Our Cover
Location:
Castillo San Felipe del Morro (El Morro Fort)
Photographer: Eduardo Sanchez
Model: Ana Paola Figueroa
Agency: Element Models
Make-Up: German Mirabal Ostolaza
Hair: Manolo Gonzalez
Collection: Ecliptica Old San Juan
Spring 2017
On our COVER
Castillo San Felipe del Morro (El Morro Fort), the most popular historic attraction in Puerto Rico, served as a picture-perfect backdrop and one-of-a-kind catwalk for showcasing the versatility of local fashion designer Ecliptica’s Spring/Summer 2017 collection during the seventh edition of San Juan Fashion Week.
Constructed in 1539, El Morro’s history, setting, and preservation make it one of the top tourist attractions on the island. This impressive stone fortress with awe-inspiring views of the Atlantic Ocean is located on the headland overlooking the entrance to San Juan Bay on the outskirts of the Old City. It was originally built and used by Spanish colonialists to defend against attacks from the sea. From the late 19th century until 1961, El Morro was occupied by the American Military service and operated as an active military base for both World War 1 and II. Today, the site has the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage status and attracts over two million visitors per year.
Ecliptica, led by sisters Norein and Michelle Otero, took inspiration from El Morro’s architectural and historical beauty and presented a striking feminine collection with a color scheme mostly comprised of tones in orange, blue, and green.
In their designs they use elements of draping, lace, embroidery, fringes, and macramé on flowing light silk fabrics that make each piece a true showstopper. The silhouettes mostly consist of plunging necklines and detailed pieces with effortless fluidity to provide a statuesque goddess appeal.
Ecliptica aficionados not only consist of local fashionistas but celebrities like Roselyn Sanchez, Kany Garcia, Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres, Miss Universe 2001 Denise Quiñones, Nelly Furtado, Guiliana Rancic, Thalia, among others.
The sister duo became the first Puerto Ricans to be chosen by the internationally known Gen Art Organization to display their Fall 2006 collection in Miami. Though it was in 2009 when Ecliptica accomplished one of their most noteworthy goals – presented their Fall 2010 collection at New York Fashion Week with amazing reviews.
Today, Ecliptica’s bridal collection is the key to their success, and coincidentally Puerto Rico is well-known as a top Caribbean location for destination weddings.
The same way Ecliptica’s clothing line is out of this world, electric, eclectic, and modern so is Puerto Rico as a tourism destination.
Small hostelries make your vacation feel at home
Staying in a hotel and lounging on a beach was the typical vacation for visitors to Puerto Rico. Not anymore.
Staying in a hotel and lounging on a beach was the typical vacation for visitors to Puerto Rico. Not anymore.
More travelers nowadays seek a fuller experience of the island. The beach is still important but travelers also want to immerse in Puerto Rico’s local color, to learn about its vivid culture fusing Spanish, African and American influences, to get transported into that mellow tropical rhythm that is so much a part of being an island in the Caribbean. Staying in a guest house or a bed and breakfast (B&B), is part of the adventure, a way for an outsider to get closer to the destination and its people.
The allure of a small hostelry is easy to see: small is cozy, inviting, and personal. Guest houses and B&Bs, not to be confused with Airbnbs, are usually located in a residential neighborhood so staying in one spells a more intimate experience of a destination. Their owners, who are Puerto Ricans or locals with many years of residency, engage with visitors on a closer level, sharing their knowledge of the island and directing visitors to places of interest often overlooked by travel guides.
B&B facilities in Puerto Rico have no more than six rooms, include breakfast as part of the hotel rate, and operate out of the home of the owner, or a building within the owner’s property. There are currently 10 B&Bs on the island.
Sprinkled throughout the island, each B&B is a window onto a different corner of Puerto Rico, giving visitors an engaging portrait of a richly multifaceted island.Some are in the city, others in the country. Each enchants in its own special way.
Casa Sol and Casa Isabel are a fine introduction to San Juan, their locations bridge the metropolis’ colonial past with its cosmopolitan present.
Casa Sol, located on the eponymous street, is no different from the centuries-old colonial homes that grace the old city, San Juan’s mythical center. It is a two-story house painted a cheerful canary yellow with a large, imposing iron gate at its entrance. Its owners, Eddie Ramirez Castellano and wife Tisha Pastor have lovingly turned the ground floor of their home into a welcoming retreat for world travelers.
“The biggest difference between a commercial hotel and a B&B is the relation we have with guests; it’s very personal. We spend a lot of time with guests,” says Ramirez, a trim young man with the cool of a Zen master and the amiable charm of a host.
Casa Sol opened in December of 2013 and for the past five years it has been singled out for excellence by Trip Advisor. In 2019 it entered the travel website’s Hall of Fame. It is one of four B&Bs on the island that are green. It eschews plastic and gets its energy from solar panels on its roof. Guests are given small glass bottles to carry water around and are invited to take the 5-minute shower challenge. It turns out that staying within that limit gives you an extra hour and a half of free time per year not to mention that it saves more than 12,000 gallons of water yearly. Ramirez also buys in bulk to reduce waste. Casa Sol proudly displays its Green Key certification, which identifies it as a sustainable business.
Guests at Casa Sol are drawn from all over, including faraway places in French Polynesia, New Zealand, Japan and Russia. What they find is a home away from home. Its hub is the glorious, plant filled patio, typical of colonial homes, where morning breakfast is served and around which the five bedrooms are laid out. The ground floor also accommodates a comfortable kitchen and a small sitting area with rocking chairs and a writing desk, also for the use of guests. Ramirez and his family live upstairs.
Each of the guest rooms has its own name and is unlike the other. The rooms are comfortable and decorated with Puerto Rican artworks. On the beds, a doll created by crafter Gloribel Delgado waits to be tucked in at night. Little chocolate squares made with Puerto Rico-grown cacao are a welcome treat for guests. Another treat handed out on arrival: a delicious popsicle created by a local company named Señor Paleta.
The work of love that is Casa Sol is not only reflected in the beautiful way that Ramirez has decorated the place but in the fact that so much of what is in the building was salvaged from destruction or recycled. He purchased the building as a ruin. Over the course of two years, the building was restored using the bricks and ancient beams of the original structure. A tub in one of the rooms was rescued from a Bayamon home where it was found covered in earth, with a tree growing out of the drain. Other rescued items include the writing desk, a statue of St. Francis (now standing in the patio), and the banister spindles on the house stairs. The patio floor was made using smashed up damaged bricks.
