Puerto Rico

Walking Through the City

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Pigeons in the Park Photo - San Juan, Puerto Rico

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When my wife and I arrived in San Juan, my wife and I decided to walk around San Juan and experience the daily life. It was very HOT!!! Just walking around the city with the sun beating down on you made it a workout. Not only was the sun burning, but it was also humid. Walking through the city, I noticed that you could always get a beautiful picture of any part of San Juan. It seemed like the sun always hit at the right time to take pictures of a gorgeous alley way. The buildings were wonderfully designed with narrow roads. I was taking it all in. The atmosphere was lively and refreshing. I have to say that it is VERY BUSY, even at night. The roads are always packed, so I can only image how frustratin...Read More

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Bacardí Rum Distillery

Attraction | "The Wonderful World of Barcardi"

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I went to this factory with my wife for the first time(for my wife, it was her second time). I was excited and thrilled to visit this place. At first when we heard that it was going to be an arm and a leg to get to the Bacardi Rum Factory, I was going to not go. Then, I was told how to get there cheaply by one of the receptionist at the El Canario Inn. All we had to do was take the bus, which was FREE to take. The bus will take you to the San Juan port. Once at the port, you find a tugboat to take you, which was also FREE to take. You get on the tugboat and enjoy the ride to get on the other side of San Juan. The only transportation you pay for is a taxi ride to get there, which was only $3 per person...Read More

I went to this factory with my wife for the first time(for my wife, it was her second time). I was excited and thrilled to visit this place. At first when we heard that it was going to be an arm and a leg to get to the Bacardi Rum Factory, I was going to not go. Then, I was told how to get there cheaply by one of the receptionist at the El Canario Inn. All we had to do was take the bus, which was FREE to take. The bus will take you to the San Juan port. Once at the port, you find a tugboat to take you, which was also FREE to take. You get on the tugboat and enjoy the ride to get on the other side of San Juan. The only transportation you pay for is a taxi ride to get there, which was only $3 per person. My wife and I finally arrived there. Once inside, my wife and I got two tickets, which we would use to get FREE drinks. I got a delicious mojito and a fruity drink that had Bacardi Lemon. My wife, on the other hand, got two cokes because she was pregnant with our child. We finally got to do the tour to check out the museum. When we got inside, you get a tour guide to explain the origins of Barcardi Rum. You are allow to take pictures at the beginning, but once you go inside the main museum, you can't take ANY PICTURES because it is top-secret information as well as copyright laws- that's how the tour guides explained it. I was quite surprised at the tour. I have to say that you learn a lot about Barcardi and it's origins, such as the fact that they use sex to sell their product as well as where they get their symbol of the bat. I don't want to give too much information about the tour because I think everyone who goes to Puerto Rico should at least experience The Barcardi Rum Factory at least once. Although it is a place that makes alcohol for people over 21, I think anyone can visit and have a great time. The scenery is very beautiful with palm trees and well-mowed laws right next to the beautiful Caribbean Sea. If you are STILL reading this, then what are you waiting for, GO SEE THE FACTORY. Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on December 26, 2008

Bacardí Rum Distillery
Bay View Industrial Park Route 165, Km. 2.6
Catano, Puerto Rico 00962
(787) 788-8400

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Latin Star

Restaurant | "Little Expensive But Good"

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After my wife and I unpacked at our inn, we decided to go eat lunch. We decided to go eat at Latin Star- Only three blocks from El Canario Inn. When we arrived, our waitress was nice and sat us outside the restaurant. If you have never been to Puerto Rico, you don't need to speak Spanish- The people over there actually speak fluent English to serve you.I got a steak with onions with salad and perfectly-cooked plantains. The plantains are the main reason you should eat at this restaurant. They were very crispy yet sweet. In fact, my wife and I were pleased by the plantains that we ordered more.The setting was beautiful. Outside the restaurant, we could see the Caribbean Sea. There a nice, C...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on December 28, 2008

Latin Star
1128 Ashford Avenue
San Juan, Puerto Rico
(787) 724-8141

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Hard Rock Café

Restaurant | "Rock-N-Roll With a Hint of Puerto Rico"

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My wife and I was walking around San Juan because we were waiting to get on our cruise to sail off to the Caribbean. It was a hot and VERY humid day- My wife was turning red all over because of this weather. After walking around for about an hour, we decided that it was time to eat.At first, we couldn't decided where to eat because, to be honest, we didn't know where to go to eat that was opened. We walked for another 30 minutes until we came upon Hard Rock Cafe. Now, my wife was almost to her knees praising God that we found a Hard Rock (She has been to many Hard Rocks before in different countries and loved each and everyone of them).When we went in, it was almost empty. We had guessed t...Read More

