San Juan, Puerto Rico, Journey Information

With stunning seashores and luxe oceanfront resorts, San Juan, Puerto Rico, is the Caribbean vacation spot desires are product of — no passport required for U.S. residents. However should you come to San Juan for nothing greater than stretching out on the sand, you are lacking out.

“San Juan is the right vacation spot. Now we have the benefit of metropolis, seashore, and mountain life multi functional place,” says Miguel Reyes, lifelong native and mixologist on the storied Caribe Hilton. Certainly, to search out such a wealthy bloom of cosmopolitan vibrancy nestled so harmoniously between lush tropical jungles and azure seas appears like a feat that can encourage even probably the most well-traveled. With an more and more numerous culinary scene and cultural and inventive expression blossoming, San Juan’s stunning seashores are merely the cherry on high of a keep slightly than the primary course.

Even after tons of of years of historical past, it appears like now’s the time to go to San Juan. Hotly anticipated resort openings like The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan (set to reopen this 12 months), and a blockbuster lineup of upcoming arts and cultural occasions — together with a Unhealthy Bunny residency and the long-awaited inaugural Puerto Rico Wine & Meals Competition — are only a few of the signposts of San Juan’s ever-expanding attract.

Greatest Accommodations & Resorts

Condado Vanderbilt Lodge

The grand dame of San Juan, Condado Vanderbilt Lodge occupies an enviable oceanfront location. A century of storied glamour does not cease it from being contemporary, from its unique pool deck with waterfront eating to its intimate spa, dwelling to the one hammam on the island. The resort’s 1919 Restaurant, named after the 12 months of its founding, units the bar excessive for advantageous eating on the island.

Caribe Hilton

Set throughout 17 acres that kiss a number of the finest seashores within the metropolis, Caribe Hilton has been the glamorous San Juan dwelling away from dwelling for the celebs since 1949. Not too long ago renovated rooms are modern, reflecting calm Caribbean tones, whereas the sprawling grounds reveal 9 totally different eating ideas, a number of swimming swimming pools (plus a swim-up bar), and ocean views from nearly each angle.

La Concha Renaissance Resort

La Concha Renaissance Resort continues to be one among the locations to be in San Juan, even 65 years after its debut. Renovations have revived rooms and suites and added cutting-edge, oceanfront Elemara Spa and new eating choices like Tekka Bar by Takashi Segawa and upcoming Levant by acclaimed chef Michael White.

Condado Ocean Membership

A modern waterfront resort within the metropolis’s coolest neighborhood, Condado Ocean Membership is the epitome of cosmopolitan-meets-Caribbean. A spacious sundeck spills into oceanfront eatery Social, the place island-inspired delicacies and scrumptious craft cocktails are match for spectacular sunsets amid the sound of crashing waves. Oceanview rooms with a terrace are definitely worth the improve, with the floor-to-ceiling home windows drawing in each shade of Caribbean blue.

Fairmont El San Juan Lodge

Nestled between a few of San Juan’s most luxurious seashores, Fairmont El San Juan Lodge appears like the last word alternative for guests content material with spending most of their keep poolside. With reside leisure, a on line casino, spectacular eating choices, and luxe lodging just like the newer Banyan Bungalows, it is a favourite with T+L readers, the highest decide among the many finest resorts in Puerto Rico.

Greatest Issues to Do

Admire age-old structure.

San Juan simply celebrated its five hundredth anniversary, however this breathtaking magnificence seems to be higher than ever. Begin exploring from the dungeons — full with sweeping ocean views — at Castillo San Felipe del Morro, the town’s huge colonial fortress. Comply with cobblestone streets to the ornate cathedral and colourful mansions; “it is a must-visit for its historic landmarks, vigorous plazas, charming retailers, and a picturesque promenade good for night strolls, with native distributors and music,” says Militza Orama, vp of gross sales and advertising and marketing at The Condado Assortment.

Search out native artwork.

“The artwork that comes out of this island is extraordinarily influential worldwide,” says Reyes, and there is no higher place to expertise it than the neighborhood of Santurce. The esteemed Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico and Museo de Arte Contemporáneo are simply the beginning, with Calle Cera and Calle Loíza revealing road artwork, from huge, daring murals just like the well-known “Loíza Brinca” to graffiti and mosaics. Galleries like The Artwork Home PR and Walter Otero Modern Artwork Gallery spotlight much more of San Juan’s best native skills.

