Puerto Rico Family Vacation: Old San Juan, El Yunque waterslides, Manatees, & Isla Verde Beach

Last year we enjoyed three nights in Fort Lauderdale for April break - combining days of adventure in the National park with relaxing days of beach and pool.  This year, we used the formula on a slightly more exotic destination - Puerto Rico.  In four nights we had a history/culture day in Old San Juan, an adventure day in the El Yunque rainforest, and a beach relaxing day in Isla Verde.  Our family of four (kids age 8 and 10) had the perfect spring break vacation in Puerto Rico.

Here’s how to recreate this adventure:

Hotel Pool at Embassy Suites San Juan

Lobby at Embassy Suites

Day 1 - Fly to San Juan, Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a US territory although its cultural and linguistically different than the mainland, you do not need a passport to travel there.  Four hour direct flights from Boston were reasonably priced.  We flew in around dinner time, picked up our rental car without any issue (I like Avis) and drove the 10 minutes to our hotel - Embassy Suites San Juan Hotel & Casino - which is actually in Isla Verde - a beach community just outside San Juan.  Once checked in, we walked the two easy blocks to the beach where we grabbed classic pina coladas in coconuts and food at Lifeguards on the Reef Cafe.  We watched the sunset, walked back to our hotel and did a night swim in the giant pool.  It really felt like we were instantly on vacation!

!!Hotel Pick!!  I spent more time researching hotels than anything else!  The Embassy Suites was chosen because it literally checked all the boxes:

• Close to the airport (we didn’t want an exhausting or stressful drive the first day)

• Not far from Old San Juan or El Yunque - the two main places we wanted to go - it’s in between both.

• Beach access by walking - ES provided beach umbrellas, towels, and chairs down on the beach.  It was an easy walk.

• Kid Friendly Pool - it was massive and aesthetic with stone landscaping and a waterfall.  It also had a pool bar, attendants, and restaurant.

• Included breakfast - When traveling, I don’t like the stress of figuring out where to eat breakfast at 8 am and getting everyone out the door right away.  ES has a great continental breakfast including a cook doing made-to-order omelets.

I was really happy with our choice!  There were even some extra perks that made it even better than I thought:

• Happy hour - ES puts out complimentary snacks from 5:30-7ish.  Adults got two free drink tickets per day.  I usually used mine to get the rum punch and the kids liked the chips and hummus.

• Suite - We had a king bed suite.  The kids slept on the pull out couch in the living room.  It was nice having two separate spaces.  We also used the fridge for leftovers.  There was also a sink and microwave.

• Walking distance to restaurants, shopping, and supermarket - Even though we had a car, we only used it twice.  We could walk to restaurants, souvenir shops, and even a supermarket.

• Parking - the ES is also a small casino with a large parking garage so our car was always safe. This however, comes with a price of $25 but it has easy in and out ability with your card.

I’m really happy with our choice to stay at Embassy Suites.  We had a comfortable, quiet, and clean experience.  I booked through the Expedia app and that was smooth as well.

Drinks at Lifeguards on the Reef Cafe

Happy Hour included at hotel every night

Day 2 - Culture and History of Old San Juan

Our first full day in Puerto Rico was about experiencing Old San Juan.  *Fair Warning* this was a lot of walking!  We parked the car at Escambrón beach ($6 a day). This was a surfers beach with spectacular views of waves, palm trees, and sand. From here, we walked the Pasea Puerta de Tierra - a scenic, award-winning pedestrian walkway stretching roughly 1.5 to 2 miles (about a 30–45 minute walk) along the coast from Escambrón Beach to the entrance of Old San Juan. It offers spectacular ocean views and convenient access between the beach area and the historic city center, capitol building, and passing by Muñoz Marín Park.  We stopped at Old San Juan when we got to the San Cristobol castle - the largest fortress built in the Americas!  It is a National Historic Park.  We paid entrance and did a self tour.  The kids loved the dungeons and I loved the views from the top!

Moving on, we wandered into Old San Juan.  We marveled at the large colorful buildings and blue bricked roads.  We popped into some shops (Matt bought the popular four pocket shirt called a guayabera) and we all got Puerto Rican ice cream from a street vendor.  We made it all the way to the end where we also visited San Felipe del Morro fort (nick named El Morro).  Our entrance from San Cristobal got us into this one as well.  

