X-Cursions · Puerto Rico 2026
PUERTO RICO
Transform Your Vacation into an X-perience
Xavier's Puerto Rico
Favorite Spots
These are Xavier's personal picks — the restaurants, bars, hotels, and hidden gems he goes back to every single time he's home in Puerto Rico. If you're visiting the island, start here. These aren't tourist recommendations. These are the real spots.
From the best beachfront breakfast in Ocean Park to the premier cocktail bar in Old San Juan — every spot below is hand-picked by Xavier and personally recommended.
Epicuro Chef's Table
Intimate 12-Seat Chef's Table · 5-Course Tasting Menu · Santurce, San Juan
Epicuro is one of the most extraordinary dining experiences in Puerto Rico — a 12-seat chef's table encircling an open kitchen where you watch every course being prepared right in front of you. Monthly rotating five-course tasting menus with wine pairings, intimate atmosphere, and the kind of culinary artistry that earned it Best Overall, Best Food, Best Service, Best Ambiance, and Best Value in all of Puerto Rico.
The Chef's Table
12 seats · Open kitchen · 5-course tasting menu
The Setting
The Kitchen
Location
316 Avenida José de Diego · Santurce, San Juan, PR 00909
Experience
12-Seat Chef's Table · Open Kitchen · 5-Course Tasting Menu · Wine Pairings
Price
$175 per person · Monthly rotating menu · Reservations required
Epicuro's intimate 12-seat chef's table encircles an open kitchen where you watch every course being prepared. Monthly five-course tasting menus with thoughtful wine pairings create a warm, special-evening atmosphere. Rated 5.0 on OpenTable — Best Overall, Best Food, Best Service, Best Ambiance, and Best Value in all of Puerto Rico and San Juan. Smart casual dress code.
“Epicuro is one of those once-in-a-lifetime dining experiences. Twelve seats around an open kitchen, watching every course come to life right in front of you. The tasting menu, the wine pairings, the intimacy — it's culinary art at its finest. A must on every Puerto Rico trip.”
— Xavier Marzan · X-Cursions in Motion
The Appetizer
The Cocktail
The Bar
Santaella
Santurce, San Juan
Xavier’s all-time #1 restaurant in Puerto Rico — earns the Pineapple Award 🍍, his highest personal honor. Chef José Santaella brings bold, creative New Puerto Rican cuisine to life in the heart of Santurce. Trained under Ferrán Adrià, Eric Ripert, and Gary Danko, Santaella delivers tapas-driven menus rooted in local ingredients and world-class technique. The octopus is legendary. Xavier returns every single trip.
The Exterior
The Lobby
Dream Inn
Ocean Park, San Juan
Xavier’s all-time #1 place to stay in Puerto Rico — receives the Pineapple Award 🍍, his highest personal honor. Approximately 8 stays and counting — it genuinely feels like home. Boutique hotel steps from the beach in one of San Juan’s most vibrant neighborhoods. Ocean Park sits between Condado and Isla Verde, with direct beach access, the best local brunch spots, and pickleball courts at Parque de Barbosa just around the corner.
“These aren't tourist picks — these are the places I go every single time I'm home. Santaella is where I eat. Dream Inn is where I stay. Both earn the Pineapple Award — my highest honor. If you go to Puerto Rico, you go here.”
— Xavier Marzan · X-CURSIONS IN MOTION
Santaella Restaurant & Bar
Puerto Rican Nouvelle Cuisine · Chef José Santaella · Santurce, San Juan
Xavier's all-time #1 restaurant in Puerto Rico — the Pineapple Award star 🍍, his highest personal honor. Chef José Santaella trained under Ferrán Adrià, Eric Ripert, and Gary Danko. Bold, creative New Puerto Rican cuisine with tapas-driven menus rooted in local ingredients and world-class technique. The octopus is legendary. Xavier returns every single trip.
