San Juan is the commercial, urban, historic and social heartbeat of Puerto Rico. The metropolitan area has so much to offer that it alone makes up a tourist region. And it deserves to be one. The old city can enchant you for days; it boasts a variety of cultural institutions to rival most major cities. The dining scene here is world-class, and its beaches draw millions of happy sunbathers each year. And if you crave nightlife, this city obliges like few others. So while I can come up with five reasons to visit San Juan, there are really more like 500.
Without a doubt, the crowning jewel of Puerto Rico's capital is city of Old San Juan. The elegant, charming and historic walled city encompasses many of the island's most iconic sights and monuments. It also includes its share of outstanding restaurants, hotels and nocturnal hotspots. In fact, I can think of
10 reasons just to visit Old San Juan.
The best way to enjoy the old city is by taking a walking tour (or, if the steep cobblestone streets are too daunting a challenge, a free trolley tour), and allocate plenty of time for Old San Juan's majestic fortresses: El Morro, San Cristóbal, and La Fortaleza. You should also squeeze in La Casa Blanca, the original home of the Ponce de León family.
2. Dine out
Photo © Oof! RestaurantsFood is important to me, especially when I travel. And that's one of the main reasons I love visiting San Juan. Whether you want gourmet fine dining, creative fusion cuisine, local eateries, or even corner food stalls, this city satisfy and even delight you and your stomach.
There are so many restaurants in San Juan that coming up with a list of favorites become quite the task. I had to break it down as follows:
3. Step out at night
Photo © Zain DeaneIf you like going out at night, you're going to love this city. Where you end up all depends on where your interests lie. Do you like clubs? San Juan has some
outstanding ones. Prefer a more chilled out environment? Try one of the city's
chic and intimate lounges. Is the bar scene more your thing? San Juan's
got you covered.
Or maybe you want to try your luck at one of the city's casinos. Whatever you do, I recommend reserving at least one night for salsa at the Nuyorican Cafe.
4. Spend a day at the beach
Photo © Zain DeaneFor all its colonial beauty, cultural attractions and hopping nightlife, there are scores of travelers who come to San Juan for one main reason: to lie on a beach and soak in the warm Caribbean sun. San Juan has its share of beaches, many of them conveniently close to resort hotels. Among your choices of city beaches are:
- El Escambrón, a public beach with full facilities in the Puerta de Tierra neighborhood.
- Condado Beach, which fronts a stretch of fine hotels like the Conrad Condado Plaza and the La Concha Resort.
- Isla Verde Beach, a golden crescent of sand and sea, ringed by some of the city's best hotels.
- Ocean Park Beach, a personal favorite that lies between Condado and Isla Verde Beaches.
You can get a glimpse of all these beaches
here.
5. Go Shopping
This was a tough one, because I had to wrestle between including either shopping or the city's many museums. In the end I went with shopping because San Juan really is a shopping mecca.
Fashion outlets range from outstanding local designers to global brands to outlets. If you want
jewelry, you'll be amazed at the selection here. And the Caribbean's largest mall,
Plaza Las Américas, can be found here.
But what gave shopping in San Juan the edge over museums, for me, was the excellent souvenir shopping it offers. From brightly colored demon-masks to hand-carved figurines of saints to decorative wall hangings and much, much more, the souvenirs you'll find here are far more artistic than a tee shirt and a shot glass ... although you'll find those too.