If Casa Sol reflects Puerto Rico’s past, then Casa Isabel reflects its cosmopolitan present. This B&B is located in one of San Juan’s most colorful neighborhoods, the Loiza Street area that has become a veritable gastronomic epicenter in recent years. Casa Isabel is right in the heart of this sector, ready to give visitors a taste of a modern city’s culinary predilections. The area teems with regular bars and wine bars, eateries, and restaurants like Silk (oriental fusion), Bebo’s (Puerto Rican food), Fleria (Greek), Sabrina (international), Round Eye Ramen (Japanese), Pinky’s (the place for breakfast, or lunch). And there’s more.
In business since December 2014, Casa Isabel is based in a lovely 1930s Spanish colonial house with a pastel green exterior set off on one side by a rampant fuchsia bougainvillea. It has five rooms, each with a private bathroom and a small refrigerator, and several communal rooms, including a beautiful porch with an oblong sofa, the perfect place to enjoy a late afternoon drink. In front of the house, the small garden is shaded by trees and a couple of stone benches invite to a moment of quiet relaxation, or perhaps conversation with a fellow guest. The ocean is just down the street so you get the both of two worlds: city and beach.
Margarita Buenaga, its owner, said she inherited the house from her great aunt. At one point selling it seemed the best course but a nephew encouraged her to turn it into a B&B. Despite her lack of experience in tourism (she worked in the insurance industry), Buenaga is pleased with how things have worked out. She said she gets a lot of guests from Canada, Europe and the Orient. Many are people who come to the island on business trips. Guests are well looked after and she attends to all their requests, even handling their laundry if necessary. “This is their home,” she said.
Beyond San Juan is the beautiful, luscious Puerto Rican countryside. Casa Flamboyant in Naguabo and Dos Aguas B&B in Rio Grande immerse you in the island’s exuberant natural world. Both are magical and secluded.
A stay at Casa Flamboyant is “like stepping into a different world, one that is more tranquil, calm, and full of nature,” said Ricardo Miranda who runs the property with his partner Florin Lepadatu. They purchased the property five years ago from an American woman who ran it as a B&B. While ownership changed, the name of the B&B stayed the same.
This is a very intimate hostelry with only three beautifully appointed bedrooms for adults, as no children are allowed. Each is equipped with its private entrance, bathroom, and a fridge. Miranda said guests are served a two-course breakfast consisting of fresh fruit (from fruit trees in the property) and an entree that varies each day. Visitors can always drive to nearby Naguabo or Fajardo for lunch or dinner but many guests like to stay put and cook a meal using the grill or microwave available on the premises.
There is plenty to keep them occupied. On the spectacular rooftop there is an inviting pool filled with spring water and sweeping views of the ocean and the surrounding hills of El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rain forest in the U.S. Everywhere the eye can see there is green foliage, a soothing sight that puts the soul at ease. Nature offers many diversions. Visitors in a hiking mood can walk two miles to the Naguabo-side entrance of El Yunque where trails beckon or they can have a fun time frolicking in two natural pools formed by falling water from two waterfalls in the property.
Says Miranda: “Our motto is disconnect so that you can re-connect with nature and with each other.”
Visitors to Dos Aguas are likewise seduced by its location. “From the moment the gate opens, you feel like you have stepped in a whole new world. You feel a sudden peace. You start connecting with nature in a completely different level,” wrote a visitor on the B&Bs Facebook page.
Located about 30 minutes away from San Juan, Dos Aguas occupies a large commodious house with lots of windows and shady open porches. All around is the exuberant, green vegetation, as if nature were wrapping its soothing arms around you.The house sits on a 3.8 acre property that takes its poetic name from two rivers, Rio Grande and Espiritu Santo. They meet in front of the house, hence Dos Aguas, which means two waters.
The hostelry’s four rooms are simple but with a luxurious feel: large, comfy mattresses, elegant accessories, earthy colors. It opened its doors in December 2016, closed briefly in late 2017, and was back in business by January 2018.
Carla Arraiza, who runs Dos Aguas with her mother Ivonne Gonzalez, said the property had been home to her grandparents and turning it into a hostelry was a way to preserve it. Her interest in travel and the tourism industry also factored in. She wants to show visitors that Puerto Rico can produce quality. “I love to give them personalized attention,” she said, referring to her guests who hail from Canada, the U.S., Mexico and Europe.
At Dos Aguas, they find an ideal place in which to luxuriate in the natural environment but with plenty of other alternatives for diversion like kayaking, paddle boarding or riding a boat down the river. El Yunque is a short distance away and night tours of the phosphorescent bay in Fajardo can be easily arranged. Or guests can visit the beaches in Luquillo and Fajardo, which are close by.
“It’s a space that is near everything but gives you the sensation of being far away,” said Arraiza.
Puerto Rico’s guesthouses share the same goal of B&Bs: to make visitors feel at home and give them a special experience of the island. There are about 29 of them and they are somewhat larger operations as they can have a maximum of 27 rooms. Most are located on the Puerto Rico mainland although a couple can be found in Culebra and Vieques. These two, idyllic little islands — a favorite week-end destination of many Puerto Ricans — are the perfect place to get away from it all and enjoy all the activities one associates with the surrounding sea like swimming, snorkeling, windsurfing, sailing, diving, kayaking, or just plain sunbathing on the sand.
Located some 17 miles east of the Puerto Rican mainland, Culebra is only 7 miles long by 5 miles wide and has a population of fewer than 1,400 people. Its beautiful beaches, some of which can only be accessed by car or boat, attract visitors from all over the world. The most famous by far is Flamenco, a wide expanse of white, coral sand stretching for about a mile around a sheltered, horse-shoe shaped bay with shallow, turquoise waters. It was voted the number one beach destination by The Travel Channel.
Club Seabourne is the only boutique hotel in Culebra. It is nestled within the hillsides with breathtaking coastal view of Fulladoza Bay. Each of its rooms and villas are exquisitely furnished and feature a bespoke interior and exterior design. Guests can opt to take at the Caribbean chic property a refreshing dip in its pool, pure relaxation in a hammock within its lush landscaped gardens or visit one of the region´s breathtaking beaches. Enjoy world-class amenities and services, casual dining, and a host of fun activities. At Club Seabourne get away from it all and immerse yourself in a unique experience that can only be described as Caribbean chic.
