San Juan, Puerto Rico, is likely one of the most-visited cities within the Caribbean. Town’s historical past dates again greater than 500 years; it was based by Spanish colonists in 1521 who named it “Ciudad de Puerto Rico,” or “wealthy port metropolis,” although the Indigenous Taino folks referred to as the realm house lengthy earlier than that.
At this time, San Juan is a vibrant metropolis that is a preferred port for Caribbean cruises – however it’s nicely value visiting by itself, cruise or not. Just some of the distinctive issues you are able to do in San Juan embrace:
- Discover Spanish fortresses from the 1600s
- Drink a piña colada within the place the place it was invented
- Go road art-spotting in Santurce
- Have a seashore day
- Tour Casa BACARDÍ
- And way more!
Puerto Rico has been a US territory since 1898 (after the Spanish-American Battle), which implies that it’s totally simple for People to go to. Should you’re from america, you do not want a passport to visit Puerto Rico. You additionally need not change cash or fear about your cellular phone plan.
When to go to San Juan, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has a tropical monsoon local weather, which means that it is sizzling and humid just about year-round (temperatures keep a fairly constant low- to mid-80s F). The preferred months to go to San Juan are in the course of the North American winter, i.e. December-March, when it is barely cooler and drier.
April-June can be a really perfect time to go to, when the climate remains to be good however there are barely fewer vacationers since it is a shoulder season.
The most cost effective months to go to San Juan are in the course of the summer time, however that is additionally wet/hurricane season (hurricane season normally runs from June-November). I’ve visited San Juan throughout each of its “seasons,” and must say that February might be my favourite!
One of the best issues to do in San Juan
Puerto Rico is after all way more than simply San Juan. There are different nice areas to go to, too, just like the cities of Ponce and Rincon; islands like Vieques and Culebra; and pure areas like El Yunque Rainforest and the central mountains.
However the majority of Puerto Rico’s inhabitants lives within the San Juan area, and it is town everybody arrives into. So you might as nicely get out and discover!
Learn on to find out about all one of the best issues you are able to do in and round San Juan. (And I’ve organized this checklist into varied components of San Juan, beginning with Previous City.)
Prime issues to do in Previous San Juan
Viejo San Juan, AKA Previous San Juan, is probably the most historic a part of town, the place you will discover colourful colonial buildings, Spanish forts, bars, and nightlife. That is the most well-liked and touristy a part of San Juan, too – however for good purpose.
There are numerous issues to do in Previous San Juan, whether or not you are eager about historical past, meals, or simply some good cocktails. Listed below are one of the best issues to do in Previous San Juan:
1. Go to Castillo San Cristóbal
Among the best issues to do in San Juan is to go to Castillo San Cristóbal, a part of the San Juan Nationwide Historic Web site. The historic website includes two completely different fortresses, in addition to previous metropolis partitions and gates. I like to recommend beginning with Castillo San Cristóbal on the northeast finish of Previous San Juan, as a result of it is inside simple strolling distance from most resorts.
Castillo San Cristóbal is likely one of the fortresses constructed by the Spanish to defend Puerto Rico. Development on this fortress started within the 1600s, and it was used all over WWII, when US troops used the sentry packing containers and lookouts to scan the waters for German U-boats.
This fortress was the one which protected the land entrance into Previous San Juan, again when it was a completely walled metropolis. It is massive, too, masking 27 acres – it is the biggest fortification constructed by the Spanish within the New World, in actual fact.
Entry to the historic website is simply $10 per particular person, and there is a lot to see. You possibly can go to former jail cells, stand in sentry packing containers, and discover a lot of the 27 acres that the fortress covers (San Cristóbal is the biggest fortification constructed by the Spanish within the New World).
You may also get some implausible views over San Juan in all instructions.
Professional tip: Get to Castillo San Cristóbal as near opening time as you may; the cruise ship tour buses will begin rolling in 1-2 hours after opening, so get there early if you wish to have the location largely to your self.
