Guidebook for San Juan
Sightseeing
Large, old fortress with lots of history and great views from the upper level. The lawn in front is also a really fun time for flying a kite and eating a piragua (snow cone). Great for kids!
442 residents recomanen
Castell de San Felipe del Morro
501 Bulevar del ValleLarge, old fortress with lots of history and great views from the upper level. The lawn in front is also a really fun time for flying a kite and eating a piragua (snow cone). Great for kids!
Another (smaller) fortress to soak up the history of Old San Juan
190 residents recomanen
Castell de San Cristobal
501 Bulevar del ValleAnother (smaller) fortress to soak up the history of Old San Juan
Beautiful boardwalk bordering Old San Juan. Great for photographers and sightseeing!
162 residents recomanen
Passeig de la Princesa
54 C. de la FortalezaBeautiful boardwalk bordering Old San Juan. Great for photographers and sightseeing!
Former military barracks from the 1800's, it now houses a museum, a restaurant and a movie theater showing artsy movies. Across the street is Plaza del Totem, which has a totem you can't miss seeing!
9 residents recomanen
Ballajá Barracks
Former military barracks from the 1800's, it now houses a museum, a restaurant and a movie theater showing artsy movies. Across the street is Plaza del Totem, which has a totem you can't miss seeing!
Even if you are not religious, this is a beautiful old cathedral that will take you back in time. Well-heeled locals love holding their weddings here!
83 residents recomanen
Catedral Basílica Menor de San Juan Bautista
151 C. del CristoEven if you are not religious, this is a beautiful old cathedral that will take you back in time. Well-heeled locals love holding their weddings here!
Well-maintained and popular public beach with plenty of parking, a 5-minute drive or 20-minute walk from our apartment
43 residents recomanen
Playa El Escambrón
Well-maintained and popular public beach with plenty of parking, a 5-minute drive or 20-minute walk from our apartment
Shopping
Street lined with outlet stores from well-known American brands at large discounts!
7 residents recomanen
Calle del Cristo
Calle del CristoStreet lined with outlet stores from well-known American brands at large discounts!
Street lined with jewelry stores catering mostly to tourists, but there are beautiful items to purchase. Be ready to haggle!
Calle San Francisco
Calle de San FranciscoStreet lined with jewelry stores catering mostly to tourists, but there are beautiful items to purchase. Be ready to haggle!
Food Scene
My favorite destination for breakfast, this is a local chain. Their coffee is great (buy a bag of 100% PR coffee to take home) and the sorullitos (corn sticks) are a perfect complement for sandwiches.
17 residents recomanen
El Mesón Sandwiches (Viejo San Juan)
163 C. San JoséMy favorite destination for breakfast, this is a local chain. Their coffee is great (buy a bag of 100% PR coffee to take home) and the sorullitos (corn sticks) are a perfect complement for sandwiches.
The freshest seafood ever! Reasonable prices, tasty food. Try the seafood rice if you like paella.
47 residents recomanen
La Cueva Del Mar
315 C. del Recinto SurThe freshest seafood ever! Reasonable prices, tasty food. Try the seafood rice if you like paella.
Our corner bar/restaurant, they serve really good home-cooked meals and strong drinks. There is dancing on the weekends in the alley. Very local vibe but friendly to foreigners, this is the real deal!
8 residents recomanen
Las Palmas
281 C. San SebastiánOur corner bar/restaurant, they serve really good home-cooked meals and strong drinks. There is dancing on the weekends in the alley. Very local vibe but friendly to foreigners, this is the real deal!
Starbucks
1214 Ashford Ave.If you're aching for something familiar, you know where to find it!
For a fancy 5-star meal, this is a great destination. Local ingredients given the gourmet treatment.
128 residents recomanen
Marmalade
317 C. de la FortalezaFor a fancy 5-star meal, this is a great destination. Local ingredients given the gourmet treatment.
A little gimmicky but locals love it too! Very traditional country vibe, with servers in traditional costume. Serves very good mofongo (plantains), which might as well be our national dish.
152 residents recomanen
Raíces
315 C. del Recinto SurA little gimmicky but locals love it too! Very traditional country vibe, with servers in traditional costume. Serves very good mofongo (plantains), which might as well be our national dish.
Drinks & Nightlife
World-class speakeasy-style bar. Every room has a different vibe. You can salsa, lounge, hang out with hipsters and eat amazing food, all in one place. Amazing craft cocktails.
369 residents recomanen
La Factoria
148 C. San SebastiánWorld-class speakeasy-style bar. Every room has a different vibe. You can salsa, lounge, hang out with hipsters and eat amazing food, all in one place. Amazing craft cocktails.
Craft beers for days in a worn-down colonial building. Sample local brews as well as the best the world has to offer.
123 residents recomanen
La Taberna Lúpulo
151 C. San SebastiánCraft beers for days in a worn-down colonial building. Sample local brews as well as the best the world has to offer.
Beautiful hotel, worth going in for a drink and wandering around the lobby. Formerly a convent for nuns.
30 residents recomanen
Hotel El Convento
100 C. del CristoBeautiful hotel, worth going in for a drink and wandering around the lobby. Formerly a convent for nuns.
Famous for salsa dancing and slam poetry, this is a local institution that's been around for years and years.
50 residents recomanen
Nuyorican Cafe
312 Calle de San FranciscoFamous for salsa dancing and slam poetry, this is a local institution that's been around for years and years.