La Isla Bonita Guidebook
Food/Shop/ Sight Seeing
10 minute drive / Old world feel with beautiful architecture, unique small shops, great bars and authentic Caribbean food.
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Viejo San Juan
10 minute drive / Old world feel with beautiful architecture, unique small shops, great bars and authentic Caribbean food.
Food scene
Sobao By Los Cidrines
1369 Ashford Ave8 minute drive
Lote 23
1552 PR-258 minute drive
Casita Miramar
605 Av. Miramar9 minute walk
Ponte Fresco
Avenida Luis Vigoreaux8 minute drive
The Place
1368 Ashford Ave8 minute drive
Sur Barra Nikkei
411 Calle del Parque8 minute drive / Peruvian Fine Dinning
Condal
Avenida Magdalena8 minute drive
Marocha Cocina
801 Avenida Manuel Fernández Juncos9 minute walk / Fine Dinning
Metropol Restaurant Mall of San Juan
1000 The Mall of San Juan Boulevard6 minute walk
Barullo Taberna Española
250 Convention Boulevard7 minute walk
9 minute walk / It's THE BEST ceviche I've ever had. Cool food truck. Limited menu, but so on point with flavor. Next to the truck is a convenience store filled with any drink you can imagine. Super Cold. They sell wine, beer, soft drinks, water! You name it.
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Ceviche By Totti
1003 Cll Estado9 minute walk / It's THE BEST ceviche I've ever had. Cool food truck. Limited menu, but so on point with flavor. Next to the truck is a convenience store filled with any drink you can imagine. Super Cold. They sell wine, beer, soft drinks, water! You name it.
10min walk/ 2 min drive / Out of this world pastries. Must go online on Wednesday, order from weekly menu and pick up on Saturday. (items are available until sold out)
Prepare to be in line for pick up. Pick up time is from 9 to 12pm.
https://luciapatisserie.com/
Lucia Patisserie
857 Avenida de la Constitución10min walk/ 2 min drive / Out of this world pastries. Must go online on Wednesday, order from weekly menu and pick up on Saturday. (items are available until sold out)
Prepare to be in line for pick up. Pick up time is from 9 to 12pm.
https://luciapatisserie.com/
8 minute drive / Great smoothies, coffee, breakfast and lunch. Portions are very generous.
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Pinky's Condado
1351 Ashford Avenue8 minute drive / Great smoothies, coffee, breakfast and lunch. Portions are very generous.
9 minute drive / Amazing Latin Asian Fusion restaurant. Must make reservation online! https://www.shibopr.com/reservations/
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Shibō
2012 C. Loíza9 minute drive / Amazing Latin Asian Fusion restaurant. Must make reservation online! https://www.shibopr.com/reservations/
Pannes
1125 Ashford AveThis place has EXCELLENT Mediterranean food. But their BUDÍN DE LA SUEGRA (Guava Bread Pudding) is HEAVENLY!!!!
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Jamon Jamon | Wine Bar & Grill
701 PR-25This place has EXCELLENT Mediterranean food. But their BUDÍN DE LA SUEGRA (Guava Bread Pudding) is HEAVENLY!!!!
Beaches
Best beaches to visit during your stay in Puerto Rico 🇵🇷
Condado Strand
5 minute drive
45 minute drive /
La Monserrate, Luquillo has long been beloved by both locals and tourists for its clear waters and family-friendly vibe. This is one of Puerto Rico’s handful of Blue Flag beaches, meaning it’s studiously kept up to make sure it’s clean, safe, eco-friendly, and, of course, stunning. The water is usually very calm. It lies in the northeastern Luquillo (and also goes by Playa Luquillo).
When you inevitably get hungry from all the sun and saltwater, you need not look far—food kiosks line the entrance to the beach. Lots of them. Ideal setting to consume fresh seafood and a piña colada. A must visit!
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Liquillo Strand
45 minute drive /
La Monserrate, Luquillo has long been beloved by both locals and tourists for its clear waters and family-friendly vibe. This is one of Puerto Rico’s handful of Blue Flag beaches, meaning it’s studiously kept up to make sure it’s clean, safe, eco-friendly, and, of course, stunning. The water is usually very calm. It lies in the northeastern Luquillo (and also goes by Playa Luquillo).