Sip native rum.

Do not accept a easy rum tasting when you’ve gotten a number of the most showstopping spirits experiences at your fingertips in San Juan. Casa Bacardí provides distillery excursions and a premium collection of its best creations from its trendy customer middle, situated simply throughout the bay from Previous San Juan. Stomach as much as Caribar at Caribe Hilton – the birthplace of the piña colada – to strive the unique recipe of one of many world’s most well-known drinks, accompanied by a brand new tapas menu and panoramic ocean views.

Hit the seashore.

Stretches of sand unfurl throughout the town, from the palm-fringed Playa El Escambrón close to the Caribe Hilton to La Playita del Condado. Town’s finest seashores are alongside the extra residential space of Ocean Park and east, in Isla Verde, with vast, sandy shores stretching out lusciously on either side of the Fairmont El San Juan. In the meantime, a day journey to the white sands of uninhabited Cayo Icacos or a weekend getaway to Culebra and Vieques will introduce you to a number of the finest seashores in Puerto Rico.

Get open air.

The seashore is not the one motive to get open air in San Juan. Reyes recommends paddleboarding in Laguna del Condado, and even “extra adventurous actions like evening kayaking.” Lower than an hour from the town is Puerto Rico’s lush tropical coronary heart, El Yunque Nationwide Forest. The one tropical rainforest within the U.S. Nationwide Forest System is a sprawling 29,000 untouched acres hiding waterfalls spilling into pure swimming pools, numerous mountain climbing trails, and considerable biodiversity.

Greatest Eating places

Cocina al Fondo

The menu at Cocina al Fondo reads like a love letter to Puerto Rico, written by James Beard Award-winning chef Natalia Vallejo. Each dish is a dance of domestically sourced, island-native substances and contemporary produce harvested from the property’s personal backyard. Whereas revolutionary, it is imbued with a deep respect for conventional flavors and culinary heritage in each chew.

1919 Restaurant

A moody, trendy eating room within the elegant Condado Vanderbilt units the stage for 1919, a jewel of Puerto Rico’s advantageous eating scene. On the helm is government chef Juan José Cuevas (whose previous expertise contains a number of Michelin-starred eating places), who has crafted a farm-to-table advantageous eating expertise that includes native substances. The tasting menu, full with wine pairing, will wow you; even months after my very own go to, I nonetheless dream of the risotto in purple wine discount.

Princesa – Cocina Cultura

Jorge Montalvo, founder and CEO of Patria Excursions, all the time recommends Princesa – Cocina Cultura to guests in search of an genuine island eating expertise. The menu is impressed by six historic cookbooks of Puerto Rico courting way back to 1859, providing an ode to the island’s culinary heritage that also feels trendy and galvanizing. The plush backyard patio eating room is especially romantic at evening with reside music.

Marmalade

A modern, trendy eating room feels contemporary and sudden coming off the historic Previous San Juan streets, although it’s the right setting for Marmalade‘s ingenious, sustainable Caribbean fusion menu. There is no á la carte menu right here, simply totally different tasting menu choices.

Lote 23

Positioned within the coronary heart of Santurce, Lote 23 is a collective of stalls, kiosks, and distributors that’s each a eating vacation spot and a culinary incubator for budding native cooks. Discover all the pieces from island-made craft beer and smashburgers to ramen and conventional Puerto Rican dishes, lovingly ready by a number of the metropolis’s up-and-coming culinary creatives.

Greatest Nightlife

La Placita de Santurce

“Our nightlife, like at La Placita de Santurce, emphasizes our tradition and captures a lot power on this stunning metropolis,” says Reyes. A market by day, La Placita transforms right into a nightlife vacation spot on the weekends with reside music starting from salsa and jazz to DJ units at Aguardiente. Gasoline the social gathering with fried alcapurrias and pastelillos from La Alcapurria Quemá or any of the quite a few eateries within the space.

Fifty Eight

It ought to come as no shock that that is the place the most important names in Latin music hang around after they’re off the clock. Everybody from Unhealthy Bunny and Ozuna to Feid name-drops Fifty Eight within the lyrics of their largest hits. Tucked away on the decrease stage of La Concha Renaissance Resort, this ultra-exclusive membership is legendary for its reside performances by famend DJs and drop-ins from visiting reggaeton artists, that means you by no means know who you will spot from throughout the VIP part.

