The district san juan: Guide to Distrito T-Mobile | Discover Puerto Rico

Guide to Distrito T-Mobile | Discover Puerto Rico

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert are served! 

And, a world-class entertainment center calls for a world-class cuisine offer! Distrito T-Mobile has from local to international gastronomy to delight your palate. All restaurants overlook the Popular Plaza, so you don’t miss a minute of fun while eating.

Get a warm welcome into the rum capital of the world at La Barrita del Lado (which translates into The Bar Next Door) right outside the Aloft San Juan. This bar sits right across the open space of Popular Plaza and also serves tapas. Is there anything better than a barrita right where the fun is?

La Central by renowned chef Mario Pagán is the most exclusive restaurant at Distrito T-Mobile. It honors the Puerto Rican history of the jíbaro and sugar cane mills- the centerpiece of the bar is a conversation starter, as it emulates the traditional alembic. Be sure to make your reservation to try the fine-dining elevated dishes, which all go through the wooden fire. The chef uses locally sourced ingredients to create the most exquisite plates like sweet plantains in aged rum, rum teriyaki black sea bass, whole yellowtail, and more. In addition, you can book the cigar room for a private party.

You can try traditional and staple dishes at Sazón Cocina Criolla. In this restaurant, you’ll find the most authentic plates that highlight Puerto Rico’s true flavors. Expect dishes like local favorite mofongo to asopao and fried red snapper, chuletas kan kan seasoned to perfection, mamposteao with seafood and meats, and so much more. Be sure to order some finely crafted cocktails with local rums and spirits to complement your dish.

Travel to the cobblestone streets of Spain (just like in Old San Juan, a few minutes away) when you visit Barullo Taberna Española. This Spanish cuisine restaurant with different experiences available depending on the time of day. Enjoy a nice cafecito for breakfast, paired with a sandwich stuffed with prosciutto, chorizo cantimplano, and mortadella, or go for a classic Mallorca de jamón y queso. You can also opt for the tapas, ranging from charcuterie boards to pizzettas and croquettes stuffed with jamón serrano and queso Manchego, and more. For dinner, salads and paellas are in order with churros and budín for dessert. And, of course, you cannot celebrate Puerto Rico’s Spanish heritage without wine, so help yourself to the self-serve Vino al Grifo wall, where you can pour and sample wines from all around the world. 

If you’re in a mood for a burger – a revolutionized burger, that is, and a shake, look no further than La Burguesía. This is not your traditional burger joint, as you can find their homemade fresh blend of meat topped with fried jamón serrano and aioli or served with caramelized amarillos and truffled goat cheese, and even avocado and jalapeño. Of course, you can also make your own! Since no burger meal is complete without French fries, choose the Belgian cut of your preference (I’d go with the truffle and cheese). And, don’t you dare leave without sharing a shake (yes, it is best if you order for two or more, as the food there is made for giants!) From dulce de leche shakes topped with a whole piece of cheesecake to cookies and cream greatness finished with an actual ice cream sandwich, you’ll have a food coma when you’re done.

A Latino fiesta is in order when you enter Lupe Reyes. This Mexican-inspired restaurant greets you with homemade tortillas and Mezcal, promising an authentic taqueria experience. Try classic al pastor tacos or delicious carnitas burritos, enchiladas, mole, and so much more. Lupe Reyes also features signature dishes inspired by local artists like Eladio Carrión and the Tor-Tata-Ahoga-Ta, a chochinita pibil sandwich served in a chili sauce and with queso fresco and avocado. Take a picture in front of their mural or at their swinging hammock (you’ll surely make your friends back home jealous).

And, right next to Arena Medalla is Pudge’s Pizza because there is no better or more dynamic duo than pizza and beer. This pizzeria is owned by Puerto Rican Hall of Fame Catcher Iván “Pudge” Rodríguez and is modeled after the one he opened in Texas. You can find baseball memorabilia around the walls and items reminiscent of the baller’s hometown Vega Baja. You’ll find that the portions are worthy of a true MVP!

And lastly, you have Dulcinea, the place where all sweet dreams are made of. An innovative and vibrant ice cream and churro shop, you’ll find it just around the corner of Distrito T-Mobile. There, you create, they serve… isn’t that fun? Pair handmade churros with ice cream and unique toppings; the combinations are endless. You can watch as the churros are made or snap a selfie in front of the bright neon signs (and the giant gummy bear wall) while you wait to enjoy this sweet treat with your family.

