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Where to go next in San JuanStay
Originally owned by
Frederick Vanderbilt, the
oceanfront Condado
Vanderbilt Hotel is
among the most luxuri-
ous in San Juan. Guests
can book a package that
includes an excursion to
a farm with chef Juan
José Cuevas, where
guests harvest ingredi-
ents for their own tasting
menu at 1919
Restaurant. (Rooms
from $311; condado
vanderbilt.com)
eat
Head over to tropical bar
JungleBird (facebook
.com/junglebirdpr) for
dishes like pickled and
fried eggplant tossed
with sambal, honey, and
butter from Paxx
Caraballo Moll, whose
eatery, Jungle BaoBao
(facebook.com/
elbaoricua), is inside the
bar. The artsy Santurce
district is home to Gallo
Negro (facebook.com/
gallonegrosanturce),
where María Mercedes
Grubb’s menu might
include a classicfettuccine al burro or
tuna tataki, sashimi-
grade tuna dressed in
bitter orange ponzu
sauce, tobiko, ají, and
avocado mousse. Nearby
is Francis Guzmán’s
Vianda (viandapr.com).
If they’re on the menu,
be sure to try the
almojábanas—fritters
stuffed with fresh cheese
and paired with guava
sauce. At Lote 23
(lote23.com), picnic with
a poke bowl from Natalia
Rivera Vázquez’s El
Jangiri or a pernil (slow-
roasted pork shoulder)
sandwich at Mario Juan
Pagán’s Pernilería Los
Próceres.Swim
Just east of San Juan are
the sandy beaches,
boardwalks, and frituras
vendors of Piñones,
where snacks like
coconut arepas, crab
turnovers, and alcapur-
rias (green banana and
taro fritters) fill the
bellies of sun worshipers.
Don’t miss local faves
El Rinconcito Latino,
Kiosko El Boricua, and
Kiosko Las Dos Palmas.The Condado Vanderbilt Hotel’s pool