Discover the best piña colada on the island while exploring the beaches, forests, and historic sites in and around Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.
There is nothing better on a hot day than an icy, creamy, sweet piña colada. If you agree, then you need to go to the place that started it all, Puerto Rico.
About Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a quick, two and a half hour flight from Miami. Despite the fact that U.S. newspapers often report Puerto Rico happenings in the international section, Puerto Rico is indeed the United States (ever since 1898, at the end of the Spanish American War, when Spain ceded the territory). No need to worry about passports or visas.
The island is officially a “free associated state,” a status that has been controversial for the more than one hundred years it has existed. Some Puerto Ricans would like statehood. But that would subject them to the United States “English only” advocates. Others want independence, but that would subject Puerto Ricans to the same anti-immigrant laws that most other Latin Americans experience.
With about as many Puerto Ricans living in New York as on the island, it would tear families in two. The good news for the traveler is that most people in San Juan are bi-lingual and, while you should brush up on a few key phrases, you can get along in English just fine.
Historic Old San Juan
Puerto Rico may be part of the United States, but it’s Old San Juan’s Spanish colonial architecture that draws people to it. To experience historic, Old San Juan, there is only one place to stay, El Convento.
El Convento, as the name suggests, is a beautifully restored seventeenth century convent. Drop your bags, take a moment to admire the beautiful wooden doors, take a peak at the tiny pool upstairs (more of a bathtub really), and then head straight down to the courtyard.
The courtyard at El Convento has several bars and restaurants and is a gathering place for locals and tourists alike. Have your first (and second, and third) piña colada in one of the courtyard restaurants. Once you are suitably cooled off, walk across the street to look at the historic Catedral de San Juan where the macabre exhibits of bloody saints in glass coffins may just scare you sober.
After that, head over to El Morro, a sixteenth century fort overlooking clear Caribbean waters and containing what must be the most beautiful cemetery ever. Of course, being the piña colada fan that you are, you must head down the Calle de la Fortaleza to stand in front of the plaque commemorating the momentous event that was the invention of the piña colada.
San Juan's Most Renowned Restaurant
After a moment of silence in front of the plaque, you will surely be thirsty and starved. Puerto Rico is famous or its incredible Nuevo Latino cuisine and there is no better place to sample it than The Parrot Club. There you can get everything from ceviche to blackened tuna to their signature spiced piña coladas.
If you want to talk, you will have to shout over the loud music and crowds of diners, but who wants to talk when the food is that good? After dinner, take a stroll along the promenade and watch young couples, families and tourists all congregate to enjoy the warm night. There you can try a piña ice, not quite the same, but still delicious.
Around San Juan
Now how about trying some drinks outside of San Juan? El Yunque is a tropical rainforest just a short drive out of the city.
While there are no piña coladas in the forest, after a hike through the canopied trails and a few goofy waterfall photos, you will be ready to quench your thirst at nearby Luquillo Beach. There, while surrounded by incredibly blue water and soft sand, vendors will be happy to supply you with as many cool, maraschino cherry-topped piña coladas as you need.
San Juan Nightlife
After an arduous afternoon of lazing around on the beach, check out some Puerto Rican nightlife. That means putting on something besides sandals and shorts. Puerto Ricans like to dress when they go out.
For a truly quintessential San Juan experience, head over to El Patio de Sam, a Puerto Rican institution rumored to have the best piña coladas in town. There, your piña colada will come with a swirl of grenadine and some of the best live music in the city. As to who has the best piña coladas in Puerto Rico, you be the judge.
