I spent a good part of a day in the Santurce neighborhood which is next to Condado. Here are some of the highlights:
MACPR/Museo de Arte Contemporaneo Puerto Rico: Located on Ave. Ponce de Leon and Ave. Robert H Todd, this is a museum devoted to contemporary art. There were two galleries on view but I really enjoyed the work.
The Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico: Of the two museums I saw, this was by far the best. The building is really beautiful and there is an emphasis on Puerto Rican artists. There is a restaurant called Laurel in the museum whose chef is the award winning Mario Pagan. Outside there is a nice sculpture garden in the back. It is located at Avenida de Diego 299 in Santurce
Plaza de Mercado/La Placita: Make sure to walk through this neighborhood market where the fruits and vegetables from the area are abundant.
Tasca el Pescador: Located across the street from the Mercado, at Calle dos Hermanos 178, is this well-known seafood restaurant. You know it is fresh when the menu includes a handwritten list of daily specials. I enjoyed the food and the brightly colored decor. I had salmon with guava sauce, rice and beans.
Noted chef Wilo Benet suggested that next time I try Jose Enrique, near the Mercado at 176 Calle Duffaut, for local specialties.
Espacio 1414: Located at Avenida Fernandez Juncos 1414, this is the Berezdivin Collection which is a significant collection of contemporary art with emphasis on Latin American art. The collection is open by appointment only. I was unaware of this, so I was unable to get in. You might enjoy visiting, so make a reservation.
The galleries formerly located at 1412 and 1414, reviewed in the New York Times, are no longer there.
Walk along Avenida Ponce de Leon to see the old art deco architecture from the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s. I loved many of the colors and design.