San Juan walking tour & city guide

Old San Juan

Castillo San Felipe del Morro guards the entrance to the bay, and Castillo San Cristóbal protects the city from land. Both are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Calle Fortaleza is decorated with colorful umbrellas or flags, and La Fortaleza is the governor's residence.

Beaches

Condado and Isla Verde are modern beach districts with hotels and restaurants. El Yunque rainforest is under an hour away.

A day in San Juan

Start at Castillo San Felipe del Morro, the massive Spanish fort at the tip of Old San Juan, where families fly kites on the green lawn in front of the walls. Walk through the old city's blue cobblestone streets, lined with pastel houses, to La Fortaleza, the governor's mansion, and the San Juan Cathedral. The Paseo de la Princesa is a lovely waterfront promenade.

In the afternoon, head to Condado or Isla Verde for the beach. In the evening, go to La Placita de Santurce, a market square that turns into a lively street party with salsa music.

Good to know

Puerto Rico is a US territory, so US citizens do not need a passport and the currency is the US dollar. Spanish and English are both official languages.

Hurricane season runs from June to November; the driest and most popular months are December to April. El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest System, is an hour away.