15+ Best Things To Do In Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has easily become one of our favorite Caribbean destinations. During your trip to Puerto Rico, Old San Juan is a must on any travel itinerary! From charming streets, ocean views, history, and more, Old San Juan has a lot to offer. In this Puerto Rico travel guide, find some of the best things to do in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico!
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- 15+ Best Things To Do In Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Castillo San Felipe del Morro El Morro Fort
- Castillo San Cristóbal
- Fortaleza Street (Famous Photographed Street in Old San Juan)
- The Black Puerto Rican Flag Mural
- Try A Piña Colada in Old San Juan
- Walk Around the Streets in Old San Juan
- Plazuela La Rogativa
- Visit Plaza Del Quinto Centenario
- Save a Gato in Old San Juan
- Visit Hotel El Convento
- Visit Callejon de la Puerta Bandera Painted Puerto Rican Flag Door
- Go on a Food Tour in San Juan
- Experience Casa Bacardi Rum Distillery
- Explore the Beaches in Old San Juan
- Visit The Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery
- Go Shopping Around Old San Juan
- Old San Juan Travel Tips
- Where to Stay in Old San Juan
- Wrap-up: Best Things to do in Old San Juan
Castillo San Felipe del Morro El Morro Fort
El Morro Fort is easily one of the best things to do in Old San Juan Puerto Rico. This San Juan National Historic Site was built between the 16th and 18th centuries. Founded by Spanish settlers, these fortress walls were designed to help protect Old San Juan from intruders including pirates!
In 1898 Puerto Rico was taken over by the United States after the Spanish American War. El Morro was then actively used by the military during World War I and II.
Finally, in 1961, El Morro Fort was retired and turned into a National Park and Museum that we get to enjoy today.
During your visit, enjoy sweeping views of the ocean while exploring the history of the Fort. You can even enjoy a picnic on the giant front lawn like many locals. This is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Admission: $10 USD and is valid for 24-hours to access both fortifications. Children (15-years and younger): Free
Address: 501 Calle Norzagaray, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico
Castillo San Cristóbal
Located on the opposite end is Castillo San Cristóbal. Both Castillo San Cristóbal and El Morro worked in conjunction to keep enemies out by cross-firing intruding ships. This fort was named after the Saint patron of land travelers, Saint Christopher, Castillo San Cristobal.
It was considered the largest fortress built in the Americas at the time and is another one of the best things to do in Old San Juan!
Admission for El Morro or Castillo San Cristóbal will give you entry into both forts, so you only need to pay one admission fee.
Fortaleza Street (Famous Photographed Street in Old San Juan)
One of the most photographed streets in Old San Juan is Fortaleza Street. The decorations change, but this is where they have hung the umbrellas, kites, and now giant Puerto Rican Flag.
Leading to the gates of the Governor’s house, La Fortaleza, you get to see both in one shot! It is also one of the most Instagrammable places in Puerto Rico.
Address: C. de la Fortaleza, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico
The Black Puerto Rican Flag Mural
If you love murals, visiting The Black Puerto Rican Flag Mural is another one of the best things to do in Old San Juan. The flag is painted on the door of an old abandoned building. The mural imagery stands for Puerto Rico’s fight against the collapse of the educational system, healthcare workforce, and more!
Address: Found on Calle De San Jose between Calle De Sol and Calle De Sebastian.
Try A Piña Colada in Old San Juan
Did you know the Old San Juan is said to be the birthplace of the Pina Colada? That’s right, and you can have one at the restaurant that is said to have invented it, Barrachina!
The Pina Colada is actually the Offical Drink of Puerto Rico, so if you want to get your drink on, add visiting Barrachina to your things to do in Old San Juan!
Address: 104 Calle de la Fortaleza, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico
Walk Around the Streets in Old San Juan
The most charming streets in Puerto Rico can be found in Old San Juan. From the metallic cobblestone streets to the brightly colored homes, you can get lost just walking around!
If you love pastel Caribbean homes with Spanish influence, it is another one of the best things to do in Old San Juan!
In general, Old San Juan is extremely walkable, so you don’t need a car. Actually, I would recommend against having a car in Old San Juan since the streets are narrow and parking is almost impossible.
If you do need a ride somewhere, Uber has a good presence in Old San Juan and the cost is affordable.
Some of my favorite streets around Old San Juan include:
- The Caficultura (restaurant) side Street has a really pretty cobblestone alley with lots of colorful buildings on either side. The restaurant is also very good! Address: San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico
- Street of Calle de la Luna Cross Section Calle De San Jose is another really pretty area. It is close to the Black Flag Mural and has new colorful buildings on one side and older buildings on the other. It makes for a very cool contrast.
- Caleta de las Monjas street looks down at the ocean with beautiful colored buildings on either side.
Plazuela La Rogativa
Down your way from Caleta de Las Monjas street, find Palzuela La Rogativa. This small plaza offers a sweeping viewpoint of Old San Juan.
From Palzuela La Rogativa, you can see the ocean right below you, as well as the back of La Fortaleza, and even the El Yunque Rainforest from a distance.
I think it is an underrated spot for nice views in Old San Juan. This is a great place to also enjoy San Juan sunsets.
You will also see the sculpture that commemorates a women-led religious procession that took place in 1797.
Address: Caleta de las Monjas, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico
Visit Plaza Del Quinto Centenario
The Plaza Del Quinto Centenario is a charming plaza near El Morro fort. It was built in 1992 to honor Columbus’ first voyage.
In the middle of the plaza, you will find a tall clay monument known as an El Tótem Telúrico. It is made to symbolize the origin of a new world. There is also a splash area that comes in handy from the high humidity in Old San Juan if you are looking to cool down!
