Welcome to San Juan & Around

Established in 1521, San Juan is the second-oldest European-founded settlement in the Americas and the oldest under US jurisdiction. Shoehorned onto a tiny islet that guards the entrance to San Juan harbor, the old town was inaugurated almost a century before the Mayflower laid anchor in present-day Massachusetts, and it is now a historic wonderland that juxtaposes historical authenticity with pulsating modern energy.

Read More

Beyond its timeworn 15ft-thick walls, San Juan is far more than a collection of well-polished colonial-era artifacts – it’s also a mosaic of ever-evolving neighborhoods such as Santurce, which has a raw vitality fueled by street art, superb restaurants and a bar scene that takes over the streets at night.

And then there's the beaches. Silky ribbons of sand line San Juan's northern edge from swanky Condado to resort-filled Isla Verde. You can land at the airport and be splashing in the azure waters an hour later.

In early September 2017, San Juan was hit hard by Hurricane Maria, a Category 5 storm that formed hot on the heels of record-breaking Hurricane Irma; it was the strongest hurricane to make landfall in Puerto Rico in 89 years. While many buildings and roads sustained wind and flood damage, this city has endured wars, pirates and storms for centuries – with the help of its energetic and resourceful citizens, it will rebuild and remain the beautiful and captivating place it's always been.

Read Less

Top experiences in San Juan & Around

Amazing hotels and hostels

We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.

Skip this step and see all hotels & hostels
Or explore the collection of Best Places to stay in San Juan & Around

Recent articles

San Juan & Around activities

$83 Cruises, Sailing & Water Tours

San Juan Snorkel and Picnic Cruise

Spread your wings and take a leisurely sail to a deserted island from San Juan. Cruising aboard the Barefoot IV Catamaran, this trip promises to be the highlight of your San Juan vacation!The tour takes you on a relaxing sail by catamaran to the uninhabited island of Icacos. Spend the morning exploring the island, collecting shells or swimming offshore in the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea. If you're a novice, you can receive professional instruction in the art of snorkeling.After you've worked up an appetite, enjoy a scrumptious picnic lunch freshly prepared onboard by the crew, accompanied by pina coladas and rum punch.After lunch, you'll anchor over a breathtaking coral reef, home to colorful tropical fish and underwater wonders.Then, after a full day at sea, it's time to hoist the sail for the return trip to San Juan, completing a truly different day in paradise!
$66 Day Trips & Excursions

El Yunque Rainforest Half-Day Trip from San Juan

ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productPass By: El Yunque Rain Forest, El Yunque National Forest, Puerto RicoSit back and relax on this leisurely trip passing several Towns to the El Yunque Rainforest the only subtropical rainforest in the United States Forest Service.Stop At: Portalito HUB, Palmer, Rio Grande, Puerto RicoIntroduction to the Rainforest with educational Exhibits, Movie and information about the effects the HurricaneDuration: 30 minutesStop At: La Coca Falls, El Yunque National Forest, Puerto RicoOne of its best known sites, La Coca Falls will be your first stop for a photo opportunityDuration: 20 minutesStop At: Yokahu Observation Tower, El Yunque National Forest, Puerto RicoClimb up the Tower for a panoramic view of the eastern Coastal Line including Luquillo and Fajardo , with great opportunities to take pictures.Duration: 30 minutes
$113 Cruises, Sailing & Water Tours

Culebra Day Trip by Catamaran from Fajardo

Check in starts at 8:45am in Puerto del Rey in Fajardo, at 9:30am, depart for Culebra from Puerto del Rey in Fajardo aboard a speedy, wave-piercing power catamaran – Caribe Spirit or Eco Isleño – and get ready to explore some of the most beautiful out-of-the-way spots in the Caribbean! Lounge comfortably on deck as the power cat takes you on a smooth ride in a fraction of the time. Enjoy piña coladas, rum punch, soda, juice or iced tea from the bar as you take in gorgeous views of the Cordillera Islands. After an approximate 50-minute cruise, you’ll arrive at a beautiful reef – Carlos Rosario or the Luis Peña underwater nature preserve – located just off Culebra’s western shore, where your crew will anchor for 1.5 hours of snorkeling fun. Around 11:30am, a delicious lunch buffet will be served, including: fresh fruit; gourmet pasta salad; seafood or chicken salad; coleslaw or bean salad; freshly baked bread; sliced meats (turkey, ham, and pastrami or salami); sliced cheese; lettuce, tomatoes and pickles; chips; and cookies. Then it’s just 20 minutes to a deserted Culebra beach off the beaten path, where you’ll spend the rest of the afternoon swimming, snorkeling, beachcombing or sunbathing. (Underwater cameras and sunscreen are available for purchase on board.) Your captain will decide which beach is best, depending on weather conditions that day – most likely stunning Flamenco or a half-mile long beach on Culebrita, a tiny islet of the east coast of Culebra with outstanding views of St Thomas. Around 3pm, depart Culebra, cruising along the Marine Cordillera en route to Fajardo and arriving back at Marina Puerto Del Rey at 3:30 pm.
$107.98 Cultural & Theme Tours