Escambrón Beach where we parked

Old San Juan Streets

Dungeons in San Cristobol fort

At this point we were hot and tired.  Matt chose our lunch spot of Caleta cafe where we had fantastic sandwiches outdoors right in the Cathedral Plaza - an aesthetic masterpiece. We started our walk back - but first got gourmet popsicles for dessert at Zippops. 

Getting our National Park Passport Stamped

Views from El Morro

Getting street ice cream ($5 a piece)

Back at the hotel, we relaxed and enjoyed the happy hour and pool. For dinner, we got authentic and affordable dinner at Bebo’s BBQ - a short drive from the hotel.

Popsicles on the go at Zippos

Bebos BBQ - all this for $24

**TIPS** Wear sunscreen and comfortable shoes for this itinerary. My phone read I had walked 15,000 steps by 1 pm!  If we had had the energy, it would have been nice to hang at the Escambron beach before heading back.  We got caught in a 10 minute downpour in Old San Juan - none of us minded since it cooled us down a little, but an umbrella would have been handy in the backpack.  Lastly, bring cash to buy ice cream or shaved ice from street vendors.

Day 3 - Adventure in El Yunque

I knew we wanted to experience some adventure in the rainforest.  I waffled between going on our own and choosing a tour.  Based on my Costa Rica experience this summer, I knew with a tour guide I wouldn’t have to stress about getting in, where was safe to hike or go, as well as help identifying plants and wildlife.  To relieve stress and get access to some adventure, I booked a guide.  I chose ComfortPR tours - a one man operation of David Ortego - who does his own booking and does not use third party booking like tripadvisor and getyourguide. We booked his Trails-River-Beach tour that included transportation to/from our hotel. 

short walk to the waterslides

Fruit stand/smoothies before the rainforest

This excursion had three stops: First, a visit to a fruit and smoothie stand outside the rainforest, then a short hike to natural waterslides - including safety and photo/video taking, and last, a trip to Luquillo beach - another must-see destination famous for the kiosk market. My son would have spent all day doing the slides!  We all tried the small one but he was the only one brave enough to to the big one…over and over.  At Luquillo beach, we had lunch at La Parrilla restaurant - kiosk # 2. We tried the traditional seafood mofongo as well as a conch salad.

David helped us stay safe in the waterslides

David made sure we got great photos

Our guide David with Comfort PR tours

David was very knowledgeable and even helped Matt do a side quest to a take-out place to get him mondongo (not to be confused with mofongo) - a tripe soup he wanted to try. 

This day was lots of fun and we felt we were in good hands with David.  We saw a lot of large group tours doing similar experiences but without the safety warning, life jackets, etc. 

We were pooped that night - so we stayed in - used the pool and had dinner at one of the hotel restaurants.

Mofongo and conch salad at the Luquillo kiosks

Day 4 - Manatees and Beach

My daughter loves manatees, and last year we weren't able to see any in our Florida trip.  I was determined that we’d see them this one!  After some searching, I found out that San Juan’s manatee rescue organization offers one hour tours of their facilities which include seeing the manatees receiving care!  The Caribbean Manatee Conservation Center is located in the Bayamón Campus of the Inter American University of Puerto Rico - a 35 minute drive from our hotel.  Our guide Shelly was engaging and informative.  We learned about the rescue process, the animals they treat, and the  veterinary services they provide.  We got to safely view their patients including four manatees, sea birds, and a sea turtle.  It was a wonderful experience! 

Manatee viewing

Great tour at the Manatee Conservation Center!

The afternoon was designated our beach day.  Embassy Suites is two blocks from the Isla Verde Beach - a large family friendly beach.  We brought some portable sand toys and the hotel provided a beach attendant with lounge chairs, towels, and umbrellas.  Unfortunately, it rained on and off during our afternoon, but since the kids didn’t care - Matt and I decided that neither did we.  They loved making sand castles and body surfing in the warm, tropical water.  We got food and drink from the hotel cafe and also from Lifeguards on the Reel Café again.

