Working Remotely from Condado, San Juan
Puerto Rico makes a very good base for working remotely: a US territory, a Caribbean setting, and a walkable neighborhood. Here is what to know before you open your laptop in Condado.
A workspace built for work
Many vacation rentals offer a kitchen table and not much else. FlipFlopFlat is set up differently. Both bedrooms have an adjustable standing desk and a 34-inch curved monitor, and the condo has fast Wi-Fi. With two bedrooms, two people can work at the same time without sharing a space, which suits couples, colleagues or a family where one adult needs to take calls.
Each bedroom also has its own ensuite bath, so schedules do not collide. When the work day ends, you can step out to the balcony with city and mountain views, or head down to the pool or gym in the building. The condo also has a full kitchen and an in-unit washer and dryer, which makes a longer stay practical.
Time zone
Puerto Rico uses Atlantic Standard Time (AST) all year and does not observe daylight saving time. That means local time matches US Eastern Time during the months when the mainland is on daylight saving time, and is one hour ahead of Eastern Time in winter. If you work with a US East Coast team, you will line up with them for part of the year and be an hour ahead for the rest. If you work with the West Coast or Europe, check the offset for your specific dates, because the gap shifts when other regions change their clocks.
A practical tip: add a second clock to your calendar and confirm meeting times in writing during the weeks when the US clocks change, since your local time stays the same while theirs moves.
Power outages: have a plan
Puerto Rico has occasional power outages. They are often short, but it is wise to be ready, particularly if you have deadlines. Our suggestions:
- Bring a power bank for your phone and keep it charged.
- Save work often and use cloud sync so a laptop shutdown does not cost you progress.
- Know your phone hotspot option in case your Wi-Fi is affected.
- Keep a backup plan for important calls, such as a nearby cafe, though those can be affected too.
- Charge laptops to full before starting a critical day.
Please be flexible if one occurs, and message the host if you have questions about the building.
Cafes and out-of-the-condo options
Condado has a good number of cafes, and many are within walking distance of the condo. Quality, hours and Wi-Fi policies vary and change over time, so check current hours and ask before you settle in for a long call. Some people like to take a morning of calls at the condo and move to a cafe in the afternoon for a change of scenery. We have not verified individual businesses, so we do not name any here.
Making a work trip feel like a vacation
- Start early, finish early. A morning of deep work leaves the afternoon for the beach.
- Take movement breaks. The standing desks help, and a short walk along the shore resets your head.
- Try something new in the evening. Restaurants on Ashford Avenue are a short walk away. See our guide to Condado beaches and things to do.
- Get on the water. If the wind is up, read about kiteboarding and wing foiling in Condado.
- Plan your arrival. Our guide to getting from SJU airport to Condado covers the ride, which is about 10 minutes by Uber.
Good to know
The condo is non-smoking and does not allow parties. Parking is not included, though garages are nearby. Check-in is at 4 PM and check-out at 11 AM. The unit is not suitable for infants or toddlers.
If you are planning a longer work trip, see availability and book direct at flipflopflat.com and use code DIRECT10 for 10% off the nightly rate.