San Juan in 7 days

Colourful colonial streets, salsa, rum, and beach life in a Caribbean capital you can walk end to end. Best time to visit: December-April (dry, mild). Average daily budget: $80 to $140 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: Old San Juan, The walled colonial city: blue cobblestones, forts, salsa bars, and the best dining.

Morning: Beach hop from Condado to Ocean Park. Soft sand, warm water, and local food kiosks for alcapurrias and piña coladas.

Afternoon: Explore Old San Juan, The walled colonial city: blue cobblestones, forts, salsa bars, and the best dining.

Evening: El Morro at sunset. The 16th-century fortress on the headland, golden light on the walls, kite flyers on the lawn.

Eat: Mofongo (fried plantain mash) with pork or seafood

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Condado, The beachfront hotel strip: surfing, casinos, and a young, lively scene.

Morning: A mofongo cooking class with a local grandmother in Santurce.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Condado, The beachfront hotel strip: surfing, casinos, and a young, lively scene.

Evening: Salsa night in Old San Juan. Live bands in tiny bars where locals dance with tourists and the rum flows freely.

Eat: Alcapurrias (fried fritters) from a beach kiosk

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: Santurce, The arts district: murals, galleries, and the best nightlife outside the old town.

Morning: The Bacardí distillery tour with a rum tasting in the tropical gardens.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Santurce, The arts district: murals, galleries, and the best nightlife outside the old town.

Evening: Bioluminescent bay kayak. A night paddle in Fajardo where every stroke lights up the water with microscopic glow.

Eat: Piña colada where it was invented

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Ocean Park, A relaxed residential beach area with local food kiosks and calmer waters.

Morning: Street art walking tour in Santurce's Calle Cerra, a living outdoor gallery.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Ocean Park, A relaxed residential beach area with local food kiosks and calmer waters.

Evening: Breakfast at a panadería: fresh mallorca bread with butter and powdered sugar.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Fresh seafood and lobster by the waterfront

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Isla Verde, Resort strip with the widest beach and the airport on your doorstep.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Isla Verde, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Isla Verde, Resort strip with the widest beach and the airport on your doorstep.

Evening: Dinner at Mofongo (fried plantain mash) with pork or seafood, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Isla Verde.

Eat: Mofongo (fried plantain mash) with pork or seafood

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: Old San Juan, The walled colonial city: blue cobblestones, forts, salsa bars, and the best dining.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Old San Juan, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Old San Juan, The walled colonial city: blue cobblestones, forts, salsa bars, and the best dining.

Evening: Dinner at Alcapurrias (fried fritters) from a beach kiosk, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Old San Juan.

Eat: Alcapurrias (fried fritters) from a beach kiosk

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: Condado, The beachfront hotel strip: surfing, casinos, and a young, lively scene.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Condado, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Condado, The beachfront hotel strip: surfing, casinos, and a young, lively scene.

Evening: Dinner at Piña colada where it was invented, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Condado.

Eat: Piña colada where it was invented

Hidden gems

A mofongo cooking class with a local grandmother in Santurce.
The Bacardí distillery tour with a rum tasting in the tropical gardens.
Street art walking tour in Santurce's Calle Cerra, a living outdoor gallery.
Breakfast at a panadería: fresh mallorca bread with butter and powdered sugar.

Getting around

Old San Juan is entirely walkable and cars are restricted. Between districts, taxis and Uber are affordable and quick. Public buses (guaguas) are cheap but sporadic. For the rainforest, bioluminescent bays, and Culebra Island, book a tour or rental car. Ferries to Culebra and Vieques run from Ceiba.

Safety

San Juan is generally safe in the tourist areas, but take normal precautions: avoid unlit streets late at night, keep valuables off the beach, and be cautious in Santurce after dark in less-trafficked blocks. Mosquitoes can be an issue; bring repellent. Tap water is safe to drink.

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