The historic heart of the city features blue cobblestone streets, colorful Spanish colonial buildings, and impressive fortresses. This UNESCO World Heritage district offers museums, galleries, restaurants, and shopping within a compact, walkable area. Perfect for history buffs, culture seekers, and first-time visitors. Key attractions include El Morro fortress, Paseo de la Princesa, and Plaza de Armas. Add your free old San Juan walking tour by clicking ‘add extras’ before checkout when booking your flight + hotel package to San Juan.

Key attractions: El Morro fortress, Paseo de la Princesa, and Plaza de Armas.

This upscale beachfront district offers a Miami-like atmosphere with high-rise luxury hotels, trendy restaurants, designer boutiques, and vibrant nightlife. The area features a beautiful beach and convenient location just 10 minutes from Old San Juan. Ideal for luxury travelers, couples, and those seeking beach access with urban amenities. Highlights include Condado Beach, La Ventana al Mar park, and Ashford Avenue shopping.

Note worthy hotel: Some of our favorites stays in this area include Condado Vanderbilt Hotel, La Concha, A Renaissance Resort and Condado Ocean Club.

This relaxed residential beachfront neighborhood between Condado and Isla Verde offers a more local experience with guesthouses, smaller hotels, and vacation rentals. The area features beautiful beaches, local restaurants, and a laid-back vibe. Perfect for budget travelers, longer stays, and those seeking a more authentic experience.

Key attractions: Notable spots include Ocean Park Beach, Calle Loíza's restaurants, and Barbosa Park.

Located near the airport, this resort area features wide beaches, high-rise hotels, casinos, and water sports. The area offers easy access to both beach activities and city attractions. Great for families, resort lovers, and beach enthusiasts. Key attractions include Isla Verde Beach, water sports rentals, and Pine Grove Beach.

Note worthy hotel: Some of our favorite hotels in the area include Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort, Fairmont El San Juan and Royal Sonesta San Juan.

This elegant residential district features historic mansions, tree-lined streets, and a growing food scene. The area is home to the Convention Center and provides a quieter alternative close to tourist areas. Perfect for business travelers, extended stays, and those seeking a more residential feel.

Key attractions: The Convention Center District, Paseo Caribe, and local restaurants.

San Juan is served by Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), located approximately 15 minutes from the popular Condado beach area and 25 minutes from Old San Juan. JetBlue offers frequent direct flights from major U.S. cities like New York, Boston, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale.

• Taxis operate on a fixed-fare zone system (about $20-25 to most tourist areas)
• Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are readily available
• Public buses (AMA, or ‘Autoridad Metropolitana de Autobuses’, the Metropolitan Bus Authority) connect to several areas but aren't ideal with luggage
• Rental cars are convenient if you plan to explore beyond San Juan. And don’t forget: you can save up to 35% on your rental with JetBlue Vacations.

• Old San Juan is compact and walkable, with free trolleys circulating through the district
• Public buses (AMA) cover most areas for $0.75 per ride
• Taxis are plentiful but can be expensive for short trips
• Uber/Lyft offer convenient, often more affordable alternatives to taxis
• Rental cars are useful for exploring outside the city but parking can be challenging and expensive in tourist areas

Tip for transportation: Traffic can be congested and parking is limited. You won’t need a car if you’re sticking to Old San Juan, but renting one is a must if you plan to explore nearby towns or beaches.

Impressive 16th-century citadel with spectacular ocean views and expansive grounds perfect for exploring and flying kites. For more information on the historic fort, its architecture, history, and visiting details view the Official National Park Services page.

Massive Spanish fort featuring dungeons, tunnels, and panoramic city views. For official information about the fort, its military significance, and visiting information view the Official National Park Services page.

Historic cathedral containing the tomb of Ponce de León. For more information on the cathedral, with information on mass schedules and history view Catedral de San Juan Bautista website.

Premier art museum showcasing Puerto Rican artists from the 17th century to present. Visit the museum’s official page to learn about exhibits, events, and visitor info.

The oldest executive mansion in continuous use in the Americas. Visit the official government page for La Fortaleza, the oldest executive mansion in continuous use in the Americas.

