recommend visiting. There are frequent locations to pull off and see various sites. Was easy to navigate for first time visitors but roads are narrow, so use caution when driving.

What an absolutely beautiful place! We really enjoyed the visitors center and then the drive up through the rainforest! This is a must do, especially if you love nature, hiking, waterfalls,and seeing breathtaking views!

Such a beautiful spot. I spent a few hours hiking and honestly could've stayed even longer. Wear good shoes because some of the trails can get pretty slippery, and try to get there early before it gets too crowded.

My family and I had a great time here. We explored different trails and made it to the Britton tower. We didn't get to the big waterfall but we enjoyed the small one. We ate some good food and had some drinks. The vibe was nice. Definitely the place to check out while in Puerto Rico.

An amazing beautiful part of PR, a must view. The trails are tricky and uneven, so trail shoes are recommended. Bring water and sugary snacks, after an hour you run low on energy. There are little to no trail signs to advise where you are or how far to you have left, which is dissapointing. Otherwise its a spectacular visit.

Sooooo beautiful. It's a nice workout but worth the views and memories. They don't allow rideshare so unless you want to walk from the visitors center get a rental. I had cell signal the whole time. Come prepared because this is a real hike. Amazing experience.

Amazing! Beautiful rainforest. We'll maintained and accessible. Staff at the visitor center were friendly and the facility was clean, informative, and offered great information. Highly recommend visiting. There are frequent locations to pull off and see various sites. Was easy to navigate for first time visitors but roads are narrow, so use caution when driving.

What an absolutely beautiful place! We really enjoyed the visitors center and then the drive up through the rainforest! This is a must do, especially if you love nature, hiking, waterfalls,and seeing breathtaking views!

Yes. Just yes! Dined in for lunch. The flavors here! The sandwiches were freshly prepared, with thick cuts of whatever you choose. The beef soup, hearty and savory. The expresso, yummm 🤤 Service was polite and hospitable. It's helpful to either speak/understand the native language in this establishment, but not mandatory. We encountered a gentleman (staff) that was able to navigate us in English. Crowded at any time of the day; we didn't have to wait for seating though. Worth your time and tastebuds. Definitely will return.

I mean what is not to love when you can try all the local desserts in one well know and delicious bakery. You order at the counter either take out or sit in. We decided to sit in. The nice lady at the counter gave us pointers about what to order. In order from our favorite to least favorite (but still delicious): tres leche cake, coconut pudding, guava cheesecake, and their cheese pastry. The cake was moist and great subtle flavor. I loved the pudding too- smooth, light with a touch of cinnamon. I had never really had guava before and it came highly recommended so we tried and really enjoyed it as well. The cheese pastry was fine, a little drier for our liking but still glad we tried a local dessert. I think you definitely need to do a sampling from here. There were so many things that looked really good. I would even go back to try the main courses. Kind service, delicious desserts what more do you need?

Everything my friend and I tried was fresh and delicious. Close walk from Ocean Park Beach. I recommend to anyone in the area wanting a delicious breakfast, sandwich or fresh baked treats. Beautiful presentation of the pastries. They have quite a bit of seating here.

A solid four stars. This is a VERY popular spot in San Juan so we wanted to check it out. It’s super crowded so we had high hopes but breakfast was just… average. The bread is yummy, the coffee is okay but $11.95 plus tax and tip for eggs and toast is kinda wild.

A beloved local bakery + eatery 🥪 Packed almost every day, but service is lightning fast ⚡ Tiramisu is pricey, yet totally worth it 🍰 And the highlight — don’t miss the Cuban sandwich! 😋 Made with soft Mallorca bread and hearty meats, pure satisfaction 😍

Playa El Escambrón is a beautiful beach to visit if you’re looking for a calm and peaceful vibe. The water is gentle, perfect for relaxing, and the atmosphere is very chill with friendly people around. Watching the sun go down there was pure magic—one of those moments that stays with you. A perfect spot to unwind and just enjoy life.