2. Castillo San Felipe del Morro
The opposite Spanish fortress in San Juan is Castillo San Felipe del Morro, or El Morro. This more-famous fort up on a hill overlooks the doorway to San Juan Bay. The Spanish began constructing this in 1539, and continued including onto it till 1787. It was attacked a number of occasions, most just lately struggling injury in the course of the Spanish-American Battle, when Puerto Rico nonetheless belonged to Spain.
You possibly can go to El Morro with the identical ticket you used to go to San Cristóbal, however be aware that it is a lengthy stroll throughout the garden to the fort itself! On the fortress, you may go to casemates, a chapel, and naturally see the ocean views.
In entrance of El Morro, additionally you should definitely go to Cuartel de Ballajá, a constructing from the mid-1800s that was initially constructed as navy barracks. The constructing was bought by the federal government, and refurbished/transformed within the Nineteen Nineties. At this time it’s house to the Museo de las Américas, in addition to colleges devoted to bop, music, and Spanish language.
3. Take a historic strolling tour
One other one of many high issues to do in San Juan is to take a strolling tour round Previous San Juan to essentially be taught in regards to the metropolis’s historical past. Regardless that Puerto Rico is technically “half” of america, the connection is a tenuous one, and it looks like a very completely different nation.
And this is sensible, after all, due to its historical past. A strolling tour of Previous San Juan will cowl lots of that historical past – from Columbus’ “discovery” of the island all over to the current day – and offer you a style of what makes town so particular.
A walking tour like this will not delve too deep into the sophisticated relationship Puerto Rico has with america (I invite you to learn extra about it by yourself), however it’s however an awesome introduction to the island, and particularly to San Juan.
Book a San Juan walking tour here.
4. Go on a San Juan meals tour
One factor that you may’t miss in San Juan is a meals tour! I like taking meals excursions after I journey; you be taught a lot about an space’s historical past and tradition via its meals.
In San Juan, the go-to meals tour firm is Flavors of San Juan, and the tour I might advocate is the traditional Old San Juan Food Tour. This 3-hour small group tour is a good introduction to Puerto Rican food and drinks. It mixes historical past and good eats – and a little bit of strolling that will help you burn off a few of these additional energy!
I will not give away all the things included on this tour, however you will go to not less than 5 completely different locally-owned spots and style all the things from Puerto Rican espresso to pastries to chocolate. My favourite a part of the tour was once we made our personal mofongo!
The Previous San Juan Meals Tour is obtainable a number of occasions all through the day. I like to recommend going with a late afternoon possibility (there’s normally a 3 p.m. tour), which is able to fill you up sufficient that you just will not must exit for a separate dinner.
Book your food tour in advance here.
5. Get a piña colada at Barrachina
In your wanderings, you should definitely cease at Barrachina, a restaurant in Previous San Juan that claims to be the birthplace of the Piña Colada. That is contested by the Caribe Hilton, which additionally claims to have invented the drink. Regardless, although, Barrachina does combine up a really tasty drink.
Different nice spots for cocktails in Previous San Juan embrace:
- La Vergüenza – Not removed from Castillo San Cristóbal, this spot has a rooftop terrace and drink specials all through the day.
- La Factoría – Whether or not you are on the lookout for craft cocktails or an evening of dancing, you’ll find it right here in considered one of seven completely different bars.
6. Go to La Fortaleza
La Fortaleza means “The Fortress,” and the present governor’s home wan certainly constructed to be a fortress again in 1540.
Brief, 30-minuted guided excursions are supplied of La Fortaleza (AKA Palacio de Santa Catalina) Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The excursions are free, however it’s suggested you name prematurely to verify excursions are operating. (Extra data here.)
And even for those who do not plan to tour La Fortaleza, it is value it to go to the road main as much as the mansion, often known as Calle de la Fortaleza. In previous years, this road has been hung with colourful umbrellas and big Puerto Rican flags, and is a favourite Instagram spot in San Juan.
