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Today, San Juan is known as La Ciudad Amurallada (the walled city) and is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean and is the second oldest European-founded city in theAmericas (after Santo Domingo, which was officially founded on August 5, 1498.)
The metropolitan area known as San Juan has 3 distinct areas: Old San Juan, the Beach & Resort area, and other outlying communities, the most important: Río Piedras, Hato Rey, Puerta de Tierra, and Santurce. Río Piedras was founded in 1714 but became incorporated into San Juan in 1951.
During the early 16th century, San Juan was the point of departure of Spanish expeditions to charter or settle unknown parts of the New World. Its fortifications repulsed the English navigator Sir Francis Drake in 1595, as well as later attacks.
In the 20th century the city expanded beyond its walled confines, known as Old San Juan, to incorporate suburban Miramar, Santurce, Condado, Hato Rey and Río Piedras.
San Juan is the largest processing center of the island, the metropolitan area has facilities for petroleum and sugar refining, brewing and distilling and produces cement, pharmaceuticals, metal products clothing, and tobacco. The port is one of the busiest in the Caribbean. San Juan is the country’s financial capital, and many U.S. banks and corporations maintain offices or distributing centers there. San Juan is center of Caribbean shipping and is the 2nd largest sea port in the area (after New York City).
Fort in San Juan.
Things to Do in San Juan
Explore the treasures of this colonial-yet-cosmopolitan city.
As the second-oldest European-founded city in the Americas, San Juan is the beating heart of history and culture in Puerto Rico. A place where the Old World meets the new in fascinating ways, San Juan is also a hub of more modern pursuits, including shopping, dining, and nightlife.
Whether you’re into tropical beaches, historic sites, art museums, salsa music, or something else entirely, you’ll find it in San Juan.
Explore the Forts of Old San Juan
Standing guard over the Old City, two major landmarks make up the San Juan National Historic Site — a great place to get your footing in the city’s captivating history.
The Castillo San Felipe del Morro (more commonly known as El Morro) and Castillo San Cristóbal are two important citadels built by the Spanish to protect the city, both by sea and land. Discover the city walls, tunnels, and dungeons, explore the garitas (sentry boxes), and marvel at the original cannons that these forts still hold. A single ticket will get you into both, where you can learn the story of the Conquistadors and the many legends that have graced Puerto Rico for nearly five centuries.
look at some of the must-see sights and attractions in this Caribbean jewel.
Stroll through 500 Years of History
The so-called walled city will give you time-capsule vibes as you walk up and down the cobblestone streets. Charming pastel buildings blend harmoniously with cultural landmarks and striking monuments that tell the story of Puerto Rico. Must-see sights like the Capilla del Cristo, statue of La Rogativa, Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery, and San Juan Cathedral will turn every visitor into a history buff. Be sure to visit La Fortaleza, the oldest governor’s residence in the Western Hemisphere. For added context and local color, consider taking a walking tour of the city with a knowledgeable local guide.
Museums & Cultural Institutions
Whether you’re interested in art, literature, music, sports, or folk crafts, you will find a museum dedicated to it in San Juan. Discover relics of Puerto Rican history on display at museums like Casa Blanca, a home built for Spanish explorer Ponce de León. Museo de las Américas, situated in one of San Juan’s old military barracks, explores the art and cultural history of Puerto Rico and the Americas. Institutions like the Puerto Rico Museum of Contemporary Art and the Sports Museum of Puerto Rico give you an immersive journey into the island’s past and present.
Beach Time is the Best Time
Some of the most popular and picturesque beaches in Puerto Rico are located right in the city of San Juan. Three main beaches: Condado Beach, Escambrón, and Ocean Park Beach, offer everything from swimming and stand-up paddleboarding to jet-skiing, diving, and snorkeling. While Condado Beach and Ocean Park beach have more of a laid-back feel, El Escambrón – a Blue Flag beach – is renowned for its active pursuits.
Shopping
San Juan is home to the largest shopping mall in the Caribbean, Plaza Las Américas, where you’ll surely find what you are looking for (and then some). With a wide range of department stores, small shops, chain retailers, specialty boutiques, and even a movie theater, this mall lives its slogan: The Center of Everything.
You can also visit the Mall of San Juan, a hub of high-end shopping with a mix of international brands, local designers, and upscale department stores such as Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Spa & Relaxation
If rest and relaxation are what you seek, San Juan has a few quiet corners that aim to pamper. With spas that specialize in various beauty and wellness treatments, indulging in a little “me time” is encouraged on your visit. Enjoy the only hammam (a Turkish-style bath) in Puerto Rico at the Condado Vanderbilt Spa, or float in the dense waters of the island’s only saltwater flotarium at Cloud Spa, which also offers massage and reflexology.
Bars & Nightlife
After the sun sets, San Juan pulses with nightclubs, bars, and lounges where you can drink world-class cocktails and dance the night away.
Join the street party at La Placita de Santurce, a marketplace by day that turns into San Juan’s hottest bar and restaurant scene by night. Nearby is Calle Loíza, a restaurant-rich neighborhood that is quickly becoming a major nightlife destination. And in Old San Juan, streets such as South Fortaleza (SoFo) and Calle San Sebastián are set aglow with neon and string lights after dark, as some of the best and most unique bars in the world open their doors to visitors from all over the globe.
Travel Seasons
Keep in mind that you should make your reservations in advance, if you want to guarantee a spot at the property you like. Hotels can become fully booked months before the high season, which begins in mid-November and ends in mid-April.
The hotels in San Juan and the east coast are the most popular among off-island visitors to Puerto Rico. Meanwhile, the south and west regions of the Island are more often frequented by locals and tend to be busier during summer months, which is the high season for Puerto Ricans traveling around the Island.
