San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico and its largest city, with 342,000 (2020) inhabitants in the municipality and 2,203,000 in the metropolitan area. Founded in 1521 by the Spanish conquistadors, San Juan is the oldest city under the jurisdiction of the United States. San Juan is located in the north-east coast of Puerto Rico and features distinctly centuries-old architecture, such as Spanish military forts built from the 1540s to 1800s, an active harbor, and a very active economic area in the Hato Rey and Santurce districts.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
San Juan is divisible into three geographical regions, from North to South: Isleta de San Juan - The small island on which the city was first settled and founded in 1521. Old San Juan - Occupying the western portion of the Isleta de San Juan, this is the oldest district of the city, home to many tourist attractions such as restaurants, bars, stores, art galleries and museums.
San Juan has one of the best harbors in the Caribbean in a strategic location in the Atlantic Ocean. The city celebrated its 5th century anniversary in 2008 from the founding of Caparra, and in 2021, it celebrated its 500th anniversary of its official founding in its current location at the Isleta de San Juan. The city has a land area of about 76 sq mi (200 km2). San Juan is a tropical city with winter temperatures typically ranging in the low 80s°F (21-24°C) during the day, and low 70s°F at night. Summer temperatures are generally in the high 80s°F (29-32°C) during the day, and high 70s (25-28°C) at night. Summer does include high humidity.
For those staying in Old San Juan, organized bus/van day-trips to other sights in Puerto Rico can be arranged through most hotels. Some cabs wait at the end of the El Morro esplanade footpath. There are usually many, many cabs standing at the southwest corner of Plaza Colón. 1 Estacionamiento Doña Fela (Doña Fela Parking Garage), Calle del Recinto Sur, ☏ +1 787-722-3558. Parking lot in Old San Juan with reasonable prices. (updated Apr 2022) Getting around various parts of the city, the rest of the island, and to and from the airport, will be much more convenient with a car.
San Juan National Historic Site, 501 Norzagaray St, ☏ +1 787-729-6960. 9AM-5PM. The park consists of multiple sites. Castillo San Cristóbal is one of the largest Spanish fortresses in the new world, and has a National Park Service visitor center off of Avenida Luis Muñoz Rivera. The center offers English and Spanish versions of an introductory film to the Historic Site, exhibits, and a bookshop. Castillo San Felipe del Morro (or el Morro) is a citadel with a commanding view of the entrance to San Juan Harbor, at the end of Calle Norzagaray. The extensive esplanade between the citadel and the town is popular for kite flying. Allow at least an hour to explore each fort.
A popular point of interest is Old San Juan, a 7-block area that has become popular for tourists and residents. The narrow streets of old San Juan are packed with people so it is recommended to experience Old San Juan by foot in order to avoid too much traffic. You can take a taxi for less than $20 from most hotels but for $0.75 you can also take the B21 bus which picks up from many locations near the hotels and is very easy to use. There are a few things to do in Puerta de Tierra that don't have anything to do with what is in your hotel.
El Asador, The Grill Old San Juan, 350 San Francisco St (Old San Juan), ☏ +1 787-289-9966. Daily 10AM - 4AM. Puerto Rican cuisine at the entrance of Old San Juan, the heart of nightlife in the Old City. It is a two-level restaurant with an exterior patio. Margarita's, Several locations including 3rd level at Plaza las Américas and 1013 Ave. Roosevelt, +1 787-792-0283. A traditional Mexican food restaurants. Tierra del Fuego, 3rd Level at Plaza las Américas, +1 787-294-7019.
There is a public ordinance which bans drinking alcoholic beverages on the street. Although this is rarely enforced, it is recommended to consume all alcoholic beverages inside the establishments. This local ordinance is relaxed during the San Sebastian Festival, when drinking in public areas is allowed within the cordoned area of the festival if using plastic containers: no cans or bottles. 1 Club Brava (In the El San Juan Hotel), ☏ +1 787-791-2781. Th-Sa from 10PM-4AM. Large and popular nightclub. El Patio de Sam, Calle San Sebastián, Old San Juan. One of the most popular late-night joints with a good selection of beers. Live entertainment is presented here M-Sa.
Use common sense when going around. The tourist areas, like the Old City, Condado, and Isla Verde tend to be very safe. There is a wonderfully visible, 24-hour police presence in the Old City. Use caution when riding a bicycle around the city as roads are often crowded and some are unpaved. Be sure to pay attention to the roadway on which you are riding and the traffic. Pedestrians need to use similar caution in Old San Juan. While traffic usually is slower, the streets are narrow, and sidewalks very narrow, sometimes crowded, with occasional trip hazards. Ave. Fernandez Juncos is a major road running across the southern waterfront of Puerta de Tierra.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, San Juan typically sees ~29°C daytime highs and 19 rainy days.
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