Big beach and warm water at Isla Verde - 2 blocks from hotel

For dinner, we took a local’s suggestion for Metropol for local Puerto Rican favorites.  Matt and I each tried a new mofongo again and we had the traditional dessert of flan for dessert. 

Day 5 - Heading Home

Our last morning in Puerto Rico included another continental breakfast and pool time.  We got to the airport early.  I’d heard scary tales of four hour TSA lines, but we didn’t have this experience.  The required USDA check (don’t miss this!) took about ten minutes and the TSA precheck line under ten.  As a result, we had at least three hours to kill before our flight. 

Would repeat!

I felt this vacation was a nice blend of relaxing, culture, and adventure. With more time, it would have been fun to visit one of the islands - Vieques and Culebra.  If the kids were older, a snorkeling, jetski, zipline, or atv adventure would be fun as well.  Overall, we have no regrets and hope to come back.  

See similar adventures here:

Costa Rica Adult Trip

Family Florida Trip

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See more photos, video, and adventure at my instagram

A Week on the Papagayo Coast in Costa Rica: Relaxation Meets Adventure

 

Back from my annual Friends-Trip!  This summer, I spent a week in Costa Rica with two friends, and all of us flying in from different parts of the country. We wanted a trip that balanced active adventures with plenty of downtime, without the stress of constant planning. 

My main goals for the trip were:

1. Zipline in the rainforest

2. Hike to a waterfall

3. Snorkel and/or go whale watching

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Ziplining over rainforest at Buena Vista in Costa Rica

Why Did I Choose an All-Inclusive Resort?

This was my first time staying at an all-inclusive resort, and we chose Planet Hollywood Costa Rica.  I wanted beach access (the property sits on a gorgeous black sand beach), a variety of food options without decision fatigue, built-in entertainment, and an easy place to coordinate with friends traveling from different states. The resort features terraced hotel buildings on a hill overlooking the water, a huge pool with a swim-up bar, and multiple restaurants, bars, and cafés. Evenings come alive with performances by singers, dancers, and sometimes fire performers.  I decided Pacific-side Papagayo coast area was my preferred area to stay due to the ocean access and easy one hour drive east to rainforest and volcanoes. Planet Hollywood checked all the boxes.  It was my first time staying at a resort like this and I really enjoyed it!

By booking excursions directly through my resort’s partner, Nexus Tours, I got transportation included and did not need to rent a car. This let me focus entirely on enjoying myself. It ended up being the perfect blend of exploration and relaxation. My catamaran tour was also booked through the resort and they used the company Catamaran Ocean Tours.  I recommend both!

We saved money by having all three friends in one room.

The pool area was a favorite!

Bathroom

Swim up (and walk up) bars for drinks (included/free). My fave was the pina coloda.

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My Costa Rica Itinerary

Sunday, Aug 3: Travel Day

We landed in Liberia on a Sunday afternoon, just a quick forty-minute drive from the resort. The resort offers a pick up shuttle (for a fee), but since my friend Matt rented a car for his own excursions, he gave me a ride to the resort.  Leanne took the shuttle. Within the hour of arriving, we were walking into the air-conditioned lobby, welcome cocktails in hand. After checking in, we wandered around to get our bearings - we loved the powder soft black sand beach, giant pool with DJ and music, and the stunning bay views from the terrace of the main building. Dinner that first night was at the buffet, which offered everything from fresh salads to sushi, followed by an incredible fire performance that instantly set the bar high for the week’s evening entertainment.

One benefit of a resort was evening entertainment.

Monday, Aug 4: Relax at the Resort

Monday was a slower day. My friend Matt, who had rented a car, set off early for a scuba diving trip, while Leanne and I opted for a more relaxed schedule. We lingered over breakfast at the buffet, floated in the pool, and enjoyed burgers from the poolside café. That night, we dressed up for dinner at the resort’s Italian restaurant, savoring pasta and drinks before heading bed.

Monday was all about decompressing and relaxing!

