Ending Summer in Puerto Rico: Quick, Kosher, and Full of Adventure
We wrapped up summer with a family trip to Puerto Rico — one of those quick and fun getaways that had been on our list forever. Since we live in Miami, the flight was short and easy, and with just four days open on the calendar, San Juan felt like the perfect fit.
Kosher Eats in San Juan
First things first: food. Kosher-wise, Chabad has you covered. Their OMRKT Kosher Restaurant offers both dine-in and delivery straight to your hotel. We stayed at La Concha and were impressed by the variety. (Tip: make sure you’re at the hotel to receive your order.)
Ordering was simple right off their website — here’s the link if you’re planning a trip: Chabad Kosher Takeout.
Adventure in El Yunque
Our family loves a good adventure, so a tour of El Yunque rainforest was non-negotiable. Picture this: a water hike, cliff jumping, natural water slides, rope swings, and more.
Pro tip: wear water shoes with a back. (We learned this the hard way — thank God for grocery stores nearby.) Our kids, ages 8–17, had an absolute blast. A highlight for me was spotting fresh ginger plants — absolutely gorgeous — while the kids naturally took on the “daring” roles.
Built-In R&R
The next day was all about slowing down at the hotel. I’ve learned how important this is. As someone who always wants to make the most of every trip, it’s tempting to overplan. But rest days matter. Taking time to simply be together, recharge, and enjoy the moment makes every other adventure that much better.
Snorkeling with a Twist
Another highlight was snorkeling with underwater scooters. Just the right level of scary (for context: I’m a strong runner but an average swimmer — enough to keep myself alive, basically). It was one of those experiences that everyone remembers and laughs about later.
Exploring Old San Juan
We ended our trip exploring Old San Juan, which turned out to be one of our favorite parts. Wide open spaces for the kids to run, colorful buildings and historic architecture to admire, and plenty of local character.
Parents — note this down: the Marshalls has a great bathroom (valuable info always). We came home with local coffee beans and handmade leather bracelets from a street artist — simple souvenirs that actually feel special.
What We Skipped
San Juan is also home to Bioluminescent Bays, but we opted out since we’d done something similar in Jamaica. Most of the tours were either far from San Juan or right near El Yunque, which we’d already checked off. Ziplining and ATVing are also popular options in the area if that’s more your speed.
Travel Hacks that Helped
As always, our packing list printable came in handy — I just dropped it in the family chat and everyone packed themselves. And here’s a shocker: I don’t usually travel with my planner. Instead, I snap a quick photo of the month view, so if I need to arrange something while away, it’s easy to reference.
Fitting in Fitness
And yes — I fit in running and workouts, too! A treadmill speed session with mile repeats felt incredible. It’s been forever since I’ve run in anything below 80 degrees, so the air conditioning made the paces feel waaay easier than expected.
Life Hack: Get your husband obsessed with running, it makes it way easier.... a new running shirt as a gift for the trip doesn't hurt!
The hubs and I also went on a 4-mile run that just happened to have a Starbucks along the route (the perfect motivation). I love using Strava to create new running routes — it’s such a great way to explore a new place and stumble on little discoveries along the way.
Final Thoughts
Puerto Rico was the perfect mix: adventure, rest, kosher convenience, and family connection. For a short trip, it gave us exactly what we needed — fun memories, a little adrenaline, and plenty of moments worth holding onto.