Exploring Old San Juan in a Day • The Blonde Abroad

Exploring Old San Juan in a day can be summed up in a single word: colorful. With only one day to spend in OSJ, I wanted to see and do as much as possible. With the help of readers and lots of travel tips, I had an incredible day exploring the best of Old San Juan.

For starters, breakfast at Caficultura is a must. It’s an institution in the Puerto Rico foodie scene – serving up world class coffee and all-day breakfast. I highly recommend the Cafi Coco and Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon. You also can’t miss their roasted potatoes.

They’re to die for!

I stopped at the tourism office for a map and discovered just how small and explorable Old San Juan really is. With just 7 square blocks of historic buildings and sights, you can easily see everything in a day.

My first stop was El Castillo San Felipe del Morro, more commonly known as El Morro. Built in the 1500s as a military structure, it’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most picturesque destinations in all of Puerto Rico.

After exploring El Morro, I let myself get lost in the colorful streets. My all time favorite street was Calle San Justo. Beautiful historic buildings in every color of the rainbow line the street and at the ends is a beautiful vista overlooking the sea. It’s super photogenic and quintessentially “Old San Juan.”

My last stop of the day was at Señor Paleta for an artisanal popsicle made from fresh coconut. I think half of it melted as soon as I stepped outside and before I got a chance to taste it, but it was SO good and definitely a must when visiting Old San Juan in a day.

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There’s something really special about finding a place that feels like your own childhood… and what you always dreamed of for your own kid 🤍
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Tucked away in the Cape Winelands, about an hour from Cape Town, South Africa, @camp.canoe is one of those places that somehow feels both completely off-grid and perfectly convenient.

Set on one of my favorite family-friendly wine farms, @boschendal, you get the best of both worlds—wide open space, no distractions, and just enough nearby to make it effortless with little ones (and fun for the adults).

Days here look like:
– swimming in the dam
– slow mornings outside
– wood-fired hot tub soaks
– braai (bbq) under the stars

It’s a little bit luxe, it’s nostalgic, and it’s the kind of place that makes you want to stay just a little bit longer. ✨
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#campcanoe #capetown #southafrica #capetownwithkids

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There’s something really special about finding a place that feels like your own childhood… and what you always dreamed of for your own kid 🤍
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Tucked away in the Cape Winelands, about an hour from Cape Town, South Africa, @camp.canoe is one of those places that somehow feels both completely off-grid and perfectly convenient.

Set on one of my favorite family-friendly wine farms, @boschendal, you get the best of both worlds—wide open space, no distractions, and just enough nearby to make it effortless with little ones (and fun for the adults).

Days here look like:
– swimming in the dam
– slow mornings outside
– wood-fired hot tub soaks
– braai (bbq) under the stars

It’s a little bit luxe, it’s nostalgic, and it’s the kind of place that makes you want to stay just a little bit longer. ✨
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#campcanoe #capetown #southafrica #capetownwithkids

Spending a year abroad sounds exciting… until you see the planning involved.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Flights, edits, contracts, itineraries — not to mention the admin of being a mom. I’m usually running everything at once, so having a laptop that can keep up makes a huge difference.

I’ve been using an AMD Ryzen AI–powered laptop to keep everything organized, run AI tools even when WiFi isn’t available, and work from wherever we happen to be in the world.

So I can finish what I need to do… and get back to what’s most important ❤️
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#AMDPartner #AMDRyzenAIPower #ad

@AMD

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 17988157505951119

Spending a year abroad sounds exciting… until you see the planning involved.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Flights, edits, contracts, itineraries — not to mention the admin of being a mom. I’m usually running everything at once, so having a laptop that can keep up makes a huge difference.

I’ve been using an AMD Ryzen AI–powered laptop to keep everything organized, run AI tools even when WiFi isn’t available, and work from wherever we happen to be in the world.

So I can finish what I need to do… and get back to what’s most important ❤️
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#AMDPartner #AMDRyzenAIPower #ad

@AMD

Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 17869856373573722

Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18090265751115394

January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

Sun-drenched mornings, salty air, and the kind of place that makes you instantly exhale @waldorfastoriacostarica ✌️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Our stay at this brand-new property was truly a dream — sweeping ocean views, elevated design, and more pools than I’ve ever seen at a hotel in my entire life.

From award-winning wellness to coconuts by the pool, every detail felt thoughtful and intentional.

🧖‍♀️ The Spa
Recently named Costa Rica’s Best Resort Spa, this sanctuary blends modern wellness with local healing traditions — volcanic mud rituals, rainforest-inspired therapies, and grounding treatments that leave you floating.

🛎️ Amenities
World-class service, beachfront access, a stunning collection of pools (truly — endless), curated experiences, and those sweet elevated touches everywhere you turn. Newly opened, yet already operating like a seasoned 5-star icon.

💦 Kids’ Club
One of the coolest spaces for littles — crafts, games, toys, and outdoor play areas that made traveling with Oliver feel easy (and fun for him, too).

🥥 The Food & Coffee
Fresh, locally sourced Costa Rican flavors with elevated execution. Oceanfront bites, poolside snacks, handcrafted coffee experiences, and yes… plenty of coconuts.

🌿 Sustainability
Proud holders of the Bandera Azul Ecológica for conservation and environmental efforts — luxury and responsibility beautifully intertwined.

We truly cannot wait to come back. ✨

If you’re looking for a luxury, family-friendly escape in Costa Rica — this is your spot.

A huge thank you to @waldorfastoriacostarica for hosting us on this sunshine-soaked getaway.
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#costarica #waldorfastoria #luxuryfamilytravel #familytravel

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Fee

Hi Kirsten, cool shots! Love all the colors!
I wanted to check out these sandals you’re wearing but they’re not the same as those for sale 🙁
Any comments?

December 19, 2015 at 12:12 pm · Reply

Kiersten Rich

Hi Fee! Thanks so much! They are made by Sperry but I couldn’t find them online so I believe they are from last season and no longer available 🙁

December 19, 2015 at 2:20 pm · Reply

Ashley

I love Old San Juan, but I am completely biased since I was married on El Morro in 2012. 🙂 We stayed with all the bridesmaids in a great rental on Calle San Justo. Such a wonderful place. 🙂

<3 Have Ashley, Will Travel

December 19, 2015 at 7:53 pm · Reply