San Juan is the capital of, and at two million the largest city, in Puerto Rico. It has one of the best harbours in the Caribbean. The city will celebrate its 5th Century in 2008 or 2021, depending if they count from the founding of Caparra or the act of moving the Caparra settlement to Puerto Rico isle (Old San Juan)

Condado Beach, San Juan

Districts

• Old San Juan -- The historic core of the city
• El Condado -- Beach resort area of the city
• Isla Verde- located next to the International Airport Luis Muñoz Marín in Carolina. Many ocean front hotels in this tourist area.
• International Convention Center District -- Now has the new Convention Center, and in near-future will have a Sheraton Hotel, among restaurants and shopping centres.

Understand

Location

San Juan is located in the north-east of Puerto Rico, and features distinctly century-old architecture, such as Spanish military forts built from the 1540s to 1800s, an active harbour, and a very active economic area in the Hato Rey district. San Juan boasts magnificent beaches, hotels, plazas, historic sites, museums, etc.

Climate

San Juan is a tropical city, with temperature that ranges in summer from 67˚F to 97˚F (19˚C to 36˚C) in winter. San Juan is normally sunny, but has a tendency to recieve rain from April to November in the afternoon. Be also mindful that San Juan and the rest of Puerto Rico have the possibility of having tropical systems such as hurricanes from July to November.

Culture

San Juan is a Latin American city with Spanish-based culture, mixed with African traditions and Taíno culture. Museums of modern art exist abroad. The citizens of San Juan (called Sanjuaneros) are very festive, as on the rest of the island. San Juan has bars and discotheques all-around the city, from Old San Juan to even the southern part of the city that stay open to 3:00-4:00 AM. San Juan has become very modernized as of late, with its first Metro line (called Tren Urbano) and buses. Like most large cities, however, there is a small population of vagrants and beggars lining the streets.

Language

Spanish is the native language for all Puerto Ricans. Puerto Rican Spanish speakers have a very distinct accent, and it is often spoken at a relatively faster speed than Central American or Mexican Spanish. It is also full of local jargon and slang unfamiliar to many outside the island. English is common in tourist areas and at military/federal government offices and facilities. All major hotels will have bilingual staff, and can arrange English or Spanish guided tours to various island attractions. If you decide to rent a car and explore the less-traveled areas of the island, expect that most will not be "fluent" in English although they may know "basic" English, since English is taught at Puerto Rican schools as a foreign language in elementary and high school. It could be essential to at least know very common and neutral Spanish words and phrases.

Essential Basic Words & Phrases to Know for San Juan

• ¿Dónde es/está ...? (A'ónde ehtá) - "Where's...?"
• ¿Cuántos chavos(or "dinero") cuesta...? - "How much does it cost?"
• ¿Dónde es la Oficina de Turismo?- "Where's the Tourist Office?", this is the main information hub for tourists
• El Horario- hours of operation/opening & closing times
• Cambio de Moneda- "currency change", used during purchases and also designates Currency Exchange stations
• Lugar de Bebidas- "drink place", designates places where refreshments can be purchased
• Restaurán/Restaurante- "Restaurant", designates places where food/meals can be purchased
• Aperitivos- "appetizers", broad term used to describe anything eaten before the main course
• Joyería/Relojería- "jewelry shop/watch shop", these can be seen in abundance in the old city
• "sin"- "without", often used on food items to designate what it does not contain, for instance, "sin cafeina" means "without caffeine"
• "con"- "with", the exact opposite of "sin", "con" would designate what something does contain
• La isla - "The island", means for everything outside of San Juan Metro Area

Get in

By plane

San Juan is served by Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU), a large international hub airport about 9 miles away. Reach the city by taxi, bus or rental car.

• Air Atlanta Icelandic
• Air Canada
• Air Culebra (from Culebra, Puerto Rico)
• Air Santo Domingo
• Air St. Thomas
• Air Sunshine
• American Airlines, a major hub for them.
• American Eagle
• Britannia Airlines
• Cape Air (from Ponce, Puerto Rico)
• Caribbean Star
• Continental Airlines
• Copa Airlines
• Delta Airlines
• Iberia Airlines
• JetBlue
• Monarch Airlines
• Northwest Airlines
• Pan Am [1]
• Song
• Grupo TACA Airlines
• United Airlines
• Vieques Air Link (from Culebra, Fajardo and Vieques, Puerto Rico).

By car

By train

As of 2005, San Juan now is served by a new subway line (which mostly runs above ground) called "Tren Urbano" (Urban Train). This train connects San Juan to the towns of Guaynabo and Bayamón. There are 16 stations along the entire alignment. A little known fact is that the train can be reached from Old San Juan. In the dock area look for the "Acua Expreso" terminal, which is ferry service from Old San Juan to the financial district. There is a train station called "Hato Rey" right besides the ferry dock on the San Juan Financial District.