Tuesday, Aug 5: Rainforest Hikes and Wildlife

Tuesday brought our first big adventure. I had booked the “Rio Celeste and Sloth” excursion, an all-day trip about two hours from the resort. A small bus picked us up, and our guide, Esteban, kept us entertained with stories about the region as we drove. We started at a cocoa and coffee farm, where we learned how both are grown and processed. Next, came a nature walk through lush forest, where Esteban spotted wild sloths high in the trees. He set up a scope so we could get a closer look and even helped us take photos through it. After a hearty "casado" lunch of rice, beans, and grilled chicken, we headed to Tenorio Volcano National Park to see the spectacular Rio Celeste Waterfall. The bright turquoise water looked almost unreal, and even a brief rain shower couldn’t dampen our mood. That evening, we returned in time to catch a Queen tribute band at the resort before a late-night hibachi dinner. 

Rio Celeste Waterfall

Got a close up look at this mama and baby sloth.

Frogs!

Casado Lunch (included in tour)

Wednesday, Aug 6: Nature Walks, Pool Time, and Kayak

Wednesday was another easygoing day. We started with lattes and pastries from the coffee shop, then joined the free Eco Nature Walk offered by the resort. Our guide pointed out howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys, and taught us about the area’s unique trees and plants. After some time lounging by the pool and another round of poolside burgers, we tried our hand at kayaking in the bay (free to borrow). The water was choppier than expected, so we didn’t stay out too long, but it was still a fun way to see the coast. We ended the day with a Tex-Mex dinner and a beautiful sunset on the beach. 

Kayaks are free to borrow at the resort and easy to put in on the beach!

Saw monkeys on our morning guided nature walk (free).

Thursday, Aug 7: Mega Adventure!

Thursday was all about adrenaline at Buena Vista Eco Park. After about an hour’s drive, we started with a short horseback ride, followed by a demonstration of traditional sugar cane grinding and pottery making. Then came the 1,375-foot jungle water slide - a wild ride that had me screaming the whole way down. From there, we zipped across the rainforest canopy on a series of ziplines before enjoying an authentic Costa Rican buffet lunch. The day wrapped up with a relaxing soak in thermal hot springs before heading back to the resort for dinner at the steakhouse and an “Oscar Night” themed performance. 

Horseback riding at Buena Vista.

Cultural demonstration on sugar cane.

Friday, Aug 8: Catamaran Sunset Snorkel

Friday, our last full day, was pure magic. We enjoyed a slow morning at the buffet and a few final hours in the pool before heading to the beach for our sunset catamaran excursion. The boat took us to a remote beach where we snorkeled with a guide (I saw a stingray, pufferfish, and lots of tropical fish), then returned to find fresh pico de gallo, guacamole, and chips waiting for us. On the cruise back, dolphins played alongside the boat as the sun dipped below the horizon. It was the perfect ending to our Costa Rica adventure. 

Amazing sunset in the Gulf of Papagayo

Saturday, Aug 9: Time to Go

Saturday morning came too quickly. After one last breakfast, we packed our bags and said goodbye to Planet Hollywood before catching our flights home.

To-order omelets at resort breakfast buffet.

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Recommendations & Tips

• Make dinner reservations on the PH app as soon as you arrive since spots fill quickly. The buffet is always an option without reservations.

• The resort food was delicious but not particularly authentic Costa Rican cuisine. You will taste more local flavors on excursions.

• No Spanish required since resort staff and tour guides speak excellent English.

• Bring an insulated water bottle. Staff will happily fill it with ice water.

• Money: No need to exchange for Costa Rican colón if you follow this itinerary. USD, credit cards, Apple Pay, and PayPal were accepted everywhere I went.

• Weather in August: The Papagayo Coast is a dry tropical forest, so rain was minimal with only one quick shower during a hike. Expect mid-80s and humid.

• Booking excursions through the resort made transportation easy and stress-free.

All Inclusive meant cocktails every night!

Make reservations for all (except buffet). 
The hibachi was the hardest to get reservations for.

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Final Thoughts

This trip was exactly what I needed, a perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. Between poolside cocktails, sunset sails, ziplines through the rainforest, and encounters with monkeys and sloths, Costa Rica delivered on every level. Planet Hollywood made logistics effortless, so all I had to do was enjoy the pura vida lifestyle.