Mamacita’s Guest House is right in Culebra town, two colorful buildings painted in joyful pastel colors, standing right next to a canal. It has 16 rooms, including guest suites with balconies overlooking the nearby ocean. One room in particular, N. 301, gets a high rating for its “spectacular view.” Mamacita’s is more than a guest house as it also runs a popular bar and restaurant with a menu centered on seafood like lobster, fish and shellfish though it also caters to meat eaters with such selections as T-bone steaks and churrasco. The bar is well known for one drink in particular: the “legendary Bushwacker,” a synthesis of coconut cream, coffee liqueur, rum and cinnamon.
Vieques, 8 miles east of Puerto Rico, is 20 miles long and 4.5 miles wide, making it somewhat larger. It has one main town, Isabel Segunda on the northern coast, and Esperanza, a fishing village on the southern end. This mostly hilly island also is famous for its gorgeous, pristine beaches. Villa Coral Guesthouse, a 7-minute walk from Esperanza, is a Mediterranean-style house with beautifully manicured grounds and lovely views from its sun deck. It makes a convenient home base for daily excursions to surrounding beaches, some of which are completely deserted if you go early in the morning.
The guesthouse has seven rooms, all with their own private bathroom and mini fridge. They are comfortable, simple but nicely decorated with local artwork and flowers. Additional rooms can be found in a cottage, named Coralina that sleeps two people and is a two-minute walk from the guesthouse; a separate two-bedroom apartment with one bath is also available. Both are operated by the same owners.
Passionate about pork
Ensaltao – Ponce
Ensaltao – Ponce
Passionate about food is how Chef Benmar Santos Correa, owner of Ensaltao restaurant in Ponce, describes herself and she is definitely is in love with pork.
And in the hierarchy of proteins pork is king in Puerto Rico. The name of this innovative establishment, that features the tastiest, most succulent lechon (slow-roasted whole pig); refers to the process of when a pig is inserted on a spit.
Hungry customers come to Ensaltao to enjoy an assortment of delectable traditional Puerto Rican dishes such as slow roasted pig or slow roasted whole chicken accompanied by heaping portions of rice and pigeon peas, yuca al mojo (cassava with garlic sauce), mofongo (mashed green plantain with pork and garlic), root vegetables, cuajito (stewed pig stomach), morcilla (blood sausage), pasteles (boiled green plantains or cassava filled with pork or chicken), among other local delicacies.
Ensaltao’s well-seasoned lechon with crispy skin, moist, tender and juicy meat is the main attraction. Besides its regular menu, the restaurant also provides daily specials.
Tradition is alive and well in Ensaltao. Families come not only to enjoy fun and flavor but to appreciate a cozy ambiance with a refreshing freshwater stream view, colorful hand painted murals designed by local artists, arts and crafts, carnival masks as well as cold beer, wines, and tropical drinks. The last weekend of every month local artisans offer a small arts and crafts fair to exhibit their masterpieces and sell souvenirs.
Ensaltao is the place to visit when in Ponce where you’ll be served a beautiful plate of happiness. Clients that come for the first time is one that definitely returns.
The setting sun marks the start of the evening SOCIAL scene. The nighttime ambiance is decidedly island-chic as guests arrive for intimate dinners, drinks with friends or just to see where the night will take them. The curated menu and drink list are the perfect pairing to the after sunset social scene. With attentive service and thoughtful recommendations from the SOCIAL staff, there is no doubt your first visit won’t be your last.
ADVERTORIAL
Marinas Anchor Offshore Adventures and Onshore Excitement
Puerto Rico holds a prime position in the Caribbean’s celebrated boating scene in no small part because of its wide array of well-equipped marinas and yacht clubs, aquatic oases that serve as secure bases for adventures both offshore and on land.
Puerto Rico holds a prime position in the Caribbean’s celebrated boating scene in no small part because of its wide array of well-equipped marinas and yacht clubs, aquatic oases that serve as secure bases for adventures both offshore and on land.
Whether angling for a world-class catch, sailing the trade winds or cruising the seas, these ports of call provide secure berths with access to essential supplies as well as more creature comforts. Importantly, they pull double duty as landing areas for incursions into Puerto Rico as well launch pads for excursions to explore the island’s sprawling coastline, offshore islets and beyond.
And while the marinas that dot Puerto Rico’s 700 miles of coastline vary by size and amenities all are set up to help get boaters out to sea in style and back on dry land safely.
There is an endless array of off-the-beaten path anchorages surrounding the main island, the offshore archipelago of Vieques and Culebra and dozens of uninhabited islet gems to explore. There are trophy catches on patrol in fertile sport fishing grounds. There are crystalline underwater wonder worlds replete with kaleidoscope of marine life. The world is your oyster and Puerto Rico is a pearl for the seafaring set.
So chart a course for adventure, assured in the comfort that there are multiple marinas around Puerto Rico where you can fuel up for the fun at sea and ease back into life on land without a hitch.
A look at Puerto Rico’s marinas and yacht clubs shows the scope of these vital facilities for the broad-ranging boating community and visitors looking to spice things up with a healthy dose of seawater thrills.
The heart of the capital city is always a good place to start
Sitting at the intersection of the capital’s various tourism hubs, the San Juan Bay Marina serves as an excellent gateway into a wide spectrum of onshore attractions nearby including Spanish colonial forts, the Caribbean’s best gastronomic scene, pulsing nightlife, glittering casinos, beautiful beaches and easy airport access. A range of onsite rentals and charters are on tap for on the water activities such as sunset sails, inshore and offshore fishing charters, jet skis, standup paddleboarding and a diving center. Dry stack, haul and repairs are just some of the services available at the full-service facility.
Anchoring the area is the Club Nautico de San Juan, or San Juan Yacht Club. With a refined ambiance in line with traditional European yacht clubs, this capital city landmarks boasts a well-respected restaurant and ballrooms and members areas including bar, library, game room and terraces looking out over the gleaming boats and glittering skyline. The club continues to play a vital role in Puerto Rico’s sailing scene through classes for kids and is the staging ground and sponsor of an annual billfishing contest that lures crews from around the Americas.
Just a few minutes from Luis Munoz Marin International Airport is Cangrejos Yacht Club, which straddles an inlet between Carolina and Piñones, the beating heart of Puerto Rico’s Afro-Caribbean culture and a favored destination for families seeking affordable eats with million-dollar views along the Atlantic Ocean. The open sea is within a stone’s throw of the Yacht Club but don’t miss out on the inshore charters that will have you stalking trophy tarpon just minutes off the dock in the world-class fishing grounds of the Torrecilla and San Jose lagoons, fish-filled mangrove mazes that wind through rarely seen sectors at the edge of the bustling metroplex.
