San Juan

Understand

Location

San Juan has one of the best harbors in the Caribbean in a strategic location in the Atlantic Ocean. The city celebrated its 5th century anniversary in 2008 from the founding of Caparra, and in 2021, it celebrated its 500th anniversary of its official founding in its current location at the Isleta de San Juan. The city has a land area of about 76 sq mi (200 km2).

Climate

San Juan is a tropical city with winter temperatures typically ranging in the low 80s°F (21-24°C) during the day, and low 70s°F at night. Summer temperatures are generally in the high 80s°F (29-32°C) during the day, and high 70s (25-28°C) at night. Summer does include high humidity. The city has a tendency to receive rain and thunderstorms from April to November in the afternoon. San Juan and the rest of Puerto Rico can be hit by hurricanes or tropical storms from July to November.

Culture

San Juan is a Latin American city with Spanish-based culture, mixed with African traditions and Taíno culture. Museums of modern art exist abroad. The citizens of San Juan are very festive, as on the rest of the island. San Juan has bars and discotheques all-around the city, from Old San Juan to the southern part of the city that stay open until 3 or 4AM. San Juan has become very modernized as of late, with its first Metro line (called Tren Urbano) and buses. Like most large cities, however, there is a small population of vagrants and beggars lining the streets. San Juan is the financial capital of Puerto Rico. There are facilities for petroleum and sugar refining, and pharmaceuticals.

What's inside

San Juan is divisible into three geographical regions, from North to South:

Isleta de San Juan - The small island on which the city was first settled and founded in 1521. Old San Juan - Occupying the western portion of the Isleta de San Juan, this is the oldest district of the city, home to many tourist attractions such as restaurants, bars, stores, art galleries and museums. The San Juan National Historic Site, part of the National Park Service and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, includes historic castles such as El Morro, San Cristobal and La Fortaleza, home of the Governor of Puerto Rico. Puerta de Tierra - Occupying the eastern portion of the Isleta de San Juan, this district hosts a large number of Puerto Rico's territorial government buildings such as El Captiolio (the capitol building). Although not as charming as Old San Juan, this is a very historic area with a number of monuments, museums, parks, hotels and beaches. This is also the entry point into the Isleta de San Juan from the rest of the city of San Juan and the main island of Puerto Rico. There is an area in Puerta de Tierra which is not recommended for tourists: Puerta de Tierra "barrio", a poverty-stricken, illegal drugs-infested area where caution should be taken at all times, if visited at all. Santurce - One of the most densely populated areas not only of San Juan but of Puerto Rico. Located on a peninsula to the southeast of Old San Juan, it is home to numerous hotels, museums, restaurants, the nightlife district of La Placita, and the largest and most popular beaches in San Juan. El Condado - Immediately east of Isleta de San Juan, home to the popular El Condado Beach. This middle-to-upscale beachside neighborhood has many hotels, stores and restaurants along its main throughway of Ashford Avenue. Most visitors come for the beaches, restaurants and the nightlife. Miramar - Separated from El Condado by the Condado Lagoon. Although mostly a residential area, this area hosts numerous restaurants and nightlife. International Convention Center District - Formerly known and often still referred to as Isla Grande, it hosts Puerto Rico's largest convention center, hotels, restaurants, a cinema, and a majestic fountain that plays traditional Puerto Rican music and classical music. Various cruise ship docks along with San Juan's secondary airport, Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport with flights to Vieques and Culebra, are also located in this district. Ocean Park - East of El Condado, home to Ocean Park Beach, the largest beach in the municipality. The area is mostly residential but the stretch along Loiza Street has been largely gentrified in the last decade and now hosts a large number of restaurants, bars and clubs. Río Piedras - The southernmost part of the city, comprising the majority of its population and land area. Home to the main campus of the University of Puerto Rico. Prior to 1951 it was a separate municipality. Hato Rey - Location of the city's main business district, hosting important sports and event venues such as the Hiram Bithorn Stadium, Roberto Clemente Coliseum, and the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum of Puerto Rico (El Choliseo). Also home of Plaza las Americas, the largest mall in the Caribbean, with vast opportunities for shopping, dining and movie theaters.