Interested in this adventure?  Follow me on instagram or tik tok and check out similar adventures here:

- Bahamas Cruise
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Florida 3 Night Vacation With Kids: Everglades, Beach, and Pool

See how to make the perfect family Florida vacation in just three nights!

Last April, Matt and I drove down to West Virginia for a rock climbing adventure for our ten year wedding anniversary. It felt so good to drive from New Hampshire’s depressing want-to-be spring to a place with actual leaves on the trees and flowers in the gardens, that I decided immediately after the trip that I had to “warm up” the following April break as well. I started researching trips and Florida seemed a great choice. No…not Disney (can’t afford and don’t like crowds). I proposed a trip for the family to the Everglades. I’d been a couple times before (here and here) and knew everyone would love the wildlife and unique ecosystem. My husband and kids loved the idea. I decided we could add in a day or two of pool and beach and it would be a fun and somewhat affordable trip.

By August of 2024 - my April 2025 trip was completely booked! So for nine months I’ve been waiting for this trip and it finally came. I can say without a doubt that our three night mini-vacation to Fort Lauderdale and the Everglades felt anything but “mini. From riding the waves of warm ocean beaches, to floating a lazy river, to seeing over thirty alligators in one day - it was a memorable trip of a lifetime. Here’s a breakdown of the trip. 

Family selfie from day 1 - on a nature walk just hours after landing!

Florida 3 Night "Mini" Vacation With Kids: Everglades, Beach, and Pool

Day 1 - Fly to Florida, Mangrove Nature Walk, Pool Time, Crab House (with Alligator Bites), and Dania Beach

We caught a 7 am flight out of Boston and was in Fort Lauderdale by 10 in the the morning. After picking up rental car (we used Avis), we looked at google maps to find an easy lunch spot and ended up grabbing lunch at Burger Fi at Dania Mall close to the airport. Still to early to check into our hotel, we drove to Secret Woods Nature Center. We were pleasantly surprised by this free location. It was the perfect intro to Florida - we walked the one mile boardwalk loop and saw lizards and mangrove forest. From there we drove to our hotel for night one (the Residence Inn Fort Lauderdale Airport and Cruise Port) in Dania Beach. I chose this for the first night since we would spend the whole next day at the Everglades. I wanted a clean, easy location with included breakfast and free parking and a pool for the kids. We loved the roomy suite and large outdoor pool. Plus, they let us check in early! Once there, the kids swam in the large outdoor pool, followed by an hour-long nap (since we had got up at 3 am for our flight)! We woke up ready for dinner and more fun. One of my husbands goals was to try alligator and he found it. Nearby was the Rustic Inn Crabhouse. This was an experience and reminded me of lobster pounds back home. The kids malleted their crabs, and we all tried alligator bites and fried frogs legs - tasted like chicken! The evening ended by driving to Dania Beach so we could put our feet in the sand and watch the sunset. It was a great first day in Florida.

Learning about mangroves on the interpretive trail at Secret Woods Nature Center

Cracking crab at the Rustic Inn Crabhouse

Getting silly with our mallets at the Rustic Inn Crabhouse

Day 2 - The Florida Everglades - Airboats and Alligators

The day started with a great continental (included) breakfast at the Residence Inn. We checked out and drove over to Homestead where we met up with Everglades Airboat Expeditions. This was second time using this company (see Florida Girls Trip Blog Post). We loved our one hour tour. Our guide, Mo, was knowledgeable and approachable. He explained all about the current dry season and wildlife behaviors - touching on the impact of invasive species and challenges to the fragile ecosystem. Reflecting on the whole trip - the airboat ride stood out as a favorite for the whole family.

