Welcome to San Juan

San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, is a vibrant Caribbean city with a rich history, stunning beaches, and a lively cultural scene. Founded in 1521, San Juan is one of the oldest European settlements in the Americas, offering visitors a mix of colonial architecture, modern attractions, and beautiful coastal scenery. With 6-10 hours to explore, cruise passengers can stroll through the historic streets of Old San Juan, visit world-famous forts, or relax on a tropical beach.

Cruise Docking Information

Cruise ships dock at the Pier of San Juan Cruise Port, which is centrally located near Old San Juan. The terminal provides easy access to the city’s main attractions, with many within walking distance. San Juan is one of the busiest cruise ports in the Caribbean, welcoming over a million visitors each year.

Transportation Options

San Juan is easy to navigate, with multiple transportation options available:

• Walking: Old San Juan’s main attractions are easily accessible on foot.
• Taxis: Available at the cruise port with set rates for major destinations.
• Public Buses: Inexpensive but less reliable for tourists due to limited schedules.
• Car Rentals: A good option for those wanting to explore beyond the city.
• Ride-Sharing: Uber is widely available and often more affordable than taxis.

Top Attractions and Nearby Destinations

San Juan offers a mix of historic sites, scenic beauty, and modern entertainment. Here are the must-visit places:

• Castillo San Felipe del Morro: A 16th-century fortress with spectacular ocean views.
• Castillo San Cristóbal: The largest Spanish fort in the Americas, offering tunnels and panoramic city views.
• Old San Juan: A UNESCO-listed historic district with colorful colonial buildings and cobblestone streets.
• La Fortaleza: The oldest governor’s mansion in the Western Hemisphere.
• Paseo de la Princesa: A scenic waterfront promenade lined with gardens and street vendors.
• San Juan Cathedral: The second-oldest cathedral in the Americas, housing the tomb of Spanish explorer Ponce de León.
• Condado Beach (4 km/2.5 miles): A lively beachfront area with luxury hotels and restaurants.
• Isla Verde Beach (9 km/5.5 miles): A beautiful beach known for its soft sand and crystal-clear waters.
• Bacardi Rum Distillery (5 km/3 miles): Take a tour of the world-famous distillery and enjoy a rum tasting.
• El Yunque National Forest (50 km/31 miles): The only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System, with waterfalls and hiking trails.

Local Foods

Puerto Rican cuisine is a delicious blend of Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences. Be sure to try:

• Mofongo: Mashed plantains mixed with garlic, pork, or seafood.
• Lechón: Slow-roasted pork, a local favorite.
• Alcapurrias: Deep-fried fritters stuffed with meat or seafood.
• Arroz con Gandules: A classic Puerto Rican rice dish with pigeon peas.
• Pina Colada: The island’s signature cocktail, made with coconut, pineapple, and rum.

Interesting Facts

San Juan has a fascinating history and lively culture. Here are some interesting facts:

• San Juan is the second-oldest European-founded city in the Americas, established in 1521.
• The city’s forts, El Morro and San Cristóbal, were built to protect against pirate attacks and naval invasions.
• Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, meaning the U.S. dollar is the official currency, and no passport is required for U.S. citizens.

Geographical Position and Surroundings

San Juan is located on the northern coast of Puerto Rico, facing the Atlantic Ocean. The city enjoys a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round. San Juan’s coastline is lined with beaches, while its interior features lush rainforests and mountains.

Local Customs and Culture

Puerto Ricans, or "Boricuas," are known for their warmth and hospitality. Visitors should keep in mind:

• Spanish & English: Spanish is the primary language, but English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
• Music & Dancing: Salsa, reggaeton, and merengue are integral parts of the local culture.
• Dining Hours: Lunch is usually between 12-2 PM, and dinner starts later, around 7-9 PM.
• Tipping: A 15-20% tip is customary in restaurants and for tour guides.

Family-Friendly Activities

San Juan is a great destination for families, with attractions suitable for all ages:

• Children up to 6 years old: Visit the beaches or take a gentle stroll through Paseo de la Princesa.
• Children 7-12 years old: Explore El Morro fortress and watch the kites flying on its grassy slopes.
• Teenagers 13-18 years old: Go zip-lining in El Yunque or take a kayak tour in the Bioluminescent Bay.

Google Maps

San Juan

Notice: Content and travel advice presented is created by a port moderator and/or AI. It is specifically designed for cruise passengers visiting this port of call. A port moderator could be a local individual, destination expert, port authority, or a tourism agency. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we recommend that you verify critical information like visas, health and safety, customs, and transportation with official sources before departure.

Puertoricoblogger.com

Additional info posted by Puertoricoblogger.com

Because Puerto Rico was a former sugar plantation colony, there are many African slaves there. That has led to a very different culture from their other Latin American countries which did not have strong inputs from the descendants of African peoples.

It is the Hispanic Caribbean which has given the world samba, merengue, rhumba, salsa, and other famous Latin American musics. (It is similar to the American South with its Afro-American population, which gave the world jazz, blues, rock and roll, soul, R&B, and so much more.) That mixture of Europe and Africa in the tropics has produced a lively and vibrant Creole culture wherever that occurred. It is really something for visitors to explore and discover.