The Appetizer
The Cocktail
The Bar
Location
219 Calle Canals, Santurce, San Juan, PR 00907
Cuisine
Puerto Rican Nouvelle · Tapas · Local & International Ingredients
Contact
(939) 221-0575 · josesantaella.com
Chef José Santaella trained under three of the world's most celebrated chefs — Ferrán Adrià at elBulli, Eric Ripert at Le Bernardin, and Gary Danko at Restaurant Gary Danko — and brought that world-class technique home to Puerto Rico. The menu is tapas-driven, designed to be shared and combined into a full meal. The bar program is equally serious — cocktails that match the ambition of the kitchen. The octopus is legendary.
“Santaella is the one. Every single trip to Puerto Rico — I'm going. The octopus, the tapas, the bar — Chef Santaella trained under the best in the world and brought it all home to the island. This is my Pineapple Award star 🍍.”
— Xavier Marzan · X-Cursions in Motion
Marmalade Restaurant & Wine Bar
🍍 NominatedUpscale Fine Dining · Tasting Menus · Old San Juan
Xavier's been once — and it was the best. Marmalade is an upscale Old San Juan fine-dining restaurant with inventive tasting menus, wine pairings, and a warm, romantic atmosphere. Farm-to-table produce, local ingredients, and the kind of culinary artistry that makes you remember every single course. Nominated for the Pineapple Award 🍍.
Marmalade
Old San Juan · Fine Dining · Tasting Menus
The Course
The Spread
The Dessert
Location
317 Fortaleza Street, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901
Style
Upscale Fine Dining · 5-Course Tasting Menus · Wine Pairings
Price
$155/person (parties ≤5) · $175/person (groups 6+) · Optional wine pairing $105
Marmalade is one of Old San Juan's premier fine-dining destinations — inventive multi-course tasting menus with optional wine pairings, farm-to-table local produce, and a warm, romantic atmosphere. Signature dishes include the Tiny White Bean Soup with black truffle, Moroccan-style Ahi Tuna Tartar, The Three Pigs (local pork belly, braised pork cheek, morcilla “black rice”), and the theatrical Global Warming cocktail. Smart-casual to formal dress required. Reservations recommended weeks in advance.
“I've been to Marmalade once — and it was the best. The tasting menu, the wine pairings, the atmosphere — everything was perfect. It's nominated for the Pineapple Award. Next time I go back, it might earn it.”
— Xavier Marzan · X-Cursions in Motion
Furtivo Speakeasy
Puerto Rico's First Pinnacle Guide Bar · Calle Loíza, San Juan
Furtivo is where Xavier is going next time he's in Puerto Rico. A 1920s-inspired speakeasy hidden behind an unmarked entrance on Calle Loíza — internationally recognized cocktails, refined tapas, and an intimate atmosphere that transports you to another era. The first bar in Puerto Rico to receive the PIN Pinnacle Guide distinction. Named among the 17 Best Bars in Puerto Rico by Condé Nast Traveler.
Furtivo Speakeasy
Calle Loíza · San Juan · Hidden Entrance
The Speakeasy
The Cocktails
Location
1501 Calle Loíza, San Juan, PR 00911
Hours
Sun–Thu 5:30–11 PM · Fri–Sat 5:30 PM–1 AM
Awards
PIN Pinnacle Guide · Condé Nast Traveler 17 Best Bars in PR
Inspired by Don Sebastián, a fictional 1920s merchant symbolizing Puerto Rico's Prohibition-era history of contraband and luxury. Furtivo offers signature cocktails like “Revelación de Sofia” (gin, hibiscus flower infusion, orange bitters, Brut Nature Cava) and “The Red Cave.” The bar also hosts intimate 12-seat supper club dinners and curated pairing experiences with wine, rum, and spirits. Reservations strongly recommended.
“Furtivo is where I'm going next time I'm in Puerto Rico. A real speakeasy on Calle Loíza — the first bar on the island to get the Pinnacle Guide distinction. Hidden entrance, world-class cocktails, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you forget what year it is.”