• Condado Beach - Popular urban beach with water sports and people-watching
• Isla Verde Beach - Wide, palm-lined beach with calm waters ideal for swimming
• El Yunque National Forest - Add a visit to the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. El Yunque is just 45 minutes from San Juan and easy to include in your package during checkout.
• Bioluminescent Bay Tours - Kayak tours to experience the magical glowing waters (Fajardo or Vieques)
• Catamaran Sailing - Day trips to nearby islands and coral reefs for snorkeling

• Food Tours - Culinary walking tours in Old San Juan sampling local specialties
• Bacardí Rum Factory Tour - Add rum tastings and mixology classes at Casa Bacardí to your package during checkout and raise a glass to your San Juan getaway
• La Placita de Santurce - Daytime market that transforms into a lively restaurant and bar scene at night
• Coffee Plantation Tours - Day trips to mountain coffee haciendas
• Cooking Classes - Learn to prepare traditional Puerto Rican dishes

• Calle Fortaleza & Calle San Francisco – Shopping streets in Old San Juan with everything from souvenirs to fine jewelry
• Plaza Las Américas – Largest shopping mall in the Caribbean
• La Calle Loíza – Trendy district with boutiques, galleries, and restaurants
• Salsa Dancing – Live music venues and dance clubs throughout the city
• Casino Hopping – Try your luck at the various casinos in the resort areas

• Photography is generally permitted at historic sites, but flash may be restricted in museums
• Keep voices moderate when visiting churches, especially during services
• Respect rope barriers and do not touch artifacts or artwork
• Some sites charge small entrance fees that help with preservation

• Casual, tropical attire is acceptable in most settings
• Beachwear should be limited to beaches and pool areas
• For upscale restaurants, men should wear collared shirts and long pants
• Churches and historic sites may require covered shoulders and knees
• Business settings typically require more formal attire, similar to mainland U.S. standards

• San Sebastián Street Festival (January) - Old San Juan's biggest celebration with music, arts, food
• Casals Festival (February-March) - Classical music festival honoring cellist Pablo Casals
• Fiesta de Santiago Apóstol (July) - Religious festival honoring St. James with processions and music
• Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián (January) - Four-day festival with parades, music, and food

• Budget ($5-15 per meal): Food kiosks, local cafeterias (cafeterías), and street food
• Mid-range ($15-30 per meal): Casual restaurants and family eateries
• Upscale ($30-100+ per meal): Fine dining restaurants, especially in Condado and Old San Juan

• Old San Juan – Historic ambiance with everything from traditional Puerto Rican food to international cuisine
• Calle Loíza – Trendy area with innovative local chefs and international options
• La Placita de Santurce – Evening food and drink hub with lively atmosphere
• Condado – Upscale dining options, including hotel restaurants and celebrity chef establishments

• Vegetarian options are increasingly available, especially in tourist areas
• Seafood is abundant for pescatarians
• Those with gluten sensitivity should note that many traditional dishes are naturally gluten-free
• Always inform servers about allergies, as nut and dairy usage is common

As Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, American citizens do not need a passport to visit, making it an ideal international experience without the hassle of customs or immigration. You can travel with just a valid government-issued photo ID, the same as you would use for domestic flights.

Non-U.S. citizens must follow the same entry requirements as for visiting the mainland United States, including appropriate visas or ESTA authorization for eligible countries under the Visa Waiver Program.

There are no departure taxes or additional fees beyond what's included in your airline ticket, and no special forms or declarations are needed when arriving or departing.

Puerto Rico uses the U.S. dollar (USD) as its official currency, eliminating any need for currency exchange. Credit cards are widely accepted in tourist areas, hotels, and established restaurants, with Visa and Mastercard having the highest acceptance rate. American Express is accepted at higher-end establishments.

ATMs are readily available throughout tourist areas, with major U.S. banks like Banco Popular, FirstBank, and Santander operating on the island. Most ATMs function exactly as they do on the mainland, though some may charge slightly higher fees.

Tipping customs mirror those of the mainland U.S.:

• Restaurants: 15-20% of the pre-tax total
• Bartenders: $1-2 per drink
• Hotel housekeeping: $2-5 per day
• Tour guides: 15-20% for good service
• Taxi drivers: 15-20% of the fare

Spanish and English are both official languages in Puerto Rico. In tourist areas and hotels, English is widely spoken and understood. Outside these areas, Spanish becomes more prevalent, though many Puerto Ricans speak at least some English.

Locals appreciate visitors who attempt some basic Spanish phrases, even if the pronunciation isn't perfect. Common useful phrases include:

• "Hola" (oh-lah) – Hello
• "Gracias" (grah-see-ahs) – Thank you
• "Por favor" (por fah-vor) – Please
• "¿Dónde está...?" (don-deh es-tah) – Where is...?
• "¿Cuánto cuesta?" (kwan-toh kwes-tah) – How much does it cost?

Sun protection is essential year-round, as the Caribbean sun is intense even on cloudy days. Use SPF 30+ sunscreen, wear a hat, and stay hydrated to prevent heat-related issues.

The tap water in major hotels and tourist areas is generally safe to drink, meeting U.S. standards. However, bottled water is widely available if preferred.

Medical facilities in San Juan are modern and comparable to those on the U.S. mainland. Most major hotels can recommend nearby clinics or doctors if needed. For emergencies, dial 911 as you would in the U.S. Make sure your health insurance covers travel to Puerto Rico (most U.S. plans do), and consider travel insurance for additional protection.