San Juan Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

San Juan
San Juan showing cuddly or friendly animals and heritage elements
San Juan showing château or palace, a beach and general coastal views
Puerto Rico Island featuring tropical scenes, a city and a beach
Castillo San Felipe del Morro featuring heritage elements as well as a small group of people

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 4 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 Pier 4 – 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 Calle Loiza and Playa Ocean Park.

Ocean Park
Default Image

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 Carribbean Cinemas Fine Arts Miramar might round out your trip.

Miramar
Caribe Hilton
Caribe Hilton
4.5 out of 5
1 San Geronimo Street, San Juan
The price is ₹13,675 per night from 28 Jul to 29 Jul
₹13,675
₹19,560 total
28 Jul - 29 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach resort in San Juan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,950 reviews)
"Very clean and friendly staff."

Reviewed on 4 Jul 2025

Caribe Hilton
The Condado Plaza Hotel
The Condado Plaza Hotel
4 out of 5
999 Ashford Avenue, San Juan
The price is ₹14,517 per night from 5 Aug to 6 Aug
₹14,517
₹19,081 total
5 Aug - 6 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach resort in San Juan. Enjoy 2 outdoor pools, 2 restaurants and a beach locale. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,369 reviews)
"Service was good communication was excellent but the elevator was hit or miss that didn’t work they’ve got two elevators for that whole property and one of them been broken for two years"

Reviewed on 5 Jul 2025

The Condado Plaza Hotel
Condado Vanderbilt Hotel
Condado Vanderbilt Hotel
5 out of 5
1055 Ashford Avenue, San Juan
The price is ₹30,656 per night from 8 Jul to 9 Jul
₹30,656
₹40,834 total
8 Jul - 9 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in San Juan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 4 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,515 reviews)
"Customer see was among the most professional, most courteous I’ve experienced. I highly recommend."

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

Condado Vanderbilt Hotel
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.
Romeo Gay Hotel
Romeo Gay Hotel
4 out of 5
214 C. San Agustín, San Juan, San Juan
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in San Juan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Pan American Pier and Port of San Juan ...
8/10 Very Good! (29 reviews)
"These properties are managed wonderfully! Like being home with friends"

Reviewed on 25 Jun 2025

Romeo Gay Hotel
MANSION MIRAFLORES
MANSION MIRAFLORES
3 out of 5
452 C. Bouret, San Juan, San Juan
Stay at this 3-star villa in San Juan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Condado Beach and Pan American Pier are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (81 reviews)
"Beautiful room and gorgeous stay! Traveled alone for business and the place was just right. I loved it here."

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

MANSION MIRAFLORES
Patio Elba Boutique Hotel
Patio Elba Boutique Hotel
4 out of 5
1657 Av. Manuel Fernández Juncos, PE101, San Juan, San Juan
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in San Juan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, concierge services and an in-room espresso maker. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (174 reviews)
"Excellent spot for a quick getaway. Staff was super friendly. Room was super clean and dark for a great sleep."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Patio Elba Boutique Hotel
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

Reviews of San Juan

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
8
5 - Excellent 57%
4 - Good
4
4 - Good 29%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 14%
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