Head further east and reach Fajardo, the town that can stake its claim as the hub of Puerto Rico’s boating scene boasting multiple marinas including Puerto del Rey, Sunbay, Villa Marina, Puerto Real and Puerto Chico. Fajardo and its plethora of ports make it a natural staging ground for jaunts to Vieques, Culebra, the Cordillera Reef Natural Reserves and the postcard-perfect islets of Icacos and Palomino, among other destinations including the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands and beyond. It is not uncommon for longer voyages to the U.S. mainland, Bermuda and Latin America to be launched out of Fajardo.
Puerto del Rey Marina, protected by a substantial breakwater on Majagua Bay, counts some 1,000 boat slips and its 50 acres of land includes extensive repair and storage facilities along with a range of amenities including restaurants, mini-market, marine supply store, boat dealers and on-site car rental. Leading maritime tour operator East Island Excursions runs sailing and snorkeling day trips to Icacos, Culebra and Vieques and various charters operate out of the facility.
Located along the northern entrance to Sardinera Cove, Puerto Chico Marina is adjacent to Sardinera Beach and sits within 10 minutes by boat from picturesque uninhabited island hotspots including Icacos, Palominos, Palominitos and Lobo. A new restaurant and bar round out a solid menu of amenities at this relaxed facility, which is also a short distance south El Conquistador Resort and Las Croabas, a longtime fishing village that is now home to popular eateries and watering holes and a passive park. El Conquistador also has a small marina where boaters can tie off to enjoy the dining facilities.
Carved out of the end of an artificial cove, Villa Marina Yacht Harbour provides excellent shelter and is within easy striking distance on numerous keys and islets. It is the home port for an array of activities including deep-sea fishing tournaments, boat exhibitions and regattas.
Situated to the south on Fajardo Bay, SunBay Marina prides itself on a commitment to preserving the area’s aquatic heritage and protecting the environment. Offering a solid slate of services and amenities, the facility is in the heart of one of Fajardo’s most developed stretches of waterfront.
Continuing south along Puerto Rico’s eastern edge brings you to the Yacht Club Marina at Palmas Del Mar, a sprawling and luxurious resort complex that put the sleepy town of Humacao on the map. The modern marina bills itself as the only such facility linked to full a resort community, offering access to pools, party facilities, a pair of championship golf courses, tennis courts, a beach club and an equestrian center. Eat and drink right at the yacht club or sample any of the nearly two dozen restaurants within Palmas del Mar.
Puerto Rico’s southern coast is also peppered with a strong string of ports of call along the generally calm and clear waters of the Caribbean Sea.
Among them is the Guayama Nautical Club, a small marina situated along the Jobos Bay nature preserve known for its annual wahoo fishing tournament.
Rounding further west along the southern coast is the Salinas Marina, a long popular landing spot for sailboat crews as they island-hop around the Caribbean region. The well-appointed facility is protected by a series of barrier keys and ringed by mangroves, providing a natural refuge even in the active Atlantic hurricane season. The town of Salinas is famed for its waterfront seafood restaurants and fiercely proud of its mojo isleño, a scrumptious and highly addictive sauce made with tomatoes, onions, oil, vinegar, herbs and often olives.
Ponce, the regional anchor known as the Pearl of the South, is home to a world-class art museum and a proudly preserved colonial core replete with restaurants, an iconic red and black striped firehouse and other attractions. The coastal city along the central Caribbean coast also claims the Ponce Yacht and Fishing Club, a family-oriented facility in the La Guancha boardwalk area that is stocked with options even for land-lubbers including a golf course, pool, gym and tennis and basketball courts.
La Parguera Nautical Club, in the southwest coast town of Lajas, is a good launching point for daytrips to pristine keys including Caracoles and Enrique, as well nighttime excursions into one of Puerto Rico’s three bioluminescent bays. Bioluminescence, caused by microscopic organisms in water that light up when disturbed, is not unique to Puerto Rico but the island has three lagoons — Mosquito Bay in Vieques, La Parguera in Lajas and Laguna Grande in Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve in Fajardo — with concentrations of the dynoflagellates that are not seen elsewhere. La Parguera is also a known saltwater sportfishing hotbed.
Cabo Rojo, a southwest coast municipality with an expanse of elbow room, is also known as a key launching point into the offshore fishing paradise stretching from the Caribbean Sea north in the Mona Passage. Blue marlin and other billfish roam these waters in good numbers.
Set out to find them from a number of ports including Marina Pescaderia, which is located on Puerto Real Bay to the south of the city of Mayaguez, the western region’s largest urban center. Due west is Mona Island, an uninhabited nature reserve that offers hunting, camping and hiking opportunities, as well as incredible scuba diving just off of its soaring cliff-lined and cave-pocked coastline. Beyond that is the Dominican Republic. Amenities abound onsite at the facility, which was was awarded a prestigious Blue Flag for its environmental ethics and standards.
There is no shortage of breathtaking beaches and awesome eateries in the surrounding Cabo Rojo waterfront areas of Joyuda, Boqueron and Combate, and for that matter, along the expanse of Puerto Rico’s west coast marine wonderland.
Further evidence Cabo Rojo’s fishing craze are the Club Deportivo del Oeste, a docking facility in the Joyuda area that sponsors billfish tournaments that follow strict catch-and-release guidelines. The Boqueron Nautical Club, meanwhile, stages well-respected blue marlin and mahi-mahi tournaments.
Back on the upper edge of the island sits Arecibo, a city sitting at about the midway point of the Atlantic coast that is studded with stellar surf spots, oceanfront restaurants. The Arecibo Nautical Club, which includes a marina area and a double boat ramp, is perfectly positioned for quick runs to “Marlin Alley,” where prize billfish patrol depths of more than 1,000 feet just minutes off Puerto Rico’s north coast.
However, not all the action is seaside, with inland attractions including the venerable Arecibo Observatory, long the world’s largest radio telescope and a still vital research tool, as well as river trekking adventures in remote karst forest, the Toro Verde zipline park and the Camuy Caverns system.
The abundance of marinas in Puerto Rico will allow you to spend your days on high seas or at a yacht club, whatever your heart desires.
