san juan puerto rico, paradise without a passport!

A couple of years ago, Brittany embarked on a cruise vacation departing out of San Juan, Puerto Rico.  She was wise enough to add on a few days in San Juan and it ended up being the highlight of the entire trip!  So much so that Brittany has put together a foodie tour departing in January 2024.
 
While there, Brittany explored Old San Juan and enjoyed the laid back vibe of Puerto Rico.  There is much to love about Puerto Rico - beautiful beaches, a rain forest and a bustling atmosphere.  Brittany has hand picked many of the food destinations based on her experience there and is looking forward to sharing them.  If you're looking for a winter getaway with a bit of a twist,  this is the trip for you.

​-Cindy-

destination of the week
san juan, puerto rico

With a 500-year-old city center that’s flanked by golden beaches, modern condos and mega-shopping centers, old world truly meets new in Puerto Rico’s capital city. The captivating ancient plazas of the Old City give way to the high rises of Hato Rey and the ritzy seaside hotels of Condado. The end result is a multifaceted city with broad appeal. There are few places in the world that offer such a perfect combination of hip urban center, beach resort and bastion of history.
 
One cannot visit San Juan without strolling the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan, the walled city- within-a-city whose seven square blocks are home to more than 400 restored buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries. Take in El Morro and La Fortaleza fortresses, San Juan Cathedral (resting place of Juan Ponce de León) and the Paseo de la Princesa, a promenade lined with statues, fountains and street vendors. Talk to local artists and buy their wares. Pop your head into any bar, restaurant or museum that strikes your fancy. Plan to spend at least a full day here.
 
Beyond Old Town, this city of nearly 400,000 is a collection of unique neighborhoods. The beachfront areas of Condado, Isla Verde and Ocean Park are popular tourist destinations, full of blissful beaches, fine hotels and inns, trendy restaurants, hopping nightclubs and designer boutiques. The Santurce neighborhood is a hipster haven with a thriving art scene, while the Hato Rey financial district is where you’ll find Luis Muñoz Marin Park and Plaza Las Américas, the biggest shopping mall in the Caribbean.
 
https://www.visittheusa.com/destination/san-juan

travel tip of the week
us citizens don't need a passport in puerto rico

​While Puerto Rico is its own country, and local laws and customs differ from those of the United States, the island is still a Commonwealth of the USA.
This means US citizens don’t require a passport or a visa for entry. Flights from the US are considered domestic, so you won’t go through customs when you arrive on the island and you won’t need to present a visa or pay a departure tax when you leave.
However, visitors must still pay the local tax of 11.5% on goods and services and you’ll be required to pass through the US Department of Agriculture channel at the airport before you leave, just to make sure you don’t bring fruits or vegetables or open food packets back into the US.

virtual vacation of the week

One extremely important aspect of a country's culture is its food, and this is no exception for Puerto Rico. The traditional criollo cuisine plays an integral role in every cultural activity and family gathering. Similar to the people of Puerto Rico, the traditional cuisine has a rich history resulting from the blend of the African, Taíno, and Spanish ancestor's traditions resulting in what legendary Spanish Chef Jose Andrés described as one of the most interesting cuisines in the world! 

​https://brikstravelguides.com/

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