Things to do in San Juan

At the Museo de las Americas

San Juan offers many recreational opportunities, including museums such as the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, the Museo de las Americas, and the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Puerto Rico.

In addition, in keeping with the importance of the island of Puerto Rico over many centuries, there is a rich collection of historic sites open to visitors. In San Juan, the National Park Service manages the San Juan National Historic Site, which includes Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Castillo San Cristobal, most of the city walls, the San Juan Gate and Fort San Juan de la Cruz, which is located across the entrance to San Juan Bay.

Adjacent to Castillo del Morro is the Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery, where many historically prominent residents of Puerto Rico  are buried.  Beyond the cemetery is the famous neighborhood known as La Perla, which includes the only residents of Old San Juan whose homes are located outside the city walls.

Part of the Paseo del Morro

The historic neighborhood of Old San Juan, best known for its beautifully preserved Spanish colonial architecture, offers many amenities, including restaurants, historic sites, and shopping.

In addition, historic Old San Juan is bounded on the south by a modern waterfront, which leads to the west to the Paseo de la Princesa. This lovely paseo leads to the famous Las Raices fountain. From this point, the Paseo del Morro leads at or near sea level, outside the walls of San Juan, to the base of Castillo del Morro to the north.

To the east of Old San Juan, the neighborhoods of Condado and Isla Verde are frequented by tourists, primarily from the mainland U.S., and offer many of the amenities typical of such areas, including resorts, restaurants, bars, and beaches. Please remember that swimming is unsafe in many parts of northern Puerto Rico, so always look for and obey warning signs, and seek beaches with lifeguards if you plan to swim. Other neighborhoods of San Juan, including the neighborhood of Santurce, which is just to the east of the Courtyard hotel, offer more in terms of local culture, with many restaurants, shopping, farmers’ markets, and other attractions that are definitely worth experiencing.