Our San Juan Puerto Rico travel guide will prepare you with all the information you need to plan your next vacation.
What’s covered in the San Juan Puerto Rico travel guide:
- Where is Puerto Rico located?
- Puerto Rico travel bans and travel restrictions
- Best time to go to San Juan Puerto Rico
- How to get to Puerto Rico
- Top things to do in San Juan Puerto Rico
- Top Hotels in San Juan Puerto Rico
- Best San Juan Beaches
- Best San Juan Bars
Where is Puerto Rico located?
Puerto Rico is an island in the Caribbean. It is located southeast from Florida, directly east of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The average flight from Miami to San Juan is 2.5 hours.
Does Puerto Rico have a travel ban or travel restrictions right now?
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread across the world it’s important to keep track of travel restrictions and requirements if you must travel. While we have put our travels on hold to avoid contributing to the spread, we understand that some people may be required to travel for various reasons.
Puerto Rico travel restrictions have fluctuated as the situation changes, so you should monitor them before any travel. At the time of writing this Puerto Rico is encouraging only essential travel. We recommend you check the CDC site for updates on the Coronavirus situation, and the island’s travel safe site which lists the Puerto Rico travel restrictions.
Puerto Rico Travel Declaration Form
As part of the Puerto Rico travel requirements they are requiring all incoming travelers fill out a Puerto Rico travel declaration form. The form can be found on the Puerto Rico travel restrictions site linked above. It’s easy to fill out and includes personal information, contact information, and a question confirming you haven’t had contact with anyone infected with Covid19 in the past 14 days.
When is the best time to go to San Juan Puerto Rico?
To avoid hurricane season the best time to visit Puerto Rico is between December and April. This is ideal since many people want to escape the cold winter months up north during those months.
It’s the perfect warm winter vacation destination to swap snowy yards for sandy beaches.
How do you get to San Juan Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico has several international airports and the largest one is in San Juan. It’s easy to find flights from standard or budget airlines from all over the USA.
Search for cheap flights on Skyscanner here.
Do US Citizens need a passport to travel to Puerto Rico?
No, US Citizens do not need a passport when entering Puerto Rico because it is a territory of the United States. It’s just like any other domestic flight in the US. Once you’re off the airplane you simply head to baggage claim.
If you are entering Puerto Rico from outside of the USA you will have to go through customs and would need to present your valid passport.
What are the best things to do in Puerto Rico?
Below are some of our favorite things to do in San Juan Puerto Rico. They are great idea to fill in the gaps of your itinerary, or to plan out full days. See our Perfect 7 Day Puerto Rico Itinerary for a sample vacation itinerary.
El Yunque National Forest
Don’t miss your chance to hike in a tropical rainforest. El Yunque rainforest is a short drive from San Juan and offers a nice break from the warm temperatures in Puerto Rico.
The rainforest is located up in the mountains which means a comfortable temperature and excellent views of the island. Plus, you’ll have the chance to enjoy the diverse plants, wildlife, and beautiful waterfalls. Of all the activities in our San Juan Puerto Rico travel guide this was easily my favorite. We loved our day trip to the rainforest.
Relax on the beach
Let’s be honest, the primary objective of winter vacation is to relax on the beach. Puerto Rico has great beaches for those that love fun beach activities, or just want to read a book while they drink a cocktail.
See our recommendations of the best beaches below.
Walk the walls of Castillo San Felipe del Morro (El Morro)
Old San Juan is home to two historical forts that are worth a visit. If you buy a ticket for El Morro you can enter the Castillo de San Cristobal for free on the same day. Visitors can walk the walls and take in the views over the water. If your timing is right, you’ll also see cruise ships pass by closely as they come into the harbor.
The forts also have narrow halls, rooms, and artifacts on display. Plus, there are lizards along the walls sun bathing.
Discover Old Town San Juan
Experience Old San Juan by walking the narrow streets to uncover its beauty. Here you’ll find colorful buildings lining the street surrounded by the old town walls.
It’s the perfect spot to take in the shops and enjoy traditional food and drinks at a restaurant. Several venues also have live music.
Scuba Dive or Snorkel
Puerto Rico has many amazing scuba diving and snorkeling spots. Swim close to the tropical fish and other marine wildlife. You can rent gear from a shop or bring your own. There is plenty to see even if you just swim out from one of the beaches. Just be cautious of strong currents when swimming in the ocean and don’t go too far out without guides.
If you’re interested in Scuba diving, but not certified, it’s ok! The dive shops will still allow you to go with dive masters, and they even offer open water courses to get certified while you’re on vacation.
Tour Casa Bacardi
If you’re looking for the history of Bacardi rum in Puerto Rico, all while sipping a delicious cocktail, this might be the tour for you. Bacardi is one of the largest rum distillers in the world and the Casa Bacardi distillery is located near San Juan, Puerto Rico.
In addition to tours, they also offer mixology classes, tastings, and an outdoor patio.
Tours can be booked on Bacardi’s website here.
Visit a Puerto Rico Art Museum
Puerto Rico has a great art scene. Artistic expression is a big part of Puerto Rico’s culture and can be seen all over the island.
You’ll notice graffiti and art on walls, buildings, and sidewalks throughout San Juan. It’s also worth visiting one of the San Juan art museums to take in some of the more traditional artwork.