T-Mobile District: San Juan’s Top New Venue | Business

After being delayed over the COVID-19 pandemic, the T-Mobile District’s tiered opening has quickly placed it high in the public consciousness, becoming the top destination for a multisensorial experience unlike any presented in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.

Located in the Convention District, in the heart of San Juan, the T-Mobile District is a behemoth of entertainment, featuring concert and media venues, gastronomic diversity, bars, an urban zipline park, a hotel, a VIP movie theater by Caribbean Cinemas, and a plaza with a digitized stage system comprised of over 14,000 square feet of LED displays to show interactive content, among others.

This new hub of activity required an investment of roughly $185 million, according to Federico “Friedel” Stubbe Jr., CEO of PRISA Group, which is the developer and chief investor for the T-Mobile District.

The goal of this center, he said, is to showcase before the world Puerto Rico’s cultural richness, while supporting local entrepreneurs and encouraging audiences to rethink the island as a premier tourism destination. “Everything that has been done there has many tasks, many details, and it is that all the concepts are made by Puerto Ricans for the Puerto Rico market, and destined to reflect the best of our culture, music, flavor, art in a very authentic place. Authenticity has defined and guided and inspired us in creating this collection of experiences that we are offering in the T-Mobile District,” Stubbe told THE WEEKLY JOURNAL.

ToroVerde Opens Urban Park in T-Mobile District

Includes ziplines and multiple attractions

“Rather than saying the number of businesses, I call it a collection of experiences. Everything we have done here is an experience for the people who visit us, for people to celebrate to the max, celebrate life, celebrate triumphs, connect in real-time and space – not virtually – and enjoy it to the fullest,” he added.

Stubbe explained that the idea originated a few years ago, after years of working in the tourism industry and developing several hotels in the San Juan area. According to the CEO, Puerto Rico, as a tourism destination, was lacking in elevating the visitor experience and optimize overnight stays. He observed that while the average stay for travelers in Puerto Rico is 2.6 nights, in other comparable countries and jurisdictions visitors stay for “four, five and even six nights on average.”

By creating a unique entertainment center, he and his business partners hope to incentivize domestic tourism and encourage travelers to prolong their stay on the island “with a world-class project that reflects the best of us and our culture.”

Asked if the T-Mobile District will offer package deals in collaboration with hotels, tour guides or tourism-focused entities, he said that they are still finessing the details ahead of the District’s complete opening in August. However, he acknowledged that his team is “working on curated experiences for those who visit us,” particularly in light of the highly anticipated return of cruises to the San Juan Bay, just minutes away from the District.

“We have to think big, we have to collaborate with all the parties and the entire private sector. It is an example that when we think big and collaborate, we can do great things in Puerto Rico because we have the talent, we have the wherewithal… we are a great society. Sometimes our daily challenges drain us, but I hope it inspires others to continue to develop new structures into the future and showcase our best on a global level. Puerto Rico as a destination and as a place is a global player; we can do great things when we dare,” he affirmed. “That site is full every day… We are very grateful for the reception that the project has had in its pre-opening stage and we are very enthusiastic.”

Unique Venues for Everyone

The T-Mobile District stands out from other destinations in that it hosts a variety of venues and centers for people of all ages. One of the most popular assets in the District is the ToroVerde Urban Park, which adapts the iconic zipline from the Adventure Park in the mountains of Orocovis to a cosmopolitan setting.

Courtesy

Jorge Jorge Flores, CEO of ToroVerde, explained that the Urban Park consists of an arcade, a maze with games and challenges, a play area for children, virtual reality experiences, the Verbena Food Fair – where guests can enjoy typical Puerto Rican food generally sold at kiosks – and two urban ziplines. Regarding the latter, the Blazing Bull carries the visitor over to the Convention Center and back, while the Sky Bull takes people through the District itself, right above other guests.

He informed that this one-of-a-kind attraction was made possible through an investment of approximately $8 million and has generated over 200 jobs. “The reception of the people who have visited us has been something spectacular. The experience that people have had – either in family groups or in couples as they have come – has been very attractive,” Jorge stated.

Another top stop in the T-Mobile District is the Coca-Cola Music Hall, which will make its grand debut on Aug. 14 with an Ednita Nazario concert. Other artists and bands in the pipeline include Pedro Capó, Caramelos de Cianuro, El Gran Combo, Camilo and more. “Every week there are several events at the Coca-Cola Music Hall already scheduled and the billboard is filling up fast,” Stubbe asserted. Per the Music Hall’s official website, there are concerts scheduled up until December thus far, several of which have already sold out.