Here’s what’s cooking at Loiza Street
When you’re in San Juan, make sure to visit Loiza Street, the city’s newest hip hangout.
When you’re in San Juan, make sure to visit Loiza Street, the city’s newest hip hangout.
If there is a secret to the city’s enduring appeal, it’s probably that it mixes thrilling metropolis entertainment, cultural and culinary delights with the laid back cool of a beach town. Nowhere is this delightful dichotomy in fuller view than on Loiza Street — a mélange of boutiques, restaurants and bars that stretches out for about a mile, one to two blocks away from some of the sweetest stretches of beach in Condado and Ocean Park, between the two Indio and Barbosa seaside parks.
Loiza Street is home to some of the best new restaurants to open in recent years, with talented young chefs reinvigorating island cuisine with a renewed passion, and a wide diversity of authentic cuisine taking root here: Mexican, Greek, Chinese, Peruvian, Japanese, Italian and fresh seafood. It’s also home to pubs and low-key clubs with live music and other entertainment, as well as fashion boutiques and artisan smoke and jewelry shops.
The Loiza strip runs from De Diego street to the west, home to Supermax De Diego, probably one of the best supermarkets in San Juan, and the Double Tree by Hilton San Juan, to just before Barbosa Park to the east, home to Nomad Urban Beach Hostel, one of two hostels catering to young urban travelers on the block (the other being Conturce Hostel). The low-cost, high quality hostels appeal to the same youthful crowds that are driving the street’s popularity. They offer lodging options from rooftop hammocks to coed and same sex rooms with multiple beds to private rooms with an ocean view and private bathroom. The Double Tree has golf-cart shuttle service for guests to the beach at Parque del Indio and room service, lounge chairs, and beach umbrellas once there. The bistros, bars and boutiques that line Loiza Street are also in easy reach of hotels in Condado and Ocean Park, including the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, the Numero Uno Beach Hotel, At Wind Chimes Boutique Hotel and Acacia Boutique Hotel.
The area has become one of the city’s hottest night spots, with a number of new bars specializing in cutting edge cocktails and craft beer. Piso Viejo is an old school cocktail emporium in a beautiful room that offers the best of classic Puerto Rico style. There’s a short menu fashioned from local cuisine and a gorgeous dance floor that is one of the best spots in the city to sashay to salsa.
There’s usually some serious booty shaking going on at El Barrio Socialbar, which draws a youthful crowd with loud reggaeton and local urban dance music. The cavernous space has the biggest bar on the block, an always fun crowd and the hardest working bar and service staff in the business. This is the place to, with drink in hand; shake it to the latest hits. Calle Loiza is also home to the popular club, Rumors, which has live entertainment, dance music and bistro fare.
Rumors has live entertainment, dance music and bistro fare.
El Bar Bero, a hipster cocktail lounge housed in a transformed barber shop, features friendly bartenders and complex, hand-crafted libations within a cool, modern, low-lit interior space.
If you had to name a place that best captures the Calle Loiza spirit, it would undoubtedly be Cafe Tresbe and the other eateries on its site, a modern open-air combination of food stands stitched together repurposed shipping containers and wood and metal terraces lined with blooming tropical flowers that is as attractive as it is utilitarian. Known for its burger sliders, seafood turnovers, fish tacos and kebabs, this is a great spot to have a snack and drink in the delicious atmosphere of Calle Loiza. The spot also offers fresh tropical fruit frappes, sushi and poke and is a great place for a drink from morning till after the sun goes down.
Tresbe was one of the first wave of restaurants and bars to open on the block, transforming the area into a vibrant San Juan hotspot from what was once an ugly strip of dingy restaurants and retail shops in decline. The opening of Sabrina Brunch & Bistro Bar here, however, put Calle Loiza on the culinary map, with chef Juan Camacho’s relaxed and soulful versions of Cuban and Puerto Rico classics, as well as tropical versions of world cuisine staples, among San Juan’s most unheralded culinary wonders. The attractive yet laid back space also features occasional live music and always friendly and knowledgeable service. Camacho, and the Sabrina management team, is also behind Azucena, the charming restaurant that more recently opened across the street in a Puerto Rico country home -style spot. Here the focus is more squarely on Puerto Rico cuisine and the entrees more focused to fine dining than bistro fare but the result is just as successful With Camacho in the kitchen, Sabrina and Azucena are two of the finest restaurants in San Juan, not just on Calle Loiza.
Sabrina Brunch & Bistro Bar put Calle Loiza on the culinary map.
Bottega, located in the heart of the area, has been one of the city’s “in” spots since opening in 2019. It pairs an extensive wine list and tapas menu with both Spanish classics and modern renditions. It’s a great big room with high ceilings and wall-sized windows, large comfortable tables and chairs and a wrap-around bar that is the spot to mingle. The staff knows their wine and food and is as welcoming as they are knowledgeable.
Everybody goes to Bebo’s Cafe for the tasty and large platters of comida criolla at economic prices that makes it a rave for locals as well as travelers. Bebo’s, near the west end of the area, is just one of several comida criolla emporiums offering up price and taste on Calle Loiza, and you’ll find the same fresh local flavors and friendly vibes at Ana’s Cafe and Cafeteria Quisqueya, which are both closer to the eastern end. Gorge on mofongo relleno, grilled chicken criolla, tender island beefsteak and fresh seafood specials, usually fried red snapper or codfish serenata. All these spots have daily specials feature classic Puerto Rican plates at even better prices than the regular menu. Start off with fried cheese or a combination of turnovers. They also serve fresh fruit frappes and standard American breakfast and sandwich items, as well as wonderful local deserts – tropical flans, tres leches and cheesecakes. Molini’s also offers affordable tasty meals built on island flavors.
Calle Loiza also an ever broadening array of restaurants offering distinct world cuisines. One of its most established restaurants is Pan-Asian emporium Silk, on the grounds of the Gallery Plaza Double Tree by Hilton complex, which offers Chinese, Japanese, Mongolian and Vietnamese cuisine and sushi with flavor as big as its cavernous interior dining room and bar. This spot’s SoHo vibe is as authentic as the Chinatown special menu. There are kicking versions of the classics (Kong Pao chicken, Mongolian beef and, not to mention the steamed and fried dumplings and sesame noodles), a slick sushi bar offering Golden Dragon and Rock Rolls and tempura and teriyaki delights. Finish it off with fried ice cream.