— Xavier Marzan · X-Cursions in Motion
La Factoría
Puerto Rico's Premier Cocktail Bar · Old San Juan
La Factoría is where it all started for Puerto Rico's cocktail renaissance. Multiple rooms, each with its own vibe — La Facto (the Front Bar), Vino (wine bar), El Shingaling (the Salsa Room with live band La 51), El Final (neon-lit late-night room), El Desvío (hidden 10-seat candlelight bar), and La Cubanita (old bodega next door). The last stop on our Sunday night Old San Juan bar crawl — live salsa starts at 10 PM in the Shing A'Ling room.
La Factoría
The Front Bar · Run-down chic · Old San Juan
El Desvío
Hijos de Borinquen
Location
148 Calle San Sebastián, Old San Juan, PR 00901
The Rooms
La Facto · Vino · El Shingaling · El Final · El Desvío · La Cubanita
Hours
Opens daily at 11 AM · First-come, first-served · No reservations
El Shingaling is the Salsa Room — live salsa and jazz with the house band La 51, founded by Tempo Alomar and Roberto Roena. The music starts at 10 PM and the energy doesn't stop until close. This is where our Sunday night Old San Juan bar crawl ends — and where the real night begins.
“La Factoría is where the cocktail revolution started in Puerto Rico. Multiple rooms, each with its own soul. The Shing A'Ling room with live salsa is how we end every Sunday night bar crawl. This is the real Old San Juan.”
— Xavier Marzan · X-Cursions in Motion
Aguardiente Bar
Santurce, San Juan · Authentic Island Nightlife
Aguardiente is a vibrant Santurce bar with the kind of energy that sets the tone for a great night out in Puerto Rico. Named after the traditional Puerto Rican cane spirit, Aguardiente brings authentic island nightlife culture to the heart of Santurce.
Location
Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico
The Vibe
Lively bar · Island energy · Authentic Santurce nightlife
Best For
Starting the night in Santurce before heading to Furtivo or La Factoria
Aguardiente is the perfect first stop on a Santurce night out — the energy is right, the drinks are flowing, and it's pure island culture. From here, the night continues to Furtivo Speakeasy or wherever the evening takes you.
“Aguardiente is how you start the night in Santurce. The energy is right, the drinks are good, and you feel the island the moment you walk in.”
— Xavier Marzan · X-Cursions in Motion
El Techo & La Penultima
Two of Xavier's go-to spots for a perfect Puerto Rico night out. El Techo for rooftop views, then La Penultima for the authentic Santurce bar scene.
El Techo Rooftop Bar
El Techo — "The Roof" — is one of San Juan's most iconic rooftop bars. After dinner at Santaella, head up to El Techo for drinks with panoramic views of the city. The kind of spot where the skyline becomes the backdrop for the night.
La Penultima
La Penultima is a Santurce institution — a beloved local bar in the La Placita area that captures the authentic Puerto Rican bar culture. The name means "the second to last" — as in, this is your second-to-last drink before you call it a night. Spoiler: it never is.
“El Techo for the views, then La Penultima for the real Santurce bar energy. A perfect Puerto Rico night out.”
— Xavier Marzan · X-Cursions in Motion
Via Lactea
Hidden Gem Ice Cream · Santurce, San Juan
Via Lactea is one of San Juan's best-kept secrets — a hidden ice cream shop tucked behind the MO hair salon on Avenida Ponce de Leon in Santurce. Buzz in, walk down the hallway, and discover some of the most incredible artisan ice cream on the island. The guayaba panetela is a must-try.
The Scoops
The Shop
Location
Ave Ponce de Leon, Santurce, San Juan — hidden behind MO hair salon
Must-Try
Guayaba Panetela — the signature flavor you can't miss
How to Find It
Buzz into the MO hair salon, walk down the hallway — it's hidden
This is the kind of spot that only locals know about. No sign on the street, no storefront — just buzz into the MO hair salon on Ave Ponce de Leon, walk down the hallway, and you'll find Via Lactea. Artisan ice cream made with love. The guayaba panetela is legendary.
