Beats & Beaches: A Family Getaway to Puerto Rico

We arrived bright and early and picked up our rental car—highly recommend Alamo, especially for families, as their line-bypass system had us on the road in no time.

Our first stop was Bebo’s Café, just outside the airport, and it did not disappoint. The locals rave about it, and for good reason—the pernil, arroz con gandules, tostones, and other Puerto Rican classics were absolutely delicious.

Afternoon in Luqillo

From there, we headed to Luqillo to check into our rental home, but since it wasn’t quite ready (early flight perks!), we made a beeline for Luqillo Beach—and wow. Umbrella and chair rentals were easy to grab, and for just $2 per person, we had access to spotless bathrooms, showers, and changing rooms—total lifesavers with kids. The water was crystal clear and calm, perfect for splashing around. We tried fresh coconuts and piña coladas at Mis Cocos, and couldn’t resist the local snacks along the beach—alcapurrias, empanadillas, and fresh seafood.

After settling into our rental, which came stocked with all the beach essentials (wagon, chairs, toys, cooler, umbrella—everything a family needs), we made a quick grocery run at Econo and Walmart to stock up for the next few days.

The evening ended perfectly with a stroll along Playa Azul to watch the sunset and a final dip in the water, followed by dinner at Luqillo Kioskos. La Parrilla’s seafood mofongo stole the show, and even our pickiest eaters had plenty of options.

We woke up bright and early, ready for an adventure. One of the reasons we chose to stay near Luqillo Beach was not just for the sand and sun, but also for easy access to El Yunque—just a 10-minute drive to our tour meeting spot. We booked a small-group excursion through GetYourGuide, led by the amazing Ivan from UrGuidePR. He perfectly balanced challenge and fun, moving at our pace and encouraging the whole family. No tears from the kids (though I may have cried from excitement!).

El Yunque afternoon

We met at a local shop in Fajardo and started our 2.3-mile hike to one of the last private, Puerto Rican-owned river access points. Along the way, we soaked in lush trees and wildlife—our 4-year-old walked the whole way! Then came the 45-minute climb alongside the river and waterfalls. It was muddy and steep at times, but the views from the top were worth every step. Reaching the falls was a proud moment for all of us, and then the real fun began: sliding down natural waterslides, swinging on ropes, and even cliff jumping (our littlest opted out). Ivan captured photos throughout the tour so we could just be in the moment.

A few tips for families: bring a waterproof backpack with drinks and snacks, or pack a small cooler for sandwiches—lunch time hits right after the tour. Ivan even kept our car keys safe while we climbed.

Evening unwind

Once the tour wrapped, we returned to Luqillo Beach to soak in more sun, sand, and music—the perfect way to unwind. That evening, we kept it low-key at our rental, watching movies under the stars and listening to the coquí frogs sing—a truly magical family moment.

Day three was officially Bad Bunny day! Months earlier, we had been lucky enough to snag tickets to his residency, which is how this entire trip came together.

After packing up our rental and car, we headed back to San Juan for our next home rental in Hato Rey. The location was perfect—close enough to El Choli for easy in-and-out access, and right by the train line, so we could park in the lot and hop on the train (for free) straight to the concert.

Puerto Rico: Bad Bunny style

Before the show, we dove into some Bad Bunny-inspired experiences. First stop: La Casita Blanca in Santurce, reportedly one of his favorite lunch spots. Everything was incredible—the shrimp-stuffed avocado with arroz con gandules, bistec encebollado, and milanesa for the kids. They even surprised us with bacaladito (fried codfish fritters) and plantain soup on the house—my picky eater couldn’t get enough!

After lunch, we headed to Condado Beach, a lively, music-filled spot right in front of the hotel area. We stopped by VacationModePR to try the famous “Debi tirar más fotos” coconuts. The beach had bigger waves than Luquillo, which was a little intimidating for our 4-year-old, but he still loved it. Music, sun, and good vibes everywhere—plus, the highlight of the day: dancing in the rain with my daughter, completely carefree and free-spirited.

The show

As the storm passed, it was time to get ready for the concert. Traveling with kids means childcare is a must, and we connected with The Entertainers PR. Our sitter, Alanis, was amazing—she arrived early with a Boriqua box full of activities, stayed in touch all evening with updates and pictures, and kept our 4- and 13-year-old happy and engaged. My youngest couldn’t stop raving about her the next day. I highly recommend them for families traveling in Puerto Rico—it made the whole night stress-free.

Finally, we headed to El Choli with our 15-year-old for the concert. The festival outside was buzzing, the venue was perfect, and everything ran smoothly. After an unforgettable night, we hopped back on the train and were back at our apartment in just 30 minutes—family adventure, checked!

Our final day in Puerto Rico was all about exploring Old San Juan and soaking up a last dose of sun and culture.

We started with breakfast at Mallorca, a local favorite, where we tried the famous mallorcas—delicious, fluffy, and super economical. Parking was easy in a paid lot across from Raíces for just $6 for the day.

Afternoon exploration

From there, we wandered to Mallorca, then walked toward the Castillo San Felipe del Morro, snapping photos overlooking La Perla, a colorful neighborhood full of character and charm, showing a different side of San Juan in a positive light. We continued to the fort, then treated ourselves to refreshing piraguas (shaved ice with sweet syrups) before grabbing a cab back to our car.

Next up: El Escambrón, a quieter beach with calm waters perfect for snorkeling. We saw so many fish and loved how peaceful it felt—reminded us a bit of Luquillo Beach but with a San Juan backdrop. Afterward, we indulged in some drunken cookies before heading to Bebo’s Café one last time for dinner.

A traveler tip: When departing Puerto Rico, you’ll go through a USDA inspection, and unfortunately, you can’t bring leftovers containing pork—so save that pernil for your final meal on the island!