Getting there

Today the port of San Juan annually accommodates nearly 1.4 million passengers in cruise ship travel alone, making it the third busiest cruise port in the world, according to the Cruise Industry Statistical Review published in 2000. The busiest docks are on the south side of the area near a large city bus station. Another pier adjacent to the old Pan American airport handles mostly Royal Caribbean cruise ships for beginning or ending their cruises; it must be reached by car or taxi. Otherwise, all cruise ships dock at Old San Juan. You may arrive at San Juan/Luis Muñoz Marín Airport, then take a $20 cab ride to your pier. If cruising, you should reach San Juan at least a day before the cruise ship embarks to ensure you make it despite any airline troubles. This also provides time for sightseeing in Old San Juan, near your hotel, etc. There is also ferry service from across the harbor. Although one can easily drive to Old San Juan, it is not easy to drive or park within the district due to the narrow streets. For those staying at major hotels outside Old San Juan, day tours can usually be arranged with the concierge. During busy times, drivers may refuse those with significant luggage. For just getting around, you might also consider the city bus to and from Old San Juan (see same subject for "San Juan".)

By ferry

Ferries del Caribe operates an international passenger and vehicle service from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The overnight journey requires Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative documentation and there are strict rules regarding vehicle transportation. Fares payable in US dollars.

By plane

San Juan is served by 1 Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU IATA). A large international hub airport about 14 km away. Airlines that fly here include Air Canada, American, Avianca, Condor, Copa, Delta, Frontier, Iberia, InterCaribbean, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, United and domestic airline Vieques Air Link. Most travelers opt to rent a car here or take a taxi (fixed fares of $15-25 to most points in the city, plus an extra $1 per luggage item). If you have more time than money, you can take public bus B-40 to Río Piedras and connect onward to your destination in the city with another local bus or elsewhere on the island with a público (best only attempted in the morning). Correct change is necessary. No dollar bills accepted. 2 Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport (SIG IATA Isla Grande Airport). This secondary airport only serves flights from Puerto Rico's smaller islands. (updated Sep 2020)

Getting around

For those staying in Old San Juan, organized bus/van day-trips to other sights in Puerto Rico can be arranged through most hotels. Some cabs wait at the end of the El Morro esplanade footpath. There are usually many, many cabs standing at the southwest corner of Plaza Colón.

By car

1 Estacionamiento Doña Fela (Doña Fela Parking Garage), Calle del Recinto Sur, ☏ +1 787-722-3558. Parking lot in Old San Juan with reasonable prices. (updated Apr 2022) 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. Though some road signs may be in Spanish, on the plus side driving is almost a universal language, and with this being an American territory, the road sign shapes are going to be as familiar to you, if you are used to American road signs. And after all, when you see the word norte sitting above a numbered-road sign enough times, it won't take you long to realize that means north. However, a car could entail parking fees as you travel around to your destinations so you will need to budget for that, and if you go to Old San Juan, parking will be quite difficult. If you think you can handle San Juan drivers and have a good road map in hand, you may want to rent a car to drive to the attractions in the city. Keep in mind that in Old San Juan and in the hotels especially, parking is rarely free. There is free parking at the Puerta de Tierra beach, however, and most of Puerta de Tierra's attractions are either on the beach or within walking distance. If you decide to drive anywhere in San Juan, however, read the main San Juan article on driving around the city and brace yourself for some very close encounters on the road! Old San Juan is primarily made up of one-way cobblestone roads, and parking is practically non-existent. If you must drive, try to drive and park along Calle de Norzagaray or any other streets on the northern side, and park there if you can. It is near the main attractions and the trolley system which can take you into Old San Juan and out back to your car when you are done.