Theos Greek Cafe is another long-term resident on Calle Loiza that offers authentic and inventive Greek cuisine served within a beautiful room that bows to Mediterranean classic design. The flavorful meals are as satisfying and refreshing as the ambiance.
Calle Loiza also has two fine authentic Italian trattorias – Mangiare Italian Trattoria & Pizzeria and Bocca Osteria Romana, that are top shelf and comparable to the finest such spots along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard. While pizza and pasta are the main stays, there are fabulous daily specials at both spots from grilled rib eye with rosemary to sophisticated sautéed fish platters.
It’s always brunch at Tostado, the big beautiful hipster breakfast spot at the center of the block that serves wonderful coco pumpkin pancakes, eggs Benedict with pulled pork, vegetable omelets and tasty burgers made with Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico raised beef.
Pinky’s, which has the best sandwiches and wraps in San Juan, has found a new home on Calle Loiza after bouncing around a number of different locales around Ocean Park and Condado for the last decade. The small spot with big flavor also has among the best breakfasts in town.
It’s no secret that Calle Loiza’s restaurant scene is certainly keeping pace and evolving.
Puerto Rico is the Caribbean’s hottest spot for five-star weddings
Memorable moments go hand in hand with unforgettable locations and if that special occasion is a wedding, then it is no surprise that so many love birds choose Puerto Rico to celebrate their union.
Memorable moments go hand in hand with unforgettable locations and if that special occasion is a wedding, then it is no surprise that so many love birds choose Puerto Rico to celebrate their union.
What could be more romantic than to wed the love of your life on a sexy tropical beach as the sun is setting and the sky is ablaze with color or to say “I do” on a breathtaking marble terrace overlooking the blue hues of the ocean while the waves rhythmically lap the sand and scores of small votive candles flicker in the twilight.
The appeal of such magical weddings boosts the island’s popularity as the most perfect wedding destination. Besides, Puerto Rico is sunny and easily accessible by air from the mainland, making it ideal for a long weekend celebration. Plus, there are plenty of things to do — from sightseeing and sports to luxuriating on the beach — so your honeymoon can be as active or as languorous as you like.
There are all kinds of weddings but if you are dreaming of a luxurious event, then a very special setting is in order. Puerto Rico doesn’t disappoint when it comes to world-class venues that can deliver a stunning backdrop for a chic, five-star wedding, followed by a resplendent reception and dinner.
Among the more lavish locations, standouts include the Fairmont El San Juan Hotel, the Condado Vanderbilt, Dorado Beach, a Ritz Carlton Reserve; and the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort; each offer what it takes for a truly unforgettable luxurious wedding and a totally romantic honeymoon.
But what exactly is a luxurious wedding?
“The word ‘luxury’ can be defined in many ways, but many believe luxury is a ‘feeling’ that couples feel, and not a tangible object that can be defined. It is the way they feel when they set foot on property, the reaction from their guests, the services they receive, and the dramatic scenic backdrops of their ceremony.
Poised flawlessly between city and shore, the Fairmont El San Juan Hotel has the quality of a movie set so a luxe wedding here will definitely make you and hubby feel like the stars of your very own love story. With its grand entrance, dramatic lobby showcasing one of the largest chandeliers in the world, and a verdant tropical garden canopied by a towering Banyan tree, this 388-guest room resort lives up to its fabled reputation as an iconic landmark. And having undergone a multi-million-dollar renovation taking on the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts brand, it has the updated and refreshed look of a chic socialite.
The Fairmont El San Juan hosts between 60 and 70 weddings yearly and about 40 percent of those weddings involve couples from outside Puerto Rico. Favorite spots for the wedding ceremony are the Banyan Tree, Aquarelle Restaurant, the Gold Ballroom and the International Ballroom. In most cases, the ceremony is followed by a reception and dinner in one of various indoor and outdoor venues, depending on the needs of the client.
The Fairmont El San Juan, with its long history and luxurious style, is definitely a good choice for a luxe celebration and, after the nuptials is over, for a very cozy honeymoon. This resort, after all, has it all so newlyweds don’t need to come out of their cocoon. There is the beach, the pool, a tri-level Well & Being fitness center that offers Pilates, vertical wall yoga, TRX, Cross Fit and group cycle. There is the legendary Chandelier bar, restaurants, a nightclub and several stores selling clothing, souvenirs, sweets and shoes. No getting bored here.
Couples who want a wedding in the city look to the Condado Vanderbilt, one of San Juan’s most famous icons, as the perfect venue for a classy event.
Opened in 1919, the Vanderbilt was designed by the same architectural firm that designed New York city’s Grand Central Terminal. It was Puerto Rico’s first luxury hotel and the first to have a casino when gaming was legalized in 1940.
Although it has experienced changes through the years, this historic hotel never lost that grand style one sees reflected in its imposing facade and the majestic double staircase in the lobby that leads to the first-floor ballroom. The hotel is commodious, with elegantly appointed public rooms and spectacular ocean views.
Weddings at the Vanderbilt are a year-round affair but the busiest months are April, May, November and December. The hotel can accommodate groups of between 25 and 500 people.
Luxurious weddings at the Vanderbilt are characterized by impeccable service. As examples of excellence are the synchronized dinners that Michelin starred Executive Chef Juan Jose Cuevas creates for wedding parties and the support given to couples by professionals who guide them every step of the way. The historic setting also contributes to the sense of luxury.
Off island couples usually arrive at the Vanderbilt two days before the wedding and stay two extra nights. On their wedding night, newlyweds receive a champagne bottle and chocolate covered-strawberries, compliments of the hotel. The honeymoon is a time to unwind and enjoy deluxe pampering. Like personalized facials and massages using plant oils and organic botanicals at the hotel’s exclusive The Spa. You can be totally at ease: Thanks to the hotel’s concierge service, a butler will take care of all those little details, like making reservations for restaurants and for entertainment activities.
Over in Dorado, it is easy to feel in the lap of luxury at the Dorado Beach or the St. Regis, two resorts that seem a world away from San Juan although they are but 30 minutes away from the capital city. Both combine the comfort of high end living with the soul -enriching experience of being in a natural setting of incomparable beauty.
Dorado Beach is based on a property once owned by famed aviator Clara Livingston and later developed as a resort by Laurence Rockefeller. Everywhere you turn, you are in the midst of a wildly lush world of green palms and plants (there are more than 300,000 varieties planted) with the sea as your north.
