San Juan, the Caribbean in Spanish
Spanish forts facing the Atlantic, colorful facades in Old San Juan and city beaches minutes from the airport.
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San Juan hotels
Historic stays in Old San Juan and oceanfront towers in Condado and Isla Verde, with live rates.
Forts, neighborhoods and beaches
From colonial walls to tropical rainforest: what not to miss in and around San Juan.
- Dec–AprBest time to visit
- 1983UNESCO World Heritage listing
- ≈ 2 h 30 minNonstop flight from Miami
- ≈ 45 minDrive to El Yunque
Five centuries of San Juan
Cobblestones, balconies and walls that have seen everything from galleons to 1970s sedans.
- Cobblestones and color · MusikAnimal (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Old San Juan in another era · Per source. Please credit "Family photos of Infrogmation". (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- The walls of El Morro · Godot13 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- El Morro lighthouse · Godot13 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Old San Juan facades · User:Mattes (CC BY 2.0 de)
- Evening on the sand at Isla Verde · Prayitno (CC BY 2.0)
San Juan travel FAQ
The practical side of a trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Do I need a passport or visa for Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico is a US territory and follows US entry rules. US citizens do not need a passport; it works like a domestic flight with valid ID. Mexican travelers need a valid passport and a US visa.
When is the best time to go?
December through April has less rain and humidity, though it is also the busiest season. May and November are good options with fewer crowds. Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, with the highest risk from August to October.
How do I get from the airport to my hotel?
Luis Muñoz Marín International (SJU) is in Carolina, about 10 minutes from Isla Verde, around 20 from Condado and 20 to 30 minutes from Old San Juan depending on traffic. Taxis charge fixed zone rates, and rideshare is available.
Which area should I stay in?
Old San Juan is ideal for walking between forts, cafés and nightlife, with hotels in colonial buildings. Condado mixes beach, shopping and restaurants. Isla Verde has the biggest beach resorts and sits next to the airport. Ocean Park is more residential and laid-back.
What should I see in Old San Juan?
Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristóbal, part of San Juan National Historic Site, together with La Fortaleza, the governor's residence, make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also walk the Paseo de la Princesa, visit the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista and wander the blue cobblestone streets.
How do I visit El Yunque?
El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the US national forest system, is about 45 minutes' drive east of San Juan. Trails lead to waterfalls and lookouts. Some areas may require an entry reservation or close for maintenance, so check before you go or join a tour.
How many days do I need?
Four or five days covers Old San Juan, time on the beach in Condado or Isla Verde and two day trips, such as El Yunque and a bioluminescent bay in Fajardo. With a week you can add Culebra, Vieques or the west coast surf town of Rincón.
What food should I try?
Mofongo made with mashed garlicky plantain, roast lechón, arroz con gandules, alcapurrias and bacalaítos from the Piñones kiosks, and pastelillos. For dessert, tembleque and coconut flan. The lechón route in Guavate, in Cayey, is a food trip all its own.
What currency is used, and how do I get around?
The US dollar is the currency, and both Spanish and English are spoken. Old San Juan is best on foot; between neighborhoods, taxis or rideshare are easiest. If you rent a car, distances are signed in kilometers but speed limits are in miles per hour.
How will I receive my booking confirmation?
Your confirmation arrives by email when you complete your purchase. Change and cancellation conditions depend on each fare and each hotel, and they are shown before you pay.
Keep your flights and San Juan hotel in the app and check them as you wander Old San Juan.