In addition, the District is home to the first Aloft hotel in Puerto Rico, with 177 rooms and a $50 million investment. Aloft San Juan offers approximately 3,500 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space and 40,000 sq. ft. of public areas such as bars, restaurants, pools and outdoor terraces that integrate innovative technology.

Courtesy of Aloft

“We are changing Puerto Rico’s hospitality landscape as the only hotel located within San Juan’s premier entertainment destination, El Distrito, and the first Aloft hotel on the island as well as in the Caribbean,” said Toni Stoeckl, global brand leader of Aloft Hotels.

Meanwhile, Stubbe described Arena Medalla as a “sports bar on steroids where the triumphs of Puerto Rican athletes are celebrated. We recognize our most outstanding athletes, it has a [40-foot] screen to watch different games at the same time in Ultra HD. ” It also features a game room for adults, including three karaoke rooms, as well as two tap walls with exclusively Puerto Rican beer, plus cocktails.

Diverse Culinary Offer

The District features an assorted selection of restaurants for different palettes and budgets. One of these is La Central, by renowned chef Mario Pagán.

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La Central by Mario Pagán

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La Central by Mario Pagán

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La Central by Mario Pagán

• Courtesy

La Central by Mario Pagán

• Courtesy

La Central by Mario Pagán

• Courtesy

Speaking to THE WEEKLY JOURNAL, Pagán explained that the idea behind his most recent fine dining establishment was to present a nostalgic view of Puerto Rico’s industrial past – such as sugar and tobacco farms, and rum distilleries – but in a contemporary atmosphere. Apart from enjoying Pagán’s culinary creativity, guests may also unwind in the restaurant’s cigar room.

“My style of food has characterized me, thanks to my mentor, Alfredo Ayala. For all the chefs in Puerto Rico that I know, Alfredo is the father of modern Puerto Rican cuisine. Having that framework that I had of creative cuisine… it is very important for me that the elements are from here in the country, that the history of the menu also has a Puerto Rican touch, but modernizing it a bit. When you go to the restaurant, it brings you nostalgia, but it is a modern environment,” he said. With an investment of more than $4 million, La Central has generated roughly 60 jobs.

T-Mobile District Debuts New Restaurant

Sazón Cocina Criolla specializes in Puerto Rican cuisine

Likewise, Sazón Cocina Criolla prioritizes Puerto Rican culture through typical dishes, such as stuffed mofongos, paella jíbara, Caribbean lobster and other delicacies. “Sazón represents, in a modernized way, the essence of the Puerto Rican environment. We have an outdoor patio and a bar with the best view of the main stage of the T-Mobile District and the multi-sensory experience that is the Central Plaza. We have located Sazón in this space because we want to reaffirm that Puerto Ricans are the heart of this project,” said architect Hans Moll-Stubbe, managing partner of PRISA Group.

On the other hand, La Burguesía satirizes the “bourgeoisie” through its gastronomic offer and design, since its operators assure that by taking a universal dish and raising it in terms of quality, they deliver a “bourgeois” product at affordable prices. La Burguesía has its own butcher and bakery where they give their unique touch to their craft burgers.

“From music to food, in Puerto Rico we distinguish ourselves for our creativity and for putting our distinctive touch on practically everything. Considering that our signature dishes are hamburgers, a universal dish, and that creativity stands out at La Burguesía, we serve them in a unique and special way; that is an essential part of our Puerto Rican idiosyncrasy,” said William Burn, operator of La Burguesía.

Other restaurants include Lupe Reyes, which serves authentic Mexican cuisine; Barulla Taberna Española, specializing in Spanish gastronomy and offering various culinary areas; Dulcinea, which sells ice cream and churros, and the newly opened Pudge’s Pizza.

“We all feed on each of the different concepts. There is a very balanced variety, extremely well thought out, but the most interesting thing about all this is that… the vision of the Stubbe family was not only to make the best of entertainment that Puerto Rico has in the future, but that the managers of those restaurants were Puerto Rican, that they were not chains from the United States, that the concepts were created here in Puerto Rico and worked with Puerto Rican hands,” Pagán affirmed.

San Juan Alicante – a resort area with an excellent beach

Friends , from our distant Spanish Alicante is perceived as a resort town. However, given the advantageous location on the Mediterranean coast, this characteristic cannot be taken away from him. However, in order to feel truly at the resort, having arrived in Alicante, it is preferable to stay in its suburb Playa de San Juan . This is such a well-maintained area with the best beach on the coast in the vicinity of Alicante.

