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San Juan

TRAVEL GUIDE

San Juan

TRAVEL GUIDE

The Fodor's Five

The five things you need to know before traveling to San Juan

# 1

There’s more to see than Old San Juan.

Old San Juan is the island’s most scenic tourist area, with cobblestone streets and Spanish colonial architecture. It is where cruise ships dock and most guests visit on their first trip to Puerto Rico. It is also seven square blocks. The greater San Juan metro area consists of 10 expansive neighborhoods. The area outside of Old San Juan isn’t very walkable, so renting a car or utilizing ride shares is recommended. If you want to stay beachfront, Isla Verde and Condado are better choices than Old San Juan.

# 2

You don’t need to speak Spanish.

Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, and San Juan is the major tourist hub. Most people there will speak English, certainly anyone in the hospitality industry. That said, it never hurts to learn a few key words in Spanish, like “thank you” (gracias) and “good morning” (buenos dias). If you're coming from the U.S., you don’t need to exchange any currency since Puerto Rico uses the U.S. dollar, you don’t need a passport, you don’t need a converter, and you can use your U.S. phone plan without roaming. Expect to tip like you would in the U.S., leaving 20% for meals and tips for service people in general.

# 3

Resorts are not all-inclusive.

Unlike the nearby Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico does not have all-inclusive resorts. Some room packages at select hotels or retreat facilities might have meals and drinks included, but it’s not standard, packages may not include alcohol, and are usually an additional fee. You can find resorts with restaurants and other facilities on site, just be prepared to pay for add-ons, from the mini bar to equipment rentals. If drinks are what you’re looking for, Puerto Rico is considered the rum capital of the world. Check out Puerto Rico’s rum trail, including distilleries like the Bacardi Factory and Ron del Barrilito.

# 4

This is the home of the piña colada.

Do you like piña coladas and getting caught in the rain? You’ll find both in San Juan. The island has a large rainforest and tropical climate so it rains (and clears up quickly) practically every day. San Juan is the birthplace of the piña colada, with two places claiming they invented the popular frozen cocktail—Barrachina Restaurant and the Caribe Hilton. The best way to get to the bottom of this decades-long debate is to taste and evaluate both versions for yourself.

# 5

It’s always a good time to visit.

Puerto Rico is in the Caribbean, so the weather is warm and inviting year-round. Hurricane season is from June to November, with August and September seeing the most activity, but even then, hurricanes don’t occur every year and can be predicted with good accuracy. San Juan hotels are equipped to handle any blackouts. You can find affordable deals and rates in the off-season. Plus, these months include sea turtle nesting season, sunflower and wildflower season, and harvest season for regional favorites like quenepas and breadfruit.

Recommended Fodor’s Video

Top Neighborhoods

Why is Condado the best neighborhood in San Juan?
  • It's full of Art Deco architecture and luxury brands
  • Terrific high-end beachfront hotels
  • Busy location with casinos and restaurants
  • Can ride a bike path into Old San Juan
  • Have a picnic by the Condado Lagoon or take a night kayak tour
What makes Santurce so great?
  • It's known for its street art and murals
  • Dine at Cocina Al Fondo, run by James Beard Award-winning chef Natalie Vallejo
  • The Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico is a must-see collection of local art
  • Dance the night away at La Placita
  • Note that it can feel less safe than other neighborhoods
What there's to do in Old San Juan?
  • The island’s scenic center and most photographed area
  • Seven square blocks that are easily walkable
  • Three forts, all part of the U.S. National Park Service
  • Avoid taking pictures in La Perla
  • Parque de las Palomas is a popular spot to feed pigeons and get views of San Juan Bay
What's special about Isla Verde?
  • Known for its beaches and hotels along the Atlantic Ocean
  • Try artisanal chocolate at Loiza Dark
  • Club Brava at the Fairmont El San Juan is one of the hottest nightclubs on the island
  • Most visitors will fly into the Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport
  • Subway’s made-to-order omelets and passionfruit juice, is the go-to breakfast spot
Why visit Ocean Park?
  • Breeze makes it a popular place for kitesurfing
  • Mix of residents and tourists
  • Calle Loiza is a nightlife hub with bars and restaurants
  • Equal parts tourists and residents
  • Bumper-to-bumper traffic during rush hour

Hotels

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Language

Spanish, English

Electrical Outlets

120v/60 cycles; plugs are U.S. standard two- and three-prong

Currency

U.S. Dollar

Local Weather

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Historic Weather: Powered by Dark Sky
Weather info provided is using averaged daily data within the given month of the previous year.

Language

Spanish, English

Electrical Outlets

120v/60 cycles; plugs are U.S. standard two- and three-prong

Currency

U.S. Dollar

Local Weather

{{monthAverage.f_high}}° {{monthAverage.c_high}}° {{monthAverage.f_low}}° {{monthAverage.c_low}}°
{{monthAverage.month}}
Historic Weather: Powered by Dark Sky
Weather info provided is using averaged daily data within the given month of the previous year.

During the high season, mid-December through mid-April, hotels tend to be packed, though rarely full, and rates are a bit higher than in the...Read More

Discover the best neighborhoods in San Juan with curated recommendations from our editors.

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Local Weather

{{monthAverage.f_high}}° {{monthAverage.c_high}}° {{monthAverage.f_low}}° {{monthAverage.c_low}}°
{{monthAverage.month}}
Historic Weather: Powered by Dark Sky
Weather info provided is using averaged daily data within the given month of the previous year.

During the high season, mid-December through mid-April, hotels tend to be packed, though rarely full, and rates are a bit higher than in the...Read More

Discover the best neighborhoods in San Juan with curated recommendations from our editors.

Explore All

Local Weather

{{monthAverage.f_high}}° {{monthAverage.c_high}}° {{monthAverage.f_low}}° {{monthAverage.c_low}}°
{{monthAverage.month}}
Historic Weather: Powered by Dark Sky
Weather info provided is using averaged daily data within the given month of the previous year.

During the high season, mid-December through mid-April, hotels tend to be packed, though rarely full, and rates are a bit higher than in the...Read More

Discover the best neighborhoods in San Juan with curated recommendations from our editors.

Explore All

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