This 500-year-old Caribbean Capital Has Beautiful Beaches, a Growing Food Scene, and the Best Cocktail Bar in the Region — and Now Is the Time to Visit

With beautiful beaches and luxe oceanfront resorts, San Juan, Puerto Rico, is the Caribbean destination dreams are made of — no passport required for U.S. citizens. But if you come to San Juan for nothing more than stretching out on the sand, you're missing out.

"San Juan is the perfect destination. We have the advantage of city, beach, and mountain life all in one place," says Miguel Reyes, lifelong local and mixologist at the storied Caribe Hilton. Indeed, to find such a rich bloom of cosmopolitan vibrancy nestled so harmoniously between lush tropical jungles and azure seas feels like a feat that will inspire even the most well-traveled. With an increasingly diverse culinary scene and cultural and artistic expression blossoming, San Juan's beautiful beaches are merely the cherry on top of a stay rather than the main course.

Even after hundreds of years of history, it feels like now is the time to visit San Juan. Hotly anticipated hotel openings like The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan (set to reopen this year), and a blockbuster lineup of upcoming arts and cultural events — including a Bad Bunny residency and the long-awaited inaugural Puerto Rico Wine & Food Festival — are just a few of the signposts of San Juan's ever-expanding allure.

Related: 20 Best Places to Visit in Puerto Rico — From Uninhabited Islands to Bioluminescent Bays

San Juan, Puerto Rico

• The sophisticated Condado Vanderbilt Hotel has felt aspirational for over a century, its oceanfront location and renowned 1919 Restaurant nothing short of divine.

• Unwrap five centuries of art and architecture in Old San Juan, where cobblestone streets twist around storied mansions and plazas in one of the Americas' oldest cities.

• Colorful street art meets carefully curated, island-focused museum collections in Santurce, an inspiring hub of culture and creativity.

• James Beard Award-winning chef Natalia Vallejo marries sustainably sourced, farm-fresh dining with island flavors at Cocina del Fondo.

• Come to La Placita de Santurce market for Puerto Rican chinchorro eats by day and live music-fueled dancing that spills into the streets by night.

Best Hotels & Resorts

Condado Vanderbilt Hotel

The grand dame of San Juan, Condado Vanderbilt Hotel occupies an enviable oceanfront location. A century of storied glamour doesn't stop it from being fresh, from its exclusive pool deck with waterfront dining to its intimate spa, home to the only hammam on the island. The hotel's 1919 Restaurant, named after the year of its founding, sets the bar high for fine dining on the island.

Caribe Hilton

Set across 17 acres that kiss some of the best beaches in the city, Caribe Hilton has been the glamorous San Juan home away from home for the stars since 1949. Recently renovated rooms are sleek, reflecting calm Caribbean tones, while the sprawling grounds reveal nine different dining concepts, multiple swimming pools (plus a swim-up bar), and ocean views from almost every angle.

La Concha Renaissance Resort

La Concha Renaissance Resort is still one of the places to be in San Juan, even 65 years after its debut. Renovations have revived rooms and suites and added cutting-edge, oceanfront Elemara Spa and new dining options like Tekka Bar by Takashi Segawa and upcoming Levant by acclaimed chef Michael White.

Condado Ocean Club

A sleek waterfront hotel in the city's coolest neighborhood, Condado Ocean Club is the epitome of cosmopolitan-meets-Caribbean. A spacious sundeck spills into oceanfront eatery Social, where island-inspired cuisine and delicious craft cocktails are fit for spectacular sunsets amid the sound of crashing waves. Oceanview rooms with a terrace are worth the upgrade, with the floor-to-ceiling windows drawing in every shade of Caribbean blue.

Fairmont El San Juan Hotel

Nestled between some of San Juan's most magnificent beaches, Fairmont El San Juan Hotel feels like the ultimate choice for visitors content with spending most of their stay poolside. With live entertainment, a casino, impressive dining options, and luxe accommodations like the newer Banyan Bungalows, it's a favorite with T+L readers, the top pick among the best resorts in Puerto Rico.

Best Things to Do

Admire age-old architecture.

San Juan just celebrated its 500th anniversary, but this breathtaking beauty looks better than ever. Start exploring from the dungeons — complete with sweeping ocean views — at Castillo San Felipe del Morro, the city's vast colonial fortress. Follow cobblestone streets to the ornate cathedral and colorful mansions; "it's a must-visit for its historic landmarks, lively plazas, charming shops, and a picturesque promenade perfect for evening strolls, with local vendors and music," says Militza Orama, vice president of sales and marketing at The Condado Collection.

