Kids Drinking Piraguas (Snow Cones) at El Morro
A walk-able downtown, tempting cuisine, and beaches galore make Puerto Rico’s capital city of San Juan a wonderful vacation playground for families. American visitors can get a taste of a unique culture without needing to tackle another language, pack a passport, or exchange currency. Here are five fun activities for kids in San Juan.
Take a horse drawn carriage ride through Old San Juan: Horses clop past pastel-colored shops and along cobblestone streets through Old San Juan. Do a bit of souvenir shopping, jewelry for mom and rum for dad, and then reward the kids with a horse drawn carriage ride through San Juan’s picturesque downtown.
Fly a kite at El Morro: Before heading to El Castillo de San Felipe del Morro (nicknamed El Morro), pick up a kite in town. Spain began building this imposing structure, Puerto Rico’s best known military fortress, in 1539 but it was not completed for another 200 years. After exploring the fort’s ramparts and taking in the sweeping ocean views from its rooftop, use El Morro’s vast grassy lawn as a stage from which to soar your kite through the windy skies.
Make time for water play: As an island destination, no flight to Puerto Rico would be complete without some (A LOT) of time spent lazing on the beach and splashing in the ocean.
The San Juan Marriott has snagged one of the best beachfront locations in San Juan, with its expansive stretch of sandy beach lined with lounge chairs and blue and white striped umbrellas. The hotel’s twisting water slide, fountain-filled pools, and swim-up bar makes it an enticing spot for children and parents alike.
Cool off with a Piragua: Seek out a Piragua (snow cone) cart at El Morro or along the streets of Old San Juan. Kids will enjoy watching the vender scrape, scrape, scrape a large block of ice to fill a plastic cup with icy goodness before drizzling it with sweet, colorful liquid. Choose from exotic flavors like sesame seed, molasses, and guava or stick to a traditional choice like cherry, orange, and lime.
Eat Puerto Rican Cuisine: From traditional Puerto Rican dishes to kid-friendly fine dining – there’s
food for everyone in the family to enjoy in San Juan.
To get a taste of the local cuisine, head to Raices restaurant. Be sure to sample mofongo; mashed green plantains served with your choice of protein like shrimp, chicken or beef. Even the pickiest eaters will gobble up a side of traditional fried ripe plantains.
Looking for an affordable souvenir? Head to the local drugstore, where you can stock up on sugary treats made of coconut, sesame seeds, and mango as a sweet memory of your time in San Juan.
Photo: Travel Mamas
