A Taste of Paradise
Puerto Rico isn’t just a beautiful Island destination; it’s a foodie paradise. Food is woven into the very fabric of Puerto Rican culture, reflecting the Island’s rich history and vibrant people. This itinerary will take you on a delicious journey, exploring the Island’s distinct flavors and culinary traditions through food tours, local eats, and visits to historical sites.
Day 1: Unveiling Old San Juan’s Delights
- Morning: Immerse yourself in the cobbled streets of Old San Juan with a food tour. Savor local favorites like pastelillos (savory turnovers), mofongo (mashed plantains), and arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas) while learning about Puerto Rican cuisine’s Taíno, Spanish, and African influences. Tour companies like Flavors of San Juan, Spoon, and Get Shopped offer various tours to suit your interests.
- Afternoon: Walk around Old San Juan and discover the unique colonial architecture of the city. You will find many al fresco terrasses, restaurants, cafés, unique shops, and cozy plazas to get some rest as you spend your afternoon stroll. Don’t miss the Castillo San Felipe del Morro or the Castillo San Cristóbal to learn about Spanish colonial times.
- Evening: Explore Old San Juan’s vibrant bar scene. Unwind at La Factoría, ranked among the world’s top 50 bars for more than 10 years. Discover local gems like La Cubanita, The Mezzanine, or Al Fresco rooftop bar. For a lively atmosphere, head to Calle de San Sebastián with its many bars offering delicious drinks and friendly vibes you will for sure dive into Puerto Rico’s culture.
Day 2: Santurce Art and Cuisine Crawl
- Morning: Start your day with a cup of expertly brewed coffee and a pastry at Café con Cé on Calle Loíza. For a sit-down brunch experience with creative dishes and cocktails, opt for Musa or Tostado, both located nearby.
- Afternoon: Immerse yourself in Santurce’s vibrant art scene. Stroll through the murals created by local and international artists on Calle Cerra as part of the yearly Santurce es Ley urban art festival. Continue to the Museo de Arte y Diseño de Miramar (MADMi) to explore contemporary and modern art and design exhibits. You will find many restaurants and eateries in this area from gourmet quick service restaurants, to all day brunch coffee shops, and traditional Puerto Rico diners.
- Evening: Head to La Placita de Santurce, a lively hub of restaurants, bars, and clubs. You will mix with the locals as people from all over the metropolitan area of San Juan come to whine down and meet friends and peers in an open aired ambiance. For a hungry appetite many local favorites around La Placita offer seafood, traditional Puerto Rican fare, and international cuisine like Chicharrón, La Tasca del Pescador, Santaella, Mai Pen Rai, and Asere Kitchen.
Day 3: Coastal Road Trip – Piñones to La Croabas
- Morning: Head out of San Juan for a road trip along the northeastern coast. Immerse yourself in the local culture at Piñones, where you’ll find rows of open-air restaurants serving a variety of frituras (fried snacks) like alcapurrias, empanadillas (pastelillos), and arepas with various fillings. Don’t miss the bacalaítos (fried codfish fritters) and piononos (ground beef wrapped in sweet plantains). Enjoy a swim at Aviones beach or rent bikes to explore the Piñones State Forest. You will be able to enjoy and learn Puerto Rico’s bomba culture with many bateys around the area.
- Afternoon: Continue your journey to Luquillo. Take a detour to El Yunque National Forest for a scenic hike or photos at Yokahú Tower and La Coca Waterfall. If you’re looking for more beach time, head to Balneario La Monserrate (Luquillo Beach). Many kiosks here offer frituras, seafood and other local dishes, alongside a variety of restaurants. For adventure seekers, Carabalí Rainforest Adventure Park offers ATV or horseback riding tours.
- Evening: Fajardo, your next stop, offers beautiful beaches like Seven Seas. La Croabas is a fishing community known for its seafood-centric frituras, including delicious arepas stuffed with stewed crab or octopus. Kayak tours departing from La Croabas to Fajardo’s Laguna Grande that hosts one of Puerto Rico bioluminescent bays.
Day 4: A Pork Highway Adventure and Beyond
- Morning: Venture into the mountains and experience a Puerto Rican culinary tradition at Guavate, also known as the “Pork Highway” (PR-184). This popular spot boasts numerous open-air, cafeteria-style restaurants (lechoneras) specializing in slow-roasted, whole pig (lechón asado). Enjoy heaping portions of rice and beans, sweet or savory plantains (mofongo or amarillo), and other local favorites alongside the flavorful roast pork. Arrive early on weekends, as this area gets crowded with locals and visitors alike.
- Afternoon: If you’re interested in learning the art of making roast pork, consider a cooking class at Hacienda Muñoz. In the afternoon, head towards the south coast and the charming town of Ponce. Stop at the Hacienda Buena Vista, a historic coffee plantation offering tours where you will learn about the Island’s importance in the coffee trade, visit the Serrallés Castle, home to the Don Q rum distillery, for a tour and rum tasting experience and back in town enjoy delicious restaurants close the Plaza Las Delicidas (Ponce’s central square) with delicious on-site restaurant that overlook the plaza.
- Evening: Ponce offers a vibrant nightlife scene. Explore La Guancha Boardwalk, a lively waterfront area with bars, restaurants, and kiosks offering casual dining options like pinchos (skewers) and other local snacks.
Day 5: West Coast Culinary Delights and Historical Gems
- Morning: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at one of Ponce’s many cafes or bakeries. Start to driving to Mayagüez, this town known for its University had many bars and nightlife experiences for everyone to enjoy. You can stop at many of the town’s bakery’s to trip the regions famous brazo gitano.
- Afternoon: Continue driving to the northwest region towards the towns of Aguadilla and Rincón. You will be able to head to one of the many beaches like Crashboat, Domes or Playa Cocos in the area and catch Puerto Rico’s amazing sunsets.
- Evening: Enjoy fresh seafood on the beachfront at Rincón or many local restaurants in the area’s central square.
Day 6: A Farewell Foodie Adventure
- Morning: Head back to San Juan and depending on your departure flight time, you may have time for a final culinary adventure in Isla Verde at any of their beach front restaurants, at La Placita during lunch hour with many of the locals joining in during their lunch break, or a return to Old San Juan for any last minute pictures and bacalaítos.
Conclusion: Puerto Rico – A Culinary Paradise Awaits
This itinerary offers just a glimpse into the vibrant culinary scene that awaits you in Puerto Rico. From the fresh seafood and local flavors to the rich cultural influences reflected in its cuisine, Puerto Rico has something to tantalize every taste bud.
Additional Tips for CCRA Members:
- Recommend exploring local restaurants beyond San Juan for a more authentic experience.
- Advise clients to research festivals and events happening during their visit for unique culinary experiences.
- Many restaurants require reservations, especially during peak season.
- Encourage clients to try local drinks like coquito (rum and coconut milk beverage), piña coladas, and local craft beers.
By incorporating this itinerary or similar experiences into your client’s travel plans, you can ensure they have a delicious and unforgettable culinary adventure in Puerto Rico.