By bus

Soon: Autoridad Metropolitana de Autobuses

Get around

Rent a car at the airport. You could also go by taxi. They're mostly everywhere in more tourist-y parts of the city, but harder to come by in the more suburban areas.

See

El Morro from San Cristóbal

• El Castillo San Felipe del Morro "El Morro" : is a sixteenth-century citadel that lies on the northwestern-most point of the islet of San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is part of San Juan National Historic Site and was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations in 1983. [2].
• El Castillo de San Cristóbal is a Spanish fort in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It was built by the Spaniards to protect against land based attacks on the city of San Juan. It is part of San Juan National Historic Site.
• Palacio de Santa Catalina "La Fortaleza" (or The Fortress in English) is the official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico, who is Puerto Rico's head of Government. It was built between 1533 and 1540 to defend the harbor of San Juan. The structure is also known as El Palacio de Santa Catalina (or Palace of Santa Catalina). It is the oldest executive mansion in the New World. La Fortaleza was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
• El Catedral de San Juan Bautista: contains the tomb of the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León.
• Castillo de San Jerónimo is a small fort located in the entrance to what is known today as Condado, Puerto Rico lagoon in San Juan. The fort defended San Juan from attacks by Sir Francis Drake in 1595, Sir George Clifford "Earl of Cumberland" in 1598 and Sir Ralph Abercromby.
• El Teatro Tapia is likely the oldest free-standing drama stage building still in use in a US insular area and one of the oldest in Latin America. Facing east, across from Plaza de Colon (Columbus), on Fortaleza street, and built about 1872.
• Iglesia de San Jose dates back to 1523.
• Ayuntamiento or Alcaldia or City Hall.
• The municipal cemetery of Santa María Madgalena de Pazzis, located just outside the city walls.

Do

Learn

• Ateneo de Puerto Rico (museum)
• Spanish barracks (now museum de Ballaja)
• La Princesa (former municipal jail, now a history museum)
• Museo del Niño (Children's Museum) at Calle del Cristo 150. Open: Tu-Th 9am-3:30pm; F 9AM-5PM; Sa-Su 12:30PM-5PM. Through interactive exhibits, children learn simple lessons, such as the benefits of brushing teeth or recycling aluminum cans, or the value of caring properly for pets. Admission $5; $4 children 14 and younger.
• Felisa Rincón de Gautier Museum :At Calle Clara Lair. Open M-F 9AM-4PM. Felisa Rincón served as the mayor of the city of San Juan for 22 years, between 1946 and 1968. The museum that commemorates her memory is in a 300-year-old building. Free.
• Museo Nuestras Raíces Africanas( Our African Roots Museum), Plaza San José, Calle San Sebastián. Open Tu-Sa 8:30AM-8:30PM. This museum documents the African contribution to the sociology of Puerto Rico. Admission is $2 for adults; $1 for seniors, children, and students; free for ages 10 and under.
• Museo de Arte ( Museum of Art), 299 Av. José de Diego, Santurce. Open Tu and Th-Sa 10AM-5PM; W 10AM-8PM; Su 11AM-6PM. Puerto Rico's most important gallery, which opened in 2000 and was constructed at a cost of $55 million, is a state-of-the-art showcase for the island nation's rich cultural heritage. Admission is $6 for adults, $2.50 for seniors, $3 for children under age 12.

Work

Buy

• The Butterfly People, 257 Calle de la Cruz, Old San Juan, Phone: 787-723-2432, [3]. Real butterflies encased in acrylic. Stunning. Go to see it, even if you don't buy.

• Plaza las Américas, "The Center of it All", biggest mall in the caribbean containing more than 300 stores such as the world's biggest JC Penney, Macy's, Lacoste, American Eagle, A|X and Sears. It also has a 32 lane bowling alley, a movie theater and restaurants such as Chili's, Macaroni Grill, Margarita's and Tierra del Fuego. Be sure to spend a day at this mall if you visit Puerto Rico!

Eat

• Tierra del Fuego, 3rd Level at Plaza las Américas, 787-294-7019. Best Argentinean restaurant in the island specializing in fine meats that are made in a huge charcoal grill and has a great selection of wines. You can also try the less expensive "fast-food" version of Tierra del Fuego, called "Fueguito".

• San Juan Hard Rock Café, Old San Juan.

• Ajili Mójili Caribbean San Juan, Av. Ashford 1006, Condado, Phone: 787-725-9195. M-F 12PM-3PM; M-Sa 6PM-11PM; Su 12:30PM-4PM and 6PM-10PM. Locals come here for a taste of mofongos (green plantains stuffed with veal, chicken, shrimp, or pork), arroz con pollo, medallones de cerdo encebollado (pork loin sautéed with onions), carne mechada (beef rib-eye stuffed with ham), and lechon asado con maposteado (roast pork with rice and beans).

