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Capital and largest city of Puerto Rico
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Jpatokal at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico and its largest city, with 342,000 (2020) inhabitants in the municipality and 2,203,000 in the metropolitan area. Founded in 1521 by the Spanish conquistadors, San Juan is the oldest city under the jurisdiction of the United States. San Juan is located in the north-east coast of Puerto Rico and features distinctly centuries-old architecture, such as Spanish military forts built from the 1540s to 1800s, an active harbor, and a very active economic area in the Hato Rey and Santurce districts. San Juan has magnificent beaches, hotels, plazas, historic sites, and museums.
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The park consists of multiple sites. Castillo San Cristóbal is one of the largest Spanish fortresses in the new world, and has a National Park Service visitor center off of Avenida Luis Muñoz Rivera. The center offers English and Spanish versions of an introductory film to the Historic Site, exhibits, and a bookshop. Castillo San Felipe del Morro (or el Morro) is a citadel with a commanding view of the entrance to San Juan Harbor, at the end of Calle Norzagaray. The extensive esplanade between the citadel and the town is popular for kite flying. Allow at least an hour to explore each fort. The park also includes most of the historic city walls, and tiny Fortín San Juan de la Cruz (or el Cañuelo) across the harbor on Isla de Cabras.
El Morro
A 16th-century citadel that lies on the northwestern-most point of the islet of San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is part of San Juan National Historic Site and was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations in 1983.
A fort built by the Spaniards to protect against land based attacks on the city of San Juan. It is part of San Juan National Historic Site. It covers 27 acres of land and is 150 ft tall.
San Juan's City hall, built in 1602.
Ancestral home of the Ponce de Leon family, now a museum.
or the Palacio de Santa Catalina, "La Fortaleza" (or The Fortress in English) is the official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico, who is Puerto Rico's head of Government. It was built between 1533 and 1540 to defend the harbor of San Juan. The structure is also known as El Palacio de Santa Catalina (or Palace of Santa Catalina). It is the oldest executive mansion in the New World. La Fortaleza was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Built in 1523, when it was called the Church and Monastery of Saint Thomas Aquinas. It is the second oldest church in continuous use in the New World and the oldest in the United States. Before Ponce de Leon was moved to the San Juan Cathedral, his body was buried here for 300 years.
contains the tomb of the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León. It was built in the 1520s, was soon wrecked by a hurricane, and then rebuilt in 1540. After being rebuilt, it was robbed in the late 1500s, and then, in 1615, it was damaged by a hurricane. In 1917, a lot of changes were made to restore the building. Tours are given daily from 8:30AM-4PM.
Traditional entrance to San Juan.
Ballaja Barracks
Completed in 1863, and in 1881 a chapel was added. This building housed military personnel and is now a museum called Las Americas Museum containing Caribbean and European American arts and artifacts.
Museum on the history of San Juan.
Museum of the art and history books through five centuries. A museum holding nearly 5,000 early works of manuscripts and books, some as from as old as the 15th century. This museum is most known for having two royal mandates signed by Ferdinand and Isabella concerning arranging Columbus' fleet for his second voyage.
Felisa Rincón served as the mayor of the city of San Juan for 22 years, between 1946 and 1968. The museum that commemorates her memory is in a 300-year-old building.
Built in 1837, a beautiful structure that overlooks San Juan Bay and has beautiful landscaping. It is surrounded by a wall and contains a fountain, sculpture, and even a former municipal jail in the courtyard.
the narrow house
At just over 5 ft wide, this home built into a former alleyway is easy to miss - watch for the bright yellow and green front. Free to walk by, nominal fee to enter. Reportedly has great views from the upper level.
Museo y Parque Historico Ruinas de Caparra
Caparra was the first Spanish settlement in Puerto Rico. It was put several miles inland to keep it protected from pirates. The site is the ruins of the house/fort of Puerto Rico's first governor, Juan Ponce de León. A small museum displays some of the excavated artifacts. The displays are all in Spanish, though they do have a summary page in English upon request.
Also called the "Cathedral of Rum" and covers 127 acres. Tours range from $40 to $125.
see where the famous music video Despacito with Luis Fonsi was filmed, but use discretion in a poorer neighborhood.
Daily 9AM-5PM, according to demand. Explore Old San Juan on a segway. 45-minute and 2-hour tours include riding lesson, individual segway and audio guide. $35-70. Off season in September.
Puerto Rican cuisine at the entrance of Old San Juan, the heart of nightlife in the Old City. It is a two-level restaurant with an exterior patio.
Great burgers with high quality beef. Over 40 beers, some on tap.
A normal grocery store.
A natural foods-centric grocery store where, as you leave, you are wished to "have a healthy day!"
Authentic local cuisine in an unassuming landmark atmosphere unchanged for decades. Serves lunch and dinner. Fresh pastries. Superlative coffee. Inexpensive.
Reservations recommended. The ambience here is one of the most sensual and romantic in Old San Juan.
This is a moderately-priced restaurant serving authentic criolla food.
grocery store
A grocery store in the center of Old San Juan
Large and popular nightclub.
Calle San Francisco #312. Good live music venue in Old San Juan. Salsa, Latin jazz, folkloric music.
Great burger place with over 40 beers. High quality beef is their priority.
