San Juan is rich in history and culture with exceptional cuisine. This country has a celebration of life that beckons Bienvenidos! on every corner and down every street. Experience the many ways that Puerto Rico will warm your heart with this 24-hour itinerary in San Juan.
If you are lucky enough to catch one of the weekly festivals deeply rooted in tradition by all means make this a top priority. Here’s also a quick peek at some of the most popular, annual celebrations that are not to be missed.
- January – Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastian – one of the biggest parties of the year
- February – Festival del Frio – family-friendly festival of cold
- May – June – Festival de Teatro Puertorriqueno e Internacional – International Theater
- November – Festival Nacional Indigena – Indigenous roots and influence
- December – Festival de las Mascaras de Hatillo – Puerto Rico’s April Fool’s Day
San Juan has some of the best beach areas around. Start your day off with breakfast in one of these areas followed by an early morning swim or sun on the beach:
- Pine Grove Beach in Isla Verde
- Ocean Park Beach in Punta Las Marias
- Condado Beach in Condado
If the beach isn’t quite your thing, take in the El Yunque National Rainforest which is about an hour outside of San Juan but well worth the drive and travel time.
After your relaxed morning, head to lunch at one of the street-side restaurants in Pinones which is close to the Isla Verde beaches. Here you’ll find local flavors, modest prices and authentic cuisine.
Spend the afternoon exploring Old San Juan with its narrow, cobbled streets full of 18th century Spanish Colonial architecture. A few of our favorites include:
San Juan Bautista Cathedral which is the oldest in San Juan. San Juan Bautista is the seat of the Archdiocese of Puerto Rico. It’s also the second oldest church in the Western Hemisphere, and the oldest church on U.S. soil. The history of the church dates to 1521 and the earliest beginnings of the Spanish colonization of the island. The building you see today wasn’t the original church, which was demolished by a hurricane. The current structure dates to 1540.
Discover the world heritage site and 16th century fortress – El Morro Fort. When you walk through the narrow entrance and see the flags waving in the Atlantic breeze, it’s easy to be transported to another time in history and imagine soldiers in antiquated uniforms marching along the edge of the wall where cannons fit snuggly into the embrasures. When you visit, you will learn about El Morro and the Island’s history itself – why Puerto Rico’s strategic location in the Caribbean made it an important port for those trying to expand their reach in the New World, and how the United States used the fort during both World Wars.
Visit the “younger brother” of El Morro – Castillo San Castobal. For centuries the Castillo San Cristóbal has been standing guard at the eastern gate of Old San Juan. The imposing fortress was built to guard the city from enemies approaching by land, serving as a counterpart to Castillo San Felipe del Morro. The citadel covers over 27 acres and is the largest one made by the Spaniards in the New World. The vast esplanade is a great place to explore around and enjoy the beautiful view of Old San Juan.
After a busy afternoon exploring Old San Juan, grab a “pirague” (flavored crushed ice cone) and watch the sunset on the waterfront at Paseo de la Princesa. While you’re there, check out the Raices fountain.
End the day with dinner at Fortaleza Street where you find Latin and international flavored dinners at the numerous cafes, bars, restaurants and lounges. For a fun twist, you may want to check out Dragonfly for Latin-inspired Asian dishes.
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