7. Stroll the Paseo del Morro at sundown
You will not wish to miss watching the sundown whereas in San Juan. I like to recommend strolling down the tree-lined Paseo de la Princesa after which strolling alongside the Paseo del Morro for sundown. You possibly can really stroll alongside Paseo del Morro all the best way from La Fortaleza to Castillo San Felipe del Morro, and watch the solar set over the Bay of San Juan.
Prime issues to do in Santurce
Santurce is a hip and stylish space in San Juan, house to numerous sub-barrios (smaller neighborhoods) like Condado and Ocean Park.
The trendy Condado neighborhood is fashionable with vacationers due to its nice resorts and seashores. Nonetheless, there’s way more to see on this vibrant and inventive a part of San Juan.
Listed below are one of the best issues to do in Santurce:
1. Go to the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico
Among the best issues to do within the Santurce space of San Juan is to go to the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico*. This artwork museum showcases and celebrates Puerto Rican and Caribbean artwork spanning from the seventeenth century to the current, and is a must-visit for artwork lovers.
*Word: The museum constructing is at present solely open Thursday-Sunday.
I am not really an enormous fan of artwork museums, however the number of types represented on this museum (plus seeing a lot work by Puerto Rican artists!) held my curiosity for a few hours. There are a number of indoor galleries, in addition to an outside sculpture backyard.
One of the best half is that tickets for this museum are simply $6 per grownup.
2. Stroll and admire the road artwork
From the artwork museum, you may simply stroll to different components of Santurce, maintaining your eye out for the colourful road artwork that the neighborhood is understood for.
Typically in comparison with Miami’s Wynwood Arts District, Santurce has unimaginable murals to be discovered round each nook. Stroll up Calle Cerra or Calle Loíza for the best focus of artwork – and artsy cafes. Read more about Santurce’s street art here.
3. Have a seashore day
Santurce is house to Ocean Park seashore (AKA Playa Último Trolley), a protracted public seashore that is laid-back and never very touristy in any respect. It is a excellent spot to take a stroll alongside the sand, or go in for a dip for those who carry your swim gear.
You may also watch folks making an attempt out windsurfing, kiteboarding and different water sports activities, as this can be a fashionable seashore for all of these.
Different good seashores somewhat additional east alongside the coast embrace Isla Verde Seashore, Carolina Public Seashore, and La Posita de Piñones.
4. Expertise La Placita
Should you’re on the lookout for an awesome nightlife expertise in San Juan, head to La Placita de Santurce after darkish.
Throughout the day, this two-tiered market sq. is fairly quiet with a farmer’s market and a few eating places. At night time, although (and particularly on weekend nights), it is the place locals flock for road meals, drinks, and dwell salsa music (and dancing) within the sq..
Not all components of Santurce are considered being secure after darkish, however La Placita is an exception; the environment on a weekend night time is so vibrant. I like to recommend taking an Uber there/again out of your resort, and working towards primary security precautions to keep yourself and your stuff safe. However this spot makes for a very enjoyable night time out.
5. Get out on the water
Decide up a rental paddleboard or kayak from VIP Adventures to discover the Condado Lagoon by yourself.
Or, you might e book a sundown cruise from the San Juan Bay Marina to move out into the Bay of San Juan. This sunset catamaran cruise consists of 2 hours of crusing, plus cocktails.
Prime issues to do in Cataño
Cataño sits throughout the Bay of San Juan from Previous San Juan, and there is one highly regarded factor to do there:
1. Tour the Bacardi manufacturing unit
Should you’re eager about rum, you then will not wish to skip a go to to Casa BACARDÍ, or the “Cathedral of Rum.” Even for those who don’t love ingesting rum very a lot (responsible), touring Puerto Rico’s Bacardi manufacturing unit to be taught in regards to the firm’s historical past is fairly fascinating.