Why We're Going
Artisan Ice Cream
Small-batch, handcrafted flavors you won't find anywhere else on the island. Every scoop is made with intention.
Hidden Gem
No sign, no storefront — buzz into the MO hair salon, walk down the hallway. The kind of spot only locals know about.
Guayaba Panetela
The signature flavor — guava and panetela (a traditional Puerto Rican pastry) combined into one unforgettable scoop.
Santurce Location
Right on Ave Ponce de Leon in the heart of Santurce — one of San Juan's most vibrant avenues and the best of neighborhood culture.
“Via Lactea is one of those spots you have to know about. Buzz into the MO hair salon, walk down the hallway, and discover the best ice cream in San Juan. The guayaba panetela is a must.”
— Xavier Marzan · X-Cursions in Motion
Scryer Rum
Small-Batch Sipping Rum · Old San Juan Barrelhouse
Scryer Rum is one of Puerto Rico's most distinctive craft spirits — a small-batch, pot-distilled sipping rum aged six years in barrels previously used for aging fine wines from Portugal and Spain. Distilled in Barbados and bottled right here in San Juan. The Barrelhouse in Old San Juan is an immersive experience: tours, a cocktail bar, and a barrel room where you can taste the rum that's putting Puerto Rico on the craft spirits map.
The Barrelhouse
La Colada
C.R.E.A.M.
The Barrels
Tasting Notes
Crafted using a whisky-style distillation process, Scryer is designed for sipping neat, over ice, or in cocktails. The six-year aging in wine-seasoned barrels gives it a depth and complexity that sets it apart from anything else on the island.
Barrelhouse
259 Calle Tetuan, Old San Juan, PR 00901
Hours
Wed-Thu 11:30 AM-12 AM · Fri-Sat 11:30 AM-1 AM · Sun 11:30 AM-12 AM · Mon-Tue 12-8 PM
The Rum
6-year aged · Pot-distilled · Wine-barrel seasoned · Distilled in Barbados · Bottled in San Juan
Signature Cocktails
Claude & Sherry · C.R.E.A.M. · Blood Punch · Paper Plane · La Colada
The Scryer Barrelhouse is an immersive experience — tours of the barrel room, a full cocktail bar, and the chance to taste one of Puerto Rico's most exciting craft spirits. Currently only available for purchase in Puerto Rico, which makes tasting it here all the more special.
Visit scryerrum.com →“Scryer Rum is what happens when craft distilling meets Puerto Rican soul. Six years in wine-seasoned barrels, distilled in Barbados, bottled in San Juan. You can only get it on the island — which makes it the perfect thing to discover on Island Givin'.”
— Xavier Marzan · X-Cursions in Motion
La Cerra & Ernesto Cerra Street
The Heart of Santurce · Street Art · Bars · Culture
La Cerra and Ernesto Cerra Street in Santurce is where the real Puerto Rico lives. Vibrant street art murals, local bars like Esquina Watusi, and the kind of nightlife energy that makes Santurce the cultural heartbeat of San Juan. This is Xavier's neighborhood — Esquina Luis Marzan is right here. When you roll with X-CURSIONS IN MOTION, you roll with a local.
Santurce Street Art
La Cerra · Ernesto Cerra Street · The Culture Lives Here
Esquina Watusi Bar
Xavier · La Cerra
Location
La Cerra & Ernesto Cerra Street, Santurce, San Juan, PR
Known For
Street art murals · Local bars · Nightlife · Cultural heart of Santurce
Xavier's Roots
Esquina Luis Marzan is right here — Xavier's family corner in Santurce
La Cerra is the beating heart of Santurce — the neighborhood where Xavier grew up and where X-CURSIONS IN MOTION was born. Esquina Watusi is a classic Puerto Rican neighborhood bar with Corona and Medalla on tap, carved wooden signs, and the kind of atmosphere that hasn't changed in decades. The street art murals that line La Cerra and Ernesto Cerra Street are some of the most vibrant in all of San Juan.