We appreciated all the benefits of a holiday in San Juan in the first week of October 2019. And such advantages as proximity to the city and a good beach, without a doubt, included the attractiveness of the area itself, excellent transport services, the presence of many small fruit and vegetable shops with a rich assortment, and a number of pleasant and important little things for comfort.

I looked closely at San Juan for two seasons))) The first time I chose another place – it’s Gandia near Valencia – and got the most pleasant impressions from that trip. But the next goal was to rest in Alicante and San Juan, and again our trip was a success.

Friends, I suppose some of you are also scrupulously choosing where on the coast of Spain it is better to stay for a holiday. In that case, my detailed introduction to the San Juan Alicante resort area will come in handy.

In relation to the center of Alicante, the suburb of San Juan is located on the east side behind the mountain. The study of Google maps does not give such an idea of ​​\u200b\u200bthe relief (you do not focus on this mountain). But on the spot, the picture emerges beautifully. Especially, everything fits into the perception when you climb the mountain to the famous city fortress of Santa Barbara. From the fortress walls I captured San Juan in this photo:

The cape, on which the area is located, protrudes into the sea not in such a “tongue” as it looks in the photo, but as a solid triangle. And on the far side of this triangle stretches a long strip of wonderful sandy beach paired with a ribbon of comfortable recreation area.

This resort area is quite large, with developed infrastructure. It continues to expand, and it is felt by the landscaping. Most of Playa de San Juan is very green and cozy. But the farther you move away from Alicante along the coast, you will definitely notice that the vegetation is getting scarcer and the areas around the buildings are more deserted.

The streets in San Juan are arranged in a convenient grid: several wider ones run parallel to the coastline, and they are crossed by many streets leading to the sea. They look neat and tidy.

By the way, this photo shows the hotel where we stayed. Look at the brick-colored building with milky balconies.

I’ll make a reservation right away that Playa de San Juan is built up with skyscrapers that serve as apartments. There are very few hotels there. Especially on the first or second line, there is practically nothing to choose from. But since we are not interested in apartments and do not go beyond the second line in our vacation, we had to agree to a 3-star Castilla.

In the end, everything turned out to be quite good. Review of the hotel Castilla has already been published. And the hotel staff is trying – clean attractive rooms, delicious food – and public transport stops nearby, and the beach is less than 100 meters away. These pretty streets lead to the sea:

The last street along the sea in San Juan is called Nisa Avenue. The view is a bit reminiscent of Gandia: the same narrow “avenue”, bike paths and a pedestrian zone separating the blocks from the beach.

But back to the residential part, friends, because I think it is important to convey to you my opinion on the choice of accommodation in San Juan. I got the strong impression that you need to stop to rest in that part of the area that is well settled and landscaped. The hotel we chose was exactly there, and it is quite an attractive area.

If you walk from the hotel along the street parallel to the coastline, about 200 meters away is the transport ring, called Plaza la Coruna.

I would recommend that potential holidaymakers in Playa de San Juan choose accommodation in the blocks up to this square. Because further is not so green and well-maintained.

About San Juan Beach

Among the beaches of Alicante, playa San Juan is the best. This is beyond doubt. Neither the city of Postiguet, nor the smaller beaches compete.

Long wide beach with clean fine sand is perfect for all categories of vacationers. And the beginning of October is an excellent time to relax. There are few people, the air is still warmed up to 27-28 degrees, the water temperature in the sea is 24-25 degrees.

However, I have something to compare with, so I will note some features of this beach. The sand strip along the entire coast of Playa de San Juan has some undulations. As if the tape sags, then sticks out. When entering the water, this waviness is also observed, creating an uneven depth. It is unusual when you can swim five meters from the shore, and away from it, you can stand in knee-deep water … These quirks are easy to adapt to, but those who relax with children should take into account the peculiarities of the seabed.

I observed something similar when I was vacationing close to Barcelona – in the resort town of Santa Susanna. But the beach in Gandia pleases with its uniform immersion in the water, which I really like.

About transport

The area of ​​Playa de San Juan is perfectly covered by the transport network of Alicante. A popular transport in this region is the tram, or light metro, as it is also called. Two tram lines No. 3 and No. 4 start from the central Luceros Square in Alicante and pass through the quarters of the resort suburb. Trams stop at different frequencies. No. 4 was especially suitable for us, since its line runs along the street next to the Castilla Hotel.