Casa BACARDÍ is situated in Cataño. You may get there by taxi or Uber, or it can save you some cash by taking a ferry throughout the bay from Previous San Juan. Ferries go away from Pier 2 in Previous San Juan (sandwiched between the cruise ship docks) roughly each 15-Half-hour. Tickets price solely 50 cents per particular person (sure, actually, $0.50!), and the ferry trip takes about 10 minutes.
When you get to the Cataño pier on the opposite facet of the bay, you may both catch a taxi or name an Uber for the quick trip to the Bacardi manufacturing unit. (There is a taxi stand simply exterior the ferry terminal, however it was empty once we visited; we referred to as an Uber, and it solely price $5 to get to Bacardi.)
At Casa BACARDÍ, you may select from quite a lot of excursions. We opted for the Legacy Tour, which is a 45-minute tour that covers the historical past of Bacardi and their rum manufacturing course of. This tour prices $35, and features a free cocktail from the out of doors pavilion bar.
Different tour choices embrace a 90-minute rum tasting tour ($75 + tax) the place you get to style a handful of rums; or a mixology class ($75), the place you discover ways to make three traditional rum cocktails – together with a mojito, after all! Extra data on current tours here.
Regardless that I do not actually love rum, I actually loved the historic tour at Casa BACARDÍ. We discovered all in regards to the model’s historical past (do you know it was began in Cuba, and remains to be owned by the Bacardi household?), and the way Bacardi has developed in Puerto Rico. I particularly cherished studying how the manufacturing unit has labored to cut back waste, and the way it produces virtually all of its personal vitality.
Professional tip: Not eager about Bacardi? You might additionally contemplate visiting the house of Ron del Barrilito, a small-batch rum made on the oldest distillery in Puerto Rico. Ron del Barrilito only in the near past opened up a customer heart in Bayamón referred to as Hacienda Santa Ana, which is just a few 15-minute drive from Previous San Juan.
Day journeys from San Juan
Whereas there may be a lot to do in San Juan, you also needs to dedicate a few of your journey to day journeys that mean you can discover extra of Puerto Rico.
These are one of the best day journeys from San Juan that I like to recommend:
1. El Yunque Rainforest
El Yunque Nationwide Forest is the one tropical rainforest within the U.S. Nationwide Forest System, and makes for an awesome day journey from San Juan. The forest was largely closed for years after injury from Hurricane Maria, however is now open once more to the general public!
The preferred factor to do in El Yunque is to go to waterfalls and swimming holes – and that is finest accomplished on a tour. This El Yunque tour consists of some enjoyable water play in El Yunque (waterfalls, pure waterslides, and extra!), plus a go to to Luquillo Seashore. Decide up/drop off in San Juan is included for a small additional price.
2. Catamaran journey to Culebra
On my first journey to Puerto Rico, I went on a day trip to Culebra island by catamaran. Culebra is a smaller island off the coast of the primary island of Puerto Rico. It isn’t tremendous touristy or commercialized, and is understood for its stunning seashores.
Today journey included a few snorkeling stops, lunch, drinks, and music on the boat, and a cease at Flamenco Seashore on Culebra, typically listed as the most effective seashores on the planet.
A day journey to Culebra does require extra time on a ship for the reason that island is additional away, although, so hold that in thoughts.
Most excursions can embrace pick-up in San Juan for an additional price.
Book this day trip to Culebra.
3. Catamaran journey to Icacos
On my second journey to Puerto Rico, my husband Elliot and I booked one other catamaran journey. This time, we booked a day trip to the deserted island of Icacos.
There have been two completely different choices for this tour: to e book onto an even bigger boat (with a water slide!) with extra folks, or to e book onto a smaller boat with fewer folks. We went for the smaller boat option, and it ended up being excellent!
