San Juan, Puerto Rico

Old San Juan, Puerto Rico at National Historic Site

A typical weekend for a working woman is busier than the entire week. Then comes a weekend, with an extra day off, and that like no other weekends revitalizes its definition. Week-end meaning ending the usual chores, routine. And, when its the long weekend, the bonus day connects you with yourself and not with the mundane things. So here I am, connecting my pen with you, corroborating our travel for generations to come, with the belief that we all must do 'whatever you want, whatever you like , whatever you say, whatever you pay, pay your money, you take your choice, whatever you need...', what a lovely song sung by Status Quo

National Historic Site Overlooking Bacardi Distillery at - 14-15 min Ferry drive, want to join me?

A Typical Caribbean View

San Juan came to our thought on that very long thanksgiving weekend in 2025! A fresh breeze overriding the typical beach vacation. Short notice for year end vacation, but you see I have a vacation handy man in my house! Lol! You surely know him!

This one was not a year end vacation, but also a way to reminisce our relationship and the life we have built so far. So, our protocol was simple. It had to be a beachy place, a location with family friendly convenience and fresh vibes like never before!

Introducing San Juan, the capital city of Puerto Rico.🇵🇷. A vibrant Caribbean island with a rich blend of history, culture, and natural beauty—often described as “La Isla del Encanto” (The Island of Enchantment). Located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic, it's an unincorporated U.S. Territory with Puerto Ricans as US Citizens. Originally, inhabited by the Taíno people, it was colonized by Spain in 1493, became a U.S. territory in 1898 after the Spanish-American War. It has a unique mix of Taíno, Spanish, African, and American influences and thats what shapes its identity and adds flavor to our trip here.

Not trying to paste the geography into your heads and to bore you, but as synopsis I would say SJ, has sun-kissed beaches, pastel streets of old town, salsa rhythms in the air, Rainforest El Yunque filled with sporty adventures, food and fruits, and flavors that linger long! It’s pure Caribbean soul.

Before you get lost in the camouflage of pictures from beach to the sand to rainforest to the city, let me divert you to a simple typical simple itinerary that we followed San juan, Puerto Rico

1. Old San Juan

2. Castillo San Felipe Del Morro - El Morro & The City Vibe

3. El Yunque National Forest

4. Castillo San Cristobal

Isle Verde Beach

I personally couldn’t ask for more, the oceanfront views from our Airbnb at Isle Verde Beach, the slow mornings with Puerto Rico coffee mugs, effortless island elegance gave the laid-back luxury desired in the 2025 year end.  The fun part was that the airbnb had taxi services and we got picked at the airport to our rented property. It was 10 min away from airport and is popular for comfort, water sports and night life.

Isle Verde Beach - For the view from the Airbnb balcony.

Isle Verde Beach - For the classic beach family, with one taking pictures

Isle Verde Beach - For the lazy morning walks on the beach.

Isle Verde Beach - For the basketball ground & for that smile to kill for!

Isle Verde Beach - For the complete photographer included beach family pic!

Isle Verde Beach - The nudge from my daughter and for the ME in myself!

Old San Juan City

Old San Juan City has lot to offer. The best part is the view of the pastel colored buildings on the cobblestone streets, balconies, shops, cafes, art galleries. The vibe puts you to 20 years back from now. Simply beautiful!

Old San Juan, Downtown City

Ofcourse! the historic fort ambience makes it a movie reel surrounded by Atlantic waters. The iconic popular forts are Castillo San Felipe Del Morro & Castillo San Cristóbal. We spent a day and a half here to capture as much as we can.

Castillo San Felipe Del Morro

Castillo San Felipe Del Morro,"El Morro" 

They say we never travel to the past, the buildings take us there. And these two forts did magnetize us to some extend. I would call them as the thrilling historic saga packed centuries-old forts. So here is a bit of story for you to enlighten. I am a historic buff so be it.

Peeping thru the small balcony for Bacardi Distillery!

The young adult in the family is not really a walker especially to the historical sites like this, however a family vacation overrides one preference with multiple common preferences. That in turns puts emphasis on the family first and adaptability rule in every trip of ours. Each enjoying their best to their liking while extending hands for the joy in parallel for the other.

He sure looks like one retro hero!

The Three Flags at El Morro

The three flags that you see on the top of the fort pier are that of US, Puerto Rico Flag and Cross of Burgundy (Spanish Empire Flag). Togehter they tell Puerto Rico's story i one glance

Spanish Roots-->Puerto Rican Identity-->US present

El Morro

Reading the history behind it, trade winds blew sailing ships here from Europe, helped by ocean currents. Spain fortified Puerto Rico, because it was the first major island with water shelter and supplies that sailing ships came to on the way to Americas from Europe via Africa's west coast. Its deep bay was an excellent port, readily defended

These forts show massive complex system of fortifications built over 10 generations, 250 years. The system was imposing barrier to wealth beyond belief - in gold, silver gems, spices and furs from Mexico, Central & South America. Spain controlling Puerto Rico that time was Europe's door to the Muslim world of East via North Africa and by fortifying, Spain possessed the key to the New World - The Western Hemisphere!

Castillo San Felipe Del Morro, "El Morro" , was built to protect San Juan Bay's deep harbor from attack by sea.