Beautiful. Snorkeling in these water was a gem I enjoyed every moment of it. The water felt amazing and the atmosphere with salsa playing in the background and familes enjoying their time together was priceless.

The Waikiki beach of Puerto Rico. Great Beach. Beautiful landscape. Love the sand there. It’s the best beach near San Juan. Very Safe and family friendly. There’s plenty of shades but also available Chairs and Umbrellas for rents.

Great little beach! Good paid parking. The lot is not huge, but if you get here early enough (we arrived a little after 10 am) you should find a spot. I did visit on a Tuesday. There were lifeguards on duty the day we visited. They do have bathrooms available, two different locations. (One was being worked on) Chairs and umbrellas were available to rent, $15 each until 5pm. You can grill on this beach.

The Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico is a beautiful museum and a must-visit if you appreciate Puerto Rican art and culture. The staff were incredibly kind, welcoming, and always willing to answer questions. I enjoy taking my time with each piece of art, so I spent nearly five hours exploring all four floors, the three special exhibits, and the beautiful botanical garden. If you prefer to move through at a quicker pace, you could probably see everything in about two hours. I highly recommend visiting this museum. It's a wonderful way to experience the beauty, history, and creativity of Puerto Rico through its incredible collection of artwork.

I wish I had more time and paid to see the limited exhibits! What a beautiful place! Because I am military, it was only $11 for my daughter and I to enter. Gift shop is also amazing. I will find my way back!

The collection is wonderful. The organization is terrible. On their website I found a guided tour of the permanent exhibition on Saturday at 11 a.m. The day before, I asked about it and nobody knew anything. Eventually the event was confirmed for me. On Saturday, not only did I wait a long time after 11am, but it turned out the tour was with a group of small children. I was assured on site that it was for everyone. However, the guide focused on the kids and asked them many questions at a children’s level. It was not for adults! The staff were very nice, but the communication between them seemed nonexistent. Apparently there is a free guided tour every Sunday at 2 p.m. included in the ticket price. Note: on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. admission is free! (No one at the reception will tell you this.) It’s worth visiting the lower floor with the drawings. It’s a pity there is no interactive panel—like a musical add-on to the mural La Plena by Tufiño to listen to the traditional songs.

I visited La Placita de Santurce and honestly, it was one of the most authentic and complete experiences I’ve had in Puerto Rico. From the moment you arrive, the atmosphere pulls you in. During the day it feels like a traditional local market, but at night it completely transforms into a vibrant hotspot full of music, lights, and energy. It’s the kind of place where you can enjoy a relaxed meal or an amazing nightlife experience. The food was excellent. There’s a wide variety of options: traditional Puerto Rican dishes, fresh seafood, meats, fried favorites, and even more modern choices. Everything I tried was flavorful, well-prepared, and generous in portion. Service overall was very good. Even though it gets busy, especially at night, the staff was attentive and efficient. People are friendly and the environment feels welcoming. What truly makes this place special is the atmosphere. Live music, DJs, people dancing in the streets, tourists and locals all together—it’s a perfect mix of culture, fun, and authenticity. You really feel the true essence of Puerto Rico. Prices are reasonable for the experience, and you can enjoy yourself without overspending, especially if you go with a group. Overall, La Placita de Santurce is a must-visit if you’re in San Juan. Perfect for food, fun, and a true local vibe. I would definitely come back.

La Placita de Santurce is always alive. There’s so much energy in this place,music everywhere, amazing food, and people genuinely enjoying themselves. Everyone looks happy, and the vibe is just contagious. I absolutely love it. It’s so much fun every single time. What makes it even better is that there’s something for every type of crowd. Whether you’re looking for chill drinks, great food, dancing, or a full party atmosphere, you’ll find your spot here. It’s one of those places where no matter what day of the week you go, it’s still a good time. Ubers are affordable, which makes getting there and back super easy. And if you grab something to eat or drink, you can usually use the restroom at the restaurants, some places don’t even make a big deal about it, which is really nice. Overall, this place is amazing. I always find myself coming back. If you’re in Puerto Rico, La Placita is a must 💃🏻🪩🕺🏻🎶🍹