We did not really get to Icacos due to tough seas and dangerous climate on the day we sailed, however our captain nonetheless discovered us a pleasant seashore and a separate spot for snorkeling. And the crew was implausible, maintaining the pina coladas and rum punch flowing, and cooking up an awesome BBQ lunch for us all.
Professional tip: Remember your solar safety! Whereas most catamarans supply up a little bit of shade, you will be out within the solar a lot. Sun shades, a hat, UV-blocking clothes are all must-haves!
4. La Parguera Bio Bay
Lastly, one other distinctive journey you may take from San Juan is to La Parguera to go to the one bioluminescent bay in Puerto Rico that you may swim in. A bioluminescent bay “glows” attributable to tiny creatures referred to as dinoflagellates, which emit a blue-ish glow when the water round them is disturbed.
Essentially the most well-known bio bay in Puerto Rico is Mosquito Bay on Vieques, however if you would like a singular swimming expertise, this day trip to La Parguera is a cool possibility. It consists of dinner, a ship trip via mangroves on the best way to the bay, after which time to swim after darkish.
(Simply be aware that the bay might be brightest across the New Moon every month, and that that is a night tour, so you will return to San Juan fairly late!)
The place to remain in San Juan
There are a pair completely different areas the place vacationers will keep in San Juan, with the most well-liked being Previous San Juan and the resort strip in Condado.
1. Previous San Juan
If you wish to keep within the coronary heart of the motion, you then wish to keep in Previous San Juan. Lodges on this a part of San Juan are typically historic (and barely dearer), however the space may be very secure, and you may stroll to many of the main websites.
My resort picks in Previous San Juan are:
- Hotel El Convento – If it is historic you need, you may’t go improper with this boutique resort housed in a former convent. The posh resort is correct subsequent to San Juan’s Cathedral sq.. (Book a room here)
- The Decanter Hotel – That is the place Elliot and I stayed on our go to collectively. The small boutique resort is present in an historic constructing, and lots of the rooms have stunning terraces (see the photograph above). There’s additionally an awesome rooftop bar to take pleasure in at night time. (Book a room here)
- CasaBlanca Hotel – This small resort is in an awesome location, and comes full with a rooftop terrace and native paintings all through the property. (Book a room here)
2. Condado
This hip and stylish seashore district is east of Previous San Juan. It is identified for fancy resorts and nightlife, together with its stretch of seashore and ocean views.
My resort picks in Condado are:
- Condado Ocean Club – The primary new resort to open in San Juan after the 2017 hurricanes, this resort is the one Elliot and I selected for our 2020 journey. It sits proper on the seashore, with a small infinity pool that overlooks the ocean. The ocean view rooms right here have unimaginable floor-to-ceiling home windows, and the beachy vibe extends all through the entire property. (This was referred to as the Serafina Seashore Resort.) (Book a room here)
- Condado Vanderbilt Hotel – Often ranked as the most effective resorts in Puerto Rico (and definitely in San Juan), this luxurious resort sits proper on the seashore and delivers a resort-like expertise. (Book a room here)
- La Concha – The La Concha is a Renaissance property, and is likely one of the iconic resorts in Condado. The resort was just lately renovated, and has a contemporary design and nice on-site eating choices. (Book a room here)
- Caribe Hilton – I stayed at this property on my first journey to Puerto Rico, and particularly cherished the pool space. The Caribar right here is considered the birthplace of the Piña Colada, and this is likely one of the extra family-friendly resorts in Condado. (Book a room here)
Different neighborhoods you might contemplate embrace:
- Santurce – A extra “native” neighborhood, full of road artwork, galleries, and outlets. It’s kind of grittier, and you will find extra trip leases out there right here than resorts.
- Ocean Park and Carolina – These are extra residential neighborhoods, however they’re proper on the seashore.
Should you’re on the lookout for reasonably priced rental choices with ocean views, listed here are a couple of:
READ NEXT: 5 Days in San Juan, Puerto Rico: A San Juan Itinerary
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