Top Things to do in San Juan
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What to do and see in San Juan, Puerto Rico: The Best Things to do Good for Kids
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. Museo del Mar
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 25 reviews
A rich maritime history just a short walk away. Visit us and discover one of the treasures of Puerto Rico. The only Maritime Museum in San Juan with the largest lifering collection in the world, ship models: Discovery vessels, Tall ships and Cruise Ships. Discover the history behind galleons and frigates, which defended Old San Juan through old coins, treasures, maps and historical documents.
2. 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!
3. 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
4. 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.
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. 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.
7. Catedral Basilica Menor de San Juan Bautista
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,390 reviews
Built in 1540 and the site where the body of Ponce de Leon is entombed, the the Catedral de San Juan is an authentic and rare New World example of medieval architecture.
Reviewed By orioles833 - West Chester, United States
Stunning collection of paintings, sculptures, crosses, altars, stained glass windows, and an assortment of other items inside a beautiful, historic Catholic church. There's something special about walking inside a 500 year old building, and it's even more profound when it's a church. We only spent about 45 minutes here, as we were short on time, but we could have easily spent 2 hours here in total awe of such a amazing place.
8. San Juan National Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,056 reviews
Constructed to defend the San Juan coastline during the 17th and 18th centuries, this dramatic fortress rises 140 feet above the sea on a rocky promontory, and is composed of six huge levels of ramps, barracks, dungeons, turrets, towers and tunnels.
Reviewed By Cfbslg - Kankakee, United States
We enjoyed touring the forts of Old San Juan. The National Park Service has done well keeping the history of the forts accessible to visitors at an entrance fee of $7 per person for the two larger forts. However there are steep ramps and stairs to get to all levels. Make sure you take plenty of water and enjoy the scenery!
9. Ocean Park Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 734 reviews
The most popular of San Juans beaches is also the most lively.
Reviewed By nancyf76
A must visit if you are in Puerto Rico. San Juan is full of beautiful beaches and great places to visit. A visit to the beach is best done at ocean park. This dog friendly beach has a track for running volleyball tennis. And many amenities. There are many Airbnb apartments throughout.
10. Museo de Las Americas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 327 reviews
In Cuartel de Ballaja's second floor one of the greatest museums in Puerto Rico holds a space for the diverse cultures of the Americas. Museo de las Americas--founded in 1992 by San Juan's famed and beloved archaeologist Ricardo Alegria--is keen on honoring the traditions, objects, and stories that make up the American continent. This museum boasts four permanent exhibits: a) the Natives in the Americas, b) the African Legacy, c) Conquest and Colonization, and d) the Popular Arts. These carefully curated exhibits put on display a magnificent collection that briefly summarizes the "American experiences" throughout the centuries. Moreover, Museo de las Americas has held numerous temporary exhibitions related to the arts and customs of Ibero-America. Some of their past shows include a retrospective of Rafael Rivera Rosa's works; Catharsis: re/building after Maria; Invictus: Cockfighting in Puerto Rico, among many others. This gem of curatorial design also hosts Domingos Familiares, which offers workshops and activities for the whole family every Sunday.
Reviewed By rduinc - Saint Louis, United States
Very interesting building with huge courtyard and museum on the second floor. When we visited, only three of the museum exhibits were open; one showed modern art, one old San Juan history and I don't remember what was in the third. At the plaza level, there are restaurants surrounding the plaza. The day we visited, there was also a huge craft fair and live music going on down in the plaza area. One of the funnest activities we did during our week in Old San Juan.
