1. You wont have to calculate exchange rate for currency in your head: Because its in the US, duh... Well,
kind of. When you first touch down at Luis Muñoz Marin International
Airport, you get the feel a sense of Caribbean vibes without having to
clear customs. No sketchy communication barriers when attempting to land a
decently priced taxi to the city. No worrying about bringing your
passport (but we tend to carry in our wallets anyway).
2. There's 3G phone service on top of the rainforest. Perks
of traveling within US territory is the lack of roaming charges. And
trust me, wi-fi and 3G connections are beginning to be just of a
necessity as oxygen. Go ahead and check yourself on Facebook and brag to
your friends about the highest peak in El Yunque National Rainforest
that you just hiked..in real time!
3. Former criminals were living the good life. Castillo San Cristobal is not only a Puerto Rican landmark but an ironic historical reminder that beauty exists in the most solemn places. The fortress was a former military base with the best waterfront view of the Atlantic. Built by the Spanish in the late 1700's, the site has an underground galleon where they ept prisoners. Now the fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
4. Deep Fried Everything! Including Mofongo.
Mofongo is a deep fried mash plantain and a mouthful of goodness. The
island staple, along with Yuca fries, sweet fried plantains, and green
fried plantains are a must. We checked into El Jibarito in Old San Juan
for our first lunch time meal. Reasonably priced items and good native
Puerto Rican food had us thinking we made the right weekend destination
choice.
5. Old San Juan: minus the traffic (but
you shouldn't be worried since you don't even have a car). The best
place to see the colorfully pastel colonial style houses is by walking
the cobblestone road. Busy neighborhood streets are jam packed with
traffic and people are bustling into nearby stores. Though hectic
downstairs on the sidewalk, we catch a glimpse of the residents of
these million dollar estates enjoying the view from a balcony hammock.
Now, THAT is the good life.
6. Cafe con leche from Cafe Mallorca: some
REAL coffee that isn't watered down into an obesity big venti cup from
you-know-where. Cafe con Leche isn't supposed to be a meal, but not as
strong and small as a single espresso shot. It's the right amount of
coffee and milk for a quick morning pick-me-up.
7. Quesito: heaven in your mouth. a
mouthwatering cream cheese filled pastry that melts in your mouth. You
can find it at the cafe that Obama helped to make famous: Kasalta.
8. Taberna De Lupulo. local bar with watermelon beer! My first time watermelon beer
experience was here at lively neighborhood bar in OSJ. To my surprise,
the brewery that made this ambrosial concoction is a California based
brewing company in California. (Lost Coast in Eureka). Good beer, good
music, great crowd. What more do you need on vacation?
9. A tropical twist on Fast Food: fried
plantains (Amarillo) Yuca Frits (Yuca fries) rice and beans with your
fried chicken. It's like the El Pollo Loco of the Caribbean
10. It's a Weekender to Paradise!