• Al Dente, Calle Recinto Sur 309, Old San Juan, Phone: 787-723-7303. M-F 12PM-3PM; M-Sa 6PM-11PM; Sun 12:30PM-4PM and 6PM-10PM. The oldest continuously operated Italian restaurant in Puerto Rico.

• Parrot Club, Calle Fortaleza 363, Old San Juan, 787-725-7370. Daily 12PM-3PM; 6PM-11PM. Live music, either Brazilian, salsa, or Latino jazz, is offered nightly as well as during the popular Sunday brunches.

• Rico Puerto Kafe, Calle Fortaleza 260, Old San Juan, 787-724-0093. Noon-2AM. Puerto Kafe is famous for it's low-cost food that strictly adheres to the tenets of old-fashioned Puerto Rican cuisine. Reservations are not necessary. Inexpensive.

• Ramiro's, Av. Magdalena 1106, Condado, 787-721-9049. M-Sa 12PM-3PM & 6PM-11PM; Su 12PM-3PM & 6PM-10PM. Creole" style cooking pioneered by owner and chef Jesús Ramiro.

• Ostra Cosa, Calle del Cristo 154, Old San Juan, 787-722-2672. Daily 12PM-10PM. Reservations recommended. The ambience here is one of the most sensual and romantic in Old San Juan.

• Luigi's Restaurant, 104 Diez de Andino, Condado, 787-722-2672. M-Sa 11:30AM-3PM and 6PM-10PM; Su 12PM-5pPM. Serves Italian and Genovese cuisine.

• Margarita's, Several locations including 3rd level at Plaza las Américas and 1013 Ave. Roosevelt, 787-792-0283. Mexican restaurant that has a festive atmosphere with Mariachis on the weekends and great service. Annex to every Margarita's is a "Burritos" fast-food.

• El Alcázar, 1013 Ave. Roosevelt. New Spanish restaurant which serves a variety of "Tapas", seafood and several meats. Also has a variety of Wines. The ambience is romantic and live music is offered several times a month.

Bars & Nightclubs

• Babylon, At Wyndham El San Juan Hotel & Casino, Isla Verde. Cover $15, free for residents of El San Juan Hotel. Open Thursday through Saturday from 10pm until 3AM.
• Cigar Bar, At Wyndham El San Juan Hotel & Casino, Isla Verde. Daily 6PM to 3AM.
• Dragonfly, Restaurant and bar on Forteleza Street in Old San Juan.
• Club Laser, Calle del Cruz 251, near the corner of Calle Fortaleza.Cover $8-$12 (free cover for women before midnight on Sat) The club is usually open Thursday through Sunday from 10PM until 4AM.
• El Patio de Sam, Calle San Sebastián, Old San Juan. One of the most popular late-night joints with a good selection of beers. Live entertainment is presented here Monday to Saturday.Open daily noon to 1am.
• Rumba, Calle San Sebastián 152.The site for the filming of many of the crowd scenes within Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. Cover $15.
• Shannon's Irish Pub, Calle Bori 496, Río Piedras. Daily 11:30AM to 1AM (closes at 2:30AM F-Sa). A sports bar with TV monitors and high-energy rock 'n' roll.
• Dákiti, Calle San Sebastián, Pub with two floors. Idilic for the San Sebastián Festivities.
• Nuyorican Cafe, Calle San Francisco #312. 787-977-1276, [4]. Best Live Music Venue in Old San Juan! Salsa, Latin Jazz, Folklore.

Sleep

Budget

• PLEASE HELP, Please replace this line with one or two good BUDGET hotels on the Island. Where does the backpacker stay? I'm sure San Juan is not just all mid and high class tourists...

Mid Range

• Caribe Hilton, Phone: (787)-721-0303, [5].

• Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino, Phone: 866-317-8934, [6].

• El San Juan Hotel & Casino, Phone: 866-317-8935, [7].

• Hosteria del Mar, 1 Calle Tapia, (Ocean Park), Phone: 727-3302 or Phone: 800-742-4276.

• Hotel El Convento, 100 Cristo Street (Old San Juan), Phone: (787) 723-9020. Small Luxury Hotel with great staff. Restored 16th century convent with beautiful rooms.

• InterContinental San Juan Resort & Casino, 5961 Isla Verde Avenue, Phone: (787) 791-6100, Toll-free: (800) 443-2009, [8].

• Palm View Realty, 5970 Isla Verde Avenue, Phone: 888-268-5281, fax: 727-1415, [9]. Palm View Realty Specializes in short term rentals as well as condo, apartment and house sales in Puerto Rico. Affordable rentals are Beach Front and fully furnished.

• Park Plaza Normandie, Muñoz Rivera Avenue at Parque de Tercer Milenio, (Puerta de Tierra), Phone: 729-2929, Phone: 877-987-2929 or Phone: 800-448-8355.

• Tu Casa Boutique Hotel, 2071 Calle Cacique, (Ocean Park), Phone: 727-5100.

Contact

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