San Juan is one of the most beautiful places in Puerto Rico, and is definitely worth the visit, so we have listed some of the best places to visit to make the most of your trip!
Designated a National Historic Site, this scenic walk along San Juan Bay offers sweeping views of San Juan’s waters.
The path begins at the Raices Fountain on the north side of Paseo de la Princessa.
You’ll start walking toward the San Juan Gate and enjoy the view of San Juan Bay on your left.
Continue down the hill and pass under the San Juan Gate. Look out over the bay and take some photos of the stunning views.
Explore The Colorful Streets Of San Juan
The cobblestone streets, lined with colonial style buildings, make for easy strolling.
And while you’re exploring, don’t miss out on the local flavors.
You’ll find everything from delicious food and drinks to unique shopping opportunities.
If you want to learn about Puerto Rican culture, head to the Museo del Carmen where you can see old photos, artwork, household items and even vintage cars.
Enjoy The Native Food
Visit La Placita de San Juan, this little plaza in Old San Juan serves up one of the city’s most famous dishes, Mofongo.
This deep-fried plantain dough ball is served with beans, rice, chicken, sausage, ham, cheese, and more.
You can find it everywhere in town, but it’s especially good at El Jibarito. San Juan also has a rich street food market that cannot be missed!
Visit The Castillo San Felipe Del Morro
Castillo San Felipe del Mar is one of Puerto Rico’s most popular tourist attractions.
Located on the western coast of the island, the fortification dates back to the early 1600s.
It was originally constructed by Spanish engineers and served as a key defense against invading forces during the 18th century.
Today, it serves as a major attraction for tourists looking to explore some of Puerto Rico’s historic landmarks.
Explore Old San Juan Town
Old San Juan is a small town located on the island of Puerto Rico.
This is where you’ll find the historic district of Old San Juan.
There are many things to do here like walking around and exploring the streets, shopping, dining out, and much more.
If you’re looking for something to do while you’re in town, check out some of these recommendations.
The Old San Juan town square is filled with great restaurants, shops, bars, clubs, and even museums.
Take a break, enjoy a delicious meal at one of the numerous eateries surrounding the square.
Old San Juan town square also has many of the designer shops that you normally associate with up town shopping, including, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Armani Exchange and Levi to name just a few.
A Rum Tasting Tour
Casa Bacardi Puerto Rico offers a variety of tours within the factory and around the island.
This includes one that takes visitors into the heart of the production process.
There are several options, including, but not limited to, a mixology tour, where guests will learn about the art of making cocktails and the science behind it.
Guests can even try their hand at mixing up some drinks themselves.
See The Sunset At Paseo Colon
The lively waterfront boulevard, known locally as Paseo Colón (Colón Boulevard), is the place for a leisurely stroll in the calm of the evening.
A popular spot for locals and tourists alike, it runs along the seafront and beach area just north of downtown Puerto la Cruz.
There are lots of places to eat nearby too. Restaurants include Las Mariscadas, Bodega Gourmet, Kiosco Mango, Tasca Vaca Brava, Café Barrio Latino, La Casita Mexicana and El Sabor de México.
The National Historic site
The National Historic Site of Puerto Rico offers visitors a chance to experience life in Old San Juan during the Spanish colonial period.
You can see how the Spanish settlers lived in the 16th century while exploring the many museums and cultural attractions located here.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to some of the most impressive fortifications in the Americas, including, as mentioned in this article, the Castillo San Felipe del Morro, one of the oldest European structures in North America.
Also worth seeing are the San Cristóbal convent, the cathedral, the Plaza de Armas, and the Royal Botanical Garden.
Visit Fort San Cristóbal
Another point of interest in Old Town San Juan is Fort San Cristóbal, located just outside the city walls.
Built in 1740, it was designed to defend the island against a possible land invasion.
Nowadays, visitors can tour the museum where you’ll find exhibits about the history of the fort, including the military quarters, the kitchens, the mysterious tunnel system, the gun emplacements, and the garitas.
Admire La Fortaleza
La Fortaleza is one of Puerto Rico’s most important historical sites.
Located just outside the city center, it houses the governor’s office.
Built in 1540, this impressive structure has served as home to several different leaders over the years.
Today, it serves as the residence of Puerto Rico’s current governor, Ricardo Rosselló Nevares.
The building is located near the Puerta del Sol, the main entrance to Old San Juan.
In addition to housing the offices of the governor, it also contains the historic archives of the island.
Also, worth noting are the gardens and fountains surrounding the complex.
Stroll Along Fortaleza Street And Look At The Umbrellas!
Old San Juan is filled with colorful buildings, cobblestone streets, and delicious food.
However, one thing that visitors often miss, if you aren’t looking for them, while exploring the historic district is the presence of umbrellas.
This is because the street where umbrellas are displayed is called Fortaleza Street.
In fact, it is the main street within the walls of Old San Juan.
Fortaleza Street is located just outside the old town.
Visitors usually start walking along the fortifications of the walled city, and eventually come upon a large plaza.
From here, you can see the famous lighthouse, the governor’s mansion, and the cathedral.
There are many people strolling around the plaza, taking pictures of the beautiful architecture.
Enjoy The Views From The Walls
The San Juan City Wall (Murallas de San Juan) is a defensive wall that surrounds the western side of the island of San Juan, site for the historic Old San Juan neighborhood.
This defensive wall system was built around the middle of the 17th century to protect the city and bay, a highly strategic point at sea.
These walls, along with the fortress of La Fortaleza (the governor’s palace), El Morro and San Cristóbal (one of the oldest churches in the Americas), form part of the San Juan National Historic Site, mentioned above, which is listed in UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Visit Catedral De San Juan Bautista
The Catedral de San Juan’s Bautista is located in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.
This cathedral is one of the most significant churches in Latin America.
The construction of the current building began in 1540, and it was completed in 1622.
This is the second oldest church in the western hemisphere.
Inside, it is immaculate, and there are no signs of wear and tear.
There are beautiful stained glass windows, the interior and exterior is very bright, making this Cathedral an absolute must see for any visitor to San Juan.
Give Watersports Ago!
San Juan has many fun watersports to choose from, including, but not limited to, Banana Boat Rides.
This ride is very popular among tourists. Although, there are different types of boats that take you around the island if you do not want to travel around in a banana boat.
Water Flying! You can rent the equipment and practice your skills while floating along the coast.
This activity is perfect for kids. If you want to see what lies beneath the surface, try scuba diving.
Take A Day Out At El Yunque National Forest
El Yunque National Forest is located just outside of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
This rainforest is home to over 200 species of wildlife including monkeys, parrots, iguanas, snakes, lizards, tarantulas, turtles, frogs, crabs, spiders, bats, owls, hummingbirds, and even rare tropical fish!
You’ll find plenty of trails to explore, along with several swimming holes where you can cool off during the hot summer months.
The rainforest covers almost 20,000 acres and is part of the largest continuous tract of old growth rainforests remaining in the continental United States.
It is also the only rainforest under federal protection.
Final Thoughts
Puerto Rico is a unique place filled with so much history and culture. It’s easy to get lost in its streets and alleys.
So be sure to pack some sunscreen, water, snacks, and comfortable shoes before heading out.
You will not regret visiting San Juan as they have lots to do and visit for all the family.
