San Juan, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a unique destination, combining the history and culture of Europe; the ecotourism of Costa Rica and Central America; the beaches and resorts of the Caribbean; and the nightlife, restaurants and glamour or Miami Beach. With so much to choose from, a week is hardly enough time to tap the surface of this amazing island.
The heart of Puerto Rico is the city of San Juan, namely the historic center, called Old San Juan, which was founded in 1521. In Old San Juan you'll find seven square blocks filled with historical buildings, superb shops, and wonderful restaurants, as well as the charming cobblestone streets themselves. Make sure to take a walking tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site with its 16th- and 17th-century buildings. Another site to explore is the dramatic El Morro Fortress. Rising 140 feel above the sea, the fortress sits at the points between the Atlantic and San Juan Bay; it has been guarding the port since 1540. Across the bay from El Morro Fortress is another popular tourist spot, the Bacardi rum distillery, which produces 100,000 gallons of rum daily.
East of Old San Juan are three resort areas offering much of the vacationer -- Condado Beach and Isla Verde are within five miles of Old San Juan, and Fajardo, located on the east side of the island. Condado Beach is close enough to the city, so you can easily shop or dine in Old San Juan and then enjoy the beaches, casinos, and nightlife of Condado later on. Isla Verde is near the airport and farther to the east of Old San Juan. It has the best beaches in the San Juan area, so is a good place to stay if you're looking to enjoy the beach and explore more of the island, instead of just the historic center. Fajardo is the perfect spot for those who love nature, as it is near some of Puerto Rico's most unique natural wonders. El Faro is a nature preserve just north of Fajardo; it contains seven different tropical habitats, Puerto Rico's second oldest lighthouse, and one of the island's three bioluminescent bays. Inland from Fajardo is the Caribbean National Forest, known as El Yunque, the only tropical rain forest managed by the U.S. Forest Service and is full of waterfalls, orchids, ferns, and 13 hiking trails.
West of Old San Juan is the Dorado area, the perfect place for those who want to hang out at their hotel and relax. It is also a great area for those who love to golf, as there are numerous courses in the area.
Dining and Entertainment:
Puerto Ricans have a passion for life and it doesn't end when it comes to food and music -- the more of it the better it is, the better life is. Local specialties are delicious and should be tried, especially asopao, a traditional stew, and mufungo, a unique dish made with meat inside an upside-down bowl made of plantains. Outside of San Juan, look for restaurants that display the Mesones Gastronomicos sign, signaling that they are part of a program to offer the best in local specialties at reasonable prices. For the familiar, you won't have to look far; many restaurants serving local specialties sit next door to one offering American cuisine. Hotels are also a good choice, as they serve French, Italian, seafood, and other traditional favorites.
Entertainment is everywhere in Old San Juan, Condado, and Isla Verde and it ranges from hot, hot, Latin music and dancing to cool jazz clubs. Casinos are also in the area and can be found in major hotels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should go?
Active Travelers
There’s something for everyone, including nightclubs, watersports, hiking, and history.
Families
Great resorts, English speaking, and all the comforts of home. Rest, relax, explore, or play.
Golfers
21 golf courses are available throughout the island.
What's the climate like?
| Average High |
83° F |
85° F |
88° F |
87° F |
| Average Low |
71° F |
73° F |
77° F |
76° F |
| Average Rainfall |
3.3" |
3.7" |
4.3" |
5.6" |
Puerto Rico’s tropical climate keeps the temperatures stable year-round with autumn being the wet season.
How do I get around town?
Transfers
Transfers are included with select air and hotel vacation packages. If your hotel does not include transfers, take a taxi or rent a car depending on your plans once at your hotel. The Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU) is located 10 miles from Old San Juan, near Isla Verde. The following hotels include transfers:
- Gran Meliá Puerto Rico
- El Conquistador Resort & Country Club
- Las Casitas Village & Golden Door Spa
- Wyndham Rio Mar Beach, a Wyndham Grand Resort
Taxi
The Tourism Taxi Program is a unique system for transport away from the airport. Regulated by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, these white vehicles offer reliable service between the airport and points of interest around San Juan. Set fares are offered for each individual zone. The least expensive being Isla Verde and gradually becoming more expensive the further away from the airport, with Old San Juan being the most expensive. Check the Ground Transportation Information desk inside baggage claim for the most up-to-date rates.
