Three Days in San Juan — GoLocal Explores, RI International to Begin Nonstop Flights to Puerto Rico

From RI — To Boston 

In May, RI International Airport and JetBlue announced that nonstop service to San Juan will begin starting October 27, 2024.

So GoLocal, in partnership with the airport, decided to take a trip to Puerto Rico to highlight what the island has to offer.

At this time, with direct flights available only from Logan, I was up at 5 AM to be out the door at 6 AM to start the trip.

Hitting some expected weekday morning commuting traffic, an hour and a half later, we were at the airport.

Starting in July, the Sumner Tunnel in Boston will be completely closed for renovations.

Big Celebration

When I arrived, flying into San Juan, we could see that there was some major traffic on the highway. But hey, it was the start of a long weekend; there was no rush. The cab driver took some back roads instead along the water, and thirty minutes later, we were at the Condado Vanderbilt. And hungry!

So the first stop was Tacos & Tequila, replete with pool and ocean views. Soon, however, loud music and the sound of a big crowd were emanating from the park next to the resort. Always a news editor, I inquired as to what was going on.

The waiter informed us that it was no less than a major celebration — Puerto Rico’s Maripily Rivera had recently won the reality show “La Casa de los Famosos,” beating out two major Mexican stars. The island was rolling out the red carpet to allow fans to show their appreciation with a big parade and various stops throughout San Juan. 

It was a party like no other — a major parade of cars and trucks and music snaked slowly past the hotel, and I got to catch it from the balcony on the 10th floor.

Relaxing Resort

So GoLocal settled in and got busy — with taking it easy.

The Condado Vanderbilt features multiple pools right on the ocean, as well as a number of fantastic restaurants, from beach and poolside tacos and burgers, to the sleek and sophisticated STK.

The gorgeous VC Lounge, with its dark-paneled wood and exquisite A/C coming in from the heat, is the crown jewel of the hotel.

A large ballroom upstairs even featured “indoor sports” — ping pong, pool, and even a pickle ball court, all in cool comfort with water views.

Please Note: GoLocal paid for its own hotel.

Bustling Beach Town

Venturing outside the resort, GoLocal encountered the bustling beach town of Condado.

The park next door, "La Ventana al Mar," was filled with vendors and families playing games. The streets in the vicinity had everything to eat and drink, from empanadas and pina colada stands to bustling bars and restaurants that provided the best of both worlds — outdoor eating and drinking but with partial covering and much-needed shade from the sun.

One of the things I noticed was the number of cranes in the sky — not only are there hotels and resorts along the strip, there is constant new construction taking place, and opportunities for purchasing an old — or new — condominium were plenty. There was even a Sotheby’s real estate office (one of GoLocal’s own content partners in Rhode Island).

As it was Memorial Day weekend, there was a fireworks show Saturday night over Playita Del Condado  — that I was able to catch from the balcony of the hotel room.

Old San Juan

Located just about a 15-minute drive away from Condado is Old San Juan, so on Sunday, GoLocal hopped in a cab to go exploring.

Starting off at El Morro, the Spanish fort that was commissioned in 1529 and then completed in 1787, GoLocal then wound its way through the quaint cobblestone streets of Old San Juan.

From colorful houses to tiny shops that blasted cold A/C out onto the streets, there was something new around just about every corner. 

At one point, I even made it to a bar that claimed it was the "birthplace of the Pina Colada," which seemed like just the opportunity to duck in from the warm temps and cool off.

Small RI World

And just like that, after three full days in San Juan, it was time to return to Rhode Island.

This time, leaving Condado at 8 AM, it was barely 10 minutes to the airport and a gleaming JetBlue terminal — and breakfast at “Landshark.”

As I was getting ready to get on its 11 AM flight at the gate, I spied a group of women wearing Puerto Rico basketball team shirts. 

Well, as I started chatting with the players, it turned out one of them  — Tayra Melendez  — had played at the University of Rhode Island and coached at Bryant University.

And now, she is with the Puerto Rican national team.