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. If you're planning on staying in and around the general area of San Juan and have plenty of time, you may be able to get by on public buses. The system is inexpensive at only $0.75 a ride (Feb 2024), and will eventually take you near to where you want to go. To ride the bus, first find a stop for the correct routes (see below for some ones useful to tourists). The bus stops are marked "PARADA". When you see your bus coming, be sure to wave/flag it down otherwise it may just pass you by! When the door opens, toss your $0.75 into the fare box near the driver. Only coins are accepted on board so stock up on those quarters! ($0.05 and $0.10 coins are also accepted.) Then, pull the cord to get off at your destination. As of July 2025, buses are temporarily free while a system-wide fare-collection upgrade is made. Be patient. Although some bus schedules (even ones posted at the bus stops themselves) say that buses arrive every 15 or 20 or 30 minutes, service can be infrequent and very unpredictable; you may wait anywhere from 10 to 90 minutes for a bus to arrive. Traffic in and around Old San Juan gets very heavy: you are not guaranteed a quick trip. You may find that bus routes directly to and from places of interest around San Juan do not exist, and that a transfer with additional waiting times are involved. Rush hour buses may be very full. Further, buses generally may stop running around 8PM or 9PM, and may not be extremely safe after dark. And be aware that most buses do not run at all on Sundays. Some bus lines go through non-touristic residential areas, some of which can appear slummish. If you have accidentally gotten on one of these buses while trying to go back to your hotel, stay on the bus instead of getting off in a potentially rough area. Tell the driver where you want to go - most drivers are more than happy to advise on the best way to your destination. In Puerta de Tierra, stations for nearly all the bus lines are within walking distance from the hotels and are marked clearly with the word "Parada" on the sign. Going to Old San Juan is easy: take the T3, T5, or T9 to the last stop, at bus station Terminal Covadonga - roughly at the corner of Calle Juan Antonio Coretejas and Paseo Covadonga (PR38), near one of the major cruise ship piers. Buses do not go into Old San Juan, and one walk across the cobblestone roads will show you why. There used to be a free trolley through Old San Juan, but as of July 2025, service appears to be suspended indefinitely. Leaving Old San Juan for Puerta de Tierra, take the T3, T5, or T9 to be dropped off by the hotels, right before the bridge. If you are worried you might miss your stop, tell the driver where you are going and they will let you know when you arrive at your stop that you should get off. If you are going from Old San Juan or Puerta de Tierra to Condado, you will need to board the T21 going out over the bridge. It will take you right to Ashford Ave. To go to Isla Verde or the airport from the Puerta de Tierra hotels, take the T5 or D53 bus. This bus will take you through parts of Condado and several residential areas, and then on to Isla Verde. If you are planning to get back to the airport by bus, some bus drivers may not let you board the bus with large baggage. You may want to plan in advance to take a taxi back to the airport if your hotel has no shuttle. Carrying baggage on the city bus tends to be less of an issue when you head from the airport.

See

Old San Juan

San Juan National Historic Site, 501 Norzagaray St, ☏ +1 787-729-6960. 9AM-5PM. 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. $10/day adults, children under 15 free, national park passes includes up to 3 visitors. One ticket is good for both Castillos on the same day. 1 El Castillo San Felipe del Morro (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. El Castillo de San Cristóbal, ☏ +1 787-729-6960. 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 (46 m) tall. Alcaldia, Calle de San Francisco (along one side of Plaza de Armas). San Juan's City hall, built in 1602. (updated Jul 2025) The Institute of Puerto Rican Culture. (updated Jan 2016) Casa Blanca, western end of Calle San Sebastián, ☏ +1 787-721-7000 ext 2358. W-Su 8:30AM-noon and 1:30-4Pm. Ancestral home of the Ponce de Leon family, now a museum. $5 adults, $3 seniors/students/children. (updated Jul 2025) 2 La Fortaleza, western end of Calle Fortaleza, ☏ +1 787-724-1454. 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. 3 San Jose Church. 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. (updated Jan 2016) San Juan Cathedral, 153 Calle Cristo. 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. 4 San Juan Gate (western end of Caleta de San Juan). Traditional entrance to San Juan. (updated Jul 2025) 5 Cuartel de Ballaja (Ballaja Barracks), ☏ +1 787-724-5052. W-F 9AM-noon and 1-4PM, Sa Su 11AM-4PM. 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. $6 adults, $4 seniors/students/children. (updated Jul 2025) Museo de San Juan, 150 Calle Norzagaray 3er piso. Museum on the history of San Juan. La Casa del Libro, 255 Calle del Cristo, ☏ +1 787-723-0354. Tu-F 11AM-5PM, Sa 11:30AM-5:30PM. 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 de Gautier Museum, 51 Calle Caleta de San Juan. Open M-F 9AM-4PM. 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. Free. The municipal cemetery of Santa María Madgalena de Pazzis (just outside the city walls.). La Princesa, 2 Paseo de la Princesa, ☏ +1 787-721-2400. Open M-F from 8AM to 4:30PM. 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. La Casa Estrecha (the narrow house), 101 Calle Tetuan. At just over 5 ft (1.5 m) 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. (updated Jul 2025)

