Basics:
Language: Spanish
Religion: Roman Catholic
Currency: USD
Plugs: Type A and B. Standard voltage is 120 and frequency is 60.
Safety: Mostly safe. Avoid going near La Perla which is next to the Old City. A couple of my friends, whom I have just met at my hostel, and I made the mistake of walking into this neighborhood one night. This neighborhood is known for gang violence, drugs, thefts, gun violence, and kidnapping. As soon as we walked into a part of the alley, we were confronted with men trying to sell us a variety of drugs and my friend got cornered because she had her phone in her hand.
Hostel:
The hostel I stayed at is called Fortel Hostel. It is located in Old San Juan and walking distance to many attractions. It also offers a female only dorm for women that may be more comfortable with that. The cost is around $37 USD every night.
Fortel Hostel (forteloldsanjuan.com)
Day 1: Rainforest, Beach, & Bioluminescence
I took a day tour with the company Puerto Rico Access Tours. The cost is around $135 and roundtrip transportation is included with that. We started out our itinerary by stopping at a local fruit and smoothie stand and then heading towards El Yunque Rainforest.
Bio Bay Night Kayaking & Rainforest River Tour | Puerto Rico (accesstourspr.com)
We took around a 20 minute walk through the rainforest while the guides pointed out a variety of flora. Do not expect to see many animals because PR is an island. Afterwards, we came across the river. At the river we all took turns doing the rope swing and cliff jumping from a variety of heights. If you are not a fan of adrenaline activities, you can also take this time to just float.
Luquillo Beach has clear water and is a nice place to stop for a bite to eat. They give you around an hour and a half to explore this area. I recommend trying mofongo ( which is mashed plantain mixed with garlic, olive oil, salt, and usually pork rinds or bacon) and drinking a couple mojitos while here.
The last stop is Laguna Grande Reserve known for the bioluminescence. You kayak at night along the trails of the dense mangroves. The tour company suggests this is beginner friendly.
Note**: The best time to see the bioluminescence is during the new moon or a super dark night. If you go during a full moon or a night when the moon is shining brightly on the water, you will have to cover up with a tarp to block out the light and then you will see the organisms glowing up blue.
Note 2***: Most of the kayaks are double.
Day 2: Scuba Diving & Salsa Class
Scuba diving and snorkeling is a popular activity in Puerto Rico. The water is clear, the fish are vibrant, and the vibes are chill. There are over 700 species of fish to spot, and my personal favorite is the majestic sea turtles that are a sight to behold.
My scuba diving class is linked below:
Scuba Diving for Beginners with Video included (expedia.com)
I took an Uber to the beach and met him . Then he geared us up and had a brief speech over how to use the gear and important safety information. Then we were ready to get our toes wet. We saw a few fish, but we mostly swam along the shore since this was a beginner’s class.
After swimming, I had worked up an appetite and got the national drink of Puerto Rico known as the Pina Colada. I drunk many of these while I was here because they were that good.
That night I decided to take a 2-hour salsa class. Since I was solo the instructor would partner up with me and other ladies that had come by themselves. We did not get to go to a bar afterwards and try our skills out because of COVID, but once the bars open up, he takes the students there.
Learn Salsa In Paradise San Juan Puerto Rico (expedia.com)
Day Three: Free Walking Tour
I booked my free walking tour online at this site:
Home | Old San Juan Free Walking Tour (osjfreetour.com)
The tour lasts for two hours and takes you around Old San Juan to view the fortresses, cathedrals, the narrow house, Fortaleza Street, and more. I learned so much history through this tour and enjoyed it immensely.
Other Popular Activities:
- Pork Highway: Located on route 184 a small section of highway that contains lechoneras that specialize in roasted pork. The meat is tender and juicy in the inside, and crispy on the out. Some lechoneras will contain live music.
- Rum distillery tours.
- Cueva Ventana: A large cave that provides perfect views of the valley below it.
I hope this itinerary helps you plan your trip to Puerto Rico and gives you insight into what the island has to offer.