All 114 rooms, completely refurbished recently as part of an extensive hotel restoration, are beachfront so the ocean is forever in your sight. Water is the prevailing, sensual theme: all the rooms have soaking tubs and outdoor showers shaded by the surrounding foliage; some have spacious balconies while others have private plunge pools.
May and June are the busiest months for weddings at the Dorado Beach. Most couples prefer a ceremony on the Surf Lawn, overlooking the ocean, and a sunset cocktail hour outdoors. Wedding parties average 100 people.
The “I dos” and partying over, it’s time for the couple to savor their private time together. A honeymoon at Dorado Beach is nothing but idyllic. Wedding couples usually stay three to seven nights, precious time they can spend luxuriating in the sun and indulging the senses at the Spa Botanico, a truly special place built around a 90-year-old tree. Here you can get a tree house massage, facials and body scrubs with poultices from indigenous ingredients. For the romantics at heart, there are couple’s pavilions where they can steam and bathe in cloistered gardens.
And there’s plenty more to do like water sports, tennis, 11 miles of nature trails, all of which will build an appetite that couples can assuage at four different restaurant experiences, including a Culinary Center that hosts wine dinners and cooking classes showcasing seasonal ingredients and international cuisines.
St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort is described as a standard bearer for luxury in Puerto Rico and now the resort is more splendid than ever thanks to a recent $60 million renovation that has given its 139 rooms and public spaces a refined, new aesthetic.
Nestled along a curved, tranquil bay, the elegant St. Regis is beautifully integrated within its lush, tropical environment showcasing more than 110,000 native and naturalized plants.
The heart of the resort is the magnificent Casa Grande (Plantation House), check-in area and the setting for Paros, the fine-dining restaurant, and the St. Regis Bar. For more casual eating there is a poolside restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating.
A luxurious wedding at the St. Regis is all about the attention to detail, the anticipation of guests’ needs, and the personalization of every detail on the venue and offerings.
The resort welcomes intimate or large weddings of up to 250 guests; the months of April, May, June and July are busiest.
A honeymoon at St. Regis is to experience living in your own private paradise, one with all the comforts and amenities that luxury can provide. For couples, it is a time to relax, sunbathe, do water sports and enjoy the splendor of one of the most beautiful spots in Puerto Rico.
The places shaking up San Juan’s culinary scene
San Juan has earned a reputation as the culinary capital of the Caribbean so it is constantly evolving with eating-out options ready to satisfy the wildly different tastes of local and international diners, from fans of Puerto Rican cooking and fast-food brands to gourmands seeking memorable eating experiences.
San Juan has earned a reputation as the culinary capital of the Caribbean so it is constantly evolving with eating-out options ready to satisfy the wildly different tastes of local and international diners, from fans of Puerto Rican cooking and fast-food brands to gourmands seeking memorable eating experiences.
What feeds this perennially shifting gastronomic scene? New concepts introduced by the culinary impresarios opening restaurants in San Juan and let’s not forget that creative culinary trends, like the savory aromas wafting in the air during cooking, sooner or later reach Puerto Rico from the kitchens of the world to be taken up by adventurous local chefs.
The latest concept to hit San Juan is “vibe dining,” an enhanced eating experience that turns a restaurant into a mix of hip club and entertainment, courtesy of dancing waiters and a live DJ amping the music volume up as the night burns.
STK San Juan, which The One Group Hospitality, Inc., opened at the luxe Condado Vanderbilt Hotel in the heart of San Juan’s tourist sector, kicked off this new trend on the island after having been successfully tested in the U.S. and abroad.
Think of STK as modern steakhouse meets chic lounge, a fusion splendidly pulled off in an exciting space that is at once hip and glamorous. The restaurant, which accommodates 188 people, is divided into a hip bistro area decked out with high chair tables and a stylish dining area with creamy, semi-circular banquettes and dramatic crystal vases, filled with glass gems, from which long-stemmed fabric flowers shoot out. The color scheme is black with hot flashes of red. Everything having to do with sight, service, sound and light is controlled.
The menu focuses on top quality meat (Linz Heritage Black Angus in portions of 6 to 34 ounces), combining classic STK staples and Smith creations such as a stewed rabbit served over a bed of arepas. He likes using the flavors, colors and textures of Caribbean cuisine, favoring such locally-sourced vegetables as malanga and yuca. So far, Filet Mignon and Tomahawk steak, which is dry-aged between 33 and 44 days, are big favorites among diners. Another winner is the Cloud dessert, deconstructed strawberry shortcake topped with ice cream, wrapped in cotton candy, splashed with Grand Marnier and dramatically torched to the delight of everyone.
For pre- or after-dinner drinks, lounge at the bar sipping STK classics like Cucumber Stiletto and Not Your Daddy’s Old Fashioned or cocktails created with Puerto Rico in mind like Ventana del Mar, Curious Jorge, Not a Paloma, and Condado 75.
The company already has 20 STKs in major metropolitan cities in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East. And now San Juan is its stepping stone into the Caribbean.
Another trend that continues to gain ground in Puerto Rico is farm-to-table with many chefs now using a significant percentage of homegrown ingredients in creating their dishes.
Vianda takes up the challenges and delights of this trend out of a cozy locale with a mellow ambiance and understated decor tucked on the ground floor of a commercial building in the heart of Santurce. The restaurant’s large bay windows look onto busy by day, quiet by night Ponce de Leon Avenue.
The menu at Vianda mixes the familiar with the unexpected, resulting in most intriguing combinations. Like the recently featured pig head “carpaccio” with pickled vegetables and grilled sourdough or the mature plantain torte with crispy pork belly and bacon topped by a balsamic glaze. Entrees might include a USDA-Prime Strip Loin but, for the more adventurous diner, there is a Tom Kha Cod served in a coconut broth with mushrooms, chili oil and crispy rice or a pork trio — belly, cheek, and sausage — with yuca and a confit of peppers.
Vianda is a great place to stop over for happy hour. The restaurant has a fine wine list at sensible prices and you might want to try an appetizer or two for a taste of what Vianda offers.
Most local diners that come to Vianda are excited that the concept is a little different but it can be confusing for some people to wrap their heads around the fact that it is not criollo cuisine.
Overall, there is a demand and desire for fresh, delicious food and people are eager for more diversity of cuisine.
Fresh, local ingredients and an eclectic menu also distinguish San Juan’s Wicked Lily that is situated at The Tryst Beachfront Hotel in Condado.
Wicked Lily is a beachfront space where you feel good. The recipe: ingredients are simple and fresh.
