Andrea’s guidebook
Best Bars
One of San Sebastian streets iconic bars. Its colorful, and has indoor murals by some of the island's best muralists, like Sofia Maldonado. Enjoy inexpensive drinks, surrounded by Old San Juan locals.
16 locals recommend
LA SOMBRILLA ROSA
154 C. San SebastiánOne of San Sebastian streets iconic bars. Its colorful, and has indoor murals by some of the island's best muralists, like Sofia Maldonado. Enjoy inexpensive drinks, surrounded by Old San Juan locals.
An alley with a few small bars that leads to an amazing view of the Atlantic Ocean, and sometimes has authentic live music, like bomba, plena y salsa. It happens to be around the corner from our apartment!
14 locals recommend
El Callejón de la Tanca
2-26 Ca. de la TancaAn alley with a few small bars that leads to an amazing view of the Atlantic Ocean, and sometimes has authentic live music, like bomba, plena y salsa. It happens to be around the corner from our apartment!
Ranked one of The Worlds 50 Best Bars, this bar serves some of the best cocktails, low lit ambiance and different rooms offer a variety of music, with a salsa dancing space.
369 locals recommend
La Factoria
148 C. San SebastiánRanked one of The Worlds 50 Best Bars, this bar serves some of the best cocktails, low lit ambiance and different rooms offer a variety of music, with a salsa dancing space.
Food scene
Authentic local food. This family owned restaurant has been in that location for over 30 years. Its always packed and never disappoints.
125 locals recommend
El Jibarito
280 C. del SolAuthentic local food. This family owned restaurant has been in that location for over 30 years. Its always packed and never disappoints.
No visit to Old San Juan is complete without a Mallorca from this local favorite spot.
50 locals recommend
Cafetería Mallorca
300 C. de San FranciscoNo visit to Old San Juan is complete without a Mallorca from this local favorite spot.
Bodega Chic
313 C. de la FortalezaCasual but delicious French Food, great ambiance, and bar as well.
Upscale restaurant, that has had consistent great reviews for 20 years. Well executed food, utilizing fresh and local ingredients, perfect wine pairings, and amazing Vegetarian, and Vegan menu available.
128 locals recommend
Marmalade
317 C. de la FortalezaUpscale restaurant, that has had consistent great reviews for 20 years. Well executed food, utilizing fresh and local ingredients, perfect wine pairings, and amazing Vegetarian, and Vegan menu available.
Sightseeing
Castillo San Felipe del Morro is our most known landmark. It is an impressive structure with unending history. A visit inside is a must, but I also recommend its beautiful surroundings, with spectacular views. There is a corridor through the outer walls, along the ocean, Paseo de La Princesa, which makes for beautiful walks. The spacious front lawn is the perfect spot for a picnic or some kite flying!
492 locals recommend
El Morro
Calle BeneficenciaCastillo San Felipe del Morro is our most known landmark. It is an impressive structure with unending history. A visit inside is a must, but I also recommend its beautiful surroundings, with spectacular views. There is a corridor through the outer walls, along the ocean, Paseo de La Princesa, which makes for beautiful walks. The spacious front lawn is the perfect spot for a picnic or some kite flying!
This museum is located inside El Cuartel de Ballaja, a stunning structure, which in Spanish colonial times was used as military barracks. Today holds permanent exhibits of Natives in the Americas, African Legacy, and Popular Arts.
75 locals recommend
Museo de las Américas
Calle BeneficenciaThis museum is located inside El Cuartel de Ballaja, a stunning structure, which in Spanish colonial times was used as military barracks. Today holds permanent exhibits of Natives in the Americas, African Legacy, and Popular Arts.
This is Old San Juan's oldest residence, originally built as governor Juan Ponce de Leon's residency. Today it houses 16th and 17th century artifacts, and you can enjoy a walk in its gorgeous gardens.
45 locals recommend
Casa Blanca Museum
1 C. San SebastiánThis is Old San Juan's oldest residence, originally built as governor Juan Ponce de Leon's residency. Today it houses 16th and 17th century artifacts, and you can enjoy a walk in its gorgeous gardens.
A pedestrian promenade along the ocean and the wall that used to serve to protect the city. It is named after La Princesa Prison, which is now the premises for the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. You can find artisans, food and drinks around the entrance.
162 locals recommend
Paseo de la Princesa
54 C. de la FortalezaA pedestrian promenade along the ocean and the wall that used to serve to protect the city. It is named after La Princesa Prison, which is now the premises for the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. You can find artisans, food and drinks around the entrance.
Neighborhoods
Old San Juan is a 500 year old city, surrounded by water. It is connected to the main Island by bridges. The original architecture is protected and conserved, hence, you can observe centuries old history anywhere you stand in it.
902 locals recommend
Viejo San Juan
Old San Juan is a 500 year old city, surrounded by water. It is connected to the main Island by bridges. The original architecture is protected and conserved, hence, you can observe centuries old history anywhere you stand in it.
This area is adjacent to the entrance of Old San Juan, but it heads to the east, along the coast and circling La Laguna de Condado. It has many hotels, restaurants, shops, boutiques, nightlife and is very pedestrian friendly. You can still see some Art Deco buildings around this area.
283 locals recommend
Condado
This area is adjacent to the entrance of Old San Juan, but it heads to the east, along the coast and circling La Laguna de Condado. It has many hotels, restaurants, shops, boutiques, nightlife and is very pedestrian friendly. You can still see some Art Deco buildings around this area.
Ocean Park follows Condado along the beach border. This is a more eclectic and hip area, with lots of restaurants, bars, shops. The beach scene is bustling, and fun. There's many activities to enjoy under the sun!
278 locals recommend
Ocean Park
2059 Cll ItaliaOcean Park follows Condado along the beach border. This is a more eclectic and hip area, with lots of restaurants, bars, shops. The beach scene is bustling, and fun. There's many activities to enjoy under the sun!
Pinones is about a 20 minute drive from Old San Juan. It borders the North coast, and through its single road you will find hundreds of kiosks selling fritters, fresh coconuts, homemade coconut and almond confections, and many more delicious foods from our African ancestry.
287 locals recommend
Campamento Piñones
Pinones is about a 20 minute drive from Old San Juan. It borders the North coast, and through its single road you will find hundreds of kiosks selling fritters, fresh coconuts, homemade coconut and almond confections, and many more delicious foods from our African ancestry.