La Factoría

Topped the very best bar within the Caribbean a number of years working by The World’s 50 Greatest, Previous San Juan’s La Factoría is a uncommon spot the place the vibes are simply pretty much as good because the drinks. Dimly lit and salsa-filled, it manages to really feel like a neighborhood hang-out regardless of its fame. The lavender mule is universally widespread, and the Hijos de Boriquén, made out of Don Q añejo rum, apricot liqueur, and loads of cinnamon, appears like a romp across the Caribbean.

Areas to Go to

Previous San Juan

Centuries of historical past and layers of tradition make Previous San Juan the unmissable spotlight of a go to to the island’s capital. This compact neighborhood is extremely walkable and straightforward to discover — sturdy footwear really useful for navigating cobblestones — in wherever from just a few hours to a full day. Leap on a local-led tour with Patria Excursions for an enlightening historic and cultural background.

Condado

A thin oceanfront strip dotted with highrises and residential to the town’s finest eating and nightlife, Condado additionally has walkable areas and waterfront parks that make it accessible to everybody. Accommodations vary from the unique properties of The Condado Assortment to boutique resorts just like the lagoon-facing, personality-packed O:reside Boutique Lodge.

Santurce

The sprawling neighborhood of Santurce is “a hub of creativity with vibrant road artwork, galleries, and stylish eating places,” says Orama. It is simple to spend a whole day admiring all the pieces from graffiti murals to museum-quality artwork, sampling conventional Puerto Rican fare from La Casita Blanca or a burger and beer from colourful spots like Cafe Tresbé, earlier than ending the evening with a cocktail at La Penúltima.

Isla Verde

Tucked between airport and ocean, Isla Verde boasts vast expanses of the town’s stunning seashores. Watched by lifeguards and dotted with eating places and retailers, Balneario de Carolina is the preferred seashore within the space, whereas Pine Grove is nice for browsing. Accommodations on the seashore make Isla Verde splendid for a fly-and-flop, resort-style keep in San Juan.

Distrito T-Cell

It is all about leisure at Distrito T-Cell, a hub for eateries, live shows, and occasions adjoining to the San Juan Conference Heart. At its coronary heart is Well-liked Plaza, illuminated by outsized LED screens and crammed with a large outside stage. Keep on the newly renovated Sheraton Puerto Rico Resort & On line casino for straightforward entry to the world and lovely metropolis views from the rooftop infinity pool.

Greatest Time to Go to

One of the best time to go to San Juan is between December and April, when heat, dry climate and sunny skies are perfect for all the pieces from exploring Previous San Juan to paddleboarding or mountain climbing in El Yunque. This journey excessive season can be marked by larger costs and seashores busier with vacationers escaping colder climates.

“One of the best time of the 12 months to come back to Puerto Rico and expertise music, meals, and celebrations could be in the course of the months of mid-November to mid-January,” recommends Reyes. Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) and New Yr’s festivities are marked with music-fueled events known as parrandas, lasting late into the evening. The festive season concludes within the third week of January with the Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián, additionally known as SanSe, a celebration and cultural celebration so vibrant that Unhealthy Bunny opens his chart-topping hit DtMF by reminiscing about it.

For good climate and decrease costs, go to San Juan within the shoulder season in Could or June, when the climate stays largely dry however with fewer guests. June by November is hurricane season, marked by hotter, wetter climate, even when the island avoids tropical storms.

The right way to Get There

San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín Worldwide Airport (SJU) is likely one of the best-served airports within the Caribbean, making Puerto Rico an accessible — and reasonably priced — vacation spot from nearly wherever within the Americas. United alone provides round 70 weekly flights to SJU, with different airways like Jetblue and even finances carriers like Frontier not too long ago increasing service to the island.

The smaller Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport (SIG), situated within the Isla Grande space, provides regional flights to locations across the island and to close by Culebra and Vieques.

The right way to Get Round

Many of the metropolis’s hottest neighborhoods are extremely walkable, however taxis and rideshare platforms like Uber make navigating throughout San Juan a breeze. Skip a rental automotive should you’re sticking to San Juan, however should you’re headed to different locations just like the surf-ready seashores in Aguadilla on the west coast or the strips of white sand surrounding Fajardo, it is one of the best ways to discover independently.