Viejo San Juan

"Beating the Heat with a Piragua in Old San Juan A piragua is shaved ice with syrup. Piragueros (the piragua vendors) and their colorful wooden pushcarts used to be ubiquitous in Puerto Rico many years ago. Now they're few and far between (usually found in town squares) and with the heat bearing down more than ever, locals run to every piraguero they can find for equal parts refreshment and reminiscence. The most loved syrup flavors include raspberry, sesame seed, anise, and mantecado (ice cream)."

"When I first moved to the island, I joined a friend in the Old City for a tour and lesson on the history of Puerto Rico . When passing by this little section of town near Pigeon Park, my friend and native-turned-tour-guide said that this was the smallest house in Old San Juan. Wow, okay, so this little yellow portion is technically a house? I've visited this site several more times since then and have never actually seen anyone enter or leave this door. Whether it's true or not, it makes for a cool story and great photo."

"You could also Uber to Viejo San Juan, the old city, and walk around to see the buildings before dinner."

The San Juan Creatives Shaping Puerto Rico's Future

"Through her nonprofit El Departamento de la Comida, she organizes pop-up kitchens, teaches about sustainability, and finds volunteers to work as farmhands. Her grassroots ethos extends to the boutiques where she shops, including Concalma, which sells upcycled denim handbags made in a rural cooperative, and Marisel Herbal Bath and Body, a quaint destination for organic fair-trade soaps and lotions." - Paola Singer