Puerto Rico’s charm calls visitors to explore and discover! Come explore Puerto Rico through our eyes! From it’s amazing beaches to its local flavor, one can immerse themselves in it’s lure!
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“Travelling in the company of those we love is home in motion”
– Leigh Hunt.
DISCOVER SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO
Wander around this charming, friendly city…
Is there any better way to spend your days? We are always too busy, right…
Welcome to San Juan, Puerto Rico! The warm island air calls your name to welcome you! Slow your life down long enough to give this island paradise some of your time. EXPLORE!
It becomes much needed in the midst of our busy lifestyles. As long as we remember those most important TOP 10 THINGS TO PACK for a VACATION, all should go as planned!
Many cruise ships dock here in San Juan, Puerto Rico. We enjoy cruising and I can list 10 reasons to cruise easily! Give it a try!
DISCOVER SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO
TOUR THE FORTS!
This old Spanish colonial town features gorgeous pastel-colored colonial townhouses, old buildings, and forts that date back to the 1500’s. Points of interest include Fort San Felipe Del Morro, Fort San Cristobal, and La Fortaleza.
Castillo San Cristóbal is the largest fortification built by the Spanish in the New World. When it was finished in 1783, it covered about 27 acres of land and partly encircled the city of San Juan. Entry to the city was sealed by San Cristóbal’s double gates.
After close to a hundred years of relative peace in the area, part of the fortification was demolished in 1897 to help ease the flow of traffic in and out of the walled city. Many remnants of the fort and walled sections remain. It is very interesting to experience this area.
A tour of the fort reveals quite interesting information! It is well worth the time to enjoy a tour!
Each grain of soil in those walls represents history, time, and many others stories from times past. The rich history is fascinating! Imagine the stories the walls could tell if they had the ability to share stories of all the souls that experienced life here!
This beach is a wonderful afternoons walk! We explored the beachfront for a very long time enjoying the beauty of the ocean! The views from the street side were amazing too!
DISCOVER SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO
SUNRISE!
“Every sunrise is a poem written on the earth with words of light, warmth, and love.”
~Debasish Mridha
Do you enjoy a SUNRISE or SUNSET? I read, enjoy the moist, humid air, and soak up the warmth of the southern climate. Complete tranquility! So amazingly great! These precious moments are priceless to me. It provides me with those stolen chunks of time to feed my need for INNER STILLNESS. This is necessary every day!
Take time to ease your way into the day ahead with a gentle entrance into each day welcoming peace and God’s presence to guide your steps.
DISCOVER SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO
OH THE RESTAURANTS!
“When I was on a two-week vacation I noticed something. The vacation lasted a good long time then suddenly it was over. Life is like that also.”
~ Fr. Cedric Pisegna CP
We wandered the city, then randomly walked into this restaurant. It was a great place to sit, drink, eat, and enjoy people around us! The culture and flare of San Juan, Puerto Rico was wonderful. It presented as such a warm welcoming city. The people were very friendly.
Many restaurants very similar to this one were present throughout the city. The pulse and heartbeat of the city was present everywhere we wandered. It was a joy!
DISCOVER SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO
SHOPPING & PEOPLE WATCHING
Explore the old walls of the city on the Paseo de la Murallas and Paseo de la Princesa walkways. Enjoy the scenic views of the bay on the oceanfront side and the mysteries of the huge walls that protected this town for years.
Who doesn’t like to people watch and relax? Never a dull moment here! Wander this old city and take it all in…something always has your attention on a cruise. The fragrant Caribbean breezes whisper hints of the rich history all around you!
DISCOVER SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO!
SHOPPING!
The shopping in San Juan, Puerto Rico is not to be missed, starting with downtown shopping at old San Juan town and also in the New San Juan town. Shop for handmade Panama hats, jewelry, clothes, and other souvenirs.
These quaint streets filled with restaurants and shops draw you to wander and explore! It is such a unique and wonderful location!
Notice the exquisite architecture! The narrow streets that they routinely zip right through with their tiny cars. It is very quaint.
DISCOVER SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO
BEACHES!
“Trips and vacations are so much more. These experiences show you what’s possible and challenge you to examine the paths you’ll take in the future.”
~ Blake Mycoskie
If you take cruises seeking some sun and sand fun, then you will have a blast in San Juan. There are plenty of beaches in San Juan, but the most popular are Condado, Isla Verde, and ocean park beaches. Head to your right from the cruise pier, in about 15 minutes you will reach downtown San Juan. That’s where all the beaches are located.
Each port offers the opportunity to debark and explore the port. Excursions can be booked based on your interests at each location. We tend to gravitate towards snorkeling experiences. We have booked catamaran rides and private island getaways for a day of relaxing on a beach too!
Crystal clear, turquoise blue, refreshingly soothing, salt water, calmness, tranquility, buoyancy…so many thoughts come to mind when considering snorkeling.
