San Juan

Best things to do in San Juan

1. 1

   1. El Morro and San Cristobal forts

   • 2 to 3 hours
   • Check entry rules before you go
   • Families
   • Couples
   • No car needed

   The Spanish colonial forts of San Juan National Historic Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. El Morro, begun in 1539, rises 43 m above the sea at the harbour entrance; San Cristobal, built between 1634 and 1790, guards the land approach to Old San Juan.

   The National Park Service page lists daily hours of 9:00 to 17:00 but does not give fees or say whether to book ahead; check its fees and alerts pages before you go.

   7,506 readers a month

   Sources

   • National Park Service, San Juan National Historic Site: plan your visit
   • Wikipedia, San Juan National Historic Site
   • Wikipedia, Castillo San Felipe del Morro
2. 2

   2. A trip to Vieques

   • A full day or longer
   • Check entry rules before you go
   • Couples
   • Active
   • Families

   An island municipality about 13 km east of the main island, with beaches such as Red Beach and Blue Beach and the Mosquito bioluminescent bay, named the brightest in the world by Guinness World Records in 2006. Reached by ferry from Ceiba or by small plane.

   Wikipedia describes the ferry service as inconsistent, and parts of the former Navy land stay closed because of unexploded ordnance. Check sailings and keep to open areas.

   6,580 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, Vieques, Puerto Rico
3. 3

   3. Ponce

   • A full day
   • Check entry rules before you go
   • Couples
   • Families
   • Rainy day

   The most populated city outside the San Juan area, on the south coast, founded in 1692. Landmarks include Plaza Las Delicias, the cathedral, the Museo de Arte de Ponce, Castillo Serralles and the Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center.

   We have not confirmed opening hours, tickets or travel times from San Juan; check before you plan the day.

   5,998 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, Ponce, Puerto Rico
4. 4

   4. Old San Juan

   • Half a day
   • No booking needed
   • Couples
   • No car needed
   • Rainy day

   The historic quarter on San Juan Islet, home to La Fortaleza, the governor's residence since the 16th century and the oldest executive seat in continuous use in the New World. La Fortaleza is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site with the forts.

   We have not confirmed whether La Fortaleza can be toured; check before you go.

   5,433 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, Old San Juan
   • Wikipedia, La Fortaleza
5. 5

   5. Culebra and Flamenco Beach

   • A full day
   • Check entry rules before you go
   • Couples
   • Families
   • Active

   A small island municipality 27 km north-east of the main island. Flamenco Beach is about 1.6 km of white sand around a sheltered bay, and two old Sherman tanks remain on it from the Navy's target-practice days. Reached by ferry from Ceiba or by plane.

   Wikipedia lists ferries from Ceiba several times a day and flights from San Juan; we have not confirmed current schedules or fares.

   4,916 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, Culebra, Puerto Rico
   • Wikipedia, Flamenco Beach
6. 6

   6. El Yunque National Forest

   • Half a day
   • Check entry rules before you go
   • Active
   • Families
   • Couples

   The only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest System, about 40 km east of Old San Juan. The Pico El Yunque trail is about 8.7 km with a 533 m climb. About 1.2 million people visited in 2023.

   Hurricane Maria in 2017 closed several trails, and Wikipedia reports the La Mina trail closed as of 2021. Check current trail status and fees with the US Forest Service.

   4,029 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, El Yunque National Forest
7. 7

   7. Isla Verde

   • Half a day
   • No booking needed
   • Families
   • Couples

   A beachfront resort district in Carolina, next to the main airport, between San Juan's lagoons and about 3 to 6 miles from Old San Juan and Condado. The street food kiosks of Piñones are close by.

   1,129 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, Isla Verde, Puerto Rico
8. 8

   8. Capitol of Puerto Rico

   • About an hour
   • Check entry rules before you go
   • Couples
   • No car needed
   • Rainy day

   The seat of Puerto Rico's legislature, a white marble Neoclassical Beaux-Arts building from 1921 to 1929 modelled on the Pantheon in Rome. It stands just outside the walls of Old San Juan and is on the US National Register of Historic Places.

   We have not confirmed whether interior visits are possible; check before you go.

   1,084 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, Capitol of Puerto Rico
9. 9

   9. Condado Beach

   • A few hours
   • No booking needed
   • Couples
   • Families
   • No car needed

   A large public beach in Condado, a resort and residential district of Santurce in San Juan.

   530 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, Condado Beach

Just missed the list: Luquillo (10th by readers; a beach municipality east of San Juan, not a single sight); Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery (11th by readers; a historic cemetery in Old San Juan)