Why We're Going
World-Class Street Art
La Cerra and Ernesto Cerra Street are lined with some of the most vibrant murals in San Juan — colorful, bold, and deeply rooted in Puerto Rican culture.
Esquina Watusi Bar
A classic Santurce neighborhood bar — carved wooden signs, Corona and Medalla on tap, and the kind of local energy that makes you feel at home.
Xavier's Neighborhood
Esquina Luis Marzan — Xavier's family corner — is right here in Santurce. This isn't a tourist stop. It's home.
Santurce Nightlife
La Cerra is the gateway to Santurce's nightlife — bars, music, culture, and the energy that makes this neighborhood the heartbeat of San Juan.
“La Cerra is where I grew up. Esquina Luis Marzan, Esquina Watusi, the murals, the energy — this is the real Santurce. When you come with X-CURSIONS IN MOTION, you're rolling with a local. This is home.”
— Xavier Marzan · X-Cursions in Motion
More Bars to Hit
Xavier's full Puerto Rico bar list — from legendary Old San Juan dives to Santurce's most creative cocktail spots. Every one of these is personally recommended.
Cannon Club
Craft cocktails · Intimate · Historic setting
Cannon Club is a sophisticated cocktail bar tucked into the historic streets of Old San Juan. Named for the cannons that once defended the city, it brings that same bold energy to its drinks program — a must-visit for anyone exploring the bar scene in the old city.
El Batey
Dive bar · Legendary · Local favorite since 1963
El Batey is a legendary Old San Juan dive bar that's been around since 1963. Covered in graffiti, packed with character, and beloved by locals and visitors alike. Cold Medalla, no-frills atmosphere, and the kind of vibe that makes you stay for hours. A true Puerto Rican institution.
El Barbero
Barbershop-bar hybrid · Creative cocktails · Cool vibes
El Barbero is exactly what it sounds like — a barbershop and bar in one. Creative cocktails, a unique concept, and the kind of Santurce energy that makes the neighborhood one of the most exciting in San Juan. Come for the haircut, stay for the drinks.
Patio de las Flores
Open-air patio · Tropical atmosphere · Relaxed vibes
Patio de las Flores is a beautiful open-air bar in Old San Juan with a lush, tropical atmosphere. The kind of spot where you sit under the stars, sip something cold, and let the island slow you down. Perfect for an afternoon drink or an early evening start to the night.
Superhero Bar
Themed cocktail bar · Fun energy · Unique concept
Superhero Bar is exactly the kind of spot Santurce does best — a themed cocktail bar with personality, creative drinks, and an energy that keeps the night going. Come in costume or come as you are. Either way, you're in for a good time.
Jungle Bird
Tiki-inspired · Craft cocktails · Tropical atmosphere
Named after the classic tiki cocktail, Jungle Bird brings tropical craft cocktail culture to San Juan. Lush, vibrant, and full of island energy — the kind of bar that makes you feel like you're somewhere between a speakeasy and a Caribbean paradise. The cocktails are serious, the atmosphere is fun.
The Bar at the Vanderbilt Hotel
Upscale hotel bar · Ocean views · Sophisticated atmosphere
The bar at the historic Vanderbilt Hotel in Condado is one of San Juan's most elegant drinking destinations. Classic cocktails, impeccable service, and the kind of sophisticated atmosphere that makes you feel like you've stepped into another era. Perfect for a refined evening drink with views of the Condado lagoon.
La Unidad
Community-focused · Local favorite · Great cocktails
La Unidad — 'The Unity' — is a bar that lives up to its name. A community-focused spot with great cocktails and the kind of welcoming energy that makes everyone feel at home. A local favorite that captures the spirit of Puerto Rican hospitality at its best.
