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The festive city of San Juan is the perfect place to experience true Puerto Rican culture. Get to know its roots by exploring the vibrant neighborhood of El Viejo San Juan (Old San Juan), which consists mostly of Spanish colonial buildings. Flesh out your self-guided history lesson with a visit to El Castillo San Felipe del Morro, a 16th century citadel that’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then reward yourself with a cooling dip at Luquillo or Carolina Beach, then a tasty tour of the Bacardi rum plant.
Restaurants in San Juan
1. Old San Juan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16,304 reviews
Consisting of 400 restored buildings from the 16th- and 17th-century Spanish colonial period, this area in San Juan is steeped in history with an old-world and romantic European charm.
Reviewed By MaryannL521 - Fair Oaks, United States
Old San Juan is beyond charming. There is so much history here, great architecture, landmarks, cobblestone streets, wonderful food, great museums, El Morro and San Cristobol, beautiful parks and plazas and lovely residential streets. We walked everywhere but also rode the free trolley. There are three trolley lines that will take you almost anywhere in the old city. A good place to begin is to stop at one of the many Tourist Information Centers. We found the one directly across from Pier One to be the most helpful. Here we got a list of museums and their hours as well as a self guided walking tour and directions to take the ferry to Casa Bacardi. Don't miss the San Juan Gate, Fortaleza Street, the cathedral, the San Juan Historic Cemetery and the Paseo de la Princesa. Enjoy!
2. Paseo de la Princesa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,216 reviews
This restored 19th-century esplanade is the place to begin your stroll through Old San Juan, because of its central location and its inexhaustible charm.
Reviewed By JoeNathan9249 - Saint Paul, United States
Beautiful walk along the harbor. Lovely little playground (please see below) along with lovely walk through plants) and a very nice fountain
3. La Puerta de San Juan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,029 reviews
Four centuries ago this gate was the main entrance into the city.
Reviewed By JeanneCristello11 - Philadelphia, United States
The La Princesa path leads to La Puerta de San Juan or San Juan Gate. This was the colonial entrance to the walled city of San Juan, created to closely monitor its visitors and protect the city. The Gate is located near San Juan Cathedral, convenient for the many travelers wishing to pray after their safe journey. Written at the top of the Gate is "Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini," a portion of a Catholic hymn that translates to "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." This was designed to remind each person entering San Juan that God was important. There you can see a drawing depicting the San Juan Gate and beach area during colonial times next to the area today.
4. Calle de la Fortaleza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 741 reviews
A bustling street full of shops and boutiques.
Reviewed By G8104EAjanetd
The umbrellas weren’t up when we went, but the street was covered with a large Puerto Rican flag. The street was also closed off and you couldn’t go down near the Governor’s Mansion. There are however, a lot of great shops, restaurants and bars along the street and it’s very lively all day and night.
5. Castillo de San Cristobal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,595 reviews
This massive 27-acre series of fortifications is the largest the Spanish built in the New World.
Reviewed By JeanneCristello11 - Philadelphia, United States
Castillo de San Cristobal was built by Spain to protect San Juan from land attacks, and create a crossfire with Del Morro across the bay. Finished in 1765, San Cristobal was built after attacks by England and Holland to strengthen the Spanish position. A self-guided tour will allow you to see the historic rooms, cannons, and tunnels of San Cristobal. Poking out from walls around are the famous San Cristobal Garita (sentry boxes). These Garita are a symbol for the island and show the strength, importance, and pride of Puerto Rico. San Cristobal offers stunning views of San Juan, included below. Tickets to San Cristobal or Del Morro can be used to enter the other fort.
6. Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 415 reviews
More than just an art museum, Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico hosts concerts and festivals as well. The Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico (MAPR), a non-for-profit organization, was inaugurated on July 1, 2000, as a legacy for the Puerto Rican people. The mission of the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico is to enrich the lives of its diverse audiences by making accessible and promoting the knowledge, appreciation, and enjoyment of visual arts from Puerto Rico and the world. The MAPR engages diverse communities to facilitate learning experiences about the visual arts through: the growth of a well-researched permanent collection exemplifying significant and representative examples of Puerto Rican art from the sixteenth century to the present; a dynamic program of exhibitions supported by engaging and exciting educational and cultural programs that collectively deepen the understanding of the role of the visual arts in the human experience and contribute to the creation of a curatorial legacy; documentation, research, interpretation, preservation, and conservation of the collection and the visual arts patrimony of Puerto Rico; and alliances with local, regional, and international museums and institutions to advance the knowledge of, access to, and understanding of the visual arts of the world.
Reviewed By DrSoulpr - San Juan, Caribbean
I loved it! Specially being a Wednesday when everyone can visit for free! There is a parking lot here, but from the Airbnb room in my apartment we can walk here in only 16 minutes! They have old art and pictures of Puerto Rico and new art with recycled materials. Also one of the collections has a black and white picture of Old San Juan from a great uncle of mine!!! Follow me for more details and secrets in San Juan and Puerto Rico! Check out more of my pictures at the picture area of this location!
7. La Fortaleza - Palacio de Santa Catalina
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 210 reviews
Visitors can take guided tours through this World Heritage Site, a 40-room mansion completed in 1540 that was used to defend against foreign invaders.
Reviewed By lobstaluva - Springfield, United States
This beautiful blue mansion, facing San Juan Harbor, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 1500s as a fortress, it is now the residence and working offices of the Governor of Puerto Rico. Half hour tours are free of charge! It includes parts of the mansion, chapel, dungeons and gardens with great views. In 1846 the facade was changed to give it a more palatial look instead of military. It is the oldest functioning executive mansion in the Western Hemisphere.
8. Ocean Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 224 reviews
A serene and charming beachfront neighborhood.
Reviewed By robynmichelet - Menomonie, United States
We stayed in an airbnb in Ocean Park. It was a very nice and safe neighborhood with lots of restaurants within walking distance and an easy uber ride to Old San Juan.
9. La Rogativa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 161 reviews
A monument portraying a San Juan legend.
Reviewed By JeanneCristello11 - Philadelphia, United States
This statue is located in one of the most beautiful parts of San Juan. To the right of the statue are 180-degree views of the San Juan Bay. La Rogativa translates to "The Procession". This bronze statue was created by Lindsay Daen to represent the legend of a Catholic Bishop leading women through the street during the British invasion, singing religious songs and carrying torches pleading for God's help, as shown in the statue. The British army mistook this procession as the backup from the Spanish army and retreated from the city. This is known as the first time local islanders fought for their island and commemorates the success of driving out the British. Nearby, the Caleta de las Monjas street offers some of the most beautiful views in San Juan.
10. Calle del Cristo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 255 reviews
"That shopping street," as known to cab drivers; a tourist must.
Reviewed By rduinc - Saint Louis, United States
Cool street with several restaurants, bars, boutique hotels, and shops. Catedral de San Juan Batista and Plaza de la Catedral also located here. Well worth a visit. We did not have a car, but from what it appeared, parking could be challenging.
