Updated January 24, 2022

If you’re traveling to Puerto Rico, you can’t not go to San Juan. The island’s capital city, it’s packed with incredible places to go and things to do. Here’s the ultimate guide to traveling through San Juan, neighborhood by neighborhood. 

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Old San Juan

A day or two in Old San Juan is essential for every trip to Puerto Rico. It’ll allow you to hit up some of Puerto Rico’s major tourist attractions like San Felipe del Morro and Plaza de Armas. You can also dig deeper to find Old San Juan’s many hidden treasures.

Old San Juan highlights:

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• Castillo San Felipe del Morro: A massive centuries-old Spanish fortress overlooking the sea.
• Callejon de la Capilla: A lantern-lit side street known for its colorful houses and cobblestone walkways (paved with San Juan’s famous blue cobblestones).
• La Fortaleza: The governor of Puerto Rico’s 500-year old residence.
• Plazuela de la Rogativa: A gorgeous little-known plaza featuring a statue of the Legend of the Rogativa.
• El Panadero Artesanal: A family-owned bakery with San Juan’s most popular pastries and breads.
• Bright colors, twisting streets, centuries-old colonial architecture, and open-air cafes.

Santurce

Not only is Santurce one of the most affordable places to stay in Puerto Rico; it’s also a hotspot for San Juan’s art scene, outdoor markets, and vibrant nightlife. Come for poetry slams at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, and stay for the bar-hopping in La Placita de Santurce.

Santurce highlights:

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• C787 Studios: An art gallery showcasing immersive murals and massive sculptures.
• El Mercado Libre: An off-the-beaten-path market with local produce and artwork—perfect for supporting Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.
• Calle Loiza: The heart of Santurce’s dining and art scene, this street is packed with hopping bars and vintage shops.

Miramar

The seaside barrio of Miramar balances relaxation with eco-adventures, one of the best places to visit for every traveler. You can also schedule yacht excursions, eco-kayak tours, or paddle boarding—all you have to do is show up and have a blast.

Miramar highlights:

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• Casita Miramar: Fine Puerto Rican dining by the sea—a perfect to chow down on PR’s fresh seafood
• Teatro Tapia: The oldest theater in San Juan, incredibly elegant and possibly haunted!

Condado

Condado is home to some of Puerto Rico's most beautiful beaches, glitziest high rises, and popping casinos. It’s a fantastic place to go if a night spent boating around Condado Lagoon or making money moves at Casino del Mar sounds like your type of evening.

Condado highlights:

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• Avenida Ashford: An upscale street with boutiques, live street music, and gelaterias.
• 1919: Luxurious Puerto Rican cuisine inside the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel.
• Plaza Ventana del Mar: A palm tree-filled park with gorgeous ocean views.
• Fortin de San Geronimo: A 400-year-old fort stretching into Condado Lagoon.

Puerta de Tierra

One of Puerto Rico’s hidden-gem attractions, Puerta de Tierra is a narrow stretch of beaches and parks connecting Condado and Old San Juan. While we don’t recommend going to this barrio at night, for the most part, Puerta de Tierra is easily accessible and utterly breathtaking. And don’t worry—Puerto Rico is actually quite safe.

Puerta de Tierra highlights:

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• Escambron Marine Park: An off-the-beaten-path snorkeling mecca in the heart of San Juan.
• El Capitolio: Puerto Rico’s white-domed Capitol Building. It’s filled with stunning murals.
• Paseo de Los Presidents: Life-sized statues of each U.S. president who have visited Puerto Rico.
• Ruins of Playa Pena: Historical ruins alongside a secluded, pristine beach.

Bayamon

Filled with art and science museums and outside of the traveler-heavy areas of San Juan, Bayamon is ideal for rainy tropical days or cooling down in the AC. Bayamon can get a little sketchy at night, so it’s best to hit up this neighborhood during daylight hours.

Bayamon highlights:

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• Museo Francisco Oller: A collection of paintings by one of Puerto Rico’s most famous artists.
• Museo de Munecas: An eccentric museum filled with traditional Latin American and Caribbean dolls.
• Parque de las Ciencias: An extensive outdoor museum with a planetarium, zoo, and paddle-boating.
• Caparra Ruins Museum: The remains of the first Spanish settlement in Puerto Rico, founded by Juan Ponce de Leon.

Hato Rey

Hato Rey is part of the “Golden Mile,” San Juan’s banking district, but it’s not all business here. Hato Rey is also San Juan’s concert and sports hotspot, a great location for making local friends at Coliseo baseball games or the annual Heineken Jazz Festival.

Hato Rey highlights:

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• Plaza las Americas: Puerto Rico’s first indoor shopping mall—ideal for rainy days.
• Taberna Boricua: A local-favorite craft brewery with live music on Fridays.
• Fruttery Hato Rey: A hidden gem with delectable Puerto Rican sweets, tarts, and homemade ice cream.

Rio Piedras

A low-key university barrio, Rio Piedras is the textbook definition of hidden gem. The town is packed with acres of gardens and farmer’s markets—go on a bustling Saturday for a taste of local Puerto Rican life.

Rio Piedras highlights:

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• The University of Puerto Rico: PR’s largest public university. It’s a beautiful visit with its Spanish-style buildings and an iconic clock tower.
• Jardin Botanico: The university’s massive botanical gardens with over 30,000 plants, flowers, trees, and waterfalls—just don’t forget your tour reservation!
• Mercado de Rio Piedras: An open-air market where locals shop for lunch, fruits, and veggies—ideal for an authentic Puerto Rico experience.

Piñones

With its laid-back vibes and uncrowded ocean views, the natural paradise of Piñones just outside of San Juan is a Puerto Rico travel highlight. A well-kept local secret, Piñones’ beaches and forests are best seen from a COPI bike.

Piñones highlights:

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• Estatal de Pinones: A serene forest and nature reserve with coral reefs and Puerto Rican pine trees.
• Punta Cangrejos: A secluded cape known for odd rock formations and crab colonies.
• Mi Casita Seafood: Small Puerto Rican seafood restaurant with creations like conch and octopus salad  

If you’ve got that itch for adventure, it’s high time you were on your way to San Juan. With so many barrios to explore, San Juan is the perfect starting point for your custom Puerto Rico itinerary.

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