Seek out local art.

"The art that comes out of this island is extremely influential worldwide," says Reyes, and there's no better place to experience it than the neighborhood of Santurce. The esteemed Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico and Museo de Arte Contemporáneo are just the start, with Calle Cera and Calle Loíza revealing street art, from big, bold murals like the famous "Loíza Brinca" to graffiti and mosaics. Galleries like The Art House PR and Walter Otero Contemporary Art Gallery highlight even more of San Juan's finest local talents.

Sip local rum.

Don't settle for a simple rum tasting when you have some of the most showstopping spirits experiences at your fingertips in San Juan. Casa Bacardí offers distillery tours and a premium selection of its finest creations from its modern visitor center, located just across the bay from Old San Juan. Belly up to Caribar at Caribe Hilton – the birthplace of the piña colada – to try the original recipe of one of the world's most famous drinks, accompanied by a new tapas menu and panoramic ocean views.

Hit the beach.

Stretches of sand unfurl across the city, from the palm-fringed Playa El Escambrón near the Caribe Hilton to La Playita del Condado. The city's best beaches are along the more residential area of Ocean Park and east, in Isla Verde, with wide, sandy shores stretching out lusciously on both sides of the Fairmont El San Juan. Meanwhile, a day trip to the white sands of uninhabited Cayo Icacos or a weekend getaway to Culebra and Vieques will introduce you to some of the best beaches in Puerto Rico.

Get outdoors.

The beach isn't the only reason to get outdoors in San Juan. Reyes recommends paddleboarding in Laguna del Condado, or even "more adventurous activities like night kayaking." Less than an hour from the city is Puerto Rico's lush tropical heart, El Yunque National Forest. The only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System is a sprawling 29,000 untouched acres hiding waterfalls spilling into natural pools, countless hiking trails, and abundant biodiversity.

Related: These Natural Swimming Pools in Puerto Rico Are an Instagram Dream

Best Restaurants

Cocina al Fondo

The menu at Cocina al Fondo reads like a love letter to Puerto Rico, written by James Beard Award-winning chef Natalia Vallejo. Every dish is a dance of locally sourced, island-native ingredients and fresh produce harvested from the property's own garden. While innovative, it's imbued with a deep respect for traditional flavors and culinary heritage in every bite.

1919 Restaurant

A moody, modern dining room in the elegant Condado Vanderbilt sets the stage for 1919, a jewel of Puerto Rico's fine dining scene. At the helm is executive chef Juan José Cuevas (whose past experience includes several Michelin-starred restaurants), who has crafted a farm-to-table fine dining experience featuring local ingredients. The tasting menu, complete with wine pairing, will wow you; even months after my own visit, I still dream of the risotto in red wine reduction.

Princesa - Cocina Cultura

Jorge Montalvo, founder and CEO of Patria Tours, always recommends Princesa - Cocina Cultura to visitors looking for an authentic island dining experience. The menu is inspired by six historic cookbooks of Puerto Rico dating as far back as 1859, offering an ode to the island's culinary heritage that still feels modern and inspiring. The lush garden patio dining room is particularly romantic at night with live music.

Marmalade

A sleek, modern dining room feels fresh and unexpected coming off the historic Old San Juan streets, though it’s the perfect setting for Marmalade's inventive, sustainable Caribbean fusion menu. There's no á la carte menu here, just different tasting menu options.

Lote 23

Located in the heart of Santurce, Lote 23 is a collective of stalls, kiosks, and vendors that’s both a dining destination and a culinary incubator for budding local chefs. Find everything from island-made craft beer and smashburgers to ramen and traditional Puerto Rican dishes, lovingly prepared by some of the city's up-and-coming culinary creatives.

Related: 6 Traditional Foods You Absolutely Must Try in Puerto Rico

Best Nightlife

La Placita de Santurce

"Our nightlife, like at La Placita de Santurce, emphasizes our culture and captures so much energy in this beautiful city," says Reyes. A market by day, La Placita transforms into a nightlife destination on the weekends with live music ranging from salsa and jazz to DJ sets at Aguardiente. Fuel the party with fried alcapurrias and pastelillos from La Alcapurria Quemá or any of the numerous eateries in the area.