City buses also run here on several routes. It is convenient to get to the center of Alicante, to the central market, to Mount Benacantil with the fortress of Santa Barbara, to the station, and in general, almost anywhere in the city.

And what is most attractive is that there is a single pass for all types of transport, which provides for very favorable prices for the trip.

I researched in advance where to buy a transport card near the hotel, and after checking into my room, I went in search of the right point of sale. I walked down Avenida Costa Blanca, found the corresponding kiosk, and purchased a BONOBUS-10, paying a little over 10 euros (8.70 for ten trips and 2 euros for the card itself).

Look at this photo to know where to buy the San Juan travel card.

Interestingly, the hotel receptionist answered my question about the transport card that travel cards are sold only directly in Alicante. But I prepared better than the administrator))) Therefore, after 10 minutes I had a profitable transport card in my hands. One for two, giving the right to travel both by tram and bus, with the possibility of replenishment.

About supermarkets

It took us a while to find the most suitable supermarket. We knew that on Av. de Holanda 13 is supposed to be MasyMas two blocks from our hotel, but it’s in such a tricky location that we needed local tips.

The fact is that this grocery chain is located on the territory of the Fontana shopping and entertainment complex. Once in the right place, we saw many small shops, cafes, playgrounds … It turned out that the supermarket is located under the whole complex and is indicated by a single discreet sign.

Going down to the basement, visitors find themselves in a large supermarket with a wide range of products and attentive service.

In different Spanish cities we like different retail chains. In San Juan, MasyMas turned out to be the undisputed favorite. Before him, we had already visited Consum on the same coast and were disappointed. Although literally a week earlier, it was in Consum that they gladly dropped by while relaxing in Benidorm.

Here, my dears, is all (or almost all) useful information about Playa de San Juan. If you decide to relax in Alicante, feel free to choose this area. You will reach the city center by any transport in about half an hour. The tram goes faster because its path runs through the tunnels. Bus number 21 fits in 30 minutes, and number 22 winds a little and travels longer.

Playa de San Juan is a good choice to combine a seaside holiday with sightseeing in Alicante. I hope my review will be useful to you this summer!

Your euro-guide Tatiana

Property in San Juan on the first line of the sea

Property in San Juan (Alicante, Spain) is prestigious and profitable as an investment. San Juan is one of the most famous beach areas of Alicante. It is located north of the city center along the Costa Blanca.
For those who want to buy property in San Juan, it is worth dividing Playa de San Juan – a new respectable area, administratively belongs to Alicante and San Juan de Alicante – located a little further from the sea. Consequently, it is more habitable, there are more offers of secondary housing.

Buying property in San Juan de Alicante is inexpensive. The objects are located in large gated complexes – this is a definite plus. Also, a big advantage that housing in San Juan has is the transportation system. Trams (light rails) and buses circulate throughout the day at short intervals. There is everything you need for a comfortable stay and life: supermarkets, pharmacies, bakeries and more.

Speaking about real estate in San Juan (Playa), it is worth noting that in this lively area it is proposed to buy apartments in San Juan from the best developers, luxury property in new buildings on the first and second lines from the sea. Apartments are sold in multi-storey gated complexes with interior decoration, built-in kitchen and air conditioning. Some houses have a heating system, which is not typical for the Costa Blanca.

Only large investors can afford to buy land in San Juan for construction. As a rule, this is a developer with appropriate funding capabilities and with extensive experience in residential and commercial properties.

San Juan Beach

San Juan (Playa de San Juan) is one of the best beaches on the Costa Blanca. For many years, this beach has been awarded the “blue flag” for the quality of ecology and cleanliness. Property in San Juan Playa is located along the beach. Its length is about 7 km, it is from the center of Alicante to El Campello. The wide coastline welcomes guests with warm azure water and golden sand.

Mostly people wishing to buy a house in San Juan are holidaymakers from Madrid, Spaniards from other regions and foreign tourists. Mostly people come here to go in for water sports, play volleyball, playgrounds have been created for children on the sand.

No less attractive for tourists and real estate buyers in Spain will be many bars and restaurants. Along the entire waterfront, colorful establishments open their doors and are happy to treat guests with Spanish dishes until late at night.

San Juan – a profitable investment

Real estate prices in San Juan (Playa) have been growing over the past few years and have hardly faltered during the crisis, which undoubtedly indicates high liquidity.