The San Juan center is around the area of Teatro Tapia and the area of Castillo de San Cristobal.
The late spring and early summer months between April and June often serve as the most popular time to visit San Juan. The temperatures peak around 90 degrees, which makes the days warm but not unbearable. Additionally, the rainy season begins in July, so if you book your tickets before then, a sudden storm is less likely to spoil your plans for outdoor adventures. However, summer is the most popular time to visit San Juan, which means more crowds and, in many cases, higher hotel prices.
The winter months bring lower temperatures, but you're still likely to encounter crowds. Since temperatures rarely rise out of the mid-80s, you have the perfect combination between comfortable weather and enduring sunshine. Travel to San Juan tends to decline a bit in December, however, so you might consider planning a holiday-season vacation to enjoy less congestion and beautiful Christmas decorations.
You'll find the least expensive hotel rates in the fall. San Juan still offers beautiful weather during these months, but you might see a little less sun and slightly more rain. You won't see any autumn color, but you'll keep more money in your pocket for entertainment. You can score even lower hotel rates if you choose a venue that doesn't feature ocean views. Regardless, San Juan's tropical climate proves gorgeous all year long.
When booking a hotel in San Juan, look for ways to reduce your final bill so you can spend more money on local attractions, shopping, and dining. Many local hotels offer discounts for specific groups or organizations.
For instance, if you're a AAA member, you'll enjoy discounts of up to 20 percent at hotels like the Comfort Inn San Juan and the Comfort Inn & Suites. You might also find discounts for senior citizens and military and government personnel, depending on the venue.
You don't have to sacrifice luxury for affordability in San Juan. If you're looking for a hotel with upscale amenities and affordable nightly rates, several venues can accommodate your needs.
Start with the S.J. Suites Hotel. This facility's central location makes it convenient to several local attractions, so you can spend less time in transit and more time enjoying yourself. Amenities include free parking, free breakfast, wireless Internet throughout the venue, and flat-screen televisions. The high-end linens and furnishings will help you feel right at home when you return to your room at the end of the day. While it's not the most stylish facility in San Juan, it's suitably comfortable and convenient.
If you're looking for a condo-like experience, book your stay at the El Canario By The Lagoon. The guest rooms at this hotel embrace neutral colors and simple furnishings, which can help create an island-like mood when you retire to your room. Each guest room features a balcony that overlooks the water, and you can fill up on a free breakfast every morning before you start your sightseeing for the day. It boasts a relaxing, slow-paced vibe that will help you get on island time from the moment you arrive.
The Atlantic Beach Hotel is another high-value choice. Situated on Condado Beach, this hotel features small rooms, but makes up for the lack of space with high-end furnishings and fixtures as well as excellent amenities. The 310-count sheets, pillowtop mattresses, and modern bed frames will enable you to get a good night's sleep. You'll enjoy air conditioning, cable television, in-room microwaves and refrigerators, an on-site laundry service, and a private balcony or terrace, among other perks.
You'll never experience a dull moment in San Juan. Whether you stick to the city or venture to other parts of the island, there are attractions for every visitor type here.
Start in Old San Juan if you're a fan of beautiful architecture, good food, and historical significance. Tour some of the oldest buildings in the city, such as the La Fortaleza mansion, and spend an afternoon at the impressive San Juan National Historic Site. The Cathedral of San Juan Bautista is also a can't-miss attraction, and you'll find that this neighborhood has a vibrant nightlife.
If you enjoy confronting your fears (or if you don't have any fears at all), consider booking a zipline experience in San Juan. Several adventure outfitters offer this type of experience. You'll cascade through the tropical forest just outside the city and perhaps catch a glimpse of San Juan's beautiful waterfalls.
Of course, you can't leave San Juan without visiting the Bacardi Factory. There's a restaurant at the distillery as well as tours and other attractions to keep you busy.
San Juan is the major hub of Caribbean shipping and second biggest seaport next only to New York. The 490-year old city takes pride in its heritage and its culture aside from its white fine sand beaches; no wonder why the Puerto Rico capital has been one of the most visited cities. A day will certainly be insufficient for you to explore the magnificent town. Start your journey in the Old San Juan which houses several plazas, monuments and historic buildings including Casa Blanca or the White House which gives shelter to a museum that holds numerous artifact collections ranging from 16th to 18th century. The town has been called La Ciudad Amurallada or Walled City and with all the forts built around it, the name is indeed apt. San Juan has the largest fort in the Caribbean, the 16th century El Morro which walls fell only once. The 17th century towering 150-foot Castillo de San Cristobal is another fort that protected the city during wartime. There are more attractions in San Juan including its museums, nightclubs and casinos in the beach town; giving more options to everyone.
