Information for Travelers
San Juan, the capital and largest city of Puerto Rico, lies on the island's Atlantic coast.
San Juan is a beautiful capital, with soft sandy beaches, a plethora of cultural attractions and a vibe that could easily make it an entire vacation destination.
Its largest beach faces the strip of resorts on Isla Verde, known for its bars, nightclubs and casinos.
Luxury beachfront hotels and resorts can be found in San Juan and surrounding neighborhoods.
San Juan is also a major cruise ship destination and is known for being one of the largest domestic cruise ports in the world.
Depending on the number of cruise ships in port, the city can be very quiet or extremely lively.
The Condado district sits on a piece of land between the Atlantic Ocean and Laguna Condado.
The district was originally developed as San Juan's first tourist area in the 1950s, creating a mini Miami Beach at the city's gates.
The white sandy beach is clean and very popular with the locals.
Culture
Historic forts, colonial architecture, fine dining, museums and more are all within walking distance.
Protecting the entrance to San Juan Bay, the fort, commonly known as El Morro, is perched dramatically above the sea on a point of land that juts out into the ocean.
The cobblestone old San Juan features colorful Spanish colonial buildings and 16th-century landmarks, including El Morro and La Fortaleza, massive forts with panoramic ocean views, as well as the boardwalk on the edge of Paseo de la Princesa Bay.
At the heart of the city is Old San Juan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where colonial architecture blends with contemporary Puerto Rican culture.
The old buildings now house many of the city's attractions and tourist establishments.
San Juan Cathedral, begun in 1540, is known for being one of the oldest cathedrals in the Americas and one of the oldest buildings in San Juan.
The interior, with its black and white checkered tile floor and yellow decor, is surprisingly ornate and cheerful.
The body of the great Spanish explorer, Ponce de León, has been placed here in a marble tomb since 1913.
Also buried here since 1862 is San Pío, a Roman Catholic martyr. The cathedral still maintains regular services and tours are available.
Read about San Juan in Wikipedia