My wife and I was walking around San Juan because we were waiting to get on our cruise to sail off to the Caribbean. It was a hot and VERY humid day- My wife was turning red all over because of this weather. After walking around for about an hour, we decided that it was time to eat.
At first, we couldn't decided where to eat because, to be honest, we didn't know where to go to eat that was opened. We walked for another 30 minutes until we came upon Hard Rock Cafe. Now, my wife was almost to her knees praising God that we found a Hard Rock (She has been to many Hard Rocks before in different countries and loved each and everyone of them).
When we went in, it was almost empty. We had guessed that the restaurant had just opened up to serve lunch. We waited and waited and waited for almost 30 minutes until a hostess came up to us to sit us down. The great time about coming to Puerto Rico is that the inhabitants speak fluent English, thus Spanish is not need to know.
Being sent to our seats, I noticed that there was a vast array of rock souvenirs. Just like any Hard Rock Cafes, you would have the Madonna's famous push-up bra's and Jimmy Hendrix's pictures.
We finally got to our seats and our waiter came. He was a very nice and highly helpful in our selection of food. I got this delicious, frozen blood orange drink (Let me tell you that I LOVE blood orange). This drink was very refreshing. My wife, probably just like any American would coming here, got a coke. After we got our drinks, we were finally ready to order. I got a burger that was looked like any regular burger, but it was with a Puerto Rico flare. It was a spicy burger made with, what I thought at the time, the finest Puerto Rican spices. My wife got a salad and a regular burger. Now, one of the cons of these restaurant was how long it took for our meals to come out. It took over 30 minutes for our meals to come out: That's with my wife finishing her salad and coke as well as me drinking all of my big glass of frozen drink.
My burger was well-cooked and delicious as well as the fries. My burger made me realize that Puerto Ricans really do try to stand out. I could taste the many Puerto Rican flavors.
What was ironic about this place, was how it was attracting more Puerto Ricans than actual Americans. Other than us, I think there was only one American family that came in to eat. The rest was Puerto Ricans, which to me, told me that this is camouflaged non-tourist restaurant. It was great to know that we found a place that wasn't touristy, if that's a word.
We were about to leave when we wanted to know where a Wal-Green was. Our waiter, again, proved how helpful and knowledgeable he was about the area- In fact, I tipped him well for amazing service.
I would recommend this restaurant for anyone trying to avoid tourist-trap restaurants. Even though it is American, it is still a great place to eat and relax. Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on January 1, 2009

Hard Rock Café
253 Recinto Sur
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901
+1 787 724 7625

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Aguaviva

Restaurant | "Come For Just The High Buzz."

Don't be afraid, this was my meal. Photo - San Juan, Puerto Rico

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My wife and I as well as two friends we met at The Barcardi Rum Factory ate at this place. The food was delicious and flavorful. I have a red snapper fish with plantain, which I ate everything on my plate. The atmosphere was nice- set in a dark room with blue jellyfishes hanging in the room. I do have to say that it was obviously a place a lot of tourist come, so if you want to go eat at places with few tourist, don't come here. This place was a tourist-trap. I realize that there was not a single Puerto Rican in the restaurant except for the cooks and hosts. I figured that the tourists, just like me, probably went on Frommer's to get information on where to eat, and this place got a big, fat circle t...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on December 25, 2008

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El Canario Inn

Hotel | "This Inn Is a Must Visit!!!"

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When you visit this inn, you might think it was a beatdown, old place to stay. Let me tell you, DON'T BE FOOLED!!!! This place was awesome to stay for the price my wife and me paid for. We stayed there for two nights for around $100.00 a night. I have to say that anywhere in San Juan, you would have to be lucky to see it even down to $150 a night, unless you plan to at a one-star hotel. The rooms are small, but they have air conditioning as well a nice shower, WITH HOT WATER. The one thing that stood out the most was the reception from the front desk. These people were nice and told us were to eat and how to get to places without spending a fortune to get there- such as the Barcardi Rum Factory. If an...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 25, 2008

El Canario Inn
1317 Ashford Avenue
Condado, San Juan, PR
(787) 722-3861

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Puerto Rico Journals

Puerto Rico

Walking Through the City

Bacardí Rum Distillery

Latin Star

Hard Rock Café

Aguaviva

El Canario Inn

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