San Juan, Puerto Rico is a Unique Destination For Your Honeymoon. Revel in Puerto Rico's distinctive pleasures. A place that proudly heralds its 500 year Spanish heritage -- so well reflected in Old San Juan. It startles you with its tropical beauty and enamors you with its brilliant mix of travel experiences.
The Spanish controlled Puerto Rico from the time Colombus discovered it in 1492 until the Americans took control in 1898 after the Spanish American War.
With its long history, there are many neat sight seeing tours you can take that gives you a good understnading of the past.
Old San Juan This walking tour highlights the most important sights in San Juan's Old City, including Fuerte San Felipe del Morro ( El Morro Fortress ),
Cristo Street, Cathedral de San Juan ( the Cathedral ) and La Muralla ( city wall ). Old San Juan runs from the south to north end of the islet where Puerto Rico's Spanish roots are preserved. It's connected to the mainland by bridges and a causeway. Contemporary high-rise resorts hug the waterfront to the east and across the bay to the west. Strap on your walking shoes and commence your tour at the Doña Fela parking lot on Recinto Sur Street. Or as an alternative, begin at the Plazoleta Rafael Carrión ( just in front of the Banco Popular Building ). Heading west you will pass the San Justo, Cruz, and San José intersections. This stretch is a bit steep but worth the effort, as it offers great views of the bay. Once you reach the
Capilla del Cristo ( Christ Chapel ) you will be on Cristo Street. To your left ( heading north ), discover the lush landscaping at the
Parque de las Palomas. Along the way, you will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy a respite at one of the lovely traditional Puerto Rican street cafés.
When you reach the Fortaleza Street intersection, the Governor's mansion is located on the left. Its official name is the Palacio de Santa Catalina, but it is known popularly as
La Fortaleza. As you continue north, the San Juan Cathedral is visible on your right, across from the Grand Hotel El Convento. As your stroll continues, you'll pass
Plaza San José, which leads to the historic church of the same name. From this strategic vantage point, you will be able to spy
Plaza del Quinto Centenario on your left. Here the imposing six-level fort, El Morro will loom onto to the horizon. Now part of the San Juan National Historical site, it operates under the auspices of the National Park Service. Tours are conducted via guides ( free from 10a-4p ), or you may choose to conduct a self-guided exploration. Wander through its dungeons, lookouts, barracks and vaults. Don't miss a visit to the small museum for a history lesson dating back to the 1500s.
Around the Walled City Old San Juan is small—a seven-square-block area of pastel-colored colonial buildings surrounded by a 140-foot wall built to fend off invaders. It's best to begin this outing at the fortress, El Morro. From there, go south via the trail off the Escuela de Artes Plásticas ( plastics art school ) and the Asilo de Beneficiencia ( home for the poor park ). After you pass the pink Casa Rosada you'll reach La Rogativa, which is a small plaza with a huge bronze sculpture depicting a religious procession. Note La Fortaleza's guarded patio. Then continue your walk through the Puerta de San Juan ( San Juan city gate ) into the promenade and you'll reach the beautiful avenue, Paseo de la Princesa. From here the view of the bay is simply breathtaking. Proceed east and you'll be back at the Banco Popular Building, ready to begin your next adventure.
San Juan's Plazas Begin this tour at the Doña Fela parking lot on Recinto Sur Street in Old San Juan. Walk east along Recinto Sur Street, where you will approach the beautiful
Tapia Theatre and the
Plaza Colón. If you need a distraction, take a short detour over to the Casino of Puerto Rico, where you can try your hand at a game of chance. Afterward cruise down San Francisco Street until you reach the intersection of Tanca and San Justo Streets. Your first destination is the Plaza de Armas, which is the central plaza in front of City Hall. Here you can rest or enjoy an afternoon concert at the Plaza, if your timing is right. If not, you'll want to take the opportunity to explore the many shopping opportunities in the area surroundin
Puerto Rico is a boiling pot of culinary cuisines from around the world. The eclectic choices are truly global and are dependent upon your individual preferences. Here you can find French, German, Greek, Asian, Italian, Spanish and of course Caribbean, just to name a few. You'll delight in Nouveau Latino cooking ( traditional Puerto Rican creations updated with modern cooking techniques ). From casual to haute cuisine, dining in Puerto Rico offers travelers an international taste sensation.
Old San Juan
In Old San Juan, Puerto Rico's most historic wining and dining neighborhood, one can choose from the Fussion ( French-Latin cuisine ), Il Perugino ( one of the best Italian eateries on the island ), Bombonera ( Caribbean traditional ) or Siglo XX( Spanish tapas delights ). Another exquisite tapas choice would be the well-frequented Todo Tapas. Another fine Italian dining experience can be found at the quaint Ambrosía on Cristo Street. Discover fine-dining excellence at El Picoteo and Café del Níspero, both located in the Hotel El Convento. If you favor American, Old San Juan has a Hard Rock Café.
Gourmets will enjoy the gourmet creations at Trois Cent Onze or La Chaumiere. Nouveau Latino cuisine can be experienced at its best at The Parrot Club or Amadeus. Transylvania offers tasty Eastern European cuisine and Café Berlin is known for its vegetarian specialties.
Also, La Mallorquina and El Patio de Sam offer the some of the best Puerto Rican cuisine in the old city. Grab a drink at Don Pablo's or Nono's. Perfect for a pre or post-theater meal, Boulangerie St. Honoré offers inexpensive French cooking and is located adjacent to the Tapia Theatre. If you're craving Asian tastes, check out Yukiyu.
Isla Verde
The Isla Verde district is not to be overlooked when seeking restaurant alternatives. Some of Puerto Rico's top choices are tucked away inside Isla Verde's hotels. Some very excellent choices include the Ritz-Carlton, InterContinental San Juan and El San Juan Hotel & Casino. Oriental cuisine is served at Back Street Hong Kong, Momoyama, and Yamato. Love Italian? Try Giuseppe's and La Piccola Fontana.
Puerto Rican and Caribbean cuisine can be sampled at the excellent Metropol III or Casa Dante. The Caribbean Grill and The Ranch offer American specialties. Steakhouses include the superb Ruth's Chris, the Outback and the elegant Palm. The Tequila Bar and Grill offers excellent Mexican cuisine.
The premier dining experience in this district is Prime 787 at the Ritz-Carlton, possibly the finest restaurant in the whole of San Juan. For cocktails with lots of atmosphere, try the lobby lounges within some of these hotels or stop in at Lupi's ( Mexican cantina ) for one of their special margaritas.
Condado
Condado is a real find for those who crave gourmet seafood. Some of the island's best restaurants are to be found in Condado. Prime examples include the award-winning Spanish eatery, Compostela. Magdalena Street showcases several great restaurants including Antonio's, Cielito Lindo, the very cosmopolitan Urdín, JoséJosé, and Ramiro's. They are good examples of local/international fare and exquisitely imaginative presentations.
Opening in December 2007, La Concha, A Renaissance Resort in San Juan will provide honeymooners a great place to rest and relax as well as a base to explore San Juan.
Once a milestone in modern Caribbean architecture, the fully renovated La Concha Resort crystallizes the essence of retro urban culture on a palm fringed Condado beachfront facing an umber-blue ocean, 15 minutes or less from everywhere.
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