Sometimes, in times of uncertainty, you just need some good old Starbucks. We came here twice during our stay in nearby Vega Alta, once in the store, and once through the drive thru. As with most Starbucks locations, the store was very clean and the baristas were helpful and efficient. It wasn't too crowded when we came in at about 10 on a Monday morning. Be warned that they don't brew dark roast coffee or cold brew iced coffee; if you want something dark, order an Americano, which they make very well. Other than that, they seem to have most of the same espresso drinks/teas/frappucinos that you would find on the mainland.
As for pastries, they carry most of the old standbys with a few local additions. Be sure to try the "local favorite" quesito, which is like a dense, sticky, sugar-coated croissant with a cream cheese-like filling. They warm all of the pastries without asking, so say something in advance if you don't want a toasty-warm pastry.
We ended up buying two pounds of ground coffee to make in the coffee maker in our condo. While this was very convenient, it did prevent us from going out and trying some local Puerto Rican coffee. I regret not testing out some local coffee shops rather than sticking to the same coffee I drink every day at home. Puerto Rico has not only incredible coffee, but a close-knit coffee shop culture which shouldn't be missed by coffee aficionados.
So don't be like us, trapped in the Starbucks rabbit hole that is so easy to get lost in. While Starbucks is good, nothing can compare to local coffee shops. Come here for a safe beverage or two, but don't make this your go-to place in Puerto Rico. Although, it seems like that's exactly what Ricky Martin did (spot the print-outs of various Ricky Martin drive-thru selfies on the bulletin board at the end of the counter). read more