Discovering Puerto Rico: A Memorable Journey in San Juan

My first venture back into travel was to celebrate my niece’s nurse practitioner’s license and her daughter’s graduation from high school. I was invited to join them, and my niece asked for my help planning the trip. They wanted to go somewhere in the Caribbean that wouldn’t require a passport. After much deliberation, we decided on San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Traveling to Puerto Rico offers a perfect blend of Caribbean charm and the convenience of staying within a US territory. Puerto Rico is ideal if you’re seeking an island escape without the hassle of obtaining a passport. Here’s a detailed account of my recent trip to San Juan, filled with experiences, tips, and reflections.

The week before leaving, my sciatic nerve locked down. I sought medical and chiropractic care determined to make the trip. Though it improved, through some bad decisions on my part, it locked down completely. There is more on that part of the adventure in a few paragraphs below.

Day 1: Early Flights, Long Days and Settling In

Our adventure began with an early 6:00 am flight from Memphis, with a layover in Chicago before arriving in San Juan. Despite the long flight and minimal in-flight food, the journey was seamless with Southwest Airlines.

Upon landing, we headed straight to the Condado Ocean Club, a clean and well-maintained adult-only hotel on the waterfront. The friendly staff made check-in smooth, and our adjoining rooms with a bay view were comfortable and scenic. Although service in the hotel’s food area was slow, it was likely due to a staffing shortage, but it didn’t detract from the overall pleasant experience.

For dinner, we opted for a nearby taco stand. The food was delicious, though the servers were a bit surly. A quick trip to Walgreens for essentials like water, tea, and snacks wrapped up our evening, and we settled in for the night, exhausted from a long day of travel.

Day 2: Rainy Day in Old San Juan

I woke up to a rainy Sunday, a perfect excuse to let the others sleep in. Mid-day, we ventured out in the cloudy weather to Old San Juan. Our brunch at Caficulturie was a highlight of the day. Despite the slow service, their French toast, breakfast skillet, and fantastic cappuccino made it worth the wait.

Determined to explore despite the weather, we headed to the historic Castillo San Felipe del Morro. The fort was commissioned by King Charles I of Spain in 1539 as a fortified tower in honor of King Phillip III. Over the next 200 years, especially in the reign of King Charles III, El Morro continued to be developed to reach its current form in 1787.

Photography by Amber Smith

The fort’s 500-year-old history is captivating, but navigating its 100 steps, with no handrails in the rain, was a challenge and possibly not a good decision. When we reached the next floor, a tropical storm hit, and we found a turret to ride out the storm for 30 minutes. Next was the climb back 100 steps, about a mile and a half walk in the pouring rain.

We sought shelter from the storm and found a Mexican dive for a snack. We needed to go to the bathroom, dry off, and get a drink while we planned our next steps.  Photographing the famous Umbrella Street was big on our bucket list, but unfortunately, the umbrellas were missing, a slight letdown from what we had anticipated. (Note: we returned on our final evening, and the umbrellas were still unused. This has happened in every country where I’ve gone to photograph the bragged-about umbrella street. I hope to finally photograph an umbrella street that lives up to a city’s tourist flyers!)

When we returned to the hotel, I literally could not walk. Especially with my sciatic issues, it was challenging. I learned the hard way that listening to your body is essential. The pain from my sciatic flare-up reminded me to ask for help, and I was grateful for the assistance and wheelchair provided by the hotel staff.

That evening, the other two went on a night kayak adventure. I didn’t think I could get out of the kayak with my back, so I opted to stay in the room with my ice pack. They had an absolute blast.

Day 3: Catamaran Adventure

Monday brought an exciting adventure with the East Island Catamaran. The staff was accommodating, especially considering my hip condition. Looking around, I realized I was the oldest person on the boat. We snorkeled at a beautiful island where my great-niece spotted a shark, had a nice onboard lunch, and swam at another picturesque spot. Understanding my mobility issues, the captain graciously allowed us to sit with him, and a golf cart transported us back to our bus.

We wanted a nice dinner that evening. With some research, we discovered that one of the island’s best restaurants, Social, was in our hotel. We chose to sit outside for the ocean view. While the food was excellent, the service was prolonged and unorganized. They brought our meal but no utensils, and we had to ask three people to get them. They brought dessert but no spoons. Service was an issue almost everywhere we went, but we rolled with the flow.

Photography by Amber Smith

Day 4: Rainforest Excursion

Our final full day began with breakfast at the hotel before heading to the rainforest. I love to zipline, but with my back issues, I decided it wasn’t the best decision to try it this trip. We hired Juan, a driver from the hotel taxi company, to drive us to the rainforest. Although Juan didn’t speak English, his assistance was invaluable. He stayed with us the entire time, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience.

We first dropped the girls off at Zipline Park—a crucial reminder for future zipliners: close-toed shoes are essential. My niece had to borrow mine to participate. While the girls had their adventure, Juan and I headed to the Visitor Center. His help with the wheelchair and his company made the walk through the rainforest enjoyable. Although I didn’t capture any great bird photos, the vibrant flora provided plenty of beautiful shots.

Visiting the only rainforest in the US National Forest System was a check off my bucket list. The courteous park staff and the serene environment made for a memorable day.

After our rainforest excursion, we returned to the hotel to relax at the infinity pool and beach.

The bar staff was courteous and accommodating, ensuring I had everything I needed. For dinner, we revisited Umbrella Street, still without the umbrellas, and dined at the Salty Señorita—a bit of shopping and photo-taking rounded out our evening before returning to the hotel to pack.

For all our ground transportation, except to the rain forest, we used the Uber app and had great drivers throughout our time in San Juan.

The flight home with Southwest was smooth and uneventful.

Final Thoughts

Puerto Rico exceeded my expectations, offering a blend of rich culture, beautiful landscapes, and warm hospitality. Despite some challenges, like my sciatic flare-up and inconsistent service, the overall experience was enriching and memorable.

Travel Tips:

• Ask for Help: If you need assistance or a wheelchair, don’t hesitate to ask.
• Plan for Slow Service: Be prepared for slow service in some areas due to staffing issues.
• Embrace Diversity: Enjoy both the historical sites and natural beauty. From Old San Juan’s forts to the lush rainforests, there’s something for everyone.

Puerto Rico offers a vibrant, safe, and culturally rich experience, making it an ideal destination for solo travelers and families. Whether you’re seeking adventure or relaxation, this island has it all. Pack your bags and get ready to explore this gem of the Caribbean!