When you inevitably get hungry from all the sun and saltwater, you need not look far—food kiosks line the entrance to the beach. Lots of them. Ideal setting to consume fresh seafood and a piña colada. A must visit!
1hr 10 minute drive to the Ferry Terminal ; then a 45minute Ferry ride.
A great day trip by boat from the main island is Culebra and Flamenco Beach, regularly ranked one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. The water is warm and there are no rocks—just soft sand and little fish, plus one extremely large fish named Godzilla who comes to the same spot every day to hang out. You might even spot some sea turtles if you’re lucky.
Flamenco Beach is ultra-pristine with the exception of, two Sherman tanks. Leftover from a weapons testing ground the US Navy abandoned in 1975, these time capsules are now considered the most iconic features of Flamenco Beach.
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Flamenco Beach
1hr 10 minute drive to the Ferry Terminal ; then a 45minute Ferry ride.
A great day trip by boat from the main island is Culebra and Flamenco Beach, regularly ranked one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. The water is warm and there are no rocks—just soft sand and little fish, plus one extremely large fish named Godzilla who comes to the same spot every day to hang out. You might even spot some sea turtles if you’re lucky.
Flamenco Beach is ultra-pristine with the exception of, two Sherman tanks. Leftover from a weapons testing ground the US Navy abandoned in 1975, these time capsules are now considered the most iconic features of Flamenco Beach.
Playa Buye
2hr 31 minute drive
La Parguera
2hr 9 minute drive
1hr 10minute drive to the Ferry Terminal /
then a 30-40 minute Ferry ride.
Located in the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, Playa Caracas (aka Red Beach) is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Puerto Rico. The Navy occupied this area until 2003, restricting access to the beach for decades, so its white sand cove and crystal clear waters are incredibly well-preserved. These days, though, Playa Caracas tends to get crowded. The water is usually calm enough for snorkeling, especially on the eastern side of the cove near the rock formations.
Vieques is definitely a day trip; you’ll need to take a ferry from Ceiba, then a taxi to the beach. But once you’ve made the trip, you’ll have other shores to choose from, too, including Playa Negra which—as the name implies—is covered in black sand.
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Playa Caracas
1hr 10minute drive to the Ferry Terminal /
then a 30-40 minute Ferry ride.
Located in the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, Playa Caracas (aka Red Beach) is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Puerto Rico. The Navy occupied this area until 2003, restricting access to the beach for decades, so its white sand cove and crystal clear waters are incredibly well-preserved. These days, though, Playa Caracas tends to get crowded. The water is usually calm enough for snorkeling, especially on the eastern side of the cove near the rock formations.
Vieques is definitely a day trip; you’ll need to take a ferry from Ceiba, then a taxi to the beach. But once you’ve made the trip, you’ll have other shores to choose from, too, including Playa Negra which—as the name implies—is covered in black sand.
1hr 57 minute drive / Located in the northwest town of Aguadilla, this beach is secluded, comparatively harder to get to, and as a result, way less crowded.
At low tide, you can turn to your right and walk 10 minutes or so to Punta Borinquen, where you’ll find some cool caves to explore. A bit further is Survival Beach Cave, which is the coolest of them all. If you turn to your left on Playa Borinquen, you’ll reach the ruins of the old lighthouse.
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Playa Punta Borinquen
1hr 57 minute drive / Located in the northwest town of Aguadilla, this beach is secluded, comparatively harder to get to, and as a result, way less crowded.
At low tide, you can turn to your right and walk 10 minutes or so to Punta Borinquen, where you’ll find some cool caves to explore. A bit further is Survival Beach Cave, which is the coolest of them all. If you turn to your left on Playa Borinquen, you’ll reach the ruins of the old lighthouse.
Cueva Las Golondrinas
43 minute drive
Mar Chiquita Strand
40 minute drive
La Poza de las Mujeres
43 minute drive
Explore Puerto Rico -Island Wide
Explore the Island from N-S and W-E ! No matter which destination you select you will experience the heart and beauty of the island.
Approx 40 minute drive / This natural treasure is an excellent destination if you want to be immersed in nature. You can visit for a hike on one of its many trails, bathe in natural pools beneath waterfalls, or relax and enjoy the scenery.
INSTA worthy!
