About San Juan
San Juan is the capital city and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory and insular area of the United States. San Juan was founded by Spanish colonists in 1521, who called it Ciudad de Puerto Rico.
Places to visit in San Juan
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Old San Juan
HistoricThe historic quarter on a small island, with blue cobblestone streets and pastel colonial buildings. Explore its plazas, churches, shops and restaurants on foot, ideally in the cooler morning hours.
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Castillo San Felipe del Morro
HistoricA Spanish fortress with multiple levels guarding the entrance to San Juan Bay. Explore its batteries and tunnels, and join locals flying kites on the vast lawn in front.
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Castillo San Cristobal
HistoricA large Spanish fort built to protect the city from land attacks, with tunnels, ramparts and sentry boxes overlooking the Atlantic. It is managed with El Morro as a national historic site.
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El Yunque National Forest
NatureA tropical rainforest east of San Juan with hiking trails, waterfalls and lookout towers. Some areas require advance reservations, so check access before driving out.
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La Fortaleza
HistoricThe governor's residence in Old San Juan, one of the oldest executive mansions in continuous use in the Americas. Guided tours of the grounds and gardens are offered.
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Condado
BeachA lively beachfront district with hotels, restaurants and the calm Condado Lagoon, popular for paddleboarding. Its sandy beaches are a short ride from the old town.
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Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico
Museum · 3 mi from centreA museum in Santurce showcasing Puerto Rican art from the colonial era to today, housed partly in a former hospital building, with a sculpture garden.
Best time to visit San Juan
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit San Juan is all year round, when average daytime highs are around 81–88°F and rain falls on about 18 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
San Juan weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 85° 76° 60%
- Thu 22 Oct 88° 77° 87%
- Fri 23 Oct 86° 77° 70%
- Sat 24 Oct 86° 77° 59%
- Sun 25 Oct 88° 79° 48%
- Mon 26 Oct 86° 78° 48%
Know before you go
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Languages
- Spanish, English
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/Puerto_RicoUTC−4
Upcoming public holidays in Puerto Rico
- Veterans DayDía del Veterano / Día del Armisticio
- Discovery of Puerto RicoDía del Descubrimiento de Puerto Rico
- Thanksgiving DayDía de Acción de Gracias
- Christmas EveNoche Buena
- Christmas DayNavidad
- New Year's DayDía de Año Nuevo
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to San Juan
These are the airports closest to central San Juan. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- SJU Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport8 mi (12 km) from the city centre
Getting around San Juan
For those staying in Old San Juan, organized bus/van day-trips to other sights in Puerto Rico can be arranged through most hotels.
By car
Getting around various parts of the city, the rest of the island, and to and from the airport, will be much more convenient with a car. Though some road signs may be in Spanish, on the plus side driving is almost a universal language, and with this being an American territory, the road sign shapes are going to be as familiar to you, if you are used to American road signs. And after all, when you see the word norte sitting above a numbered-road sign enough times, it won't take you long to realize that means north.
By bus
While the bus system is somewhat unpredictable, it's affordable, and bus drivers are by and large helpful at getting tourists to their destination. If you're planning on staying in and around the general area of San Juan and have plenty of time, you may be able to get by on public buses.
By ferry
The Cataño Ferry (La Lancha de Cataño) is a public ferry serving Old San Juan and Cataño. It crosses San Juan Bay in approximately 12-15 minutes, and the one-way trip costs $0.50 for adults, $0.25 for seniors/disabled (Jul 2025). The ferry is scheduled to leave Old San Juan on the hour, and leave Cataño at half past the hour. However, as with most public transportation in San Juan, the schedule is more of a guideline!
San Juan travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit San Juan?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit San Juan is all year round, when average daytime highs are around 81–88°F and rain falls on about 18 days a month.
What is the weather like in San Juan?
June is usually the warmest month in San Juan, with average highs of 88°F (31°C). February is the coolest, with average lows of 72°F (22°C). The wettest month is typically September, with about 146 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to San Juan?
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) is the closest airport, about 8 miles (12 km) from the centre of San Juan.
What time zone is San Juan in?
San Juan uses the America/Puerto_Rico time zone (currently UTC−4). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around San Juan?
For those staying in Old San Juan, organized bus/van day-trips to other sights in Puerto Rico can be arranged through most hotels.
What are the best places to visit in San Juan?
Top sights in San Juan include Old San Juan, Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Castillo San Cristobal and El Yunque National Forest. The historic quarter on a small island, with blue cobblestone streets and pastel colonial buildings. Explore its plazas, churches, shops and restaurants on foot, ideally in the cooler morning hours.
