Birthday Bliss in Puerto Rico: Rainforests, Rum, and Island Vibes

From St. Croix to Puerto Rico: A Birthday Getaway to Remember

Okay, my blog might jump around a bit—I started sharing about my trip to St. Croix a few years back, and now I’m fast-forwarding to my recent birthday trip to Puerto Rico just a couple of weeks ago. Don’t worry—I’ll fill in all the in-between trips eventually! But for now, let’s dive into this unforgettable birthday adventure.

Why Puerto Rico?

For my birthday, I wanted to visit somewhere new. As you know, I’m a total water baby, so naturally, the beach had to be involved! My best friend and I brainstormed, and since neither of us had ever been to Puerto Rico, plus the flight and accommodation deals were unbeatable (check my Travel & Excursions links for Viator and CheapOAir), we jumped on it.

Arrival and First Night Vibes

We arrived on a Friday night, had a couple of drinks before boarding to help with the flight, but I ended up with a migraine once we landed. After some water and a nap, I was ready to vibe! Our Airbnb was just blocks away from grocery stores, restaurants, and plenty of spots to explore by foot—perfect for us.

Our first dinner was at Bebo’s Cafe, where I had grouper tacos and a refreshing piña colada. We took it easy that night to prep for the big adventure the next day: El Yunque Rainforest!

Exploring El Yunque Rainforest

We booked a tour with Vincent through Viator (discount link in Travel & Excursions!). He picked us up near our VRBO and shared fascinating stories about Puerto Rico’s history, the rainforest’s origins, and the native people along the way.

Once there, our first stop was a natural waterslide—at first, we were a bit nervous, but I was ready to slide down with my GoPro rolling (find mine in my Amazon storefront under Shop Till You Drop). After that thrilling ride, we trekked deeper into the rainforest—slippery paths and all—while people slipped and laughed around us.

Our next highlight was another waterslide and rope swings over a deep pool full of fish. For those less confident swimmers, there was a shallow area too. After a couple of hours in paradise, we headed to Luquillo Beach.

Luquillo Beach & Nightlife

The beach was stunning with crystal-clear water and calm waves. Local families and friends gathered for a relaxed vibe—it was the perfect spot to float, soak in nature, and unwind for a few hours.

For nightlife, we asked Uber drivers for local recommendations (because who better to ask?). Everyone pointed us to La Placita, the hotspot for music, bars, and dancing. Before heading there, we visited Distrito T-Mobile, a lively area full of restaurants, bars, live music, and amazing local art. As an art junkie, I was in heaven with murals and sculptures everywhere.

La Placita was everything we hoped for: blocks of bars and clubs, all kinds of music, and nonstop energy. We danced, drank, and soaked up the vibrant Puerto Rican nightlife. Plus, everyone was incredibly friendly!

Old San Juan & Condado Beach

The next day was all about exploring Old San Juan. We had a delicious brunch at Kaffe Haus—the food was so good, I’m still dreaming about it. Afterward, we wandered the colorful streets, admiring the historic buildings.

Later, we hit up Condado Beach, which has both a lively ocean side with vendors renting chairs and umbrellas and a calmer bay area across the street where you can rent kayaks and paddleboards.

Birthday Highlights: Casa Bacardi & Rooftop Dinner

My birthday was unforgettable thanks to a tour at Casa Bacardi. The rum tasting tour walked us through Bacardi’s history and production, finishing with a tasting of four rums paired perfectly with a rich 55% chocolate. Pure bliss!

Back in Old San Juan, we explored the historic forts and marveled at the architecture and craftsmanship.

Dinner was at Eter, a rooftop restaurant atop a hotel. The sign greeting you says it all: “Be High @ Eter.” The views from my glass-wall table overlooking San Juan were breathtaking. I had surf and turf paired with a decadent chocolate-strawberry martini—hands down one of the best meals I’ve ever had!

We kept the night chill, celebrated with cake and ice cream back at the Airbnb, and rested up.

Fourth of July… Puerto Rico Style

While Puerto Rico doesn’t celebrate the Fourth of July, there was a small festival near Condado Beach with delicious tacos and homemade lemonade. We enjoyed the beach earlier and then indulged in festival eats—the tacos were phenomenal, and the lemonade was so refreshing.

Final Thoughts

Our trip flew by, but it was packed with unforgettable moments and amazing experiences. Next time, I’ll definitely rent a car to explore more of this beautiful island. Thank you, Puerto Rico, for the best birthday ever!-Vic