El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest Service, and its name is a reference to Yuke, what the indigenous Taíno people defined as "white lands."
With an average rainfall of 120 inches a year, El Yunque has a very diverse ecosystem, hosting hundreds of unique plant and animal species, including the Island's famous coquí frog.
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El Yunque-Regenwald
Approx 40 minute drive / This natural treasure is an excellent destination if you want to be immersed in nature. You can visit for a hike on one of its many trails, bathe in natural pools beneath waterfalls, or relax and enjoy the scenery.
INSTA worthy!
El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest Service, and its name is a reference to Yuke, what the indigenous Taíno people defined as "white lands."
With an average rainfall of 120 inches a year, El Yunque has a very diverse ecosystem, hosting hundreds of unique plant and animal species, including the Island's famous coquí frog.
1hr 10 minute drive to the heart of the Island, Orocovis
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Toro Verde Adventure Park
State Route 1551hr 10 minute drive to the heart of the Island, Orocovis
Camuy-Höhlen
1hr 20minute drive
Culebra
For ultimate experience, book a Snorkeling Excursion
Bio Bay is located on the southern shore of the island of Vieques, one of the islands of Puerto Rico. This bay is often referred to as “magical”. The bioluminescent bay in Vieques was officially declared the brightest in the world by Guinness Book of World Records in 2008. Hurricane Maria caused much destruction on the island, it sadly disrupted the delicate balance of the bay, the beloved Mosquito Bay went dark. To everyone’s surprise the bioluminescent bay not only recovered, but it is also brighter than it ever was in the past.
Don’t leave Isla de Vieques without taking a tour of this magnificent and magical natural wonder. It will be a magical, priceless memory to remember for a lifetime. The bio bay is best experienced during a “New Moon” phase, plan your trip accordingly.
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Bahía Bioluminiscente
Bio Bay is located on the southern shore of the island of Vieques, one of the islands of Puerto Rico. This bay is often referred to as “magical”. The bioluminescent bay in Vieques was officially declared the brightest in the world by Guinness Book of World Records in 2008. Hurricane Maria caused much destruction on the island, it sadly disrupted the delicate balance of the bay, the beloved Mosquito Bay went dark. To everyone’s surprise the bioluminescent bay not only recovered, but it is also brighter than it ever was in the past.
Don’t leave Isla de Vieques without taking a tour of this magnificent and magical natural wonder. It will be a magical, priceless memory to remember for a lifetime. The bio bay is best experienced during a “New Moon” phase, plan your trip accordingly.
Condado Kayak Rental
18 Cll Marseilles5 minute drive
39 minute drive / Carabalí Rainforest Adventure Park is the largest theme park in Puerto Rico. You can enjoy horseback riding through the forest or the beach, explore the rainforest on an ATV, race your friends on the go-kart track, and more.
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Hacienda Carabalí
39 minute drive / Carabalí Rainforest Adventure Park is the largest theme park in Puerto Rico. You can enjoy horseback riding through the forest or the beach, explore the rainforest on an ATV, race your friends on the go-kart track, and more.
East Island Excursions
Marina Puerto Del ReyShopping
Plaza Las Americas
525 Av. Franklin Delano Roosevelt9 minute drive
The Mall of San Juan
1000 The Mall of San Juan Blvd15 minute drive
Los Outlets De Barceloneta
1 Premium Outlets Boulevard43 minute drive
San Patricio Plaza
100 Av. San Patricio10 minute drive
Marshalls
Carretera 39 minute drive
Pueblo
PR 0090Supermarket-12 minute walk
SuperMax
114 Avenida José de Diego7 minute drive
National Food Chains
For those of you who would like "known" food...here's my suggestions
Olive Garden
525 Av. Franklin Delano Roosevelt5 minute walk
Longhorn Steakhouse
Saint Patrick Avenue6 minute walk
Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse
15 Av. Luis Muñoz Rivera3 minute-driving /
18 minute walk
Sizzler
9 minute walk
Texas de Brazil
200 Convention Boulevard4 minute walk
Entertainment
La Placita
300 C. dos HermanosNight Life • Bars • Restaurants
La Factoria
148 C. San Sebastián12 minute drive
Casino Metro
200 Convention BoulevardBeautiful Hotel in well kept grounds. 6 minute walk
Club Brava
6063 Av. Isla Verde