San Juan, Puerto Rico, offers travelers a captivating mix of history, culture, and natural beauty. The city’s vibrant Old San Juan district, with its cobblestone streets, colorful colonial architecture, and imposing fortresses like El Morro, transports visitors back in time, while its lively restaurants, cafés, and boutiques showcase the island’s modern flair. With stunning beaches such as Condado and Isla Verde, there’s ample opportunity to relax in the sun or enjoy water sports, while there are ample nearby excursion possibilities to places like El Yunque National Forest provide unforgettable experiences in nature. San Juan seamlessly blends old-world charm with contemporary energy, making it an ideal destination for a rich and varied Caribbean adventure.
Top Things to do in San Juan
One of our first stops was the Old San Juan, the heart of the city and a historical treasure trove. Walking through its cobblestone streets, it felt like we had traveled back in time. The pastel-colored buildings, with their wrought-iron balconies and lush greenery spilling over, were simply charming. It was easy to lose ourselves in the maze of narrow streets, but we didn’t mind — every turn seemed to offer something new. The two massive fortresses that dominate Old San Juan’s skyline, Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo de San Cristóbal, were like windows into the past. We spent hours wandering through the tunnels and lookout points of El Morro, imagining the battles fought here centuries ago to defend this vital Caribbean port.
But Old San Juan wasn’t just about history. It was about culture too. Along with the historic sites, the city is filled with art galleries, museums, and small shops selling everything from local crafts to designer clothes. We found ourselves spending some time at La Fortaleza, the governor’s mansion, marveling at both its colonial architecture and the beauty of its lush gardens. And when we needed a break from exploring, we popped into one of the many local cafés for a café con leche and a pastelillo — the perfect pick-me-up.
Of course, no trip to San Juan would be complete without spending time on one of its stunning beaches. We headed over to Condado, a beachfront neighborhood with luxury hotels, trendy restaurants, and — most importantly — miles of golden sand and crystal-clear waters. We spent time lounging on the beach, alternating between sunbathing and swimming in the warm, gentle waves. For a bit more adventure, we also visited Isla Verde, just a short drive from San Juan, where you can try your hand at paddleboarding. The water was calm, the sun was shining, and it felt like pure bliss.
Restaurant Scene
The food in San Juan was another highlight of our trip. Puerto Rican cuisine is an incredible fusion of Spanish, African, and indigenous Taíno influences, and every meal felt like a new discovery. We started with a classic: mofongo, a dish made from mashed plantains, usually stuffed with meat or seafood. One of our favorite versions was served with garlic shrimp at a small, unassuming spot recommended by a local. We also made sure to try lechón asado, slow-roasted pork, which was as delicious and succulent as we’d heard. Dining in San Juan wasn’t just about the food, though — it was about the experience. A number of the restaurants we visited were open-air, with lively music playing in the background and tables spilling out onto the street.
More to see
As mentioned earlier, we love to explore and San Juan is a city of contrasts — old and new, peaceful and lively, historical and modern. It’s a place where you can explore centuries-old forts in the morning, bask in the sun on a stunning beach in the afternoon, and at night dine at any one-off San Juan’s incredible culinary establishments. Every moment was full of color, flavor, and life.
There are many more interesting things to explore and experience; the above are merely some of our highlights.
How many days do you need to visit San Juan?
San Juan is a great location, and we enjoyed a variety of activities along with exploring and strolling through Old Town. A comfortable visit to San Juan can be achieved in about 5 days assuming that you’re reasonably active as there are many things to see and do.
When is a good time to Go to San Juan?
There are advantages and disadvantages to visiting San Juan anytime of the year, however, travelers should be aware that hurricane season lasts from July to November but also note that hurricanes do not happen every year and they do vary in intensity.
Winter, the December to February timeframe, is by far the most popular time for visitors where the local temperatures are in the 70s. During spring, March to May timeframe it attracts the spring break crowds and can get busy. Summer in San Juan is considered low season because of the high temperatures and humidity, so if you’re looking for lower cost options on hotels and flights that would be to your advantage. If fewer visitors are something you’re looking for then you might consider fall, the September to November timeframe.
Is San Juan Safe for Tourists?
Condado, Dorado, Palmas del Mar and Old San Juan are popular and safe nightlife destinations. However, avoid walking alone in poorly lit, unknown neighborhoods.
It’s not recommended that you walk any beach in San Juan after dark. As with many Caribbean islands there have been many problems on the beaches at night. If you are walking in a larger group that includes men, you should be fine, but every hotel on the beach front removes people off the beach at sunset.
Always exercise caution and common sense and don’t flash your wallet and money, don’t go with strangers. We felt quite safe in Old Town, even while out later into the evening.
Getting Around San Juan
Old San Juan is incredibly walkable, so you can definitely plan to explore many sites on foot.
While there are some taxis available in the islands, and often located outside the main exits of tourist attractions or hotels’ front doors. Taxis can be hailed around town on the street, or you can call one to come to pick you up. There is currently no Uber or Lyft service at the time of writing.