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Voykit pocket guide · Puerto Rico
San Juan
San Juan is a forts-in-the-morning, beach-in-the-afternoon city: Old San Juan on foot before 11:00, and check the hurricane outlook from June to November.
San Juan is a hot, humid island capital with a walled colonial quarter, two large Spanish forts and beach districts a short ride east. The trips that go wrong walk Old San Juan's cobbles at noon, arrive on a cruise-ship day without a lunch table, or plan around the sea in hurricane season. Four areas cover a first visit; base in Old San Juan or Condado and use short car rides between them.
- Country
- Puerto Rico
- Best months
- Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · Dec
- Time zone
- America/Puerto_Rico
- Stay
- 2 days: Old San Juan and El Morro one morning, Condado and Santurce the next
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- Cards are accepted almost everywhere; carry small notes for kiosks, some markets, tips and street vendors.
- Daily spend
- Budget $40–70 excl. bed · Mid $70–150 excl. bed · High $150+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- US carriers roam on the island; otherwise install an eSIM before you fly.
- Emergency
- Police, ambulance, fire 911 · Poison control (US) 1-800-222-1222 · Non-emergency police (check the local number) Ask your hotel
- Plugs
- 120 V; type A and B sockets, as in the United States.
- Tipping
- 15–20% in restaurants if service is not added; a few dollars for drivers and hotel staff.
- Water
- Tap water is treated and generally drunk; many visitors use bottled water. Ice is safe in established places.
- Toilets
- Cafés, malls, hotels and museums; carry tissues.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee (café con leche) | $3–5 |
| Mofongo or a plate lunch | $15–28 |
| Breakfast in a café or bakery | $8–18 |
| Sit-down restaurant dinner, per person | $25–55 |
| Local beer or a rum drink | $5–14 |
| Bottle of water, shop | $1–2 |
| Ride-hailing car across a district | $6–15 |
| Taxi or ride-hail from SJU to Condado or Old San Juan | $19–30 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)
- SJU to Condado or Old San Juan: one fixed-rate taxi or ride-hailing car, 20–45 minutes — the risk is not the ride but a hotel door that locks in the cobbled old town.
By rail and road
| Station | Serves | To the centre |
|---|---|---|
| Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) (Aeropuerto Internacional Luis Muñoz Marín) | US mainland, Caribbean, Latin America and Europe | Taxi or ride-hail 15–45 min, $19–30; no metro |
| Old San Juan cruise piers (Muelles de Viejo San Juan) | Cruise ships in season | Walk 5–15 min to the plazas |
| Pier 2 ferry (Old San Juan to Cataño) (Muelle 2 / Lancha de Cataño) | Cataño and the Bacardí distillery | Walk 5 min |
| Terminal Covadonga (bus station) (Terminal Covadonga) | AMA municipal buses to Santurce and Río Piedras | Walk 5–10 min |
| Tren Urbano (Sagrado Corazón station) (Estación Sagrado Corazón) | Metro line from Santurce to Bayamón | Not directly to the old town; ride-hail to the old town |
| Isla Grande Airport (SIG) (Aeropuerto Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci) | Small regional flights (check for Vieques and Culebra) | Ride-hail 10–15 min |
Typical fares
- SJU → Condado, taxi or ride-hail
- $19–30, 15–30 min; 45 min in rush hour
- SJU → Old San Juan, taxi or ride-hail
- $19–30, 20–40 min
- Old San Juan → Condado, ride-hail
- $8–15, 15 min
- Old San Juan Pier 2 → Cataño, ferry
- About $0.50 (check), 10–15 min
Show 8 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Eat, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk inside Old San Juan; take a ride-hailing car or taxi between districts; use the free trolley in the old town when the sun is high. The Tren Urbano does not reach the old town or the airport, and the municipal buses are slow.
| How | Fare | Use for |
|---|---|---|
| Walking | Free | Old San Juan and the Condado strip |
| Ride-hailing (Uber) and taxis | $6–15 across a district; $19–30 from the airport | Luggage, night, heat and every move between districts |
| Old San Juan free trolley | Free | Tired legs in the old town |
| Ferry to Cataño | About $0.50 (check) | Bacardí distillery and a harbour view |
| Tren Urbano | About $1.50 (check) | Hato Rey, Río Piedras and Santurce |
| AMA municipal bus | About $0.75 (check) | A cheap ride between Old San Juan and Santurce |
| Rental car | $40–90 a day plus parking | El Yunque, the east coast and the west |
| Bike and scooter share | By the minute (check) | Short hops on flat Condado |
Fares are estimates; check before you ride.