Home of the original Piña Colada, a stone marker on the outside wall marks the location. Some bloggers report most "Coladas" have compromised flavor because they are held in and served from automatic machines.
Probably the best place in San Juan to grab a beer that's not Medalla or Coors Light. 50 taps and 150 bottles of the finest Belgian, English, German, and American Craft Beers and great pub food! On historic Calle San Sebastian in an open air colonial setting.
Small guest house with rooms from $20-40 per night. Shared bathrooms, can be a little grotty. No air-con, and cheapest rooms have no windows, but balcony rooms are breezy. Between Calle de la San Francisco and Calle de la Forteleza on the Eastern side of the street. Transportation from the airport is $19.50 plus $.50 per piece of luggage.
Directly in front of Plaza Colon. Due to its cleanness and location, it's one of the best budget options in the Old Town. Has a variety for all types of budget options but all having Air-conditioning and kitchen facilities. One floor dedicated to hostel dorm-style accommodations for $23 per person. On a different floor, a guest house section with all private rooms $45 or with satellite TV, $60.
Studio, one- and two-bedroom suites offering views of the Atlantic Ocean and San Juan Bay.
Small but nice rooms (the $80 room). Rooftop restaurant with nice view and lots of great places to eat & drink nearby. Casino nearby. Public parking deck 2 blocks away. Outstanding staff that is truly helpful & friendly.
A modern chic luxury resort in the Condado area of San Juan. Amazing views, restaurants, casino, and nightlife.
Near the airport, the beach, and Old San Juan. Free Wi-fi and a warm chocolate chip cookie upon arrival.
Refurbished Spanish mansion with complete hot breakfast.
The only luxury property overlooking both the Atlantic Ocean and Condado Lagoon.
Upscale resort. Free wifi, 36” HD flat screen LCD tvs, with laptop connectivity.
Condado. Boutique hotel.
This small luxury hotel was a convent until the late nineteenth century. A four-story courtyard connects the rooms, and the entire hotel has free wireless internet as well as free afternoon wine and cheese. The deck around the rooftop plunge pool has a world-class view overlooking the town. The courtyard features restaurants and a bar. All of the hotel is accessible by elevator.
An upscale hotel in the heart of Old San Juan.
The only hotel in Old San Juan with Atlantic Ocean views. Spectacular, 300-year-old boutique hotel, art gallery and museum in one. 26 unique accommodations, owned by artist/sculptor Jan D'Esopo. 18 gardens, rooftop deck with panoramic views from the highest point in Old San Juan; seasonal classical concerts; private Cannon Club dining.
Carolina. 15 minutes from the shopping, entertainment, and history of charming Old San Juan.
Featuring a superb beachfront location on trendy Isla Verde, steeped in dining and nightlife options.
A beautiful hotel on the gorgeous beach of Isla Verde minutes from the international airport in San Juan, with several restaurants and a casino.
Clean and friendly, business-oriented inn.
Pet-friendly luxury boutique hotel on the beach. If you can get a good price on a room, take it as you are on the beach and close to pretty much everything. They offer free beach, towel and umbrella service with your stay, which adds up if you are a beach goer.
This resort is a great place to stay if you are coming to San Juan to just shop and lounge at the beach, although swarms of taxis await to take you to other parts of San Juan as well. The Hilton actually has its own private beach for guests with beach chairs and other amenities; snorkeling gear can be rented from the hotel. A Starbucks, several expensive restaurants, and luxury shops line the ground level, along with a shop for practicalities such as bath products and painkillers. Guests get one free breakfast for two the first night in either the breakfast and brunch restaurant or your room along with a few other vouchers for on-resort services. This resort is particularly family-friendly, with many amenities for children. The talking parrots in front of check-in should entertain them at the first moment.
Real butterflies encased in acrylic. Stunning. Go to see it, even if you don't buy.
Diana Font, a nominee to the National Design Awards sponsored by the Cooper- Hewitt National Design Museum. designs and manufactures unique world quality furniture. The ship around the world and the prices extremely attractive to theknowledgeable.
A small farmers' market with fresh fruits and vegetables, in the La Placita neighborhood of Santurce. The market is surrounded by a variety of restaurants and bars.
By ferry
Ferries del Caribe operates an international passenger and vehicle service from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
By plane
San Juan is served by Airlines that fly here include Air Canada, American, Avianca, Condor, Copa, Delta, Frontier, Iberia, InterCaribbean, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, United and domestic airline…
By car
Getting around various parts of the city, the rest of the island, and to and from the airport, will be much more convenient with a car.
By bus
While the bus system is somewhat unpredictable, it's affordable, and bus drivers are by and large helpful at getting tourists to their destination.
By ferry
The Cataño Ferry (La Lancha de Cataño) is a public ferry serving Old San Juan and Cataño.25 for seniors/disabled (Jul 2025).
By taxi
Taxis can be found hanging around hotels and the east end of Calle de la Fortaleza in Old San Juan.
By train
7 mi rapid transit rail line called "Tren Urbano" (Urban Train). The train starts about a mile south of Condado in southern Santurce with the station of Sagrado Corazón.
By walking
If you are not afraid of a 3 mi walk, you may be inclined to walk between various points of interest in San Juan.
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San Juan · International · SJU
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