San Juan, Puerto Rico, has it all: beaches, nightlife, incredible food, and fascinating history.
If you’ve been considering visiting San Juan, you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed by all of the activities. To make it easy, I have compiled my favorite activities for you to try, as well as some additional information about getting to San Juan!
Getting To and Around San Juan
Puerto Rico can be reached by air or sea. Because Puerto Rico officially became a U.S. territory in 1917, you won’t need your passport to get there from the U.S.
If flying, most airlines offer direct flights. From Raleigh, NC, to San Juan, a direct flight is three hours and 38 minutes, and less than $300 round trip.
San Juan has a port for cruise ships, and there is a ferry connecting the island to both the Dominican Republic and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Ubers, Taxis, and walking are all great options for San Juan. You can also rent a car to drive through the city and around the island.
Stays
Puerto Rico has more than 130 hotels. You won’t have any trouble finding a place to stay that will fit your needs, whether you’re looking for a beachfront resort, quaint hotel, or downtown AirBnB.
Personally, I loved my stay at the Condado Plaza Hilton, which was situated right on Laguna del Condado with private access to the public beach, Playita del Condado.
Food and Drinks
Did you know that Puerto Rico produces 80% of the world’s rum and is the birthplace of the piña colada? In San Juan and around the island, there are dozens of mixology classes that focus on rum. You can also tour Casa Bacardi, with tickets ranging in price from $30 to $200.
The Flavors of San Juan walking food tour is perfect for fans of history and delicious food. The tour is offered throughout the day and lasts approximately three hours. The walk overall is relatively mild, but be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes!
For restaurants, be sure to check out Waiters Gastro Bar, which is located in Condado (only a short walk from most resorts in San Juan). The owner of the restaurant is friendly and knowledgeable, and will offer great recommendations. My friend swears she had the best old fashioned of her life at Waiters, and I feel the same about the tres leches.
Cocina Abierta is a tasting restaurant that offers five courses per person, with an intimate ambience great for small and large groups. There are vegetarian and pescatarian options for each course, and the total cost is $75/person.
Outdoors in Puerto Rico
One of my favorite activities was the Sunset Harbor Boat Ride. Refreshments were included in the tour, along with music and brief histories of various parts of the city.
Puerto Rico is home to El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. Tours of El Yunque are offered as half and full day excursions and can include waterfall tours, kayaking tours, and hiking.
Before Visiting
Please be aware that June through November is hurricane season in Puerto Rico. In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria (2017), the citizens of Puerto Rico showed incredible resilience, and the tourism industry has slowly been rebuilding since.
