As I said in good Puerto Rican Spanish: Hazte el favor y pichea la plaga comercial que es Starbucks.
Yes, their WiFi and ambiance provide the perfect space for squeezing in productivity hours for side hustles or study groups. I don’t blame you if this is enough to win you over. After all, I’m also (unfortunately) a customer that has discreetly adopted a futon at a Starbucks that’s actually five minutes away from home.
Despite the coziness the franchise provides, I’ve made it a personal mission to visit a new coffee place every Saturday for the past few weeks of 2020. Fair warning: I haven’t visited all of them, but I’m confident they won’t disappoint. If you’re a local, or a visitor passing through the island, allow me to open new doors for you and let that small doorbell jingle, announcing your arrival to the barista.
- Café con Cé
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Location: Ave. Las Palmas, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Availability: Weekdays: 7 a.m.–9 p.m.; Weekends: 8 a.m.–9 p.m.
Price Range: $
A minimalist and urban-chic café with valet parking (free on weekdays, and from 8–11 a.m. on weekends; from midday to evening they require a $3 flat-rate), provides indoor and patio setting, offers vegan treats in their menu and employees usually welcome you with a quaint and cozy hospitality you just can’t frown upon. They hit you up with a great WiFi connection, so you can get your work done while getting your dose of caffeine. It’s close to Condado, so you can just pass through on your way to the beach or chit-chat amongst locals on Calle Loíza. This street is full of other shops you can take a quick look at if you’ve got some extra time to spare.
- Gustos Café at Miramar Plaza
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Location: Ave. Ponce de León – Miramar, Puerto Rico
Availability: Weekdays: 7:30 a.m.–6pm; Saturdays: 8:00 a.m.–6 p.m.; Closed on Sundays
Price Range: $$
I arrived all excited to work, but was bummed over the sad news my gadgets delivered: no WiFi connection. On the upside, I finished editing some projects that didn’t require an internet connection while sipping on a savory-brewed tea sweetened with honey. Despite the lack of internet, groups of people showed up to sit and get through meetings regardless.
The salty sea air blew in from the nearby coastline through their wide-open front-door windows, making the trees outside rustle the wind. The only sounds consisted of barista tools clattering from the other side of the lightwood bar, and the chatter of fellow customers (both indoors and at the patio.) It’s definitely a relaxed setting many enjoy spending time in.
Parking here requires a flat $5 fee, but you get to walk around Santurce while your car is secure; Pública is a five-minute walk away, so you can check out if their monthly craft market—Mercado de artesanía—is open.
- Café Comunión
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Location: Ave. Juan Ponce de León-Santurce, Puerto Rico
Availability: Weekdays: 7 a.m–6 p.m.; Saturdays: 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; Closed on Sundays
Price Range: $$
Unlike Gustos Café, located on the same street, Café Comunión is an open-lit shop that caters to the hustle-bustle of urban Santurce, where the corporate executives meet the local hipster community in shops down the streets. Private parking space is not available, so make sure to leave your car parked in a space without yellow lines, and you’re good to go.(There are also $5 flat fee parking lots a block away if you’ve got no luck with streetside). For reference, it’s close to Lote 23, a trendy food truck park located in what used to be an empty lot between buildings.
It’s perfect to catch up on your current book or get work done. Facilities include an indoor setting and a secret deck patio behind a heavy iron sliding door.
- Café Lab by Latte que Latte
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Location: Calle Cubitas, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
Availability: Mondays–Fridays: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.; Thursdays: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.; Weekends: 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
Price Range: $$
I can vouch for their coffee after two visits: pretty darn good. They offer private and streetside parking, but their interior spaces are quite snug. My favorite decorative piece is a coffee table with a pair of old combat boots at the base as if the table could walk out the door with your coffee at any given moment. A dark-lit locale, not too much lighting; a few lamps and fairy lights here and there pretty much make for an intimate and comforting experience.
Beware of weekend visits it’s often packed with brunch get-togethers and it tends to be loud for studying. Try hitting them up during the week; they have WiFi, snacks and their deliciously homemade waffle biscuits come in every warm drink.
- Café Regina
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Location: Calle Taft, San Juan, Puerto Rico / Lote 23, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Availability: Weekdays: 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m.; Weekends: 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Price Range: $
This café has two locations, but I want to highlight the one close by Ocean Park. I have yet to visit this one, but it’s close to Calle Loíza as well. I’ve also heard their sandwiches and toasts are to die for, so it won’t be too long before I stop by.
- El Loveshack
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Location: Calle San Vicente, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
Availability: Open 6 Days a Week; 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; Closed on Mondays
Price Range: $
This is definitely a spot I would like to hit up in the college town of Mayagüez; the West Coast is notorious for its Surf Turfs and cheap bar hopping. I always pitch tourists to visit somewhere outside the Metropolitan Area during their stay; one should take a breath in mellow towns and dip into different coastal waters to get a more holistic and grounding experience. If you ever find yourself wandering through the West, have breakfast here at least once. I’ve heard the atmosphere resonates with the area, so you’ll probably get work done with the chill beach vibe surfers swear by.
A small tip from a gal that’s been venturing around with her laptop: go to these places for the first time with something light, like a book or a journal. Once you’re there, test out the WiFi connection to see if it’s strong enough to hold a good hour logged in and if the space is hustle-friendly. Save yourself the hassle of carrying heavy gear around and regretting it later. Better yet: it serves as the perfect excuse to take that special someone out for a casual café con leche. Who knows what wonders lie in the powerful aroma of our coffee beans.