San Juan
We’ve compiled the best of the best in San Juan - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Castillo San Cristóbal
This huge stone fortress, built between 1634 and 1783, guarded the city from land attacks from the east. The largest Spanish fortification in the New World, San Cristóbal was known in the 17th and 18th centuries as “the Gibraltar of the West Indies.” Five freestanding structures divided by dry moats are connected by tunnels. You're free to explore the gun turrets (with cannon in situ), officers' quarters, re-created 18th-century barracks, and gloomy passageways. Along with El Morro, San Cristóbal is a National Historic Site administered by the U.S. National Park Service; it's a UNESCO World Heritage site as well. Rangers conduct tours in Spanish and English.
Calle Norzagaray at Av. Muñoz Rivera, 00901, Puerto Rico787-729–6777Sight Details
Rate Includes: $10, includes Castillo San Felipe del Morro -
2. Balneario El Escambrón
This government-run beach has a patch of honey-color sand shaded by coconut palms. An offshore reef generally makes surf gentle, so it's favored by families. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking; snorkeling.
Av. Muñoz Rivera, 00902, Puerto RicoSight Details
Rate Includes: Parking $5 -
3. Capilla del Cristo
According to legend, in 1753 a young horseman named Baltazar Montañez got carried away during festivities in honor of San Juan Bautista (St. John the Baptist), raced down Calle Cristo, and plunged over its steep precipice. Historical records maintain the man died, but legend contends that he lived. (Another version of the story has it that the horse miraculously stopped before plunging over the cliff.) Regardless, this chapel was built partly to prevent further calamities. Inside is a small silver altar dedicated to the Christ of Miracles. Above the altar hang two religious paintings by Puerto Rico's famous painter José Campeche. You can peer in through the wrought-iron gates, which are usually closed.
Calle Cristo, 00901, Puerto RicoSight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
4. Casa Alcaldía de San Juan
San Juan's city hall was built between 1602 and 1789. In 1841, extensive alterations made it resemble Madrid's city hall, with arcades, towers, balconies, and an inner courtyard. Renovations have refreshed the facade and some interior rooms, but the architecture remains true to its colonial style. Only the patios are open to public viewings. A municipal tourist information center and an art gallery with rotating exhibits are in the lobby. Call ahead to schedule a free tour.
153 Calle San Francisco, 00901, Puerto Rico787-480–2910Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed weekends -
5. Casa Alcaldía de San Juan
Old San Juan | Government BuildingSan Juan's city hall was built between 1602 and 1789. In 1841, extensive alterations made it resemble Madrid's city hall, with arcades, towers, balconies, and an inner courtyard. Renovations have refreshed the facade and some interior rooms, but the architecture remains true to its colonial style. Only the patios are open to public viewings. A municipal tourist information center and an art gallery with rotating exhibits are in the lobby. Call ahead to schedule a free tour.
153 Calle San Francisco, Plaza de Armas, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico787-480–2910Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed weekends -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Casa Bacardí Visitor Center
Visitor CenterExiled from Cuba, the Bacardí family built a small rum distillery here in the 1950s. Today, it's the world's largest, able to produce 100,000 gallons of spirits a day and 21 million cases a year. Book a mixology class or rum tasting tour, both include a welcome cocktail at the pavilion and a trolley ride through the property. If you don't want to drive here, you can take a ferry from Pier 2 for $0.50 and then an Uber.
Bay View Industrial Park, Rte. 165, Km 2.6, at Rte. 888, Cataño, 00962, Puerto Rico787-788–8400Sight Details
Rate Includes: $60 (mixology class or rum tasting) -
7. Casa Blanca
The original structure here was a wooden house built in 1521 as a home for Ponce de León; he died in Cuba without ever living here. His descendants occupied the house's sturdier replacement, a lovely colonial mansion with tile floors and beamed ceilings, for more than 250 years. It was the home of the U.S. Army commander in Puerto Rico from the end of the Spanish-American War in 1898 to 1966. Several rooms decorated with colonial-era furnishings are open to the public. The lush garden, complete with watchtower, is a quiet place to unwind.
