Let's Explore San Juan

Rich with history as well as natural beauty, San Juan, Puerto Rico is the home of beautiful clear waters, jungle landscapes, city life, and forts that protect the island from danger. San Juan has a mix a various cultures, although it is the commonwealth of the United States. If you're a citizen of the United States, you can enter Puerto Rico without needing a passport! Originally discovered by Ponce de León, San Juan is a place where you can turn back time and explore colonial-era structures, such as Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristobal, or you can catch some rays by the beach before heading into the town to enjoy the bustling nightlife of the city.

Sightseeing

Castillo San Felipe del Morro
Initially completed in 1589, the fortress, El Morro, is 140 feet up, overlooking the sea. The fort was designed in order to protect the city from attacks by sea, but now is a fascinating landmark of Puerto Rico available for people to explore. This fortress is open daily from 9am to 5pm and has free admission.

Castillo San Cristobal
San Cristobal is the sister fortress of El Morro and was created to protect the city from enemy approaches by land. With cannons lining the walls of the fortress and high vantage points where Spanish soldiers once stood watch, the fortress was able to protect the city. Explore the fortress and soak in the view of the city, but be sure to watch out for the “Garita del Diablo” or the Devil’s Sentry Box overlook, where legends claim soldiers mysteriously disappeared.

El Yunque National Forest
If forts aren’t your forte and you’d rather escape into beauty of nature, the El Yunque National Forest, also referred to as the Caribbean National Forest, is the place to visit. Hike through the majestic forest and keep your eye out for the well known coquí tree frogs. There are thirteen hiking trails to wander through where you can see the falls or a river, as well as lush flora and fauna. Be sure to bring lots of water to stay hydrated and a camera to get some great shots of this natural beauty. Some say that this park is too much to handle in just one day, so if you plan on exploring the area in its entirety, plan to spend about two days there. Admission is free, but if you plan on staying overnight in the park, you’ll have to obtain a permit, which is also free of charge.

Paseo La Princesa
The perfect place to take some pictures and snack on some Puerto Rican delicacies along the scenic road, the Paseo La Princesa is a great place to walk around and bask in the view. Paseo La Princesa is a beautiful promenade where you can see the water as well as the historic fortifications. It's filled with all kinds of street vendors as well as live music. On Thursdays through Sundays, Cafe La Princesa offers live music for all to enjoy. Have a seat by the Raices fountain while munching on the street food and then walk over to Old San Juan to continue your adventure.

Shopping

Calle del Cristo
For those interested in shopping, Calle del Cristo is the home to lots of restaurants, boutiques, and specialty craft stores, all clustered on a cobblestone street. Even if you're not much of a shopper, there's still loads to do here. Calle del Cristo has a gorgeous atmosphere, with small squares, parks, and music. You can definitely find a bite to eat while enjoying the essence of this area if you're not willing to let go of your money in the stores.

Relaxation

Condado Beach
A place where you can participate in watersports or sunbathe, Condado bBeach is the place that put San Juan on the map as a tourist destination. Condado beach has free access and is open daily to enjoy. If you plan on swimming, be cautious, there are no lifeguards here and the water can get rough.
Isla Verde Beach
Equipped with food, watersports, and swimming, Isla Verde Beach is a beautiful place to relax. Isla Verde Beach is the longest and widest in San Juan and is safe for swimming. The beach has all kinds of cafes and restaurants as well as kiosks where you can rent watersports equipment.

Food

Piragua
Often found from street vendors, this shaved ice treat is similar to a snow cone. They generally have tropical flavors and are perfect to cool off.
Plantains
Possibly the most favored dish on the island, you can find plantains almost anywhere here. They are a type of variety of banana that are generally more coarse and starchy than a banana and have a different texture and taste. They can be made into tostones, which are fried green breadfruit slices generally served as a side, or they can be baked, fried, or boiled.
Puerto Rican Coffee
Unique in its own way, Puerto Rican coffee is different than normal American coffee. Produced on the island for over 300 years, the strong Puerto Rican coffee is something worth trying.
Cakes and Desserts
Puerto Rican chefs take advantage of the abundance of tropical fruits. There are orange layer cakes, banana cupcakes, guava cakes, and many more. In addition, they also include coconut in a lot of the desserts, for example, coconut flan, coconut bread pudding, and coconut with meringue are common coconut based treats.

Miscellaneous

• American citizens can enter Puerto Rico without needed a visa or a passport.
• Since Puerto Rico is the commonwealth of the United States, the currency is the U.S. dollar.
• Spanish and English are the most commonly spoken languages in Puerto Rico.
• The best time to visit Puerto Rico is from mid April to June.
• You can get around San Juan by foot, taxi, or by car, depending on where you’re staying. If you plan to take a taxi, know that only the white “turístico” taxis charge fixed rates.