- Passes
- No pass. Short car rides are cheap; check the fare in the app.
- Late at night
- The Tren Urbano does not reach Old San Juan or the airport; ride-hailing runs late.
See and do
01El Morro
The symbol of the city: six levels of gun batteries on the harbour point.
Hours: best At opening · Price: About $10 (both forts) · Time: 1.25–1.75 h · 18.4707, -66.1241
02Castillo San Cristóbal
The largest Spanish fort in the Americas, with tunnels and shade.
Hours: best After El Morro or mid-afternoon · Price: Same ticket · Time: 1–1.5 h · 18.4683, -66.1097
03Paseo de la PrincesaPaseo de la Princesa
A flat, free walk along the wall with harbour views.
Hours: best Dawn or dusk · Price: Free · Time: 30–45 min · 18.4642, -66.1163
04Cathedral of San Juan BautistaCatedral de San Juan Bautista
A 16th-century church with the tomb of Ponce de León.
Hours: best Before 10:00 · Price: Free (donation) · Time: 20–30 minHours: best Before 10:00 AM · Price: Free (donation) · Time: 20–30 min · 18.4658, -66.1175
05La FortalezaLa Fortaleza
The governor's mansion, in use for centuries; a short weekday tour.
Hours: best A weekday slot · Price: Free (check) · Time: 40 min · 18.4645, -66.1197
06Plaza del Mercado de Santurce
The local market hall for lunch and fruit; a Friday-evening party.
Hours: best 11:00 to 12:00 · Price: Free entry; $10–20 lunch · Time: 1 hHours: best 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM · Price: Free entry; $10–20 lunch · Time: 1 h · 18.4530, -66.0697
07Condado BeachPlaya del Condado
The city beach by the hotels: a swim where lifeguards are on duty.
Hours: best Before 10:00 or after 16:00 · Price: Free · Time: 1–2 hHours: best Before 10:00 AM or after 4:00 PM · Price: Free · Time: 1–2 h · 18.4577, -66.0768
08Museo de Arte de Puerto RicoMuseo de Arte de Puerto Rico (MAPR)
The island's main art museum; a good rain or heat break.
Hours: best Weekday morning · Price: About $10–12 · Time: 1.5 h · 18.4526, -66.0752
09Bacardí distillery
A ferry crossing and a rum tour in Cataño.
Hours: best Morning · Price: Tour about $20–40 (check) · Time: Half day
10El Yunque rainforest
A full day of waterfalls and trails; book timed entry where needed.
Hours: best Leave at 07:30 · Price: Car hire or tour (check) · Time: Full dayHours: best Leave at 7:30 AM · Price: Car hire or tour (check) · Time: Full day
Hours and prices are desk estimates (checked 2026-09); anything marked (check) is not confirmed. Coordinates open in any map app.
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| El Yunque rainforest | Car about 1–1.5 h each way | Full day — leave 07:30Full day — leave 7:30 AM |
| Cataño (Bacardí distillery) | Ferry from Old San Juan, then a short car ride | Half day |
| Laguna Grande bioluminescent bay (Fajardo) | Car about 1 h each way | Evening tour |
Eat
| Where | What · area | Price | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Bombonera | Mallorca and a café con leche · Calle San Francisco | $6–12 | Budget |
| Casa Cortés ChocoBar | Hot chocolate and a pastry · Calle San José | $6–14 | Budget |
| Plaza del Mercado counters | A plate of local food · Santurce | $10–16 | Budget |
| Bakery or pharmacy counter | A sandwich or pastry · Any block | $4–9 | Budget |
| El Jibarito | Mofongo or pernil · Calle Sol | $15–30 | Mid-range |
| Barrachina | Seated lunch and a piña colada · Calle Fortaleza | $18–40 | Mid-range |
| Lote 23 | A food-truck plate and a beer · Santurce | $12–28 | Mid-range |
| A seafood restaurant in Condado | Grilled fish and rice · Ashford Avenue | $25–45 (check) | Mid-range |
| A modern Puerto Rican restaurant | Tasting or à la carte dinner · Old San Juan or Condado | $45–90 (check) | High |
| A hotel steak or seafood dinner | Grill dinner · Condado | $50–100 (check) | High |
Per person, one dish or one meal, 2026 estimate. Addresses and hours change: check the day before.
