The Best Neighborhoods to Visit in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Welcome to San Juan, the beautiful capital of Puerto Rico. We're here to immerse you in the best of the city, from the must-visit historic landmarks to the top surf spots to farmer's markets by day turned nightlife hubs come sunset. There's a lot of information out there, so we've pulled together everything you need to know about San Juan's best neighborhoods from the travel mavens we all know and trust.

Old San Juan

Old San Juan is a hip area, home to many landmarks, with a great food and shopping scene.

"Home to among the hemisphere's finest restorations of Spanish colonial fortresses and buildings, the Old City is all the more beautiful for its dramatic location sprawled across a headland on the western end of an isleta…It's a robust cultural and commercial district with theaters, galleries, clubs, bars and restaurants, and some of the most interesting shops in the region." -

Frommer's

"You’ll need at least a day to fully explore the neighborhood’s historic showpieces, which stand testament to San Juan’s proud status as the second-oldest city in the Americas. On 500-year-old cobblestone streets, chic boutique hotels and contemporary art galleries nudge up against trend-driven restaurants and sleek cocktail bars." -

Lonely Planet

"The historic heart of Puerto Rico's capital, Old San Juan is vibrant beyond its colorful colonial architecture or its iconic "Umbrella Street," Calle de la Fortaleza… End a day of exploring with local bites at one of the neighborhood's countless rooftop restaurants or with a drink at La Factoría, named the best bar in the Caribbean in 2023." -

Travel + Leisure

Santurce

Santurce is a large area home to a popular food and nightlife scene.

"Santurce is often described as an up-and-coming arts district, but that’s too narrow a description for this densely populated barrio, which contains 40 sub-barrios and dates to the 1800s. Newer shops and modern restaurants are peppered among long-standing colmados (mini-markets, often with bars), historic architecture and murals (thanks to an annual street art festival)." -

Washington Post

"…[the] Santurce district bursts with color and creativity. Bold street art, fashionable cocktail bars and gastronomic temples orbit La Placita de Santurce, a historic farmers market that transforms after dark into one of the city’s top nightlife districts…you'll find some of the city's top restaurants…Santurce is also home to one of the Caribbean’s most vibrant artistic communities." -

Lonely Planet

"…La Placita de Santurce farmers' market is a packed-to-the-gills party featuring small bars to dip into for a drink and restaurants to grab a bite. The central market is housed in a historic building, giving the revelry a truly escapist feel…the real joy here is getting a rum drink in a plastic cup and walking around while taking in the sounds." -

Conde Nast Traveler

Miramar

Miramar is an upscale, residential area with an equally high-end food scene.

"Across the lagoon from Condado, upscale Miramar is a quiet suburban neighborhood centered on two marinas and a gentrified harbor district. The main appeal for travelers is the fine-dining scene and the exclusive lounge bars, which draw a mixed crowd of local and expat professionals. One of the hottest tickets in town is Ariel (formerly Augusto’s), an old-school European-inspired restaurant from acclaimed chef Ariel Rodríguez." -

Lonely Planet

"Miramar is an upscale residential neighborhood, with a small business district and a large port across San Juan Bay. It has two marinas where fishing boats and yachts lie at anchor. The whole harbor-side area is being redeveloped, spearheaded by the state-of-the-art Puerto Rico Convention Center…It's also the site of Isla Grande Airport, where you can board flights to the islands of Vieques and Culebra." -

Frommer's

Condado

Condado is an upscale area with great restaurants, nightlife, and shopping, catered to visitors.

"Polished Condado draws families and water sports enthusiasts with its upbeat tropical vibe and abundant beach amenities. Posh resorts and casino hotels rise above a swath of palm-fringed beaches that shelve gently into clear, azure waters. The neighborhood’s main drag, glitzy Avenida Ashford, has a smattering of interesting art deco architecture and an abundance of rooftop bars, gourmet restaurants, fashionable nightclubs and designer boutiques." -

Lonely Planet

"The oceanfront Condado neighborhood is the place to be in San Juan, with upscale apartments, the city's best restaurants, and plenty of fantastic shopping. Visit La Placita de Santurce, a favorite destination with locals and visitors alike, for frequent cultural events, street parties, and Puerto Rican bites at local spots like La Alcapurria Quemá." -

Travel + Leisure

Isla Verde

Isla Verde has many hotels, restaurants, and shops.

"Just a 10-minute drive from the airport, Isla Verde is perfect for travelers who like to have everything right on their doorstep. High-rise condos, luxurious hotels and international restaurants line an oceanfront boulevard – Avenida Isla Verde – flanking a long beach…" -

Lonely Planet

"…Isla Verde wins hands down in the beach department -- you'll find a wide, clean, white-sand beach running the full length of the neighborhood…a favorite with sailors and surfers…This district appeals to travelers who like a hotel to offer everything under one roof: entertainment, vast selections of dining, convenient shopping, pools, and an array of planned activities." -

Frommer's