Exploring under the surface of the water to find God’s inspiration in all creation! It’s fascinating. Antigua, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Hawaii to name a few, each snorkel destination holds different adventures and underwater microcosm.
Make sure to pack your SNORKEL & FINS to ensure a great snorkeling experience. The freedom afforded the underwater explorer provides extensive opportunities to experience nature in many new ways. Like the photos? Try this WATERPROOF CAMERA on your next snorkeling adventure! Don’t forget an UNDERWATER VALUABLES POUCH to secure your phone & wallet.
DISCOVER SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO
CRUISE-SHIP VIEWS
“A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in.”
~ Robert Orben
Cruise ships enter this port right next to the old fort! Standing near the fort walls you can get a clear understanding of how and why the island of Puerto Rico had so many Spanish Forts built here. This was a highly coveted locale subjected to many that wanted to dominate and take this land as their own!
Now hotels, bustling commerce, fishermen and many other industries pepper these water side streets.
Such an interesting slice of life!
This harbor is vast and beautiful! San Juan, Puerto Rico remains a favorite of ours to visit!
DISCOVER SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO
RELAXATION & TRANQUIL SUNSETS
“Never go on trips with anyone you do not love.”
~ Ernest Hemingway
San Juan, Puerto Rico remains a perfect get a-way for a romantic experience! Go with a special someone!
DISCOVER SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO
MONUMENTS
“It’s better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times.”
~UNKNOWN
The island is also popularly known in Spanish as la isla del encanto, meaning “the island of enchantment”. Columbus named the island San Juan Bautista, in honor of Saint John the Baptist. Eventually, traders and other maritime visitors came to refer to the entire island as “Puerto Rico”, and “San Juan” became the name of the main trading/shipping port.
Directly across the street from Puerto Rico’s capitol building are nine life size statues of all of the Presidents who have visited Puerto Rico while in office. Theodore Roosevelt, Herbert Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Gerald Ford, and Barack Obama all make up the walkway.
DISCOVER SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO
RECONNECTING ROMANCE
“Take vacations, and go as many places as you can. You can always make money, but you can’t always make memories.”
~ Unknown
Every relationship requires time and attention to thrive. My husband is my best friend. We require time away from the stress of daily life to reconnect and try to make that a priority. We try to “date” weekly and keep our marriage growing each day. A cruise is a great opportunity to really focus on each other and truly enjoy spending time in each other’s company!
Life can be hectic! I wouldn’t trade my boys for the world, but let’s be real! Children can be draining to a marriage! We all need “our person” to feel whole. God intended for husband and wives to be two halves that when together make a whole for fulfillment. My husband and I try to nurture that promise that we made together many years ago when we said, “I do!” Vacations provide us the uninterrupted opportunity to focus on each other solely! Carve out that special time with your special person to DISCOVER SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO! It is worth it!
Leave a reply comment below on how you feel about vacationing in Puerto Rico. Where are some other places that you’d like to discover? What are your favorites on a vacation? Have you spent any time in Puerto Rico?
I look forward to hearing from you!
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A 1993 graduate of Michigan State University, Barbara earned a BS in Social Science Pre-Law. She is a Business Manager/HR Director. Her passion is travel, discovering new places, experiences, cuisine, cultures while enjoying temperate climates. Barbara is a newly transitioning empty-nester who became a travel blogger. She’s a great photographer, talented writer, and has a great family to highlight in her high school/college athlete football sons.
TRAVEL BLOG🛩 * ADVENTURE🛶 * INSPIRATION🌞
Thanks for exploring our travel blog! We hope to assist you in your next adventure through learning from ours! We are transitioning empty-nesters perpetually seeking our next luxury snorkeling adventure! Daily God’s awe inspiring inspiration surrounds us with all of His natural beauty in every direction if we but slow down to observe. Take a moment each day to ENJOY!
Since I love history, I could totally see myself touring for the forts and other historical sites in San Juan, Puerto Rico. That’s pretty cool that they have statues of the presidents who have visited there!
Visiting PR while on a cruisehip travel can give you a little bit of what Puerto Rico is. If you can, go and visit the rest of the island and enjoy the deep green vegetation on the country side. And don’t leave without trying the food. Thanks!
Oh, seeing Puerto Rico via cruise first is a great idea Barbara! Thanks for suggesting that! I’d definitely want to check out San Juan on my trip as the buildings for the shops look so enchanting! And the water is beautiful!
San Juan seems like such a cool place to hang out for the day. I think it’s so cool that they make a statue of all the presidents who have paid a visit!
I’d love to visit San Juan someday! I’d love to try the food and explore the area. I’ve never done a cruise, but it looks like the perfect way to San Juan. I’ll keep this in mind!