Puerta de Tierra

There is not much to see in Puerta de Tierra, but there are a few things of interest for the traveler looking around this area

Casa de Espana, 9 Av. de la Constitución. Walking distance from Old San Juan, this house is literally something to see, as the average tourist cannot go in unless they are involved with one of the many events hosted there. Still, the building, which gets its name from its original purpose as a community center for local Spanish citizens, is worth a look for its architectural accents and 'old world' look. It is closer to Old San Juan than the hotels of Puerta de Tierra, but it is on the bus line. Ateneo de Puerto Rico, just west of next to Casa de España. Founded in 1876, it is the largest repository for national theater in Puerto Rico. Art contests and classes are held here as well. Hours are M-Sa 9AM to 5PM. +1 787-721-3877. Fuerte San Jerónimo is a small fort in the entrance to what is known today as Condado, Puerto Rico lagoon in San Juan. The fort defended San Juan from attacks by Sir Francis Drake in 1595, Sir George Clifford "Earl of Cumberland" in 1598 and Sir Ralph Abercromby.

Do

A popular point of interest is Old San Juan, a 7-block area that has become popular for tourists and residents. The narrow streets of old San Juan are packed with people so it is recommended to experience Old San Juan by foot in order to avoid too much traffic. You can take a taxi for less than $20 from most hotels but for $0.75 you can also take the B21 bus which picks up from many locations near the hotels and is very easy to use. There are a few things to do in Puerta de Tierra that don't have anything to do with what is in your hotel. There is a large park, a nice beach, and several smaller walkways to take short walks on.

Beaches

Check out the beaches in Condado and Isla Verde.

Escambrón

In Puerta de Tierra, the Balneario el Escambrón is the most accessible area of the beach to hotel guests, being a 5-minute leisurely walk from the hotels. This family-friendly beach is protected from the waves by a coral reef, and in the smooth waters you can see many fish. Once on the beach, there are great distant views of not only the San Cristobal fort, but El Morro as well, if there is no fog. Closer in and right next to the Kiosko Escambrón, a snack bar often playing loud salsa and serving up drinks to locals, is a lookout point that faces the water, where romantic couples often go to privately make out and gaze off into the ocean.

Shopping

The Butterfly People, 257 Calle de la Cruz, Old San Juan, ☏ +1 787-723-2432. Real butterflies encased in acrylic. Stunning. Go to see it, even if you don't buy. Diana Font Artworks, 205 San Francisco & 204 Luna Streets (Ground floor Cochera Parking Building), ☏ +1 787-722-4181. 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. Plaza las Américas, "The Center of it All", biggest mall in the Caribbean, containing more than 300 stores anchored by the world's largest JC Penney, plus Macy's, Lacoste, American Eagle, A|X and Sears. It has a movie theater and restaurants such as Chili's, Macaroni Grill, Margarita's and Tierra del Fuego. If you need or want to visit a good example of a modern, enclosed mall from the U.S. mainland, this won't disappoint. Mercado de Santurce, La Plaza del Mercado de Santurce. 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. (updated Jul 2025)

Río Piedras

There are several bookstores near the University of Puerto Rico along the Avenue Ponce de Leon. There is a pedestrian-only shopping street near the Río Piedras station of the Tren Urbano. Just get off, and you should see shopping that no tourist has ever seen before! (look on Google Maps for "Paseo de Diego, Río Piedras, San Juan"). There are also several large-scale sculptures and a great deal of graffiti art along this street. Mercado de Río Piedras is a covered market offering fruits, vegetables, meats, and a variety of stalls with ready-to-eat food (many of them cafeteria-style). This market is off the beaten path for tourists, but much larger than the market in Santurce. Closed Sundays, and many stalls also close on Mondays.

