Beautiful Puerto Rico

Day 1: Arrival & Old San Juan Exploration

• Arrival: Land at SJU Airport early morning and pick up your rental car from reputed companies (We picked ours from Enterprise). Check-in at the hotel (We stayed at Condado Palm Inn Tapestry Collection by Hilton). Rest for a few hours.
• 10:30 AM: Drive to Old San Juan and park at a nearby garage.
• 11:00 AM: Visit Castillo San Felipe del Morro ($10 for a combined ticket with San Cristóbal).
• 12:30 PM: Enjoy lunch at Café Berlin, known for authentic Puerto Rican veggie options.
• 1:30 PM: Walk along Paseo de la Princesa and explore La Fortaleza.
• 3:00 PM: Visit Castillo San Cristóbal and enjoy the panoramic views.
• 5:00 PM: Indulge in a refreshing Piña Colada at Barrachina, the birthplace of the drink, and shop for souvenirs.
• 7:00 PM: Dine at one of the lively restaurants on Ashford Avenue in Condado.
• 8:30 PM: Return to your hotel and relax.

Day 2: El Yunque Rainforest & Bioluminescent Bay

• 8:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel or nearby café.
• 9:00 AM: Drive (~50 minutes) to the El Yunque Rainforest Visitor Center ($8/person) and explore its trails.
• 10:00 AM: Drive into the rainforest (no entry tickets required) to see La Coca Falls and climb the Yokahu Observation Tower.
• 12:30 PM: Stop for a vegetarian lunch at Degree 18 Juice Bar in Luquillo.
• 1:30 AM - 5:30 PM: Enjoy your 4-hour guided rainforest tour (Recommended only for physically fit young adults) (We went with Spotin Tours). Highlights include waterfall swims, rope jumps, and lush greenery.
• [Alternative] 2:00 PM: Relax at Luquillo Beach or Seven Seas Beach.
• 5:30 PM: Early dinner at a local café or nearby restaurant.
• 6:30 PM: Drive to Fajardo for the Bioluminescent Bay tour (~30 min).
• 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Experience the magical glow of the Laguna Grande Bioluminescent Bay kayak tour (We went with Yokahu Kayaks).
• 10:30 PM: Return to the hotel (~1 hour drive).

Day 3: Culebra Day Trip

• 5:00 AM: Leave for Ceiba Ferry Terminal (~1-hour drive).
• 6:30 AM: Board the 7:00 AM ferry to Culebra (Make sure to arrive at least 30 minutes early for a smooth boarding process. Ferry tickets can sell out quickly, so booking well in advance is essential. If you're unable to secure tickets yourself, consider paying a small premium for a concierge service to pick them up on your behalf).
• 8:30 AM: Pick up your golf cart rental (We rented from UTV Rental Culebra for ~$85/day) for easy island exploration.
• 9:00 AM: Relax at Flamenco Beach, one of the world’s most beautiful beaches.
• 12:00 PM: Lunch at Dinghy Dock or Heather's Pizza, which offers vegetarian options.
• 1:30 PM: Visit Tamarindo Beach for snorkeling (gear available for rent).
• 3:30 PM: Return the golf cart and board the 4:00 PM ferry back to Ceiba.
• 6:00 PM: Drive back to San Juan and enjoy dinner at Mai Pen Rai (vegetarian Thai options).
• 7:30 PM: Relax at the hotel.

Day 4: December 30, 2024 - Scuba Diving & Beach Day

• 7:30 AM: Breakfast at Bistro Café.
• 8:30 AM: Arrive at your chosen Scuba Diving provider (We went with Try Scuba Diving) in San Juan for 9:00 AM Discovery Dive (~30-40 mins underwater).
• 11:00 AM: Return to the hotel to freshen up.
• 12:30 PM: Drive to Isla Verde Beach for relaxation or water sports (~15 min).
• 3:00 PM: Late lunch at Cocina Abierta or Burrito Social (vegetarian-friendly options).
• 5:00 PM: Take an evening stroll through Distrito T-Mobile and the streets of Old San Juan for a final glimpse of Puerto Rican culture.
• 9:00 PM: Enjoy a light dinner at Orozco’s Restaurant or Tayzan Restaurant.
• Departure: Check out of the hotel and drive to the airport (~15 min) to return your car rental and prepare for your early-morning flight.

This itinerary balances activity-packed days with relaxation, ensuring you experience Puerto Rico's best attractions while adhering to your vegetarian preferences and tight timeline.