A PERFECT WEEK IN PUERTO RICO

We're just back from a week long vacation in paradise...aka San Juan, Puerto Rico!  The last time we were there, Richie was only a few months old, so it was fun to go back with Richie and Brody now.  We had an amazing time in the pool, on the beach, and checking out Old San Juan.  Puerto Rico is such a beautiful country and holds such a special place in my heart.  What's not to love about delicious food, gorgeous weather, and beautiful sites only a short plane ride away?  I love building and creating memories in Puerto Rico with my boys!

WHAT'S OLD IS ALWAYS NEW

I've written about Old San Juan, Puerto Rico many times before on this blog.  Not only do I love it because my family is from there and I grew up vacationing there, but also because of its proximity to New York, its beautiful Caribbean waters, and its rich culture and delicious food!  So you can imagine my excitement when I saw an article in my December/January issue of Coastal Living magazine raving about Old San Juan, Puerto Rico as the perfect waterfront weekend spot!  They even compare the beautiful, tiny island to having the charm of Cordoba, Spain, yet much closer and with blue water surrounding you.  Here are their suggestions of what to do and where to stay when you visit...some I've been to (Hotel El Convento, Isla Verde Beach and Old San Juan), and some will be on my list of places to visit next time I'm there!
STAY: Hotel El Convento
SIP: Coffee with steamed milk at Cafe Cuatro Sombras
SHOP: Ole Boutique in Old San Juan
PLAY: Isla Verde Beach
DINE: Aquaviva- a restaurant serving modern Latino-Caribbean fusion cuisine

PLENTY TO DO IN P.R.!

A few months ago, a jet setter who reads this blog emailed me asking for ideas of things to do for her vacation to Puerto Rico or P.R. I came up with a mini "Hit List" for her of where to go, what to see and do, and where to eat, and I wanted to share that list with all of you jet setters. I am also thinking about jet setting to Puerto Rico later this year, and re-reading this list made me that much more excited about going there. Please share any of your ideas if you've jet setted to Puerto Rico with me! PUERTO RICO- SAN JUAN
- Best time to visit: December-March
- Get lost in Old San Juan's cobblestone streets, pastel-colored houses- Visit the ancient fort of El Morro- Feed the pigeons out of your hand at Parque de las Palomas- If you have time, head over to Isla Verde area & Condado (two other great beach areas with more restaurants, bars, hotels & shopping)- Another thing to see if you can is Balneario de Luquillo (Perhaps the prettiest beach in all of Puerto Rico). It's about a 1/2 hour drive east of San Juan on Route 3.- El Yunque Rainforest (you will be amazed how such a tiny island can have such an enormously beautiful rainforest).Shopping:- Make sure to buy a Guayabera ( a linen or cotton shirt/ either long or short sleeve- worn by men and women for a casual look or even dressy that come in all colors). I have one in white and get so many compliments when I wear it! You will see them for sale all over San Juan- so try and get one.- I also love to buy sarongs when I go (they are sold in shops in Old San Juan & on the beaches). Some of my favorite ones that I own are from P.R...they are so pretty & colorful, inexpensive & make good souvenir gifts.- A coqui (ceramic or picture of one) - a small frog that lives in P.R. They are found all over and make a beautiful chirping noise. The thing that's incredible about the coqui is that it can ONLY survive in P.R. The coqui has been taken to other locations with tropical climates similar to P.R., and it has not survived. So there is a saying in P.R. that if you are born and raised there then "You are as Puerto Rican as the coqui."Bars for a night scene in Old San Juan:
- Baru (Calle San Sebastian)
- El Cafe Seda (Calle San Sebastian)
- Marrero (Calle Sol)
What to See:
* Catedral de San Juan Bautista, Old San Juan (151 Calle Cristo)* It's one of the oldest churches in the Western Hemisphere (1520) and is home to the tomb of Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon.* El Morro (Calle Norzagaray)* It's a massive fortress that extends out on a rocky peninsula into the Atlantic. When you go, also see Fuerte San Cristobal (built by Irish).*La Fortaleza* (The Governor's Mansion)Eat:
- La Bombanera (one of the oldest bakeries in P.R.) Try one their mallorcas (Spanish pastry) and Cocas (similar to a pizza) They also have great typical Puerto Rican lunch food like arroz con gandules, pernil, etc. Also good to eat (if they have it here) is a Tripleta- a sandwich made with ham, chicken, beef, mayo, ketchup, fries, lettuce & tomato.- La Mallorquina- The 160-year-old restaurant is known for its family-style cocina criolla, or traditional Puerto Rican feasts: seasonal favorites include lechón (suckling pig), arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas), and pasteles (yucca and meat wrapped in a banana leaf).- Barrachina- birthplace of the original pina colada (1963) Located on Calle Fortaleza. It's delicious! Drink them here & all over P.R...it's the thing to do!

PUERTO RICO THE SHINING STAR

It's no wonder Puerto Rico is known as the shining star of the Caribbean...it has great culture, beautiful beaches and delicious food. Yes, I'm Puerto Rican, so maybe that makes me a bit biased. But, I will tell you that everyone I know who is not of Puerto Rican decent and has jet setted there has agreed with me. In fact, Shermans Travel ranks Puerto Rico as one of the best places in the Caribbean for being most affordable, for offering the best all-inclusive trips, for being on the beach by lunch, and as one of the best islands for culture and history.

The flight will get you there from New York in just under four hours...so you can be lying on the beach in no time! I just checked airfares and see deals for the month of December for $300 per person round trip, for direct flights (from JFK to San Juan). I used to spend my summers in Puerto Rico when I was growing up, and have not been back since 2004, but with deals like this and the winter months coming...that may change.

My Favorite Hotel in Isla Verde Area: El San Juan Hotel and Casino

My Favorite Hotel in El Condado Area: Caribe Hilton

My Favorite All-Inclusive Hotel: El Conquistador Resort

My Favorite Restaurant: La Bombonera

My Favorite Thing to Do besides lying on the beach: Shopping/Walking around Old San Juan's Cobblestone Streets