Isla Verde

Several tourist and fine stores line the main street of the area. Puebla is a block off of the main street and facing the airport. It offers everything you'd expect of a modern supermarket.

Eat

El Asador, The Grill Old San Juan, 350 San Francisco St (Old San Juan), ☏ +1 787-289-9966. Daily 10AM - 4AM. 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. Margarita's, Several locations including 3rd level at Plaza las Américas and 1013 Ave. Roosevelt, +1 787-792-0283. A traditional Mexican food restaurants. Tierra del Fuego, 3rd Level at Plaza las Américas, +1 787-294-7019. One of the best Argentinean restaurants where you will be able to savor a tender, juicy cut of meat prepared by chefs and cooks who work together with a warm staff of waiters and hostesses. UVVA Restaurant, +1 787-727-3302, 1 Calle Tapia, Ocean Park. International creative cuisine by Chef Jose Vicente is served from 8AM-11PM. The ambiance is elegant and casual. BUNS Burger Shop, 1214 Ashford Ave. (In front of Marriott Hotel). 11:30AM-4AM. Great burgers with high quality beef. Over 40 beers, some on tap.

Isla Verde

Several major hotels have their own restaurants serving most if not all meals; if breakfast is not included in the room rate, prices can be substantial. On the south side of the "Avenida", small malls and parking areas variably hold small restaurants offering traditional Puerto Rican food, and several branded fast food outlets. This includes the Espana Bakery...on the south side of the highway (west end of Isla Verde). It has been in existence for over 30 years easily the best place to get "pastelitos" of many types, Spanish style soup (Fabada Austriana or Caldo Gallego - both versions of hearty bean and ham or sausage soups), sandwiches and "cafecito" the local coffee drink offered any time of the day or night. Mi Casita is a similar family restaurant for Puerto Rican dining. At Plazoneta De Isla Verde (phone+1 787-791-1777, toward the East end of the "Avenida"), it serves tasty breakfasts, lunches and dinners at attractive prices, with many items substituted across generous entrees. The plazonetta (strip mall) also offers Church's Fried Chicken, Burger King and other franchises for easy recognition from the "Avenida". If you are driving, charges for secure parking can be offset by receipts from businesses within.

El Condado

Grocery stores

Drink

There is a public ordinance which bans drinking alcoholic beverages on the street. Although this is rarely enforced, it is recommended to consume all alcoholic beverages inside the establishments. This local ordinance is relaxed during the San Sebastian Festival, when drinking in public areas is allowed within the cordoned area of the festival if using plastic containers: no cans or bottles.

1 Club Brava (In the El San Juan Hotel), ☏ +1 787-791-2781. Th-Sa from 10PM-4AM. Large and popular nightclub. El Patio de Sam, Calle San Sebastián, Old San Juan. One of the most popular late-night joints with a good selection of beers. Live entertainment is presented here M-Sa. Open daily noon to 1AM. Shannon's Irish Pub, Marginal Martínez Nadal, Guaynabo. Daily 11:30AM-1AM (closes at 2:30AM F-Sa). A sports bar with TV monitors and high-energy rock 'n' roll. Nuyorican Cafe, 312 C. de San Francisco, ☏ +1 787-977-1276. Calle San Francisco #312. Good live music venue in Old San Juan. Salsa, Latin jazz, folkloric music. BUNS Burger Shop, 1214 Ashford Ave. (In front of Marriott Hotel). 11:30AM-4AM. Great burger place with over 40 beers. High quality beef is their priority. $8-12.

Puerta de Tierra

In Puerta de Tierra, you are pretty much restricted to the lounges in your hotel for drinking options, as there are no other bars in this part of town, and even if there were, it is not safe to wander around the southern end at night.