1 Calle San Sebastián, 00902, Puerto Rico787-725–1454Sight Details
Rate Includes: $3, Closed Mon. and Tues. -
8. Casa de Ramón Power y Giralt
The restored home of 18th-century naval hero Don Ramón Power y Giralt is now the headquarters of the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico. On-site are several displays highlighting the physical, cultural, and historical importance of land and properties on the island under the trust's aegis. The goal of the trust is to increase the amount of protected lands in Puerto Rico from (currently) 8% to 33% by the year 2033. Displays are in Spanish, but there are note cards in English for the changing exhibitions. A gift shop sells toys, Puerto Rican candies, and eco-friendly souvenirs.
155 Calle Tetuán, 00902, Puerto Rico787-722–5882Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed Sun. and Mon. -
9. Cementerio Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis
One of Old San Juan's best-kept secrets, this remarkable cemetery provides a peaceful respite from the bustle of the city. Sandwiched between El Morro and La Perla, it offers a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean and an enviable resting place for the many notable figures fortunate enough to be buried here. Dating from the early 1800s, the cemetery was originally administered by Carmelite nuns. Today you can stop by the ornate tombs (many of which are topped with graceful marble sculptures) to pay your respects to an illustrious group of Puerto Rican political figures, intellectuals, artists, and revolutionaries, including José Celso Barbosa, José Ferrer, Pedro Albizu Campos, Rafael Hernández, and Ricardo Alegría. While a robust police presence has made this area bordering La Perla safer than it once was, it's still best to avoid coming after hours or at night.
West end of Calle Norzagaray, 00901, Puerto RicoSight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
10. Condado Beach
East of Old San Juan and west of Ocean Park, this long, wide beach is overshadowed by an unbroken string of hotels and apartment buildings. Beach bars, water-sports outfitters, and chair-rental places abound. You can access the beach from several roads off Avenida Ashford, including Calles Cervantes, Vendig, Condado, and Candina. The protected water at the small stretch of beach west of the Condado Plaza Hilton hotel is particularly calm and popular with families; surf elsewhere in Condado can be a bit strong. The stretch of sand near Calle Vendig (behind the Atlantic Beach Hotel) is especially popular with the gay community. If you're driving, street parking is your only option. Amenities: none. Best for: partiers.
Av. Ashford, 00907, Puerto Rico -
11. El Capitolio
The white-marble Capitol, a fine example of Italian Renaissance style, dates from 1929. The grand rotunda, which can be seen from all over San Juan, was completed in the late 1990s. Fronted by eight Corinthian columns, it's a dignified home for the Commonwealth's constitution. Although the Senate and House of Representatives have offices in the more modern buildings on either side, the Capitol is where the legislators meet. Guided tours, which last about an hour and include the rotunda, are by appointment only.
Av. Constitución, 00902, Puerto Rico787-724–2030Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed weekends -
12. Fortín San Gerónimo del Boquerón
At the eastern tip of Puerta de Tierra, this tiny, 16th-century fort is perched on a hilltop like an afterthought. It was, however, an essential part of San Juan's defense, as it guarded the entrance to the city.
Calle Rosales, 00901, Puerto RicoSight Details
Rate Includes: $5, Closed weekends -
13. Fundación Felisa Rincón de Gautier
This tiny but fascinating museum honors Felisa Rincón de Gautier, who served as San Juan's mayor from 1946 to 1968. Throughout her life, "Doña Felisa" worked tirelessly on various public causes, including women's voting rights and health care for the poor. Her preschools, known as Escuelas Maternas, were used as the model for the United States' Head Start program. Extremely well connected politically, both on the island and abroad, she was an egalitarian figure who rose to power at a time when women and politics were not mentioned in the same breath. Even if you have no interest in her story, stop by for a peek inside one of Old San Juan's historic houses. Guided tours in English or Spanish are available.
