Sharing 19 fun things to do in San Juan Puerto Rico!
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There are so many fun things to do in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is a city filled with history, amazing food, and tropical beaches. There truly is something for every type of traveler whether you want to hike the rain forest or stroll the romantic streets of Old San Juan or sip piña coladas beachside the whole time!
Here is my round up of all of my personal favorite things to do in San Juan. You likely won’t have time to do them all, but pick the ones that speak to you the most! There are great ideas whether it’s a solo trip, family reunion, honeymoon or even a bachelorette party!
Fun Things to Do in San Juan Puerto Rico
All of my favorite things to do in San Juan Puerto Rico!
1. Sunset Sail Around Old San Juan
First and foremost, I love to see a new destination from the water. It provides a more unique perspective to actually get to see the place you are visiting. I always recommend water activities so book a sailing trip with Sail Old San Juan! Sebastian is the owner and a great captain. Unfortunately, It rained a little on our trip so he pulled us up to a locals only dockside bar for shelter. We went in to grab a drink and it was truly a rustic bar filled with only Puerto Ricans. Such a cool experience to see how the locals were spending their Saturday night.
Be sure to pack some champagne to toast the sunset! 🥂
Best Sailing Tours in San Juan:
2. Explore El Yunque Rainforest
Next, plan a visit to El Yunque, the only rainforest in the US National Parks System. It is 29,000 acres of diverse ecosystem filled with unique plants and animals like the coqui frog – famous in Puerto Rico. You can explore waterfalls and secret lagoons and maybe even try fresh passionfruit right from the forest.
Best Tours to El Yunque:
- El Yunque + Luquillo Beach Tour
- Off The Beaten Path Tour
- Waterfall Tour with visit to Yocahu Tower, Coco Falls, and Mameyes River
3. Visit Luquillo Beach
After the rainforest, head to Luquillo Beach. While not technically in San Juan, it’s in the area and makes for a great day trip in combo with the forest. It is a half hour drive from the airport and has some of the island’s best beaches. Interestingly, Luqillo is known as la capital del sol or the suns capital.
Be sure to grab lunch at the many food stalls along the beach. They have amazing food and fresh minty mojitos! Unquestionably, Kiosk #20 is my favorite!
4. Have Piña Coladas at Caribe Hilton Hotel
Did you know Puerto Rico invented the piña colada? It’s home is the Caribe Hilton hotel. Stop into their main lobby bar to enjoy drinks and overlook the ocean.
5. Castillo San Cristobal
Castillo San Cristobal is a fortress built from 1634 to 1765 to protect old San Juan from enemies approaching by land. The whole citadel is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
6. Castillo San Felipe del Morro
Likewise, Castillo San Felipe del Morro is the counterpart to Castillo San Cristobal built first in 1539 to protect the island from attacks by sea. Both forts were actively used during the First and Second World Wars.
Best Walking Tours in Old San Juan:
7. Calle Fortaleza – Umbrella Street
Within the walled city of Old San Juan you will find tons of charm with cobblestone streets and colorful architecture. Calle Fortaleza is the famous umbrella street in Old San Juan. After you visit the fortress, stroll around this colorful area to shop and eat lunch.
8. San Sebastian Street Festival
The San Sebastian Street Festival is one of the biggest events in San Juan held annually in January. I was able to take part during my bachelorette trip to Puerto Rico. Also referred to as the San Se Festival, it is the unofficial closing of their holiday season. Expect Old San Juan to be taken over by music, dancing, and street performances. You will find local artisans selling their handmade goods throughout the day and parties by night time.
9. Bacardi Factory Tour
Bacardi is the largest rum distillery in the world and you can visit their factory in San Juan. You can enjoy a cocktail at their waterfront bar and then take a guided tour to learn how rum is produced. If you have a group, sign up for a mixology class or a tasting.
10. Dance the night away at La Placita
La Placita is a famous square in the Condado area. It is a market during the day, but at night it lights up as the bars open their doors and the locals show off their salsa dancing in the street. It’s a fun open-air place where you can pop inside to grab a drink and then hang out in the square.
11. Have drinks at La Factoria – one of the best bars in the world
La Factoria is considered one of the World’s 50 Best Bars. It is really SIX bars weaved throughout one space via tunnels and secret rooms. Be sure to check it out on your trip.
12. Snorkeling
Coral reefs are the main part of Puerto Rico’s marine ecosystem. Some reefs can be reached by shore and others require a boat trip. Plan a morning to dive into the calm waters to see what lives below. A popular place in San Juan is Escambrón Beach right near the Caribe Hilton Hotel.
Best Snorkeling Tours in San Juan:
13. Try Mofongo
Mofonogo is a traditional Puerto Rican dish made of fried green plantains that are mashed with garlic and mixed with chicharrones. You have to try this classic dish when visiting the island.
Best Food Tours:
14. Visit a Food Truck Park
Head to the Miramar neighborhood of San Juan to visit the food truck spot. You will love trying all the fresh Puerto Rican flavors that the locals enjoy.
15. Take a Salsa class
If you love to dance, you will find plenty of it in Puerto Rico. Take a salsa class from a local with your significant other or girls group and then hit the town to show off your moves at a salsa night!
Best Salsa Classes:
16. Swim at El Escambrón Beach
El Escambrón is the most picturesque beach in San Juan. It’s located between Old and New San Juan so you will be able to see the difference between the modern and historic cities. This beach is a great place to snorkel or swims since it’s protected by the reef which makes it super calm.
17. Spa Treatment at Condado Vanderbilt Hotel
Obviously, you should treat yourself to a little luxury on your trip. The Spa at the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel offers a luxury spa experience and even a massage over the ocean so you can smell the salt air for the most relaxing time.
18. Play a Round of Golf
Lastly, perfect for a guys trip or bachelor party to San Juan, play a round of golf at one of Puerto Rico’s best courses. However, make to go for one with amazing views along the white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. I suggest a trip over to the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort to play their course set in the foothills of El Yunque. Additionally, head to the Wyndham Grand for your choice between their Ocean Course designed by award winning golf architects Tom & George Fazio or the River Course designed by Greg Norman.
Those are all of my favorite fun things to do in San Juan Puerto Rico. Truly, tons of options that aren’t your typical tourist experience so you can really see what makes Puerto Rico so special!
19. Book a Beach Yoga Class
A beach yoga class is always a good idea when you are at a white, sandy coastline. This experience has tons of amazing reviews and would be perfect for a relaxing girls trip or to book individually.
If you go to San Juan
Finally, check out some of my other posts for all the best places to stay, my favorite restaurants, and what to pack!
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