Sleep

San Juan has a wide range of accommodation, but few budget options of any kind. European-style youth hostels do not exist in the city. Colonial-style city hotels are clustered in Old San Juan, while the big beachfront resorts are mostly out in El Condado and Isla Verde. These hotels are listed in the district articles. You'll be looking at $100/night for even a basic hotel room, and well north of $300 for a five-star resort. However, discounts are available in summer (low) season. Costs to stay at resorts or near beaches may include "resort fees"; those fees are often substantial and not mentioned until late in the booking process on-line or by agent. Although Old San Juan is almost entirely surrounded by water, no hotels have beach access. There are a few modern chain hotels near the cruise ship docks, some with casinos. Hotels within the city walls tend to be more colorful.

Budget

There are a number of vacation apartments which are walking distance to the beach, comfortable with fully equipped kitchen for saving money meals. You can find these individually-owned apartments in either condos in front of the beach in Isla Verde or in areas in Ocean Park and Condado walking distance to beach. You might not have the daily housekeeping service but this option is good to receive a more authentic stay rather than in the sterile unchanging hotel. These accommodations can vary from $50-80

Guesthose De La Tanca, 205 Calle de Tanca, ☏ +1 787-722-5436. 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. 1 Posada San Francisco, 405 San Francisco St. 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.

Stay safe

Use common sense when going around. The tourist areas, like the Old City, Condado, and Isla Verde tend to be very safe. There is a wonderfully visible, 24-hour police presence in the Old City. Use caution when riding a bicycle around the city as roads are often crowded and some are unpaved. Be sure to pay attention to the roadway on which you are riding and the traffic. Pedestrians need to use similar caution in Old San Juan. While traffic usually is slower, the streets are narrow, and sidewalks very narrow, sometimes crowded, with occasional trip hazards. Ave. Fernandez Juncos is a major road running across the southern waterfront of Puerta de Tierra. Many buses, including a metrobus line, run through this part of the city before entering the bridge to Condado and beyond. While it is safe to ride through this part of town in the day time, it is not at any time of day safe to explore, as this is a run-down area where poverty and drug trafficking can be easily found. At night, it is probably best to take the B-21 bus back to the hotel from Old San Juan which does not go on this street. Many of the roads that tourists use in Puerta de Tierra are high traffic roads, and the problems that pedestrians face during the daytime while sharing roads with vehicles are magnified at night. Use common sense, and if you feel like you may come to a place where you are not easily seen or there is no sidewalk, walk on lit paths that will show your presence to drivers. Old San Juan is quite safe. However, it is not advisable to go out alone late at night, unless you have a friend or guide to escort you. If you are traveling by bus, understand that buses that service stations in many of the outlying hotel areas stop running at around 9 or 10PM, and the exact time of the last bus is never sure. If you plan on being out at night in Old San Juan and you are taking the bus in, bring enough money for a taxi in case you stay out too late. Make sure you confirm with your hotel the price you should pay to get back, as cab drivers in Old San Juan are probably the most likely to add a dollar or so to the set fare. Many of the major resort hotels in the area have casinos, lounges, and discos with live music and restaurants which are mostly open until 3-4AM, along with taxis lining the entrance to take people back to their rooms when you're done. The La Perla seaside neighbourhoods just north of the walls of Old San Juan is deeply impoverished and a hotbed of drug trafficking and crime. Do not go into La Perla unless you are accompanied by a local guide. Do not take photographs or use your cellphone when you are in La Perla, as this could lead to you being assaulted or even killed.

Go next

Arecibo - You can go see the Arecibo observatory and Cavernas del Rio Camuy (Camuy River Caverns) in the same day. Arecibo is about one hour west of San Juan. Loíza - On the north coast of Loiza you will find Piñones, a great place to go to the beach and eat some of the best Puerto Rican fried food. Just minutes away from El Condado and Old San Juan. Fajardo - In eastern Puerto Rico a nice trip to make is Las Cabezas de San Juan, a natural reserve, you will have a tour around the place where they will show you the different types of plants in the reserve and then the lighthouse which now serves as a small museum, the place has a spectacular view. Reservation is required. Río Grande - The Caribbean National Rain Forest or El Yunque is here, a great place to spend the day with nature, enjoying an awesome view and walking between trees and small rivers. There are many different trails, the La Mina trail affords hikers to swim in a waterfall towards the middle of the trail.

More pictures of San Juan

From this destination's category on Wikimedia Commons. Each photograph is credited to its own author under its own licence.