El Morro - The staircase and the moss on the staircase, vintage vibes

I personally not only loved the view of this staircase but the model too with hanging iPhone out of her back pocket!

The top level view overlooking the Atlantic and vast expanse of the invasion from various palces around the world

El Morro - Top View

The very picturesque view of Old San Juan City! Framed!

Castillo San Cristobal 

Castillo San Cristobal with its sprawling outer defense was built over 150 years to protect El Morro and the city from land attack

Castillo San Cristobal

Castillo San Cristobal

I admired evry corner and script behind this fort as I was got a feel of visiting a place with majestic historic reel and military for the first time in America

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Surfing through these places, we encountered plenty of cruise crowd around as we were close to the dock for some luxury travel cruise lines. Maybe that is an option for you when you think of visiting Puerto Rico! So keep that in mind.

My favorite view and the click!

Castillo San Cristobal

Coming from India, I have never found US appealing with historic charm. However these fortifications and especially the 6 level El Morro's construct and Cristobal's Tunnel walkway with barricades put us all to think and engross in the complexities of the defense. Both of these forts charmed us big way.

Castillo San Cristobal - The Tunnel walkway

The pic below will always remind me of the vibe that this pair brings to any vacation. Agile yet flambouyant, adaptive yet classy!

The classic pic around the fort and for any other National Historic Site is a postcard that tells a story of the place. Partially described by google, chat gpt. However the feel to the story and the human factor crawls only when you blog it in. your style.

Castillo San Cristobal - Middle layer view of the city via a rectangular hole

Castillo San Cristobal - The Military Cabins

El Yunque National Forest

It's a half day to full day trip nature escape for family. We covered the rainforest on the third day of our trip. Tropical rainforest with waterfall, hiking trails and viewpoints. We did a guided tour to El Yunque Now, for a person who has already been to Olmpic National Park, it may sound underwhelming. The guide were very jovial and safe to be with. They build the trust between the hiker and the guide, however some scripts fell below my expectations. Suhana, Nishant and Nishchay loved the place with the rope diving senote, water slide and jump. As far as I am concerned, most of the time I tend to develop bliss seeing my family. This time I has geared myself to full swing. But, my getting ready to jump in water was only a mirage for Nishant to pursue. Ha! All that shopping for gear went in vain. Well, I am not to be blamed, somebody had to push me...:)

El Yunque National Forest

El Yunque National Forest

Bioluminescent Bay, was not on our list as it was far from our vantage point of Isle Verde. Also, Kayaking is not my cup of tea after all. Having said that, I have personally read great reviews of this place and seen exciting sport pictures that does put it on the wish list in future

Culture and Food

The growing  teen Suhana couldn’t stop clicking pictures, Adi- the latest adult 🙂 was mostly surrounded with food.  From Mofongo to Ocean-fresh Red Snapper served with coconut rice, from Coconut water with tender pulp to mangoes and smoothies, from ocean waves to rope jumping in 20ft deep water, every bite and every activity will tell a story to our generations.  I would call San Juan a flavor-packed love affair.  The right blend for our anniversary.

Old San Juan Downtown Area - Artistic Feel to an Argentinian Restaurant

The 🐈‍⬛ cats on the colorful cobblestone streets were a delight to watch. The Drunken Cookies was mind blowing, Nishant squeezed chocolate martini in the churro del leche cookie 🍪. This place served cookie with a free shot of alcohol.  Now we have 3 cookies with 3 shots, technically one cookie for us with 3 shots! Voila! The admirable fact is that, San Juan’s culture is liberal one where people are not judgmental yet friendly and super customer centric oriented.  Jovial and kind!

Isle Verde - The Banana Leaf Snapper - Chef Special at The Ocean Breeze Restaurant (by the Ocean)

Him & Me at the Ocean Breeze sipping Pineapple Cinnamon Coconut Mezcal

San Juan - Late Night Dinner by the Ocean at the Ocean Breeze Restaurant

Fruit Mart in San Juan

San Juan - The Star Fruit - Sweet as Candy

The Murals and the Kitty

San Juan - I would call it he Kitty's town

Cannot forget that we viewed the kitty modeling session right in the middle of the road with 3 photographers around her and she posing like a queen of the city

The beautiful pier and the walk down the road was nostalgic and romantic. All I can say. Some has to be left for you to experience isnt it!

With the pier beside him, its so easy to fall in love with him

The trips and tricks make our life spicer as we head into the milestone year.

The Drunken Cookies is an Experience like no other, must Go!

I love San Juan for a vacation like no other

San Juan - Mesmerizing Pastels and Art & Culture

The modern yet historic sculptures

Not to forget, the creativity peek of arts and cultural sites.  The city has lot to offer to a creative person.  The custom made amulet, bracelet, the pirate canes and crafts, the spiked Spanish masks stole my heart away.

Hand made Amulet and Bracelet made our day!

The Jack from the Pirates of the Caribbean Sticks bowled me over!

An everlasting fairly take lasted 4 days for us and I must say San Juan done right.  Kudos 👏🏻 to the picker! @nishant.raizada.

Cheers to every experience in our lives and🥂to Many more in the coming years.

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