Let us start with the capital, San Juan, a vibrant city with a renowned historic town, beaches galore, and the largest mall in the Caribbean. I don't forget about you, shoppers. So what's new and locals-only in San Juan? Many of the best spots are hidden in plain sight.
Go to Old San Juan and look for Sol Street; here you'll find a lonely lane with Colonial homes painted in pastel colors and flower pots filled with blooming miramelindas. Cross Cristo Street and reach the waterfront and you'll be in Caleta de las Monjas, where you can have a "limber," or a fruit ice of sorts. Just look for the sign that reads "Limbers, Agua, Refrescos." Then, make a dinner reservation at El Catorce, the reservation-only, five-course restaurant and cooking school by Chef Mariano Sena. It's one of the rarest and most extraordinary experiences one can have on the island. The restaurant lies hidden on San Jose Street, disguised as an apartment.
