Caribbean vibes | A trip to San Juan Island, Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico's capital, San Juan, is a vibrant and culturally unique city with a rich history and cuisine. After nearly five years, this is my third visit to this charming island. However, this time I came mainly to board the limited cruise ship Norwegian Epic, which circumnavigates nearby islands before returning to New York. One of the best experiences on the cruise ship in the past was encountering soul-stirring music, and this time was no exception. On the first night, I was inadvertently drawn to Lucas' performance next to the bar. He used a loop station to record many tracks live, including rhythm instruments, wind instruments, string instruments, harmonies (even whistling and cup tapping), and created a band-like solo performance under the purple and red lights, which was deeply shocking. In close proximity, letting the feelings of the heart flow and linger in the time of a song, abandoning the imagination of reality, the fleeting and fleeting gaze, a few notes, perhaps the most eternal romance for me. For a moment, I remembered my high school years when I was obsessed with Bossa nova music. Even though the same repertoire has been repeated more than a hundred times on this small stage that can only accommodate one person, each live performance has improvisational tonal differences, leaving a unique memory in my heart. 🚄Transportation: There are various transportation options from San Juan airport to the city center, including taxis, buses, and Uber. Taxis are more expensive, while buses are cheap but not very convenient as bus stops are often limited. In comparison, Uber is a good choice, with reasonable prices and convenience. In the city, walking is the best choice because many of San Juan's attractions are within walking distance. 🏩Accommodation: There are many hotels and homestays to choose from in San Juan. If you want to experience more local culture, you can choose to stay in the old town. The old town has many exquisite colonial-era buildings and charming alleys, where you can better feel the culture and history of Puerto Rico. 🍽Cuisine: Puerto Rican cuisine was one of the most impressive parts of this trip. Local specialties such as grilled pork chops, basil chicken rolls, and Empanadas are must-try dishes. In addition, local candies and drinks are also fantastic, such as Coquito and Pina Colada. 💵Ticket cost: In San Juan, many attractions require tickets. It is recommended to plan ahead and check which attractions require advance purchase or reservation before visiting. Among them, the national historic district of Puerto Rico, San Cristobal Fort, and San Juan Cathedral are must-see attractions, with ticket prices ranging from $5 to $10. San Juan is a very charming city. I love the culture, cuisine, and history here. The old town area gives me a strong colonial atmosphere, while the downtown area is full of vitality and enthusiasm. Overall, San Juan is a city worth exploring, and I really love it here.