food
 

any suggestions for local food in San Juan? old San Juan? and how about the drive from San Juan to the rain forest? a particular kiosk?

For really local food, mingling with locals, check out La Bombonera. Have one of those fluffy sugary things (I forget what they are called) and fresh squeezed orange juice. Yum! They also have good lunch food. Very popular with locals.

We ate at about all levels of eating places from roadside stands, neighborhood restaurants fast food places and beach side restaurants in Puerto Rico. We spent a couple of weeks traveling around PR and suggest you not be afraid to try most any food.

The food is generally good although frequently fried. We have traveled a bit and have found PR one of the easier places to find tasty and safe food and tap water is safe all over the island. (The only Spanish speaking place where Jugo de China is orange juice.)

Old San Juan is not the place to eat as food -even from street vendors- is expensive. But the area is worth visiting although there will be a lot of people there especially is a cruise boat has docked.

Its best if you know some Spanish and take a phrase book especially one with food lists. The people of PR are friendly and an amazing number are fluent in both English and Spanish (also true in Panama). Outside the larger cities, the people are more relaxed.

Travel to the Rain Forest is easy from San Juan although the road in was not really well marked. You can either rent a car (at the airport) or find a tour (from your hotel) to take you there. Get to the rain forest EARLY as the crowds are less. Be prepared to walk and climb if you want to see the best parts of the area. Although not necessary, the visitor center is a nice place to visit. You can orient yourself by doing so.

Enjoy PR.

If you are driving to the rain forest, plan to spend some time at Loauillo Beach. It is not far from the rain forest. They have woncerful food vendors at Loquillo and the beach is beautiful.

OK..that should have said Luquillo Beach
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It's been a couple years, but Aguaviva in Old San Juan was excellent. It's a funky/trendy little place that has an awesome raw bar, and very creative menu. The food was fresh, and very tasty. It was recommended to us through theis website, and I'm very glad I tried it.