I would love to discover the beaches in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Laying on the beach and listening to the waves is very relaxing and where I would spend my time.
If you take cruises seeking some sun and sand fun, then you will have a blast in San Juan. There are plenty of beaches in San Juan, but the most popular are Condado, Isla Verde, and ocean park beaches. Head to your right from the cruise pier, in about 15 minutes you will reach downtown San Juan. That’s where all the beaches are located.
San Juan, Puerto Rico remains a perfect get a-way for a romantic experience! Go with a special someone!
Directly across the street from Puerto Rico’s capitol building are nine life size statues of all of the Presidents who have visited Puerto Rico while in office. Theodore Roosevelt, Herbert Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Gerald Ford, and Barack Obama all make up the walkway.
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36 Comments
Trisha
Since I love history, I could totally see myself touring for the forts and other historical sites in San Juan, Puerto Rico. That’s pretty cool that they have statues of the presidents who have visited there!
Barbara Robinson
YES! It was a very great exploration in San Juan, Puerto Rico for us!
Alexis Farmer
My good friend has family in Puerto Rico and would love to go down with her! Looks like such a beautiful place.
Barbara Robinson
YES! Super cool! SO much beauty!
Lisa
Puerto Rico is on my list! I would love to explore this area!
Barbara Robinson
I’d go back and spend even more time there!
W. Santiago | Literal Med
Visiting PR while on a cruisehip travel can give you a little bit of what Puerto Rico is. If you can, go and visit the rest of the island and enjoy the deep green vegetation on the country side. And don’t leave without trying the food. Thanks!
Barbara Robinson
My brother-in-law just returned from a longer stay exploring Puerto Rico with his family. It looked wonderful! I’d love an extended stay there!
Karen
I so want to discover Puerto Rico. Love all the recommendations!
Kristen Allred
I would love to visit San Juan Puerto Rico. I’m like you, I love to snorkel wherever I go.
Barbara Robinson
WE really enjoyed it there!
Chelsea
I’m hearing more and more people visiting Puerto Rico. I’m not sure where I’d visit first, but San Juan looks like a fun place!
Barbara Robinson
Try it first as a cruise ship stop and decide if you’d like to return for a lengthier visit!
Chelsea
Oh, seeing Puerto Rico via cruise first is a great idea Barbara! Thanks for suggesting that! I’d definitely want to check out San Juan on my trip as the buildings for the shops look so enchanting! And the water is beautiful!
Cindy
I’d love to visit Puerto Rico! It’s on my travel list. San Juan looks like a wonderful city to explore.
Fransic verso
This is amazing, and it has an awesome view. I would love to visit Puerto Rico. I have a friend from there as well.
Leeanne
I’d love to discover Puerto Rico later this year. I’d love to pop down for a week to enjoy all the food.
Barbara Robinson
ME TOO! The food is so much fun to enjoy in different cultures!
Karen
I’ve always wanted to visit Puerto Rico. Love this guide on all the cool things to discover there.
Julie
I’ve seen so many people visiting Puerto Rico recently! A friend is even trying to buy a condo there! So manye great things to do.
Lisa, Casey, Barrett Dog
Puerto Rico is on our bucket list. Looks like you all had a great time! Thank you for sharing!
Sandi
We are off to an Isla Verde resort in June – best place for a girls trip!
Megan
San Juan seems like such a cool place to hang out for the day. I think it’s so cool that they make a statue of all the presidents who have paid a visit!
Alicia
San Juan looks beautiful! My mom actually did a semester abroad in college in Puerto Rico. Looks like such a fun place to spend a few months!
Missy
We landed in San Juan, Puerto Rico to catch another flight. I look foread to going again and visiting the area.
Stacey Billingsley
I’d love to visit San Juan someday! I’d love to try the food and explore the area. I’ve never done a cruise, but it looks like the perfect way to San Juan. I’ll keep this in mind!
Sandi
I just got back from San Juan, it’s such a fun spot to enjoy the beach.
Barbara Robinson
LUCKY YOU! It’s always so hard to leave a paradise location!
kmf
I so want to discover San Juan, Puerto Rico. Thank you for this epic guide!
Barbara Robinson
It is such a great place to explore and discover! San Juan, Puerto Rico is a favorite!
Lisa, Casey, Barrett Dog
San Juan Puerto Rico is on our destination list. The restaurants sound amazing!
Barbara Robinson
YES! So much fun! We really enjoyed San Juan, Puerto Rico!
Suzan
I love San Juan! Especially the old city. Such beauty.
Sandi
I love spending time discovering Puerto Rico. It’s one of my favorite spots to visit for a quick getaway.
Megan
San Juan Puerto Rico seems like an awesome place to visit! I’d love to see all the forts.
Missy
I would love to discover the beaches in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Laying on the beach and listening to the waves is very relaxing and where I would spend my time.