San Juan

Puerto Rico is paradise - I know everyone says that, but you should take my self proclaimed professional opinion about it.

The bae and I took a weekend trip down there for his birthday and spent 60 hours sunbathing (aka burning), drinking, exploring, and most importantly, eating. 

We stayed at the San Juan Marriott Resort and Casino because let's face it, we're just trying to live our best Yummertime-esq lives. The hotel is beachfront and centered around tons of amazing restaurants and bars. Plus, we had fries and drinks served in pineapples brought to us directly on the beach - if that's not paradise, I don't know what is. 

My rundown of things to do, eat, see, drink, and a few tips too - 

• Old San Juan is colorful and busy and packed full of things to eat and drink and do. All the super picturesque photos of the colorful buildings were taken here and that alone is a reason to come through. Check out The Mezzanine at St. Germain during the day - $4 happy hour from 4 to 8 and cute balcony seating to people watch from inside one of the colorful buildings! 
   
• El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rain forest in the United States (aka a "must do"). We booked a half day tour through the hotel, but there are tons of ways to get out there to see it. It's a bit of a drive away from San Juan, but holy moly the giant canopy trees, wildlife, and waterfalls make it 100% worth it. 

• Casa Bacardi, while touristy, is too fun to pass up. The tour doesn't actually take you into the distillery but walks you through the history of the Bacardi family and takes you around the grounds - plus you get to drink some rum which is never a let down. 
   
• If you do nothing else in Puerto Rico, eat as much mofongo (pictured above) that you can get your hands on. It's mashed and fried plantains usually with some sort of meat and it's insanely incredible. Some of the best we had was at Orozco's.

• And for a nightcap, check out La Factoria in Old San Juan. You enter in a regular ol' bar but go off to the right through a door into a back room speakeasy for amazing cocktails and wine (pro tip: there's no sign outside, but it's on the corner of Calle San Sebastian - listen and look out for all the people!)
   
• Uber is touchy topic in PR (well, in many places) and the cabs have a monopoly over the airport. Take a cab from the airport to where you're staying, but use Uber everywhere else to save some money - they're much cheaper and readily available than cabs.