I visited La Placita de Santurce and honestly, it was one of the most authentic and complete experiences I’ve had in Puerto Rico. From the moment you arrive, the atmosphere pulls you in. During the day it feels like a traditional local market, but at night it completely transforms into a vibrant hotspot full of music, lights, and energy. It’s the kind of place where you can enjoy a relaxed meal or an amazing nightlife experience. The food was excellent. There’s a wide variety of options: traditional Puerto Rican dishes, fresh seafood, meats, fried favorites, and even more modern choices. Everything I tried was flavorful, well-prepared, and generous in portion. Service overall was very good. Even though it gets busy, especially at night, the staff was attentive and efficient. People are friendly and the environment feels welcoming. What truly makes this place special is the atmosphere. Live music, DJs, people dancing in the streets, tourists and locals all together—it’s a perfect mix of culture, fun, and authenticity. You really feel the true essence of Puerto Rico. Prices are reasonable for the experience, and you can enjoy yourself without overspending, especially if you go with a group. Overall, La Placita de Santurce is a must-visit if you’re in San Juan. Perfect for food, fun, and a true local vibe. I would definitely come back.

La Placita de Santurce is always alive. There’s so much energy in this place,music everywhere, amazing food, and people genuinely enjoying themselves. Everyone looks happy, and the vibe is just contagious. I absolutely love it. It’s so much fun every single time. What makes it even better is that there’s something for every type of crowd. Whether you’re looking for chill drinks, great food, dancing, or a full party atmosphere, you’ll find your spot here. It’s one of those places where no matter what day of the week you go, it’s still a good time. Ubers are affordable, which makes getting there and back super easy. And if you grab something to eat or drink, you can usually use the restroom at the restaurants, some places don’t even make a big deal about it, which is really nice. Overall, this place is amazing. I always find myself coming back. If you’re in Puerto Rico, La Placita is a must 💃🏻🪩🕺🏻🎶🍹

I visited La Placita de Santurce and honestly, it was one of the most authentic and complete experiences I’ve had in Puerto Rico. From the moment you arrive, the atmosphere pulls you in. During the day it feels like a traditional local market, but at night it completely transforms into a vibrant hotspot full of music, lights, and energy. It’s the kind of place where you can enjoy a relaxed meal or an amazing nightlife experience. The food was excellent. There’s a wide variety of options: traditional Puerto Rican dishes, fresh seafood, meats, fried favorites, and even more modern choices. Everything I tried was flavorful, well-prepared, and generous in portion. Service overall was very good. Even though it gets busy, especially at night, the staff was attentive and efficient. People are friendly and the environment feels welcoming. What truly makes this place special is the atmosphere. Live music, DJs, people dancing in the streets, tourists and locals all together—it’s a perfect mix of culture, fun, and authenticity. You really feel the true essence of Puerto Rico. Prices are reasonable for the experience, and you can enjoy yourself without overspending, especially if you go with a group. Overall, La Placita de Santurce is a must-visit if you’re in San Juan. Perfect for food, fun, and a true local vibe. I would definitely come back.

La Placita de Santurce is always alive. There’s so much energy in this place,music everywhere, amazing food, and people genuinely enjoying themselves. Everyone looks happy, and the vibe is just contagious. I absolutely love it. It’s so much fun every single time. What makes it even better is that there’s something for every type of crowd. Whether you’re looking for chill drinks, great food, dancing, or a full party atmosphere, you’ll find your spot here. It’s one of those places where no matter what day of the week you go, it’s still a good time. Ubers are affordable, which makes getting there and back super easy. And if you grab something to eat or drink, you can usually use the restroom at the restaurants, some places don’t even make a big deal about it, which is really nice. Overall, this place is amazing. I always find myself coming back. If you’re in Puerto Rico, La Placita is a must 💃🏻🪩🕺🏻🎶🍹