Sleep
| Band | Price a night | Where | What |
|---|---|---|---|
| budget | $40–70 dorm bed · $110–170 room | Old San Juan, Ocean Park, Santurce | Hostels, guesthouses |
| mid | $180–320 | Old San Juan, Condado, Isla Verde | 3–4 star hotels, boutique guesthouses |
| high | $350–600 | Condado, Isla Verde, Old San Juan | 4–5 star hotels |
| splurge | $600–1,200+ | Condado, Isla Verde, Dorado (outside the city) | Resort hotels and villas |
Per room per night in US dollars, 2026 estimate; holidays, cruise seasons and events add 30 to 100%. Taxes and resort fees may add 15 to 25% (check).
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Buenos díasBWEH-nos DEE-as |
| Thank you | GraciasGRAH-syas |
| How much is this? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAN-toh KWES-ta |
| Not spicy, please | Sin picante, por favorseen pee-KAN-teh por fah-VOR |
| The bill, please | La cuenta, por favorla KWEN-ta por fah-VOR |
| Please take me to this address | Lléveme a esta direcciónYEH-veh-meh ah ES-ta dee-rek-SYON |
| Stop here, please | Pare aquí, por favorPAH-reh ah-KEE por fah-VOR |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greetings: Say "buenos días" or "buenas tardes" when you enter a shop or restaurant; a friendly greeting matters, and a kiss on the cheek is common among locals.
- Tipping: 15 to 20% in restaurants and bars if a service charge is not added; a dollar or two for drivers, baggage handlers and housekeeping.
- Language: Spanish is the everyday language; start in Spanish and switch to English if needed. Learn a few words.
- Churches: Cover shoulders and knees, quiet voices and no photos during Mass.
- Time: Social times are relaxed: dinners start late and a meal can last hours. Tours and forts run on time.
- Beach: Beach clothes stay at the beach; wear a shirt into shops and restaurants. Do not leave belongings unattended.
- Photos: Ask before you photograph people; do not photograph guards or security staff at government buildings.
- Traffic: Drive on the right; road signs show distance in kilometres and speed limits in miles per hour.
Red lines
- La Perla, the neighbourhood below the north wall, has crime problems: do not enter unaccompanied.
- Do not walk in Santurce side streets at night.
- Stay off the fort walls beyond the marked paths.
Scams and watch-outs
- Street vendors who tie bracelets or hand over 'gifts' and ask for money: decline politely.
- Unlicensed drivers at the airport: use the official taxi rank with fixed-rate signs or your app.
- Overpriced 'tour' offers by the cruise dock: book through your hotel or a licensed operator.
- Parking touts in Condado and Isla Verde: use hotel parking or lots.
One and two days
1 day
A cruise stop or a layover. Skip: Santurce and the beach: they are car rides away.
- 08:008:00 AMEl Morro at opening
- 10:0010:00 AMWalk the wall and the cathedral
- 12:0012:00 PMLunch on Calle Fortaleza
- 13:301:30 PMLa Fortaleza (weekday) or San Cristóbal
- 16:004:00 PMPaseo de la Princesa and a drink
2 days
A short city break
Day 1 — Old San Juan
- 08:008:00 AMEl Morro at opening
- 10:3010:30 AMCathedral and Calle Fortaleza
- 12:3012:30 PMLunch at El Jibarito
- 14:002:00 PMSan Cristóbal
- 17:305:30 PMWalk the promenade at dusk
Day 2 — Santurce and Condado
- 10:3010:30 AMSanturce market and lunch
- 13:301:30 PMArt museum in the AC
- 16:304:30 PMCondado beach and sunset
- 19:007:00 PMDinner on Ashford Avenue
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Discover Puerto Rico — official tourism: www.discoverpuertorico.com/
- National Park Service — San Juan National Historic Site: www.nps.gov/saju/
- Wikivoyage — San Juan: en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/San_Juan_(Puerto_Rico)
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
San Juan
Lléveme a esta dirección, por favor. English works with most hotel and tourist-area drivers; show the address on your phone.
Please take me to this address
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
Take me to
- Paseo de la PrincesaPaseo de la Princesa and the city wall
- Catedral de San Juan BautistaCathedral of San Juan Bautista
- La FortalezaLa Fortaleza (Governor's mansion)
- Playa del CondadoCondado Beach
- Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico (MAPR)Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico
- Police, ambulance, fire911
- Poison control (US)1-800-222-1222
- Non-emergency police (check the local number)Ask your hotel
Puerto Rico is US territory: there are no embassies. Non-US visitors should note their embassy in Washington, D.C., and the nearest consulate, and write the 24-hour number below.
English is understood in hotels, restaurants and tourist sites; Spanish is the everyday language. A few words go a long way.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/san-juan). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.