Metered taxis are also available and will take you wherever you want to go.
Bus
Buses are run throughout the greater San Juan area by the Metropolitan Bus Authority and are known as guaguas. You can easily board at the orange and white ‘Parada’ signs. The fare is only $0.25 or $0.50 depending on routing and time of day.
Trolley
A trolley runs in the Old San Juan area and offers free service departing from La Puntilla and Covadonga parking structures.
Rental Car
A rental car is the best way to see Puerto Rico outside of the San Juan metropolitan area, which has a lot of traffic and good mass transportation options. The roads are in very good condition and signage is similar to the U.S., so it’s easy to navigate.
What kinds of dining and nightlife are available?
Puerto Ricans have a passion for life and it doesn’t end when it comes to food and music — the more of it the better, and the better it is, the better life is. Local specialties are delicious and should be tried, especially asopao, a traditional stew, and stuffed mufongo, a unique dish made with meat inside an upside-down bowl made of plantains. For the familiar, you won’t have to look far; many restaurants serving local specialties sit next door to one offering American cuisine. Hotels are also a good choice, and serve French, Italian, seafood, and other traditional favorites. Check out these popular spots:
- Barú
Pretty people and portraits by Botero are a feast for the eyes at the massive mahogany bar and in the dining area of Barú, but the food is a treat for the other senses. Old San Juan.
- Happy Belly
You’ll definitely leave with a happy belly at this beachfront restaurant and bar along the north coast at Isabela.
- The Landing
Good burgers and bar food while you sit on the terrace and watch the waves. Rincón.
- Mi Casa
A stylish little place with a menu of South American dishes created by José Aponte, who cooks at Morimoto in New York. San Juan’s Market Square District.
- El Patio de Sam
Great burgers, cold beer, and rocking tunes have put El Patio on the map for more than 50 years. Located across from the Plaza Colon, there is live entertainment every night of the week except Sunday. Old San Juan.
- La Querencia
A 400-year-old home that retains an air of formal chic while welcoming diners into the warm embrace of separate, intimate rooms. The menu features island ingredients that are crafted into Puerto Rican cuisine seamlessly infused with touches of Spanish and Mediteranean influence. Old San Juan.
- Tasca del Pescador
A tiny spot on the Plaza del Mercado offering sparkling-fresh seafood. No reservations are taken, so order a bottle of wine and their delicious seafood salad to take out to the square while you wait for your table. San Juan.
Entertainment is everywhere in Old San Juan, Condado, and Isla Verde and it ranges from hot Latin music and dancing to cool jazz clubs. Casinos are also in the area and can be found in major hotels. Although the minimum drinking age is 21 in Puerto Rico, many of the local clubs enforce a minimum age of 25.
Where should I go shopping?
San Juan, the island's shopping center, isn't a duty-free port like the Bahamas or Grand Cayman, so you won't find bargains on electronics and perfumes or other import items. You can, however, find excellent prices on china, crystal, fashions, and jewelry. Shopping for local crafts is a great way to take in the local culture, and a stroll through Old San Juan is the place to do it.
Popular Puerto Rican items include santos (small carved figures of saints or religious scenes), hand-rolled cigars, handmade lace from Aguadilla, and fancy men's shirts called guayaberas will surely give you the look of an authentic islander.
The most popular of all Puerto Rican crafts are the frightening caretas — paper-mâché masks worn at island carnivals. Tangles of menacing horns, fang-toothed leering expressions, and bulging eyes of these half-demon, half-animal creations send children running and screaming to their parents. At carnival time, they are worn by costumed revelers called vegigantes.
When are the local events?
All of Puerto Rico’s 78 towns have festivals in honor of their patron saint, and many also celebrate pre-Lenten Carnivals.
Emancipation Day
March 22. Puerto Ricans celebrate this holiday by learning to dance the plena and bomba. They also study their history and honor famous black Puerto Ricans. The communities throughout the entire island get together to dance, sing, eat, and rejoice.