“Puerto Rico has one of the best bar scenes in the Caribbean. From the legendary dives of Old San Juan to the creative cocktail bars of Santurce — every spot on this list is worth your time.”
— Xavier Marzan · X-Cursions in Motion
Going to Old San Juan
500 Years of History · Cobblestone Streets · Colonial Forts · Bar Crawl
Old San Juan is the crown jewel of Puerto Rico — a UNESCO World Heritage Site where 500 years of colonial history meets the island's most vibrant nightlife. The bar crawl through the historic district, ending at La Factoría where live salsa starts at 10 PM, is one of the highlights of any Puerto Rico trip.
¡Boricua!
The Streets
Nightlife
The Old San Juan Bar Crawl
Xavier's Recommended Route
El Morro & San Cristóbal Forts
The 16th-century fortresses guarding San Juan Bay. Iconic views of the Atlantic and the city.
Antiguo
First stop on the bar crawl — the energy starts here.
Casa de Montecristo
A sophisticated lounge with craft cigars and cocktails in the heart of Old San Juan.
The Mezzanine
Rooftop vibes and the kind of atmosphere that makes you never want to leave.
La Factoría
The last stop — live salsa band in the Shing A'Ling room from 10 PM. The night doesn't end here.
Calle San Sebastián
The heart of Old San Juan's nightlife — bars, music, and the culture that defines the island.
500+
Years of History
UNESCO
World Heritage
7
City Gates
2
Historic Forts
“Old San Juan is where the island's soul lives. The cobblestone streets, the forts, the colors, the music — and the bar crawl ending at La Factoría with live salsa from 10 PM. This is Puerto Rico at its finest.”
— Xavier Marzan · X-Cursions in Motion
Rolling with Locals
Real moments from Puerto Rico — family, friends, rum culture, and the energy that makes every trip feel like coming home.
La Familia
The Crew
Good Vibes
Ron del Barrilito
Old San Juan
Escuela J.E. Blanco
Real Moments
Real photos from Puerto Rico — Xavier's roots, the culture, and the energy that makes every trip unforgettable.
Island Nights
The Crew
Island Eats
Street Dancing
Beach Fitness
Ocean Vibes
X-CURSIONS IN MOTION
What to Expect
The Puerto Rico Experience
Dance & Fitness
Bomba, Plena, Salsa instruction — learn the dances that define Puerto Rican culture.
Rum Culture
Coquito, pitorro, Casa Bacardí — deep-dive into the island's rum traditions.
Beach & Adventure
Piñones, Condado, potential Culebra island hopping — sun, sand, and the Atlantic.
Nightlife
Santurce, La Placita, speakeasy bar crawls — the nightlife that never sleeps.
Old San Juan
Colonial architecture, historic forts, cobblestone streets — 500 years of history.
Holiday Traditions
Puerto Rican holiday culture — parrandas, festive music, and celebration.
🇵🇷
Xavier's Roots
4–8
Guests
8–12
Guests
5
Days
FAQ
Do I need to know how to dance?
No. Our instructors meet you where you are. Whether you're a seasoned dancer or moving for the first time, you'll feel welcomed.
What's the group size?
We keep groups intimate — 4–8 guests or 8–12 guests depending on the experience. This ensures personalized attention and genuine connection.
What if I'm traveling solo?
Perfect. Many of our guests travel solo and leave with lifelong friendships. We facilitate icebreakers and group activities from day one.
Is airfare included?
Airfare is not included. Everything else — accommodations, meals, experiences, nightlife — is part of the package.
Experience Puerto Rico with Xavier
Every restaurant, bar, and spot on this page is personally recommended by Xavier. Whether you're planning a trip or joining one of our curated experiences — this is the real Puerto Rico.
Get in Touch →X-CURSIONS IN MOTION · Puerto Rico 2026 · [email protected] · @xinmotion