Fifty Eight

It should come as no surprise that this is where the biggest names in Latin music hang out when they're off the clock. Everyone from Bad Bunny and Ozuna to Feid name-drops Fifty Eight in the lyrics of their biggest hits. Tucked away on the lower level of La Concha Renaissance Resort, this ultra-exclusive club is famous for its live performances by renowned DJs and drop-ins from visiting reggaeton artists, meaning you never know who you'll spot from across the VIP section.

La Factoría

Crowned the best bar in the Caribbean multiple years running by The World's 50 Best, Old San Juan's La Factoría is a rare spot where the vibes are just as good as the drinks. Dimly lit and salsa-filled, it manages to feel like a local haunt despite its fame. The lavender mule is universally popular, and the Hijos de Boriquén, made from Don Q añejo rum, apricot liqueur, and plenty of cinnamon, feels like a romp around the Caribbean.

Areas to Visit

Old San Juan

Centuries of history and layers of culture make Old San Juan the unmissable highlight of a visit to the island's capital. This compact neighborhood is highly walkable and easy to explore — sturdy shoes recommended for navigating cobblestones — in anywhere from a few hours to a full day. Jump on a local-led excursion with Patria Tours for an enlightening historical and cultural background.

Condado

A skinny oceanfront strip dotted with highrises and home to the city's best dining and nightlife, Condado also has walkable areas and waterfront parks that make it accessible to everyone. Hotels range from the exclusive properties of The Condado Collection to boutique hotels like the lagoon-facing, personality-packed O:live Boutique Hotel.

Santurce

The sprawling neighborhood of Santurce is "a hub of creativity with vibrant street art, galleries, and trendy restaurants," says Orama. It's easy to spend an entire day admiring everything from graffiti murals to museum-quality art, sampling traditional Puerto Rican fare from La Casita Blanca or a burger and beer from colorful spots like Cafe Tresbé, before ending the night with a cocktail at La Penúltima.

Isla Verde

Tucked between airport and ocean, Isla Verde boasts wide expanses of the city's beautiful beaches. Watched by lifeguards and dotted with restaurants and shops, Balneario de Carolina is the most popular beach in the area, while Pine Grove is great for surfing. Hotels on the beach make Isla Verde ideal for a fly-and-flop, resort-style stay in San Juan.

Distrito T-Mobile

It's all about entertainment at Distrito T-Mobile, a hub for eateries, concerts, and events adjacent to the San Juan Convention Center. At its heart is Popular Plaza, illuminated by oversized LED screens and filled with a massive outdoor stage. Stay at the newly renovated Sheraton Puerto Rico Resort & Casino for easy access to the area and gorgeous city views from the rooftop infinity pool.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit San Juan is between December and April, when warm, dry weather and sunny skies are ideal for everything from exploring Old San Juan to paddleboarding or hiking in El Yunque. This travel high season is also marked by higher prices and beaches busier with travelers escaping colder climates.

"The best time of the year to come to Puerto Rico and experience music, food, and celebrations would be during the months of mid-November to mid-January," recommends Reyes. Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) and New Year's festivities are marked with music-fueled parties called parrandas, lasting late into the night. The festive season concludes in the third week of January with the Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián, also called SanSe, a party and cultural celebration so vibrant that Bad Bunny opens his chart-topping hit DtMF by reminiscing about it.

For nice weather and lower prices, visit San Juan in the shoulder season in May or June, when the weather remains mostly dry but with fewer visitors. June through November is hurricane season, marked by warmer, wetter weather, even when the island avoids tropical storms.

Related: Best Times to Visit Puerto Rico for Smaller Crowds, Great Weather, and Lower Prices

How to Get There

San Juan's Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) is one of the best-served airports in the Caribbean, making Puerto Rico an accessible — and affordable — destination from almost anywhere in the Americas. United alone offers around 70 weekly flights to SJU, with other airlines like Jetblue and even budget carriers like Frontier recently expanding service to the island.

The smaller Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport (SIG), located in the Isla Grande area, offers regional flights to destinations around the island and to nearby Culebra and Vieques.

How to Get Around

Most of the city's most popular neighborhoods are highly walkable, but taxis and rideshare platforms like Uber make navigating across San Juan a breeze. Skip a rental car if you're sticking to San Juan, but if you're headed to other destinations like the surf-ready beaches in Aguadilla on the west coast or the strips of white sand surrounding Fajardo, it's the best way to explore independently.

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