If you are going to explore Puerto Rico on your own you may end up renting a car to do your sightseeing. Please be advised that driving in Puero Rico is a little crazy. Make sure that you are always checking all your mirrors, though, and you’ll be fine.

In terms of places to stay, perhaps the nicest thing is to find a hotel overlooking the beach. The Condado area, just to the south of San Juan on the north coast of the island has some great hotels like this.

A must see area is Old San Juan. You can easily spend a few hours walking around there. It’s a little hilly so maybe jump on the free trolley bus to El Morro (the fort) and work your way back down through the city.

There are lots of places to eat and drink, no matter what your budget is. One suggestion I have is to try Breakfast at La Bombonera (one of the oldest establishments in the city).

Another recommended place to visit is El Yunque (rainforest) on the eastern side of the island. Once you are there, you might as well spend the afternoon at Luquillo Beach.

If you want to see some attractive Puerto Rican architecture, you should go to Ponce on the South coast.

West of San Juan on the North Coast is the Arecibo Observatory. The James Bond movie Golden Eye and also the Jodie Foster movie Contact were filmed there.

Another place I would recommend is Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve on the northeastern tip of the island. You can have an escorted tour through the reserve on an electric trolley, but you have to book in advance.

There is plenty to do here. Once you are there, you should consider a side trip to the islets of Vieques or Culebra off the east coast. The beaches are amazing.

On the other side of the island, I would definitely suggest Rincon. It is a pretty laid back area – great beaches, good surfing, good places to eat, lots to do in the immediate vicinity.

Try the local food stands and just enjoy everything that the island has to offer.
Food wise, there is everything you can imagine. In Condado area for seafood try Miro’s. In Old San Juan try The Parrot Club for Caribbean style or Tantra’s for Indian cuisine.

If you are Single or travelling by yourself and are in your 30s, 40s, 50s, or active 60s, you might consider taking a weekend getaway vacation with other singles around your age group. It really makes exploring Puerto Rico so much more fun.

If you are interested in doing that, you can check out Singles Holidays Over 50s. We Answer Your Questions About the Best Place to Visit in Puerto Rico, Tourist Spots, and Puerto Rico Travel Deals.

Whatever you decide to do, make sure that you make the most of your trip to Puerto Rico.

If you are planning on visiting Puerto Rico soon but are not really sure what to do while there, check out a few of the below popular choices to get your vacation started!

Here is a list of a few of the main events on the island.

• Punta Borinquen Golf Course, in Aguadilla
• Parque de Las Ciencias Luis A. Ferré, in Bayamón
• Casa Museo Joaquin de Rojas & Monte Torrecilla, in Barranquitas
• Cabo Rojo Artisans, Museo de los Próceres & The Salinas Salt Flats in Cabo Rojo
• Caribbean Raceway Park, in Carolina
• Caja de Muerto Beach, in Caja de Muertos
• Snorkeling & Diving in Culebra
• Ojo del Buey & Dorado Del Mar Golf Club, in Dorado
• The Faro de Fajardo, in Fajardo
• La Parguera Phosphorescent Bay & Punta Ballena Reserve, in Guanica
• Observatorio Astronómico & The Shiraz Charters, in Humacao
• The Fiesta de Reyes Isabelinos, in Isabela
• Plaza Colon Yaguez Theater, in Mayaguez
• El Morro, in Old San Juan
• Carite Forest Reserve, in Patillas
• Tibes Indian Ceremonial Center & Museo de Arte de Ponce, in Ponce
• Skatepark Roller Vertical Exploration, in Quebradillas
• El Faro Lighthouse, in Rincon
• Bahia Beach Plantation Golf Course, in Rio Grande
• La Fortaleza, in San Juan
• Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, in Vieques
• Roig Refinery, in Yabucoa

These are only a few of the attractions available to the visiting tourist to this Island paradise. If you are looking for cultural attractions’ you should head over to old San Juan, walk the narrow, winding, cobblestone roads and sample the Architecture and visit the Museums. If shopping is your fancy there are great shops all through Old San Juan you can spend a day in and out of these shop selling just about anything from crafty hand made articles to gold and jewelry.

All the fast food chain and restaurants found on the main land have a presence here, McDonald, Burger king, KFC, Macaroni Grill, Sizzler just to mention a few. Alternatively, you can enjoy Pollo Tropical, Martin Chicken or any of the local food eateries that serve just about anything you can imagine. Seafood lovers would love our restaurants that serve fresh seafood caught by anglers that go out daily for the catch of the day.

Puerto Rico is an island paradise with beaches on every coast; they feature beautiful warm blue waters with some of the best scenic views in the world. There is plenty of nightlife in San Juan and Isla Verde with casinos in many of the major hotels. You could spend a whole week taking in all that Puerto Rico has to offer and not cover one third of what we have mentioned here in this article.

By: Puertoricoblogger.com

Notice: Content and travel advice presented is created by a port moderator and/or AI. It is specifically designed for cruise passengers visiting this port of call. A port moderator could be a local individual, destination expert, port authority, or a tourism agency. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we recommend that you verify critical information like visas, health and safety, customs, and transportation with official sources before departure.