10 of the very best issues to do in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Lately, San Juan has been within the throes of a renaissance. Within the wake of 2017’s devastating Hurricane María, town’s palpable spirit of resilience and restoration reached a blinding crescendo in 2022 when town celebrated its five hundredth anniversary. Go to the Museo de San Juan for reveals and artwork that hint the island’s historical past from the Caparra ruins to modern-day neighborhoods.

The excellent Museo de las Américas stands as a testomony to the historic significance of the second-oldest European settlement within the New World (solely Santo Domingo within the Dominican Republic is older). Evocatively housed in former navy barracks, the museum’s well-curated shows chronicle the island’s wealthy African heritage, indigenous tradition and tumultuous colonial interval in thought-provoking methods.

Planning tip: San Juan’s different prime museums embrace the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico (MAPR), containing over 4000 artworks spanning the 14th by means of nineteenth centuries, the Museo del Mar for nautical historical past, and the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo, that includes 1200 Latin American, fashionable Caribbean and diaspora artworks from the mid-Twentieth century to the current.

Small however completely fashioned, Previous San Juan is a historic repository of superbly preserved colonnaded buildings, historic plazas and streets cobbled with ballast from Spanish galleons. Partitions from the Sixteenth century enclose a seven-by-seven grid of streets that brim with flower-filled patios, eclectic boutiques, up to date artwork galleries and a handful of participating museums.

Two strategically positioned fortresses – constructed by the Spanish to thwart buccaneering Brits and Danes – guard the bay like big sandcastles plucked straight from a toddler’s image ebook. A surfeit of architectural showpieces consists of the venerable Gothic-style Catedral de San Juan Bautista, inbuilt 1540, and the palatial fort of La Fortaleza, the eye-catching official residence of Puerto Rico’s governor.

Planning tip: Previous San Juan is straightforward to get round on foot, however if you happen to’re planning to go farther afield, you may in all probability have to take a journey with a taxi, the free trolley or the cheap bus community.

Constructed over the span of two centuries to repel Puerto Rico’s seaborne aggressors, El Morro – town’s crown jewel – stored the Spanish flag flying over San Juan for nearly 400 years till American troops poured into town in 1898.

Majestically rising above the northwestern level of the Previous San Juan peninsula, this Sixteenth-century website grew to become a nationwide monument in 1961. El Morro towers 140ft (43m) above the Atlantic Ocean and types an interesting labyrinth of dungeons, vaults, barracks, turrets, lookouts and secret passageways. Ringed by partitions that prime 45ft (14m) in locations, these fortifications got here near bankrupting the Spanish crown, which funded their development.

Planning tip: Head right here on weekends when native households flock to the fort’s grassy promenade to picnic, stroll their canines and fly kites – you should purchase your individual kite from the distributors in entrance of the location.

Considered one of San Juan’s must-visit cocktail bars, La Factoría rejuvenated town’s bar scene when it opened in 2013. Now La Factoría is a world phenomenon, thanks in no small half to being the music-video location for the enduring reggaeton hit “Despacito”. Graffiti-etched passageways hyperlink to a classy lounge, a sultry wine bar and a salsa dance flooring.

The frequent theme is terrific music and virtuoso mixology. A home favourite is the Lavender Mule, a potent mixture of house-made ginger beer and lavender-infused syrup.

Dubbed the “Avenue of the Arts,” Calle Loíza overflows with trendy cafes, eclectic eating places and idea shops that channel Puerto Rico’s #apoyololocal (store native) motion.

The collaborative zeal and resilience of Loíza’s feminine entrepreneurs have outlined the island’s restoration publish–Hurricane María. Within the area of a number of blocks, you may peruse the ocean-inspired attire of former Attract editor and San Juan native Tanamá Besosa Castillo at T Playa; savor a sturdy cortadito espresso made with domestically produced beans at Café con Cé; and rejuvenate with a tropical-fruit smoothie at Kamoli Juice Bar. Pause at Tresbé, constructed round brilliant yellow delivery containers, for an informal alfresco lunch of basic Puerto Rican bites and worldwide fusion fare.

Artwork is in all places alongside Avenida de Diego and Calle Tapia. One of many space’s most emblematic artworks, Loíza Brinca by native artist Abéy Charrón enlivens a whole constructing with the Puerto Rican flag. On the nook of Loíza and Benitez Castaño, try the daring, geometric mural by up-and-coming native design studio Kiik Create.

