South Beach with an accent

Ashford Avenue

¡Bienvenido de vuelta! Welcome back!

Before taking you to one of the jewels of Puerto Rico, I would like to congratulate the 19 researchers who were inducted into the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame during this research congress.

Just to the east of Old San Juan and a short walk from the convention center is the Isle of Condado. Just as Miami Beach is separated from Miami by Biscayne Bay, Condado lies across the bay from Old San Juan. You can barely tell the difference between Collins Avenue on South Beach and Ashford Avenue, the main street through Condado. You might say that Condado is South Beach with a tan and Spanish accent.

Blackened sea bass

Walk its streets and you find many of the same shops that adorn the finest beach resorts around the world. Situated among them are many restaurants with the freshest seafood and great views of the ocean. There are also plenty of great pubs with friendly locals and tropical beverages that quench the thirst you build while power shopping on a hot summer day.

Tourist beach and hotels

The truly best way to cool down from your walkabout is a dip in the crystal blue Caribbean Sea. Just a few steps from Ashford Avenue and across pristine sands, you can cool your heels in the clearest water you have ever seen. As you walk along the beach, you hear the sound of local bands entertaining guests who are enjoying pools at the many hotels that line the beach, but I recommend continuing your walk, not because these beaches aren’t among the best I have ever seen but because there is more local flavor to explore.

Oceanside beach

Bayside beach

Adventurous?

You will see a few San Juan residents on the beach near the tourist hotels, but if you want to sunbath and swim with the locals, walk toward the bridge that links Condado with the mainland. You will find beautiful beaches on both the ocean and bayside, and locals there are as welcoming as they are anywhere else on the island.

If you are adventurous, you can quickly find yourself involved in a beach volleyball match or even diving competition off one of the bridges. Just remember: No swimming for 30 minutes after you’ve eaten and absolutely no drinking and diving!

As for me, I’m off for a swim. So, until tomorrow, ¡Estar bien y ser segura! Be well and be safe!

For Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL), published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International. Comments are moderated. Those that promote products or services will not be posted.