By Soren Rivero
Puerto Rico’s capital city of San Juan is a magnificent way to experience adventure and a history lesson combined. By visiting this coastal city, you’ll get the chance to explore old fortresses, walk through cobblestone streets, and lounge on crystal-clear beaches.
Here’s a quick travel guide to San Juan that’ll help prepare you for the best vacation in Puerto Rico.
What to Know
Christopher Columbus arrived in Puerto Rico around 1493 and named the island “San Juan Bautista” in dedication to St. John the Baptist. The island’s first settlement moved to the northern coast and was re-named to Puerto Rico; however, after some debate, the city was renamed to San Juan with the name Puerto Rico delegated to the entire island territory in the 1520s.
San Juan stretches for about 77 miles from the edge of the North Atlantic Ocean to the Central Mountain Range of Puerto Rico. The city is divided into three major parts: Old San Juan, suburban communities, and the resort area. Spanish is the official language in San Juan, but English is also widely spoken.
When to Go
Puerto Rico’s position in the Caribbean and natural tropical climate can make vacationing in the summer quite hot. If you’re wondering when is the best time to visit San Juan, we recommend winter or spring when it's still sunny and warm.
It's important to note that the tropical storm seasons in Puerto Rico typically happens from July to November which could disrupt travel.
Getting Around
Maneuvering during your vacation to San Juan will be fairly easy. The most popular places to visit in San Juan are very walkable like Condado, Old San Juan, Ocean Park, and Miramar.
Of course, transportation varies depending on which things to do in San Juan have piqued your interest. Most of the major attractions are easy to get by walking or taxi; Otherwise, it’s best to get a rental car, especially if you plan to stay a few days and wish to explore more of Puerto Rico.
Where to Eat
Puerto Rico’s dazzling mix of cultures is best experienced through the island’s food. The gastronomy consists mostly of cuisine from the native Taíno people with Spanish, African, and other Caribbean island influence. Expect to indulge in a diverse variety of food to eat in Puerto Rico featuring key ingredients such as tropical fruits, vegetables, beans, fish, rice, cheese, and meat. Click here to learn about 10 popular dishes to try in Puerto Rico.
Of course, this wouldn’t be a travel guide to San Juan without some recommendations on the best places to eat in San Juan.
Casita Miramar
Small, colorful venue serving traditional Puerto Rican cuisine and handcrafted cocktails.
La Casita Blanca
Hole in the wall restaurant offering home-style authentic Puerto Rican cuisine. Spanish menu
100% HP
100% percent vegan restaurant serving plant-based Puerto Rican and international dishes.
Cocina Abierta
High-end restaurant offering 4 to 6 course meals and local wine. Special diet menus available.
Mojito's Restaurant
Local Caribbean-inspired restaurant specializing in seafood and stuffed plantains.
What to See
There’s quite a bit to do in Puerto Rico’s capital city– hopefully this travel guide to San Juan has already prompted you to start creating your own itinerary. If you need some more inspiration, here are a few recommendations on what to see in San Juan.
Old San Juan
The cobblestoned, fortress enclosed Old San Juan should be at the top of any San Juan bucket list. Immerse yourself in the island’s history and get the chance to explore ancient forts. The most notable of which include the Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristóbal, which were both built by the Spanish to protect the island from invasion.
Beaches
Soak up the sun and dive deep into the Atlantic Ocean at one of San Juan’s numerous beaches. Whether you’re a casual beach-goer or an avid swimmer looking to snorkel, there’s a beach for every occasion in San Juan. Want to know some of the best beaches in San Juan? Be sure to check out Condado Beach or El Escambrón.
Shopping
The urban city streets of San Juan are filled with local and designer shops, making for wonderful souvenirs. The city also hosts two famous shopping malls: Mall of San Juan and Plaza Las Américas, the ladder of which is the largest mall in the Caribbean and second largest in all of Latin America.
You can learn about more fun things to do in San Juan by clicking here.
Tips and Tricks
- Brush up on some Spanish to help navigate your way around San Juan.
- Bring eco-friendly sunscreen and carry water with you.
- Pack (or buy) some mosquito repellent.
- U.S tipping culture expands to Puerto Rico as well. Tip employees generously.
- No passport required to visit Puerto Rico if you’re a U.S. citizen.
Day Trips
Enhance your stay in San Juan by exploring beyond the city. Some places you can visit on day trips include the following:
Cayo Icacos
Cayo Icacos is an uninhabited island off the eastern end of mainland Puerto Rico. The island is famous for its turquoise blue waters, bright yellow sand, and beautiful sunsets. Snorkeling and beach lounging are popular activities here. You can get to Cayo Icacos from San Juan via a water taxi or catamaran boat ride.
El Yunque Rainforest
El Yunque Rainforest is the only recognized tropical rainforest in Puerto Rico's national forest system. It's rather small compared to other rainforests, but is incredibly biodiverse! Some activities include hiking, swimming, exploring, taking a tour, spotting wildlife, jumping down a waterfall, and more.
Vieques / Bahía Bioluminiscente
Puerto Rico is home to three of the only five bioluminescent bays around the world. One of which is located near Mosquito bay beach on the island of Vieques in Puerto Rico. You can reach the island from San Juan by either ferry or plane. To see the bioluminescence, you'll need to take the tour at nighttime.