A stone’s throw from La Placita de Santurce, José Santaella’s world-class restaurant is a trend-driven, enjoyable place to attempt up to date Puerto Rican delicacies. Positioned inside a former ironmongery shop, the spot has an industrial decor that contrasts with flamboyant tropical murals and Caribbean dishes that fuse genuine native flavors and worldwide cooking kinds.

There’s lots on the menu to fulfill vegetarians, pescatarians and meat lovers alike. Attempt the succulent jumbo shrimp drizzled with a garlic cream sauce or the sashimi-grade ahi tuna skewers which might be completely spiced.

The signature trifongo provides yucca and candy plantains to the normal mofongo recipe (fried inexperienced plantains mashed with meat or seafood) and is among the greatest objects on the menu. Farm-to-table roasted cauliflower and butternut squash come served atop feta cheese labneh and almonds.

On the glossy bar, mixologists craft tropical libations and impressed interpretations of basic cocktails – native favorites are the Sandía Mojito (made with watermelon) and the tequila-infused Espresso Martini.

The revitalized neighborhood of Santurce bursts with coloration and creativity; the hub of this quickly gentrifying barrio is La Placita, a historic farmers market by day and vibrant out of doors occasion by evening.

Come night, workplace employees swing by, teams of associates spill out onto the streets and households collect on the many bars and eating places that encompass the sq.. From 10pm onward, every thing kicks up a notch, as musicians take to the makeshift stage and spirited salsa and perreo dancing takes maintain.

Planning tip: Come for the long-haul as this isn’t a brief occasion – invariably, the revelry continues till daybreak.

Surfers of all stripes are drawn to San Juan’s constant swells, various breaks and laid-back vibe. Perched on the northern finish of Puerta de Tierra, simply outdoors Previous San Juan, Playa Escambrón – identified domestically as La Ocho – is taken into account San Juan’s greatest balneario (public seashore).

Escambrón combines dramatic surroundings with family-friendly recreation and facilities. Stunning palm-shaded sands are protected by a coral reef which offers rewarding snorkeling alternatives at Escambrón’s namesake marine park. Snorkelers can float amongst faculties of blue tangs and damsel fish that carouse magnificent mind coral. (For prime marine life viewing and visibility, goal for the western aspect of the conspicuous rock offshore.)

Planning tip: Price a go to close by is the Batería del Escambrón (Escambrón Battery), a small 18th-century fortification, and the oceanfront Parque del Tercio Milenio, a preferred inexperienced area peppered with trails and bike paths.

A brief ferry and taxi journey from the principle islet of Previous San Juan is Casa Bacardí, the rum big’s flagship manufacturing facility and religious house because the Bacardi household fled from Cuba to Puerto Rico in 1936.

The most important of its variety on this planet, the distillery produces a staggering 100,000 gallons of rum every day. The Bacardi Customer Middle (included with every tour) is a must-see – its “cathedral of rum” inside, designed to replicate a Cuban villa, homes an interactive historical past of each the corporate and rum that features a movie, audio guides and the chance to nostril rum substances.

Planning tip: Bacardi provides three excursions: a rum tasting tour ($75), a mixology session ($75), and the legacy tour ($30) that focuses on Bacardi household historical past. Be sure you finish your go to with a cocktail on the waterfront pavilion with views of El Morro.

Head out of bustling San Juan to expertise Puerto Rico’s dramatic topography on a day journey to the foot of the island’s highest mountain, Cerro de Punta.

Hacienda Pomarrosa is a family-run specialty espresso farm that operates every day excursions of its plantation inside peaceable, panoramic environment. Proprietor Kurt Legner and his son Sebastian information guests by means of the historical past of espresso (with tastings) and lead an informative stroll across the vibrantly inexperienced coffee-growing areas. The tour concludes by heading to the assorted manufacturing flooring earlier than rounding off with one other distinctive brew.

Planning tip: Espresso excursions run every day Monday to Saturday from 11am to 1pm; advance reservations are required.

Lonely Planet has partnered with San Juan-based journey neighborhood Platea to supply complete guides, curated lists and insider suggestions in your subsequent journey to Puerto Rico.