Hato Rey is the island’s banking district and the closest thing to the city center that Puerto Rico has. The stretch of road along which you’ll find a proud cluster of skyscrapers accounts for most of the money on the island and is known as ‘The Golden Mile’. As such, this neighborhood is more of a business traveler destination than a tourist spot.
But don’t discount Hato Rey entirely. The largest mall in the Caribbean is here. It is the place where Puerto Ricans come to see a concert, watch a baseball game, or spend the day in the park. And it is home to one of the biggest musical events on the island.
Where to stay
Honestly, there is nothing here in the way of accommodation. And you don’t need to stay here when the big hotels and inns in the rest of San Juan are relatively close.
Where to eat
Many restaurants along FD Roosevelt Avenue, the main thoroughfare through Hato Rey, cater to the business crowd. The good ones include:
- El Paseo – A favorite for its homey Puerto Rican and Cuban food, laid-back vibe, and decent prices.
- El Bodegón de Gaspar : In this authentic Spanish restaurant, chef Gaspar Ballestero offers excellent tapas, main courses and, naturally, Paella Valenciana Trios offers live music from Thursday to Monday.
- El Zipperle – An unusual combination of Spanish and German cuisine, El Zipperle is an old Hato Rey institution.
What to see and do
For events, you cannot beat Hato Rey:
- The Tito Puente Amphitheater hosts the Heineken Jazz Festival every year.
- The Coliseo de Puerto Rico is the place where all the great acts are presented.
- Hiram Bithorn Stadium is the ideal place to watch a baseball game.
Beyond that, you have the parks:
- The Enrique Marti Coll Linear Park has a 1.5 mile long elevated trail that is great for running and biking.
- Luis Muñoz Marín Park is spread over 140 acres, with trails for walking and biking, playgrounds, an amphitheater, golf practice areas and a cable car service in its entirety.
Where to buy
Most likely, if you came to Hato Rey, you came to buy, and if you came to buy, you came to Plaza Las Américas, the mega shopping center in Puerto Rico. With over 300 stores, you can shop from a pair of socks to a car here. Plus, it has movie theaters, bowling alleys, and all kinds of food court options. The Plaza is a gathering place for locals and a good place to go if you have a lot to buy in a short time. The mall is quite beautiful, with sculptures and artwork scattered all over the place.
Where to go out at night
Two places immediately occur to me, and they are both in the same place: 20 pa K is a Teppanyaki room in Plaza Las Américas, overlooking the Galaxy Lanes bowling alley. On weekend nights, it’s not a bad combination.