José de Diego Day
Third Monday of April. Celebrating the birth of José de Diego. He was a jurist, poet, journalist, essayist, orator, and politician.
San Juan Bautista Day
June 23. In honor of the island’s patron saint, San Juan Bautista, the capital and other coastal cities celebrate with festivities near the seashore or in swimming pools. Traditionally, at midnight, merrymakers walk backward into the ocean (or the nearest body of water) three times to renew good luck for the coming year.
Festival de la Bahía
July. Festival de la Bahía is a musical event that attracts a multitude of visitors each year. The popular and internationally famous singers and musicians give plenty of reasons for dancing in the streets.
Puerto Rican Music Festival
Late November. Annual classical and folk music festival featuring a cuatro (a four-stringed guitar) playing contest in addition to other traditional activities.
What are my golf and recreation options?
Golf
Customize your vacation with discounted greens fees and gain access to hotel-affiliated golf courses with a stay at select hotels or receive great discounts and advanced tee times at independent golf courses offered.
Hotel-Affiliated Courses
- Coco Beach Golf & Country Club
36 holes of championship golf offering challenges for players of all abilities. Features the largest clubhouse in the Caribbean, state-of-the-art golf amenities including golf carts with GPS, and breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and El Yunque rain forest. Designed by Tom Kite. The following hotel has use of this course when the Golf Option is purchased:
- Course at El Conquistador
Features elevation changes on most holes. The first hole is extremely challenging due to its narrow and extremely sloped fairway. Designed by Arthur Hill. The following hotels have use of this course when the Golf Option is purchased:
- El Conquistador Resort & Country Club
- Las Casitas Village & Golden Door Spa
Watersports
Watersports are the name of the game on the beaches of Puerto Rico. Whether your clients are into swimming, surfing, parasailing, or anything else, if it’s found on or near the water, you’ll find it in Puerto Rico.
Deep Sea Fishing
More than 30 deep-sea fishing world records have been acquired in Puerto Rico’s waters. Set your hook and catch marlin, sailfish, and a multitude of other sportfish.
Snorkeling
Warm turquoise waters, coral reefs, and perfect conditions make viewing marine animals easy. The San Juan metro area’s best site is an easy dive off the beaches of Condado where lava reefs and sculpted caverns provide many hiding places for the colorful fish. The western part of the island boasts some of the most abundant marine life found in the Caribbean.
Surfing
World-class surfing can be enjoyed in nearly every part of the island with waves that can reach twenty-five feet high, but particularly in Rincón, site of the 1968 world surfing championships and host to numerous major competitions. Here, too, are numerous surf shops where you can rent a board and get instruction. Or, just sit on the beach and watch all the surfers.
Travel tidbits
Car Rentals
It is exceptionally easy and hassle-free to drive in Puerto Rico, outside of San Juan. The road signs are just like they are in the U.S., the roads are in good condition, and you can find your own secluded beach!
Buses
If staying in the San Juan area, there are two bus routes that are convenient. Route A5 goes between Old San Juan and Isla Verde and the last trip is at 8:45pm. Route B21 travels between Old San Juan and Condado, also stopping at Plaza Las Américas, the Caribbean’s largest shopping center. The last departure is around 9:00pm, Monday – Saturday, and 7:45pm on Sundays.
La Fortaleza
It is the oldest continuously operating governor’s residence in the Western Hemisphere and English-language tours are available on the hour.
Good to Know:
Luis Munoz Marin International Airport
SJU |
| December – April |
| June – October |
| U.S. Dollar |
| Spanish; English is widely spoken |
| Atlantic Standard Time, two hours ahead of Central Standard Time and does observe Daylight Saving Time |
| Government legislation requires all people traveling via air to and from the United States and Canada to have a valid passport. For details on passports, visas, and health requirements, see Entry Requirements. |
| 15-20% in resort areas |
| Resort wear is the norm during the sunlight hours. At night, the code is dressy casual. Locals dress to impress, so you might want to follow suit. Some nightclubs have a dress code, which usually means no jeans, T-shirts, sneakers, or shorts. |
| 1-800-223-6530 |
San Juan, Puerto Rico