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Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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San Juan Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.
‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.
Suited for
Puerto Rico – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B
Type A:
  Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
US Dollar (USD) £1 ≈ US$1.33 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 4/5
Cashless payments are widely accepted in Puerto Rico, particularly in cities and tourist areas.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is expected in Puerto Rico. A 10-15% tip is standard in restaurants, while small tips are appreciated by taxi drivers and hotel staff. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is prohibited in Puerto Rico, except in designated areas or licensed venues. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is allowed in designated areas, but there are restrictions on smoking in public places. |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance) |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | Uber |
| Other: | Puerto Rico offers a vibrant culture, beautiful beaches, and historic sites. It is a U.S. territory with a mix of American and Caribbean influences. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for San Juan, Puerto Rico
Hurricane season June to November, highest risk August to October
San Sebastián Street Festival (Old San Juan) runs mid January, huge crowds, hotels book out
Cruise ships dock mostly November to April, Old San Juan gets very crowded on port days
Don't miss
- 🏘️ Explore colorful streets of historic Old San Juan
- 🏰 Tour Castillo San Felipe del Morro fortress grounds
- ⛪ Visit San Juan Cathedral, resting place of Ponce de León
- 🌳 Stroll along the scenic Paseo de la Princesa promenade
- 🏖️ Relax at the pristine Isla Verde Beach
- 🍽️ Savor local flavors at La Placita de Santurce market
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to San Juan?
San Juan is perfect for travelers who crave both culture and relaxation. Wander the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan, lined with colorful Spanish colonial buildings and lively cafés. Explore imposing forts like El Morro and San Cristóbal, then unwind on golden beaches like Condado or Isla Verde. The city’s food scene is legendary, from street food stalls to fine dining and the nightlife pulses with music and dance. Downsides? Old San Juan can get crowded when cruise ships are in port and pickpocketing is a risk in busy areas – keep valuables secure. Some neighborhoods, like La Perla, should be avoided for safety reasons. The heat and humidity are real, so pace yourself and stay hydrated. Still, San Juan’s warmth – both in climate and spirit – makes it unforgettable.
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
🛍️Shopping
🎈Events
-
San Sebastián Street Festival (January)
-
Noche de San Juan (June)
-
Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián
-
Heineken JazzFest
-
Casals Festival
-
Saborea Puerto Rico (food festival)
-
Puerto Rico Comic Con
-
La Campechada (arts festival)
-
Navidad en San Juan (Christmas)
-
Puerto Rico Salsa Congress
Knowledge before you go
- Stay in Old San Juan; you can walk most sights.
- Bring sunscreen and light rain protection; tropical weather changes quickly near the coast.
- Visit El Morro early for cooler temps and better photos.
- Pair Old San Juan with an evening in Santurce’s La Placita for local food, music and nightlife.
How to travel to San Juan
San Juan is served by Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), just 15 minutes from downtown. Direct flights connect to major US cities and some international destinations. The city is also a major Caribbean cruise port. Taxis, shuttles and Uber connect the airport to hotels and neighborhoods.
Access summary
- From SJU airport: Taxi or rideshare to central San Juan, about 15–25 minutes.
- From Miami: Direct flights to SJU around 2.5–3 hours.
- From New York City: Direct flights to SJU around 3.5–4 hours.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in San Juan
San Juan offers everything from luxury beachfront resorts in Condado and Isla Verde to boutique hotels in Old San Juan and budget hostels. Most accommodations are close to the main attractions. Book early for festivals and high season (winter). Some hotels charge resort fees, so check when booking.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
How to get around San Juan
Old San Juan, Condado and Ocean Park are walkable, but the heat can make long strolls challenging. Uber and taxis are reliable and safe for getting around, especially at night or outside main tourist areas. Public buses and the Tren Urbano (urban train) serve parts of the city, but most visitors use ride-sharing or walk. Renting a car is best for exploring beyond San Juan, but driving can be hectic and parking is limited in the old city.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in San Juan are around 16% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.
Travel costs
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
Other
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
San Juan is generally safe in main tourist areas, but pickpocketing can occur in crowded spots — keep valuables secure. Avoid La Perla and don’t walk alone at night outside major neighborhoods. Use Uber or taxis after dark.
Health & Medical
Medical care is good, with hospitals and pharmacies throughout the city. Tap water is safe to drink. The main risks are sunburn, dehydration and mosquito bites — protect your skin and stay hydrated.
Accessibility
Most hotels, attractions and public spaces are accessible, but Old San Juan’s cobblestones and hills can be tricky for those with mobility issues. Sidewalks can be uneven. Check ahead for specific needs.
Tap water
Tap water is safe and widely available. Public fountains are rare, so refill your bottle at your hotel. Stay hydrated, especially in the heat.
Packing recommendations for San Juan
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sun cream
🚰
Reusable water bottle
👕
Light, breathable clothing
🧥
Waterproof jacket
🕶️
Sunglasses
🎒
Small rucksack
🪰
Insect repellent
🩱
Swimwear
👛
Cash in small denominations
👜
Anti-theft bag
🔋
Power bank
👒
Sun hat
🪪
Copies of passport and important documents
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
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