Travel Guide: A Detailed Look At San Juan Vacations

San Juan vacations lead to a city that takes you away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It has numerous beaches, great food, and vibrant architecture. Naturally, San Juan vacations are very enticing. It is among the best option if you are looking to escape from the weather of mainland USA. San Juan vacations help take a dip into history with sites like the Governor's Mansion and the Castillo. Both of them date back nearly 500 years. The city also helps you to live with pure enjoyment and decadence with the greatest tasting mojitos ever. The island gives a fusion of world cuisines that are its own. Beaches such as el Condado help you to relax and unwind during the day altogether.

 

Let us find out everything about San Juan vacations in our guide.

 

1. When to Go on San Juan Vacations

 

 

A great time to go on San Juan vacations is right before the rainy season and after the summer season because it is usually very hot during the summer. That means San Juan vacations may be taken around May and June. During this time, the crowds are considerably reduced, and travelers usually get much lower accommodation prices.

 

2. How to Get to San Juan

 

Plane

 

For travelers from the USA, the primary entry point to Puerto Rico is from the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. The center of the town is about nine miles from the airport. Taxis to the Downtown from the airport cost nearly 20 dollars. It is much more cost-effective to take the bus, which costs less than a dollar. When boarding the bus, you should have the exact change in your pocket.

 

Car

 

Several tourists choose the Rafael Hernandez Airport to land instead of the above-listed airport. This airport is located in the west of Puerto Rico. To reach the city, tourists usually rent a car at the airport terminal and reach San Juan in a couple of hours. The vehicle takes the path to Arecibo and then switches to the road leading to San Juan. Travelers can also drive in from Ponce in the south. One of the routes crosses the island and is the path usually taken by tourists.

 

3. Where to Stay During San Juan Vacations

 

 

You may be looking for a cost-effective place for backpackers, a family hotel, or five-star business accommodation. San Juan will provide you with precisely what you need. The Palace Hostel is at the lowest end of the scale. Dorm rooms there are priced very cheaply and cost less than six dollars per night. Alasol provides furnished apartments for a great stay in the center of the town. The Gallery Inn is the best place to stay in San Juan at the luxury and premium level. The boutique hotel is more than 300 years old. It has a fantastic sea view. The hotel also has an on-site art gallery that houses the works of the owner.

 

4. What to do in San Juan Vacations

 

- Relax on the Beach at Condado

 

San Juan is a Caribbean resort town. El Condado is one of the best beaches in the world. Tourists can enjoy sunbathing on the sand. They can also involve themselves in local activities at the harbor. These include jet ski tours, sea kayaking, and paddleboarding.

 

- Charter a Sailing Boat

 

You may have always wanted to have your vessel and be the captain of that ship. San Juan gives you the chance to live your dreams. You can hire a boat very easily and cheaply in the city. Tourists can take the ship and venture out into the pristine waters of the Caribbean.

 

- Take a Food Tour

 

The city food has European, African, Spanish, and Taino influences. San Juan also has many American staples, such as hotdogs and burgers. The flavors of the San Juan Food and Culture Tour give you the chance to try out the food of all the top restaurants.

 

- Tour the City's Historic Buildings

 

The city built an incredible array of walls and forts nearly 500 years ago. This is because of the regular attacks by the rivals of Spain. It is a lot of fun to stroll along the parapets and visualize how life must have been during those times. Tourists must also see the gorgeous Cathedral of San Juan Bautista, the governor's mansion or the Palacio de Santa Catalina, and the beautiful Castillo de San Cristóbal.

 

- Visit the Bacardi Rum Factory

 

The legendary rum drink originated in Cuba. But now, the headquarters of Bacardi is in San Juan. Have you been a fan of Bacardi over the years? Make sure to give time to the Cathedral of Rum. You will be able to sample some expertly made mojitos on the trip.

 

5. Popular Neighborhoods in San Juan

 

 

- Old San Juan

 

The city has a rich history that goes back to the very early years of European settlement in the Caribbean. Old San Juan is a great place to find out more about this history. You can go to historical landmarks such as the Casa Blanca, the home of explorer Ponce de Leon. Also, try to make time for the Castillo San Cristóbal fortress. The city is the venue of the San Sebastian Festival that is held in January every year. It is one of the Caribbean's most vibrant celebrations.

 

- El Condado

 

El Condado is one of the most prosperous neighborhoods of San Juan. It has great watersports, cocktail bars, and beaches. The place has some fine eateries as well. Orozco has Puerto Rican food, Budatai has Asian food, and Di Parma Trattoria has Italian dishes.

 

- Hato Rey

 

Hato Rey is the city's economic center. It is the place to be if you ever want to go on shopping tours. It is also the cultural center of the city. Coliseo, the city's primary music venue, is located here. There is also Teatro Coribantes, which holds plays and contemporary comedy events.

 

6. How to Get Around San Juan

 

- Public Transportation

 

Going around in the city through buses is a great choice. This is because it is highly affordable as the fares are usually less than a dollar. The bus network has great coverage. But there may be time lags from the schedules officially published. Buses in the city can often be fifteen minutes late. So, there is a usual wait time of about fifteen minutes to half an hour for a bus to arrive. One of the useful routes is from the city center to the airport. 

 

- Taxis

 

Taxis are also a wonderful way to roam around San Juan. All the taxis are metered within the limits of the city. A dollar is charged for a single piece of luggage. Usually, drivers are tipped about ten to fifteen percent of the total fare. Uber is also an option in San Juan.

 

- Car

 

Driving in the city may seem arbitrary and haphazard to tourists. But people soon get used to the driving conditions. The navigation of the city is quite simple. There is a compact downtown core. There is also a lot of signage to help you get to your destination without any issues. Remember a crucial point during parking your vehicle. You have to take your ticket with you after parking the car. This is because you need to pay the cashier when you pick up the vehicle.

 

7. The Cost of Living in San Juan

 

 

- Shopping Streets

 

The city has many shopping malls. San Juan is one of the top places in the Caribbean to get branded goods at great prices. The city has the Caribbean's biggest mall, the Plaza Las Americas. You can also go to Old San Juan for a more vibrant shopping experience. It has Poet's Passage, which is a wonderful store to get artworks and souvenirs. There are also Butterfly People, who provide exotic butterflies preserved in plastic.

 

- Groceries and Other Things

 

You may choose to live in self-catering accommodation. Then you can do grocery shopping at places such as SuperMax, Famcoop, and Pueblo. They give goods at prices that are typically below the levels of what you will get on the mainland. A pound of apples costs less than two dollars. A gallon of milk is priced at less than seven dollars. This makes it very convenient to live in San Juan while on a very tight purse.

 

Conclusion

 

San Juan is one of the most tourist-friendly locations in the Caribbean. It has the headquarters of Bacardi, arguably the biggest cocktail maker in the world. On the other hand, it is heaven for beach aficionados. Truly, San Juan has something for everyone.