51 Caleta de San Juan, 00914, Puerto Rico787-724–7239Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed Sun. and Mon. -
14. Fundación Nacional Para la Cultura Popular
This nonprofit foundation serves many functions: museum; performance space; dance and music school; and archive preserving Puerto Rican contributions to music, dance, television, theater, film, and other aspects of culture. In a 300-year-old building once used by the Spanish as a meteorological lookout, you can view rotating exhibitions, hear live Latin music in the evenings, or take a bomba or plena dance class. A small store sells music by Puerto Ricans in every genre, from classical to salsa. Signed posters from El Gran Combo, Tito Puente, and Willie Colón—as well as Ricky Martin's platinum record—line the walls. Check the website or call ahead for the performance schedule.
56 Calle Fortaleza, 00902, Puerto Rico787-724–7165Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed Sun. and Mon. -
15. Iglesia de San José
With its vaulted ceilings, this little church is a splendid example of 16th-century Spanish Gothic architecture. It was built under the supervision of Dominican friars in 1532, making it the second-oldest church in the western hemisphere. The body of Ponce de León, the Spanish explorer who came to the New World seeking the Fountain of Youth, was buried here for almost three centuries before being moved to the Catedral de San Juan Bautista in 1909.
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16. Jardín Botánico
This 75-acre forest of more than 200 species of tropical and subtropical vegetation is the Universidad de Puerto Rico's main attraction. Gravel footpaths lead to a graceful lotus lagoon and a bamboo promenade, as well as orchid and palm gardens. Not all plants and trees are labeled, so the garden is more of a tranquil retreat than an opportunity to learn about the vegetation. Trail maps are available at the entrance gate; the $5 tour is well worth it.
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17. MADMI (Museum of Art & Design Miramar)
Housed in a gorgeous, pastel-pink, 20th-century structure that was once the home of famous Puerto Rican artists, MADMI opened its doors in 2018. It's an interactive museum that hosts rotating exhibits, workshops, and pop-ups. The on-site shop sells items made by local artists. Grab a coffee next door at La Hacienda, which has a shady outdoor terrace.
607 Calle Cuevillas, 00907, Puerto Rico787-995–7063Sight Details
Rate Includes: $5 donation -
18. Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Puerto Rico
SanturceThis Georgian-style structure, once a public school, displays a dynamic range of works by established and up-and-coming Latin American artists. Many works have strong political messages, including pointed commentaries on Puerto Rico's status as a commonwealth. Only part of the permanent collection's more than 900 works is on display at a time, but it might be anything from ceramics to videos.
1220 Av. Ponce de León, San Juan, n/a Puerto Rico, 00936, Puerto Rico787-977–4030Sight Details
Rate Includes: $5, Closed Sun. and Mon. -
19. Museo de Historia, Antropología y Arte
The Universidad de Puerto Rico's small Museum of History, Anthropology and Art offers rotating exhibitions in three areas. Its archaeological and historical collection covers the Native American influence on the island and the Caribbean, the colonial era, and the history of slavery. There's also a small collection of Egyptian antiquities. Art holdings include a range of Puerto Rican popular, graphic, folk, and fine art; the museum's prize exhibit is the painting El Velorio (The Wake), by the 19th-century artist Francisco Oller. If you're looking to see something in particular, call before you go, as only a small portion of the collection is on display at a time. Guided tours in English are available; call for reservations.
Av. Ponce de León, 00931, Puerto Rico787-763–3939Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed weekends -
20. Museo de San Juan
A bustling marketplace in 1857, this handsome building now houses the small San Juan Museum. You'll find rotating exhibits of Puerto Rican art, plus tableaux and audiovisual shows that present the island's history. Concerts and other cultural events take place in the huge interior courtyard.
150 Calle Norzagaray, 00902, Puerto Rico787-480–3530Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed Mon. and Tues.
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