San Juan Travel Guide: Where to Eat, Stay, and Explore

San Juan, Puerto Rico’s capital, blends centuries-old European charm with vibrant Caribbean energy and a relaxed pace of life. U.S. travelers love it for the ease of visiting without a passport, while fans of Spanish music are drawn to the island. Puerto Rico’s own Bad Bunny brings his homeland to life through lyrics that celebrate its culture.

In San Juan, it feels like everything is within 20 minutes of the airport. That includes relaxing beaches, bustling cobblestone streets in Old San Juan, and Puerto Rican restaurants tucked everywhere you turn. Of course, you must have an authentic piña colada while in town. Be sure to enjoy the city’s beaches, which range from urban to remote.

Take time to explore the city’s storied walls and castles. Then check out Spanish architecture before heading to the sand. From restaurants to activities and more, here is our guide to fabulous San Juan:

Spend some time in Old San Juan, where colorful buildings meet centuries-old castles surrounded by the sea. Cobblestone streets wind through bustling sections of town, where you’ll find lots of cruisers making a quick dash before returning to their ships. But you’ll also find tucked-away cafes, rum bars, and history everywhere you turn.

Old San Juan’s two castles, Castillo San Cristóbal and Castillo San Felipe del Morro, are both worth visiting. Castillo San Cristóbal is considered the largest fortress built in the Americas, constructed to protect San Juan from attack by land from the east. Castillo San Felipe del Morro, at the entrance to the Bay of San Juan, was the most feared of all the Spanish colonial fortifications. 

The Cuartel de Ballajá, once home to Spanish and Puerto Rican regiments as well as U.S. infantry, now houses the Museo de las Américas, the Puerto Rico Academy of the Spanish Language, a dance and music school, and the State Office of Historic Conservation. Nearby, you’ll also find the striking red Puerta de San Juan—the grand entrance to Old San Juan’s walled city—and the Catedral de San Juan Bautista, the second-oldest church in the Western Hemisphere.

The Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico in Santurce showcases the island’s creativity across 24 exhibition galleries. Highlights include works by Francisco Oller, a pivotal figure in Puerto Rican art; José Campeche, celebrated for his portraits and religious themes; Myrna Báez, a renowned painter and printmaker; and Olga Albizu, a trailblazing abstract artist. Over in Miramar, the MADMi Museum offers a more contemporary experience inside a historic pink mansion. Interactive exhibits spotlight Puerto Rican art, design, and decorative arts.

For a lively resort-side beach scene, head to Condado Beach. Often compared to Miami Beach, it draws families, couples, singles, and groups of friends who come to lounge on the sand or play a game of volleyball. Swimming isn’t recommended because of strong currents, but the surrounding restaurants and shops keep the energy going long after you’ve left the shore.

Just 10 minutes from the airport, this beach is surprisingly less crowded than others nearby. It’s popular with both locals and visitors, especially surfers who come out for the consistent waves. Beginner surfers beware: the waves may not look too high, but a stone slab in the water can be dangerous.

Close to the cruise port, this beach is perfect for passengers who want to spend a relaxed afternoon before re-boarding. Families often gather here, and snorkelers love it too—coral reefs protect the waters and provide a haven for marine life. A short walk away, you’ll find plenty of restaurants as well as Luis Muñoz Rivera Park.

Also close to the airport, Isla Verde Beach is lined with hotels, restaurants, and shops, making it a popular spot for tourists. The beach offers plenty to do: swimming, parasailing, jet skiing, or simply riding the waves with friends. With its balance of relaxation and activity, it attracts families, couples, groups of friends, and solo travelers alike.

For a classic guayabera shirt, stop by La Casa De Las Guayaberas, where racks of ready-made styles showcase this Puerto Rican staple. At Handmade the Brand, you can customize your own pair of espadrilles—pick your lace colors and even add hand-painted designs across the tops. Round out the look with a Panama hat from Olé, a tiny shop packed with a surprisingly wide selection.

For Puerto Rican food that’s casual and no fuss, check out Deaverdura in Old San Juan. The menu is written on a small chalkboard inside, but you’ll find staples such as mofongo (mashed and fried plantains), bacalaítos (salted codfish fritters), and lechón (whole roasted pig). If you’re with a group and can’t decide on one cuisine, head to the Miramar Food Truck Park. You’ll find delicious Puerto Rican plates alongside poke bowls, ice cream, sausages, Mediterranean dishes, dumplings, and more.

A James Beard Award semifinalist in 2025, Verde Mesa serves farm-to-table dishes in Old San Juan. Expect local fish like snook and yellowfin tuna, plus pork cheeks stew and Moroccan-style sirloin. Many visitors head to Barrachina in Old San Juan for a piña colada. But in my opinion, it’s not the best, and you’ll likely have to wait in a long line behind cruisers.

Instead, head to Raíces, where the piña colada is delicious, and you’ll find Puerto Rican dishes with flair, like skirt steak-stuffed mofongo and a Kan Kan pork chop. With locations in Old San Juan and Condado, Chocobar Cortes is the spot for anything chocolate, plus tasty brunch all day. For a taste of street food mixed with nighttime dancing, head to La Placita de Santurce, a marketplace with restaurants.

For a simple and easy breakfast, head to Cafetería Mallorca and get their signature breakfast sandwich with ham, cheese, and topped with powdered sugar. Inside a traditional Puerto Rican house from the 1920s, La Casita Blanca is popular with tourists but serves great Puerto Rican dishes. Last but certainly not least, check out Cocina al Fondo, helmed by James Beard Award-winning chef Natalia Vallejo. Modern Puerto Rican shareable plates are seasonal, with a focus on native crops and harvest cycles. 

On Isla Verde Beach, the Fairmont El San Juan Hotel is a historic property that’s welcomed visitors since 1958. Oceanfront villas, rooms, and suites give you plenty of room to spread out, and four pools with cabanas and a private beach club give you plenty of places to sun near the beach. More than a dozen dining spots, including steaks, sushi, brick-oven pizzas, a bistro, and poolside options, give guests plenty to choose from.

There’s also the Well & Being Spa and huge fitness center, and the Cultural Canvas Series, where public spaces are turned into everchanging art galleries to showcase Puerto Rican art and heritage.

Don’t miss the lobby, where the ’50s-inspired speakeasy Chico Cabaret comes alive with music and dancing. For a different vibe, sip a cocktail beneath the glittering 7,000-piece Czechoslovakian crystal centerpiece at the Chandelier Bar—one of the largest chandeliers in the world.