ESSENTIAL PUERTO RICO, 20-26 JAN, 2024

Itinerary

Pre-tour: Arrive in Puerto Rico
Depending on the time of arrival of your flight from the US, you may need need an extra night in San Juan. My recommendation is that if you arrive late in the day you stay at the San Juan Airport Hotel, and then make your way to the El San Geronimo for our afternoon meeting the following day. If you prefer, you may want to book an extra night at the San Geronimo.

Day 1: 20 Jan, 2024 – Old San Juan
Meeting at the hotel at 4PM, we begin our photographic journey in the Santurce neighbourhood in the heart of Old San Juan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its rich cultural heritage. This vibrant district is known for its incredible street art and murals. We will spend the day exploring the streets, capturing the vivid graffiti that adorns its buildings. We will take time to sample the food in the many great restaurants and bars in the area.

O/N El San Geronimo Hotel (B)
El San Geronimo Hotel offers you a warm Caribbean welcome and the space for you to calmly recharge, to continue the Caribbean experience and adventure. Providing a new, different and relaxed environment, outside the center, but close to all the incredible spaces that our guests seek when staying with us. With 28 rooms that offer the amenities, tranquility and space you are looking for during a well-deserved vacation.

Day 2: 21 Jan, 2024 – Old San Juan
Today, our photo tour in San Juan begins with a visit to La Perla, a historic neighbourhood known for its vibrant and colourful houses. Nestled against the Atlantic ocean, it provides numerous opportunities for stunning photos. Once here, we'll wander through this vibrant area and take pictures of its stunning architecture. The homes in La Perla are built into the hillside, giving them an almost fairy tale-like appearance—perfect for adding a bit of whimsy to your photos. 

We'll also have the chance to take pictures of La Perla's bustling streets. Here, we will capture street musicians playing traditional Puerto Rican songs and vendors selling handmade souvenirs. 

Next, we head over to Casa Bacardi, the world's largest premium rum distillery. Located in the heart of San Juan, this iconic building was originally home to one of the world's largest rum distilleries. Today, visitors can take a guided tour and explore the facility's impressive artworks and architectural features. On the exterior, we'll find intricate ironwork balconies and beautiful stained-glass windows to photograph, while the inner courtyard showcases intricate mosaic floors and lush foliage. The building also houses a vast collection of Bacardi memorabilia, perfect for capturing interesting images that illustrate Puerto Rico's rich cultural history. 

Finally, we end our day at the Castillo San Cristobal, a fortress that once protected San Juan from invaders by sea. Built by the Spanish in the late 18th century, this massive fortress offers a wealth of architectural detail and stunning views of the city and San Juan Bay. The castle's main entrance, adorned with four bastions and embrasures, houses three museums that feature artifacts from Caribbean nations, while its surrounding grounds showcase the island's lush vegetation and wildlife. You'll also find picturesque plazas, subterranean tunnels, and an observation tower that offers stunning views of both Old San Juan and the Caribbean Sea. As the sun sets, the changing light over the fortress provides a beautiful backdrop, perfect for capturing breathtaking images.

Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián
One of the most anticipated parties of the year and the unofficial close of the holiday season, the Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián takes over Old San Juan from Wednesday evening until Sunday afternoon (21 Jan). During the day, plazas are filled to the brim with artists and artisans; some have stages for live music, dance, and circus performances. In the evening, the party ignites, and the street fills with people and music. 

O/N El San Geronimo Hotel (B)

Day 3: 22 Jan, 2024 – El Yunque National Forest
After breakfast, we embark on an expedition through the lush and verdant rainforest of El Yunque, a natural wonder brimming with an abundance of flora and fauna located just over an hour away from San Juan. This 28,000-acre park boasts stunning views of mountains, jungles, waterfalls, rivers, and more. As we traverse the winding trails, be prepared to capture breathtaking shots of towering trees, vibrant foliage, and the playful wildlife that calls this forest home. Ascend the Yokahu Observation Tower to witness panoramic views of the emerald canopy stretching as far as the eye can see.

O/N El San Geronimo Hotel (B)

Day 4: 23 Jan, 2024 – San Juan | Maricao
Today we make the scenic photo drive from San Juan to Maricao. This mountain town is just over an hour away but worth the journey! As we drive along the winding roads, be sure to take in breathtaking views of lush rainforests, rolling hillsides and ancient coffee plantations. We will stop along the way for some of the best photo ops in Puerto Rico. From San Juan, we head up to Caja de Muertos for a stunning view of the Caribbean from high atop the island's tallest peak. Then take a detour off the beaten path and stop at Maricao State Forest for picturesque scenes of natural beauty. 

Located in the heart of Puerto Rico's western mountain ranges, the picturesque village of Maricao offers stunning views of the valley below and its lush coffee plantations. Here we'll find traditional methods of harvesting and roasting coffee still practiced by locals, giving us the perfect opportunity to capture the unique culture of the region and its people. 

O/N Hacienda Juanita, Maricao (B)
Set in the Maricao State Forest, this relaxed hotel off the PR-105 highway is 2 km from San Juan Bautista Church and 4 km from Montoso Gardens.

Day 5: 24 Jan, 2024 – Maricao | La Parguera | Ponce
After a morning street photography session we will drive to Ponce. En-route, we will visit La Parguera, a small fishing village located on the southwest coast. Since La Parguera is also home to some of Puerto Rico's best seafood restaurants, we will be sure to stop for lunch here. 

After lunch, we continue on to Ponce, Puerto Rico's second-largest city. Here, for the next 2 days, we will take in the vibrant architecture and cultural heritage with visits to sites such as Castillo Serralles, El Parque de Bombas, and Teatro La Perla. We will explore the historic city center with its cobbled streets and colourful buildings, capturing images of churches such as Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. 

We finish off our day in Ponce by watching the sunset over Plaza Las Delicias. 

O/N Hotel Melia Ponce (B)
Hotel Meliá Ponce, steeped in history and charm, has been serving guests since 1895. This unique hotel is a blend of vintage elegance and modern amenities. The rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated, with comfortable beds ensuring a good night's sleep. Guests can enjoy stunning views of the city from many of the rooms. The onsite restaurant, Mocha Coffee Bar & Bistro, serves a variety of local and international dishes. It has an extensive wine list, making it an ideal place for a relaxing evening after a day of sightseeing. The hotel's convenient location offers easy access to Ponce’s major attractions, making it a favorite among tourists. With a dedicated staff that treats every guest as part of their family, a stay at Hotel Meliá Ponce is sure to enhance your experience of this vibrant city.

Day 6: 25 Jan, 2024 – Ponce
Today, we are free to spend the day exploring the streets of Puerto Rico’s second largest city. Take some time off to do some shopping or merely hang out in Plaza de las Delicias, in the heart of Ponce, one of the most iconic locations in Puerto Rico. Here, you'll find some beautiful colonial architecture from the 16th century as well as a variety of historical monuments and attractions. The plaza also features the ruins of Castle San Cristobal, a fascinating battle monument built by Spanish settlers during the 16th century. 

O/N Hotel Melia Ponce (B)

Day 7: 26 Jan, 2024 – Ponce | San Juan
On the final day of our tour, we make the scenic 2-and-a-half hour drive east from Ponce to San Juan. On the way, we'll have plenty of chances to admire Puerto Rico's natural beauty and photograph the lush tropical landscapes and rolling hills dotted with colourful towns. 

We will arrive back at the airport by midday so be sure not to book a flight back to the USA before 3PM

END OF TOUR