Enjoy a local restaurant
Puerto Rico has amazing food and is one of our favorite parts of visiting. You’ll have lots of options to choose from in San Juan, but we recommend you venture away from tourist neighborhoods. Eating at the same restaurants as locals means better tasting, more authentic Puerto Rican food.
Go Surfing
The best surfing is on the west side of the island, but there is still a lot of great potential in San Juan. Many beaches have vendors that will rent out gear. Also, local surf shops will rent gear and offer optional surf lessons.
More extreme options: Wind Surfing or Kite boarding
If regular surfing doesn’t get your adrenaline pumping, consider wind surfing or kite boarding for a little excitement. This is another activity that is offered on several beaches in, or near, San Juan.
What are the best hotels in San Juan Puerto Rico?
Best San Juan Hostels for Backpackers on a Budget
San Juan has many affordable hostels for backpackers and budget travelers. The options below have some of the highest reviews according to Hostelworld.
Fortel Hostel – Fortel Hostel is located in Old San Juan, which means you are within walking distance of many restaurants and bars. The rooms are air conditioned and there is a shared kitchen if you plan to cook your own meals.
Villa Eshta – Located in the Calle Loiza district, it’s only a few minute walk to Ocean Park Beach. This is the perfect spot if you plan on having fun in the sun for most of your trip. Plus, it’s situated near restaurants, bars, and a pharmacy.
Santurcia Hostels – This is a good choice for travelers looking to live like a local. Santurcia Hostel is located in the art district near one of the biggest San Juan art museums, coffee shops, theaters, and more.
Check out Hostelworld for full listings of available hostels in San Juan Puerto Rico.
Best San Juan Hotels for Couples or Families with Kids
Tropica Beach Hotel – This is a great option for couples that don’t mind a little walking. It’s only a couple minute walk to Ocean Park Beach. There are solid restaurant options near the hotel, or you can Uber or walk to Condado for even more choices.
San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino – The San Juan Marriott Resort is located in Condado, which means lots of options for food and entertainment. It’s right on Condado beach and also has a pool, making it a good option for families with kids.
Hampton Inn and Suites San Juan – The hotels above are good if you want to stay right in San Juan. Hampton Inn and Suites San Juan is a good choice if you want to stay near the resorts in Isla Verde. The reviews are high, and the prices are relatively low. It’s only a couple minute walk from Isla Verde Beach.
These are just a few options out of countless great hotels, hostels, and resorts. For tips on how we find cheap hotels, see our article here.
What are the best Puerto Rico beaches near San Juan?
Isla Verde Beach
Isla Verde Beach serves as the primary beach for many of the high end resorts in the Isla Verde resort strip. It’s shoreline is extensive making it great for long walks and finding an ideal spot to relax for the day.
There are vendors along the beach offering many activities including jet skis, surfing, para-sailing, and more! Plus, there are restaurants, bars, and casinos all close to the beach.
Nearby, there is also a water park if you’re looking for a good activity for kids.
Atlantic Beach or Ocean Park
Atlantic Beach and Ocean Park Beach are good options if you are staying in the Condado or Ocean Park neighborhoods.
Ocean Park is the bigger of the two and had more vendors offering activities. It also seemed to have more locals than Atlantic Beach, but that might have just been because it is a longer beach. Use caution when swimming because the current can be quite strong at both of these beaches.
Flamenco Beach
Flamenco Beach is a great option if you want to take a day trip outside of San Juan, since it’s not too far.
It is located on the nearby island of Culebra and is known for white sand and turquoise water. The beach shoreline is about a mile long in a horseshoe shaped bay, making it ideal for pictures.
This is a good spot to snorkel or scuba dive, because there are lots of tropical fish on the coral reefs.
Culebra Island is off the east coast of Puerto Rico and is accessible by ferry from Fajardo. If you rent a car you can drive to Fajardo in about an hour. Otherwise, if you want to save time you can take a flight straight to Culebra. There are mixed reviews on which option is better, so it comes down to your budget and how much time you want to spend there.
Luquillo Beach
Luquillo Beach is another great option for a day trip outside of San Juan. If you don’t want to take a ferry to another island, like Flamenco Beach, this is a better option. It’s about a 40 minute drive east from San Juan.
It’s also close to El Yunque National Forest, so it’s a good place to relax after hiking in the jungle. We hiked the first half of the day and then made our way to the beach.
Luquillo Beach has beautiful palm trees, fine sand, and very calm water. The reefs break up most waves, so it’s a great spot to bring kids and less experienced swimmers.
What are the best bars in San Juan Puerto Rico?
Below are some of our favorite San Juan bars.
La Placita de Santurce – By day this location is a typical market where you can pick up vegetables, fruit, and meat. At night the streets are blocked off so patrons can walk freely between the bars and restaurants. It’s a great spot for live music, dancing, cocktails, and food. This was one of our favorite spots.
El Batey – This Old San Juan bar is certainly not for everyone. If you want cheap drinks and like grunge bars it’s a great place. This dive bar is covered in graffiti, has good music, and a fun atmosphere.
La Factoria – La Factoria is multiple bars in one. This Old San Juan bar is one of the most popular bars in all of San Juan. The cocktails are excellent and it has a good ambience. If you like trendy bars this is your place.
San Juan Puerto Rico Travel Guide Wrap Up
We hope your Puerto Rico vacation is the perfect getaway from winter.
If you enjoyed our San Juan Puerto Rico travel guide, check out our other Puerto Rico travel tips and guides linked below.