Old San Juan Food Tour

Taste the local cuisine on a food tour of Old San Juan! Grab a bite of Puerto Rico’s rich culinary history on this small-group tour amidst one of the island’s most beautiful and historic neighborhoods, Old San Juan. This Puerto Rico food tour offers an intimate introduction to the dishes and flavors that make the country’s cooking so unique.  Start your tour at either 10am, 3pm or 5pm from a central meeting point in the atmospheric neighborhood of Old San Juan.  As you proceed on foot to your first tasting, immerse yourself in the area’s breathtaking French and Spanish architecture, some of which is more than 500 years old, listening as your guide explains the history of the location. After arriving at your first tasting stop, have a few delicious bites and learn about the diverse culinary influences, including Spanish, African and indigenous cuisines, that give Puerto Rican food its distinctive flavor. During your excursion you’ll sample sofrito, a delicious sauce often used as a base for other Puerto Rican dishes, and learn how to make mofongo, a local staple dish made with fried plantains. Top that off with rice and beans, Puerto Rican rum, and enjoy something extra sweet for dessert. Finish your gastronomic adventure with our handy guidebook and map, plus the knowledge and know-how to explore the colorful colonial architecture of Old San Juan.
$40 Tours & Sightseeing

Old San Juan Walking Tour

Enjoy a comprehensive walking tour of San Juan led by writer David Rodríguez. You will visit some of San Juan's most famous sights and learn stories and facts that will bring these locations alive. On this walking tour you will experience the beauty of the city while learning about its history. This comprehensive city tour will allow you to discover San Juan in a small group for personalized attention! You will visit the following sights on your tour: • Christopher Columbus' square and admire Puerto Rico's Old Casino • Fort San Cristobal exterior view • La Princesa Walkway and surrounding areas • Plaza de Armas • City Wall • A Front View of La Fortaleza • Christ Chapel and La Rogativa • San Juan Cathedral and Ponce de León Tomb • San Juan Gate
$75 Tours & Sightseeing

Old San Juan Half-Day Sightseeing Tour

After hotel pickup, you’ll cross a bridge and enter the second oldest city in the New World — Old San Juan, located on a small island. In this beautiful city dating back to 1513, admire well-preserved examples of Spanish colonial architecture. Pass by the white-marbled Capitol Building facing the Atlantic and Casa de España, dedicated to the preservation of Spanish culture, built with colored tiles and elegant towers typical of Spanish Moorish architecture. As you make your way through the hilly and narrow streets, you’ll come across parts of the massive City Wall, or La Muralla, nearly 20 feet (6 meters) thick and up to 60 feet (18 meters) tall in certain places.Next, travel with your guide to Cuartel de Ballajá, old Spanish military barracks from the 19th century, a three-level structure arranged around a large courtyard. Learn more about the impressive architecture and head up to Museo de las Américas, which occupies the second floor.Inside, discover an excellent collection of art and anthropological exhibits relating to Puerto Rico and the Americas in general. Not all of the exhibits appear in English, but luckily, you will be provided with the information necessary to make this an engaging experience. Browse through the museum’s collections on American indigenous tribes, including the Taíno, and work your way through the African Heritage wing and enlightening displays on colonization, slave trade and rebellion in Puerto Rico. In the Popular Arts section, you’ll find traditional folk art and wood carvings from all over the Americas. Then, make a 30-minute stop at San Cristobal Fort, built in 1785 and the largest Spanish military structure in the New World. Learn more about its ingenious layout, its storied history in protecting the city from attack, and capture alluring views of San Juan Bay and 400-year-old El Morro Fort. Your tour ends with 30 to 45 minutes of shopping to then be dropped-off at your hotel.
See More Activities
San Juan & Around photo credits