San Juan Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
San Juan
Visit Puerto Rico’s capital to sunbathe on white-sand beaches, shop in stylish boutiques and explore historic buildings dating back to the 16th century.

Enjoy a tropical beach holiday in San Juan and explore the many historic sites in one of the oldest cities in the Americas.

The oldest part of the city, known as Old San Juan (El Viejo San Juan), is a small island connected to the mainland by bridges. Here, you’ll find many of the city’s most popular attractions, historic buildings, restaurants and shops.

Visit the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, which has a wide range of exhibits, regular cultural events and a beautiful botanical garden. Just a short walk away is the Catedral de San Juan where you can attend a Spanish mass or view the final resting place of Ponce de Leon, a Spanish explorer and the first Governor of Puerto Rico.

No trip to the area is complete without a visit to the San Juan National Historic Site. This massive complex is World Heritage listed and includes many of the city’s defensive walls and fortresses. Plan to spend several hours here as you can explore dungeons and tunnels, and climb towers for 140-feet-(42-metre) high views of the city.

San Juan is well known for its excellent shopping, so make the time to wander along the Calle del Cristo, Old San Juan’s popular shopping street. You’ll find famous international boutiques alongside merchants selling local goods.

Those looking to relax on the beach should head east of Old San Juan to Isla Verde. This beach is close to the main attractions, but far enough away to be a good place for some peace and quiet. For those with children, Luquillo Beach, where coral reefs protect a lagoon, is a great option.

Despite severe traffic congestion, residents and visitors to San Juan primarily travel by car, although a free tourist trolley runs in Old San Juan. Some areas offer a metro system and public buses, but the best option for visitors is usually either walking the shorter distances or taking advantage of a local trolley or taxi service.

Where to stay in San Juan

San Juan

Old San Juan

4/5(1 area review)

The interesting museums and waterfront views are top of the list for many visitors to Old San Juan. A stop by Port of San Juan or Pier 1 might round out your trip.

Old San Juan
Condado

Condado

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

The stunning beaches and popular shops are just a few highlights of Condado. Make a stop by Condado Beach or Casino del Mar at La Concha Resort while you're exploring the area.

Condado
Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico which includes street scenes

Santurce

While you're in Santurce, take in top sights like Condado Beach and jump on the metro at Sacred Heart Station to see more of the city.

Santurce
San Juan Cemetery

San Juan Antiguo

4/5(3 area reviews)

Amazing beaches interesting history and top sights from Port of San Juan to Castillo de San Cristobal – discover San Juan Antiguo, a destination also famous for its shopping.

San Juan Antiguo
San Juan featuring tropical scenes, a city and a beach

Ocean Park

Ocean Park is known for its stunning beaches, and you can see some sights area like Barbosa Park and Calle Loiza.

Ocean Park
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Miramar

The pristine beaches and ample dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Miramar. A stop by Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico or Nuestra Senora de Lourdes Chapel might round out your trip.

Miramar
Condado Ocean Club - Adults Only
Condado Ocean Club - Adults Only
4 out of 5
1045 Avenida Doctor Ashford, San Juan, PR
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp4.075.616 per night from 11 Nov to 12 Nov
Rp4.075.616
Rp5.242.043 total
includes taxes & fees
11 Nov - 12 Nov
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in San Juan. Enjoy a beach locale, 2 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,210 reviews)
"Staff is amazing!"

Reviewed on 3 Nov 2024

Condado Ocean Club - Adults Only
Costa Bahia Hotel Paseo Caribe
Costa Bahia Hotel Paseo Caribe
3.5 out of 5
1 Calle San Gerónimo, San Juan, San Juan
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp2.031.270 per night from 11 Nov to 12 Nov
Rp2.031.270
Rp2.214.084 total
includes taxes & fees
11 Nov - 12 Nov
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in San Juan. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
7.6/10 Good! (2,701 reviews)
"All good 👍"

Reviewed on 3 Nov 2024

Costa Bahia Hotel Paseo Caribe
San Juan Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino
San Juan Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino
4.5 out of 5
1309 Ashford Avenue, San Juan
The price is Rp4.948.017 per night from 4 Dec to 5 Dec
Rp4.948.017
Rp6.628.878 total
includes taxes & fees
4 Dec - 5 Dec
Stay at this beach hotel in San Juan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,160 reviews)
"Amazing hotel and staff. Cleanliness was great and the location is ideal as it allows you to walk to restaurants and other locations. We enjoyed the beach, pool and overall amenities. We will definitely be staying again"

Reviewed on 4 Nov 2024

San Juan Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
San Agustin Apartments
San Agustin Apartments
3 out of 5
200 C. San Agustín, San Juan, San Juan
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly apartment in San Juan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a business centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (177 reviews)
"I like the convenience to be able to walk to the restaurants, grocery store, and the Morro. Everything was walkable distance customer service amazing the only thing I didn’t like is that there’s no TV in the bedroom only in the living room. I would stay there again."

Reviewed on 26 Oct 2024

San Agustin Apartments
Old San Juan Rentals
Old San Juan Rentals
3.5 out of 5
251 Fortaleza Street, Old San Juan, San Juan
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly apartment in San Juan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, Netflix and premium bedding. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (436 reviews)
"Amazing property, very well located at the city center, walk distance to main atractions and restaurants, beds were super super confortable. Good in general."

Reviewed on 30 Oct 2024

Old San Juan Rentals
Lofts At San Agustin
Lofts At San Agustin
3 out of 5
207 C. San Agustín, San Juan, San Juan
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in San Juan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a business centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (102 reviews)
"Love the Location"

Reviewed on 24 Oct 2024

Lofts At San Agustin
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of San Juan

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
8
" "5 - Excellent 57.142857142857146%
4 - Good
4
" "4 - Good 28.571428571428573%
3 - Okay
2
" "3 - Okay 14.285714285714286%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Great place with lovely architecture, colours and character. Definitely worth a visit for a few days.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Enjoyed visit to mall and tour of fort. Stopped here for a couple of days after cruise. Think I did not do my research enough before trip as the area was one I would have preferred to avoid as a tourist Tropicalia apartment was nicely clean

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

First time in San Juan and came for a wedding. Puerto Rico is more expensive than mainland US, but the people are warm and welcoming. Very nice place and is somewhere I need to visit again without for proper vacation.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Friendly locals, safe atmosphere, interesting to explore.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Some areas run down. Only stayed one night and that was in tourist area

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Sun Juan beautiful place with lots of sunshine along with happy people going about their business.

Cities near San Juan