Address: Calle del Cristo, San Juan, 00926, Puerto Rico
Save a Gato in Old San Juan
Do you love cats? Find a cat rescue at Save a Gato, where they take care of the stray cats of Old San Juan! As you start getting closer, you will see an abundance of cats in the area.
We knew we were getting close when walking down Caleta de las Monjas street. Additionally, the area also provides views of the ocean and La Fortaleza (the official residence of the Puertorican Governor). So if you want to cuddle cute kitties, definitely consider adding Save a Gato to your list of things to do in Old San Juan!
Address: Ballajá, San Juan, Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Visit Hotel El Convento
Even if you are not staying at the luxurious Hotel El Convento, it is worth a visit. This hotel is known as one of the most Instagrammable hotels in Old San Juan, and they are also known for its great dining options.
The surrounding areas of the hotel are also known as a top photography spot with pastel buildings and an alley full of plants!
Visit Callejon de la Puerta Bandera Painted Puerto Rican Flag Door
Another cool mural in Old San Juan is the Callejon de la Puerta Bandera Painted Puerto Rican Flag Door. As you might have already noticed, Puerto Rico loves showing their flag off! So here, you will find a large Puerto Rican Flag Mural on a door.
Address: Calle Imperial, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico
Go on a Food Tour in San Juan
Puerto Rico is known to have an incredible culinary scene. Therefore, doing an Old San Juan food tour is a great opportunity to experience some of the best authentic Puerto Rican food.
If you’re not into trying food, you can even consider doing a walking tour around Old San Juan since the city is so walkable and has tons of history. Both activities are easily some of the best things to do in Old San Juan if you want a local and more authentic experience.
Experience Casa Bacardi Rum Distillery
Ok, so Casa Bacardi might not be directly in Old San Juan, but it is close enough! Did you know Bacardi Rum is still a family-owned business? On top of that, Casa Bacardi is the largest Rum Distillery in the World and it’s right in Puerto Rico!
Even if you are not a big drinker, I could still recommend Casa Bacardi. You get to learn about the history of the company along with learning the process of how rum is distilled.
We scheduled a historical tour on Bacardi’s website and it lasted about 45 minutes, so you will still have time to do other things in Old San Juan!
Explore the Beaches in Old San Juan
You can’t talk about the best things to do in Puerto Rico without mentioning the beautiful San Juan beaches! In Old San Juan, the most popular beach to visit is Condado Beach and Escambron Beach.
If you don’t mind going a little outside of Old San Juan, I can highly recommend Isla Verde Beach in Carolina. There are tons of restaurants, big hotel chains, and a large public beach!
Visit The Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery
Known as one of the most beautiful Cemeteries in Puerto Rico is the Santa María Magdalena de Pazzi Cemetery. This is another one of the top Old San Juan attractions to add to your itinerary. The cemetery has some of the most prominent people of Puerto Rico buried there and, overall just known to be very pretty (even for a cemetery).
You can even see it from El Morro Fort if you don’t feel like going all the way to it! So if cemeteries don’t creep you out, it’s another one of the popular things to do in Old San Juan.
Address: Calle Cementerio, San Juan, 00926, Puerto Rico
Go Shopping Around Old San Juan
Old San Juan has tons of shops all around the City. We personally like to get a painting from every place we visit since its small, easy to pack and makes good decoration in our home.
Old San Juan Travel Tips
Now that you know some of the best places to visit in Old San Juan, here are some additional travel tips.
One of the big questions I get asked is Old San Juan and Puerto Rico safe? Puerto Rico felt very safe in Old San Juan wandering the streets. Old San Juan is a huge tourist destination. I would practice normal safety measures.
As mentioned before, you do not need a car while traveling around Old San Juan. If you do plan on exploring more of Puerto Rico, I would then suggest renting a car.
If you are not renting a car, you can take a taxi from the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU). It is about 25 minutes away from Old San Juan.
Another Old San Juan travel tip would be to explore outside Old San Juan. Puerto Rico has so much to offer! Plan of spending 4-5 days in Puerto Rico? Check out this detailed Puerto Rico Itinerary!
Additionally, some of my favorite places to eat in Old San Juan are Señor Paleta (fruit popsicles), Waffle-era Tea Room alias La Waflera (great breakfast), and Caficultura (another great breakfast or brunch spot in Old San Juan)!
Where to Stay in Old San Juan
There are a plethora of great places to stay in Old San Juan! Here are some of the best Old San Juan hotels in the area to consider staying in.
If you are visiting during the high season, I recommend booking in advance as prices and rooms go up quickly.
Caribe Hilton (High-end)
This property includes a private beachfront on 17 acres of tropical gardens. Its unique location is perfect for beach lovers! Check Prices
Hotel El Convento (Mid-High)
Known as one of the most photo-worthy hotels, Hotel El Convento is located right in Old San Juan. Here you are within walking distance to everything in the Old City and 15 minutes from the airport.
Decanter Hotel ( Mid-High)
Another beautiful property right in the heart of Old San Juan with beautiful details and interior. Check Prices
The Condado Plaza Hilton (Moderate)
The Condado overlooks both the lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean with 4 onsite swimming pools. Considered a high-end 4 Star hotel. Check Prices
The Dreamcatcher ( Low Moderate)
The Dreamcature is San Juan’s only vegetarian hotel. This is the perfect place for someone looking for a unique boutique hotel stay that puts a lot of thought and care into the environment and their guests! Check prices here!
Additionally, if you are interested in staying in an airbnb, here are some of the best airbnbs in Puerto Rico.
Wrap-up: Best Things to do in Old San Juan
As you can see, there are tons of things to do in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. I hope this guide has inspired your trip to Old San Juan!
You may also be interested in: Travel tips to know before visiting Puerto Rico, How to get tickets to El Yunque National Forest, and the best things to do in Puerto Rico.