Apart from being one of the most crucial seaports, it is also the most populated municipality of the area. Being influenced heavily by Spanish settlement, it now features and flaunts the core elements of the culture in the Latin American region and also attracts millions of tourists each year from all parts of the world. Possessing a tropical monsoon climate, San Juan has a rich cultural and historical background which is still very much visible in its landmarks and way of life. The place is home to some of the world's finest historical buildings, hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, museums and beaches not to mention.
Backpackers can opt from many cheap hotels in San Juan which are readily available for accessing within a desired budget. Dreamcatcher Guest House is a budget hotel that provides a personal touch to its rooms and services. Another hotel in San Juan that is greatly favored for coming under a budget includes Sandy Beach Hotel. It has been on location for quite some time and offers magnificent views of the ocean and beach from its rooms. Another plus point of it is that it has very friendly staff always ready at service. Comfort Inn San Juan and Quality Inn El Portal also fall under budget hotel categories but are high on service with going as far as providing free breakfasts and buffet dinners to visitors.
As far as luxury hotels in San Juan go, the area has some of the top hotels in the world. El San Juan Hotel & Casino is one of the highest rated luxury hotels in San Juan. The classic luxury hotel truly offers an exhilarating experience for clients who don't mind shelling out big bucks for all this place has to offer. Built on a property spanning 15 acres of land, it is nothing short of a dreamland for its guests. Another famed San Juan hotel goes by the name of Dorado Beach, which is owned by the Ritz-Carlton Reserve. A hit with celebrities, this is the perfect place if visitors are looking to get soaked in absolute luxury along with privacy. The Condado Plaza Hilton and Renaissance La Concha San Juan are two other best rated hotels which offer its guests the finest services there is in the industry. A feature that stands out in the latter is its marvelous architectural design.
Of the boutique hotels in San Juan, travelers can check into Acacia Boutique Hotel for making their trips a memorable and worthwhile. A restored Spanish villa, it offers great service with cozy yet clean rooms. Very close to the beach, guests can spend time shopping and checking out popular places nearby. At Wind Chimes Boutique Hotel, The Gallery Inn and La Terraza De San Juan are few other hotels that fit right in into the category.
Below are reviews of the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico from an actual visitor's perspective.
The whole city is awesome!
The whole city is awesome!
It's European atmosphere
The capital city is beautiful and full of historic places!
So much to do and see, beaches, food, history!
Restaurant by the bay, little pink building. Ferry ride.
A safe area to walk about!
San Juan and the people are wonderful!
I loved the quaint and historic feel of the narrow brick streets and Spanish architecture.
Numerous restaurants.
The city and all the sightseeing is perfect!
San Juan has great food and culture. Everyone had nothing but good vibes! The locals made amazing recommendations on places to eat or drink. Perfect birthday celebration.
I liked that there were lots of things to do that weren't very far.
Vintage historical contrasted with contemporary.
Great people, great food and drinks.
Staff professional, Hotel beautiful, Room comfortable. Great people, great food and drinks.
Distrito T Mobile across the street, full of fun, entertainment, awesome restaurants, zipline, convention center, movie theater, casino, yacht club.
The area; the hotel has everything needed.
San Juan has one of the most beautiful colonial cities in the world
Love San Juan
Incredible history here in San Juan and very walkable city!
The weather is amazing, wonderful variety of restaurants, beautiful beaches, lively music and the people are so inviting. You can choose to go the modern, luxury route to visit the beach and casinos in Condado, hang with the locals in Santurce or take a lovely stroll, shop and eat in Old San Juan.
Best views, blue and green, despite the hurricane. People are happy and cheerful.
Lots of restaurant choices within walking distance of the hotel - recommend Osaka, two breakfast options, Papa John's. There is also a grocery.
Food is amazing. Take time to go to lots of different restaurants. Totally worth it.
The island life is amazing! The beaches, the food and the people's hospitality makes you feel at home.
Is the greatest blend of old and new, its modern restaurants within the old city transport you to another time, perfect for any kind of group, is the perfect balance of romantic and business.
The people, such as servers in restaurants, are all very pleasant. I like the slower atmosphere as opposed to the busy lifestyle most of us are accustomed to. The Condado beach area is beautiful as well. The whole area was very clean with no garbage or graffiti. I've been to Old San Juan before and loved the cobblestone streets and all the history with the 2 forts there.
San Juan itself had some interesting history. I loved the rum factory and old San Juan had a lot to offer!
Getting the Cruise form this Port was outstanding.
The city was just like the other islands I visited, too many people approaching you for money for trinkets.