On the menu you will find a spin of classic cuisines made into sophisticated dishes that bring together interesting combinations of flavors. Like bacalitos, quarter sized fried marinated cod fish served with squash blossoms, artichokes, chili pepper and lemon aioli; lobster guacamole made with chilled Maine lobster and smashed avocados served with local chips; Truffle Wings prepared with crispy boneless wings, toasted sesame seeds, cilantro, gorgonzola crumbs and truffle buffalo sauce; and Chicharron of Calamari served with sweet and sour peanut sauce, mezclum, sesame seeds and roasted peanut with togarashi.
For the restaurant’s sipping menu, there is an array of concocted unusual combinations of spirits, liqueurs, spices and herbs to create drinks like Melao Melao Melao (Bombay Sapphire, St. Germain, sage, yuzu and egg white) and Lily’s Colada (Myers rum, roasted pineapple, coconut water, nutmeg cream).
Cutting-edge restaurants are but one segment of Puerto Rico’s diversified food scene which includes casual restaurants and the popular fast-food brands that many people, pressed for time or short on cash, depend on regularly. This sector too is seeing more choices and locations opening up.
Metropol, a well-known local chain specializing in Puerto Rico’s criollo cuisine, opened its 10th casual dining restaurant at exclusive The Mall of San Juan. The restaurant prides in its selection of traditional dishes and its own classics like stuffed chicken, stuffed mofongo (mashed plantains served with different meats and fish), and Can Can Porkchop.
A new stateside brand that set up a local presence is Red Lobster. The well-known chain chose Plaza Las Americas, the biggest mall in the island and the Caribbean, as the location for its first local restaurant. This addition has proved good news to everyone familiar with this chain known for its generous portions of seafood.
San Juan’s food scene would not be complete without the presence of food trucks, a popular alternative that continues to offer new eating options to the public. At Miramar Food Truck Park, “Que Toston” delivers “comida criolla” of such perfection that it already has a fan club, including former San Juan resident David Vos, host of his own Internet show, cookingwithonehand.com.
Meanwhile, an upscale take on the food truck has gotten attention for its concept and the fresh design of its ocean front locale in Condado. “La Marqueta” is a large, breezy metal frame hangar in which shipping containers kiosks are lined up along an open, central patio with no barriers which opens to the Atlantic Ocean, each specializing in a particular cuisine. People can go from one kiosk to another trying out different dishes and sit at patio tables. The furnishing is tropical, there are potted palms, and the whole ambience is one of delicious al fresco living tying the sensory experience of flavors, sounds, smells and tactile sensations with a maritime theme.
Culinary experiences feature Asian, Puerto Rican, Italian, Mexican, and Mediterranean dishes. The Asian menu features dishes from various regional cuisines, such as Japanese, Chinese, and Thai, with offerings including poke and sushi. Likewise, the Mediterranean menu brings together the culinary traditions of Turkey, Greece and Spain, with classics ranging from babaganush and falafel, kebabs, and paella. The Italian menu offers classics such as risotto, a selection of Panini, and artisanal pizzas, and the choices from the Mexican menu include an array of tacos, among others.
Seafood, vegetarian dishes and emblematic specialties curated from local ingredients are also on the menu. Beverages include fresh fruit cocktails as well as a variety of freshly squeezed juices from local fruits.
The Oyster Shack in Condado is a family business that started out of the love for eating fresh oysters, seafood and connecting with people in a fine dining ambiance. Freshly opened oysters, clams, crudo, and a variety of refreshing ceviche are the main attractions – dishes straight from the tide to your table.
Fresh seafood is seasonal, which means its daily selection can change. You may find on the menu wild mussels, steamed oysters and clams, garlic shrimp, octopus, mahi mahi and scallops all prepared with their special blend of freshly chopped parsley, white wine, garlic, Spanish olive oil, peppers and red onions.
At 1208 Ashford International Cuisine and Steakhouse, the finest steaks and high-quality seafood are served in a vibrant setting. The restaurant’s fine dining and rooftop areas will soon reopen with a special menu. Its diverse menu will satisfy any personal craving, as they serve the best prime steaks, succulent seafood and shellfish along with inventive and classically inspired side dishes and appetizers.
Chef specialties include, but not limited to, pan seared scallops with roasted sweet Brentwood corn, bouillabaisse, salmon caviar and sweet potato ginger mash; 8-ounce wagyu steak, exotic mushrooms, truffle au jus and saffron risotto; smoked dry aged duck breast, endive and citrus glaze as well as Yukon mashed potato; and the catch of the day in white wine, garlic butter sauce with grilled asparagus and roasted rosemary potatoes.
Also enjoy from the grill, tomahawk steak for two with foie gras and brandy sauce; New York steak, prime angus filet mignon, and ribeye with tasty sides of grilled asparagus, Brussel sprouts, sautéed vegetables, mashed potatoes, roasted rosemary potatoes and pigeon pea risotto.
Morton’s The Steakhouse, an internationally acclaimed steakhouse, at the iconic Caribe Hilton Hotel. This premier establishment has unmatched personalized service and signature steakhouse selections of primed-aged beef, succulent seafood, shareable sides, decadent desserts and an extensive award-winning wine collection. From the bar to the main dining area, guests can enjoy breathtaking panoramic ocean views.
Morton’s interior incorporates the area’s waterfront offering with floor-to-ceiling windows and stunning waterfront views in an elegant dining room ambiance with black patent crocodile leather booths and decorative glass within tiered light fixtures that reflect off smoked mirror columns.
In Old San Juan is Electric Wok, a new concept that takes fast food to another level. This restaurant provides fast and fresh cuisine in a casual setting. Guests are able to see the food preparation with its open kitchen concept. At Electric Wok you can create your own vision of stir fry using either fresh zucchini noodles or opting to add from its vast selection of succulent fried rice.
Also, Electric Wok prepares fresh flavorful cocktails such as the traditional mojitos and piña coladas however, the house specialty is called ‘Mi San Juan,’ which is made with a combination of fruits, Puerto Rican rum and a touch of agave in combination with edible seasonal flowers. The bar offers tapas, also referred to as bar snacks, that includes tempura wings with savory BBQ guava sauce or mouthwatering tuna tacos made of wonton croutons.
With so many new and exciting establishments with an eccentric mix of tastes, budgets, and influences opening in San Juan’s culinary scene, it no wonder why that diversity is what makes Puerto Rico, the culinary capital of the Caribbean.