San Juan – Puerto Rico

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Founded in the 16th Century, San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, is a city rich in history and culture, and is the oldest city in US territory. Originally a walled city, Old San Juan has been beautifully preserved and has amazing architecture. There is so much to see, it's hard to do in one day, with the cobblestone streets lined with cafes, shops and boutiques as well as the military forts built in the 16th and 17th centuries, not to mention some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean.


Safety: As in any large city, crime does happen. Be aware of your surroundings, especially at night and don't draw attention to yourself by flashing around large amounts of money or valuables. Keep your wallets and purses in a safe spot on your person as pick-pocketing has been known to take place in crowded areas.


General Information about San Juan

- Puerto Rico has a sales tax of 7%.
- Business hours Monday to Friday are typically until 5 or 6pm, however some shops stay open late when ships are in port.
- Low tourist season is typically between May and November, but that corresponds with hurricane season.


Weather:

Average temperature of 80 degrees F (26 degrees C).

Currency:

US Dollar. There are ATMs within a short distance of the pier.

Wireless Internet:

Free WiFi is widely available in the plazas throughout Old San Juan as well as many cafes and restaurants.

Languages:

Spanish is the primary language but San Juan has such a  large tourist industry that most people are fluent in English.

Where You Dock in San Juan – Puerto Rico

There are 2 terminals, Pan American and San Juan. San Juan is located in the heart of Old San Juan and it is an easy walk to shopping and restaurants. Pan American is located across the bay and a taxi is needed to get to downtown San Juan.

Shopping In San Juan – Puerto Rico

San Juan has some wonderful shopping areas, especially in Old San Juan, within walking distance of the pier. There are many upscale boutiques, outlets and local crafts and handmade products.

Top Shopping Areas in San Juan:

Calle FortalezaMap (Street in Old San Juan) San Juan, 00901 Puerto Rico

Calle San FranciscoMap (Street in Old San Juan) San Juan, 00901 Puerto Rico

Calle del CristoMap (Street lined with Factory Outlets – Old San Juan) San Juan, Puerto Rico

Puerto Rican Arts & CraftsMap 204 Cll Fortaleza, San Juan, 00901

Avenida AshfordMap (Condado District) San Juan, Puerto Rico

Dining In San Juan – Puerto Rico

San Juan has many wonderful restaurants, especially within walking distance of the Old San Juan cruise terminal. Click here for a map and list of some delicious choices.

Top Tours & Excursions In San Juan – Puerto Rico

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Private Walking Tour of Old San Juan Explore this beautiful 500 year old city on foot with your private guide who will tell you this history of San Juan’s most important and impressive sites such as El Morro, San Jose Church, the Governor’s residence and many others....

Duration: 2 hours Activity Level: Moderate
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Photo credit: viviandnguyen_ / Foter / CC BY-SA

Old San Juan Food Tour Eat your way through Old San Juan! As you walk through the city you’ll see 17th architecture and dine at 6 different delicious restaurants sampling traditional dishes, local deserts and coffee as well as hand-made chocolate....

Duration: 3 hours Activity Level: Moderate
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San Juan Old & New Tour On this small group tour, you’ll see all the sights of San Juan including the Condado area with its luxury hotels and shops and Old San Juan’s 17th Century architecture as well as the Cathedral, Fort San Cristobal and many others....

Duration: 2 hours Activity Level: Low

Around San Juan – Puerto Rico

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8 Hours in San Juan – What to See and Do

Puerto Rico is known to locals as the Island of Enchantment. This tropical paradise has it all—lush rainforest, miles of pristine beaches, world-class cuisine and plenty of historic charm. San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, is a stop on many cruise itineraries. This exotic city is arguably one of the most vibrant in the Caribbean. A blend ...