From La Placita to La Playa – Puerto Rico’s nightlife has it all
Share
Puerto Rico invites travellers to watch the sunset with a cold beer in Ponce, or salsa dance until the sun comes up in San Juan.
From buzzing hotel nightclubs to low-key beach bars to roadside ‘chinchorros’ – food stands that transform into lively dance parties after dark – there is a night-time spot to suit all.
La Plaza del Mercado de Santurce, locally known as La Placita, is San Juan’s farmer’s market by day, yet by night the market transforms into one of Puerto Rico’s livelist restaurants and bar scenes, internationally known and adored When the sun goes down and the market shuts its doors, the streets around La Placita come to life. Music starts to play around every corner and locals and visitors arrive in droves to party the night away. Perhaps start the night with dinner at one of the many restaurants surrounding La Placita, Chicharron is among the most popular for classic Puerto Rican food, serving up its namesake ‘chicharron’ as a star dish, the deep fried pork skin is not to be missed.
Continue the night with unique cocktails, fine whiskey, or local craft beers with unmissable bars lining the streets around La Placita. Watch La Placita come to life from the heights of El Techo Rooftop Bar which enjoys views of the market below and the city of San Juan, serving delicious cocktails and an atmosphere brimming with Boricua culture.
Away from Santurce, some of the liveliest spots around the Island for nightlife include Condado, one of San Juan’s most glamorous districts. Visitors can drink in panoramic views of the city from AC Hotel’s rooftop bar whilst enjoying classic cocktails before moving on to the Red Coral Lounge for merengue music and the famous dragon berry mojito.
Those looking for a slower pace – think post-surf sundowners and ice-cold craft beers – should not miss La Guancha in Ponce. This laid-back area of Ponce is one of the hottest hangouts, with a bustling boardwalk that faces out to the Caribbean Sea, a prime spot for seafood which is served up by authentic kiosks-turned-restaurants, and cold Medella’s, best enjoyed on the sand.
Puerto Rico also offers nighttime adventures away from the dancefloor, with the Island being home to three of the world’s five bioluminescent bays. These bodies of water are home to microscopic organisms called dinoflagellates, who create a glow-in-the-dark’ effect called bioluminescence, best explored after dark. Mosquito Bay on the small island of Vieques is one of the best places to witness this phenomenon. Travellers can head out in a clear-bottomed kayak trip to paddle around in the water and reveal the neon light display.
For more information on Puerto Rico, please visit: www.discoverpuertorico.com