From the boat ramp, we drove to Robert is Here Fruit Stand right outside the park gates where we had delicious smoothies and Cuban sandwiches for lunch. They have a wild collection of rescued animals out back and the kids loved seeing tortoises and emus! It wasn't too busy when we went but I've had to skip it before when the lines get too long. Next, we drove into the National Park and stopped at the Ernest F Coe Visitor Center. The kids got a stamp in their National Park Passport books. We were informed there was a wildfire near the road in the park and we wouldn't be able to do all the hikes which was fine. The hike I wanted to take the family on was at the Royal Palm Stop - here the Anhinga Trail takes visitors on a one mile boardwalk loop where we saw alligators, herons, turtles, and more. The kids were getting tired and we wanted to make it to the other end of the park so we drove the 45 minutes to Flamingo. We visited the visitor center, stared at the gulf coast water, and searched for manatees and crocodiles in the marina. We found a croc but sadly no manatees - I was sad for my daughter who wanted to see one so badly. By then it was afternoon, and we wanted to get back to Fort Lauderdale. It took about three hours to get to our new hotel due to distance and traffic. A quick McDonald's dinner on the way and we checked into our final destination - a resort on the beach. We stuck our feet in the sand and crashed - ready for a relaxing day the next day.

Little Sis was nervous to do the airboat ride
but now she says it was her favorite part of the trip.

Smoothies at Robert is Here

Soft-shelled Florida Turtle on the Anhinga Trail

We saw so many alligators

Day 3 - Resort Life - Beach, Pool, and Lazy River

I searched hard for a resort that we could stay at and essentially not leave for our last final day. I wanted a beach, a kid-friendly pool, and a restaurant on site. The Pelican Grand Beach Resort fit the bill. It had a warm zero entry pool, fun lazy river to tube down, and private beach with attendants to set up lounge chairs and order drinks. The resort also had a lounge/bar, restaurant, and ice cream shop on site. I got the room on Expedia for about $250 a night but with fees, parking, a resort fee, and meals - it obviously racked up quite a bill. That said - the two nights were the full Florida relaxation experience. On Day 3, we ate breakfast on the restaurant veranda while the sun rose on the Atlantic. Then the kids suited up and we spent hours in the pool. They had great attendants and it wasn’t busy. We took a break from the sun for lunch on the lounge deck before applying more sunscreen and popping down to the beach. The hotel provided lounge chairs and umbrellas that they set up for you. We raised a flag on our spot and a waitress came and took our drink orders. Our New Hampshire kids loved the warm ocean waves and played in the sand. The hotel also had boogie boards and beach toys but I’d brought a few from home too. We went back to the lounge for dinner before crashing after a great day in the sun!

One of the main reasons I chose this hotel is
we wouldn't have to drive (or walk) to the beach!

The lazy river pool was a deciding factor in choosing this hotel.  It didn't disappoint!

We ate all our meals on the outside portion of the hotel restaurants

Views from the hotel - Pelican Grand Beach Resort

Lunch at the lounge next to the pool and ocean

Day 4 - One Last Swim Before Leaving

Our hotel was only twenty minutes from the airport and with a 1 pm flight, we were able to leisurely leave on our last day. We had breakfast outside again on the hotel deck, then went to the pool one last time before packing up and heading to the airport. 

It was a perfect vacation!

Wrapping Up Our Florida Mini-Vacay

Even with just three nights, it felt like we crammed in a full adventure: wildlife thrills, beach play, pool splashes, and palm-tree sunsets. We did keep an eye on costs (the Residence Inn cost us less than $200 a night on Expedia, thanks to the free breakfast, and we splurged on two nights at Pelican Grand for about $690 total for the two nights). It was worth every penny for the memories. We saved money by not booking any tours besides the airboat ride ($180 for four), packing snacks from home, filling water bottles in the hotel, and doing a couple cheaper meals. Still, this short trip added up to over $2,000 with airfare added. 

This little escape was exactly what our family needed. We got a healthy dose of sunshine, science lessons on reptiles, and plenty of goofy family selfies in flip-flops. Honestly, between tropical smoothies, a friendly alligator wave, and the kids naming every iguana on the hotel property - the trip felt priceless – a reminder that the best souvenirs are laughter and time together.

The perfect family vacation does exist!

Interested in Similar Adventures? Check out these past posts:

Ogunquit, Maine For Families
3 Family Friendly Nights in Acadia National Park
4 Family Friendly Days in Olympic National Park
South Florida Girls Trip

Follow me on Instagram at FreelanceAdventurer to see similar adventures or DM me with questions!