San Juan Bautista
The second oldest city in the Americas after Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and one of Puerto Rico's most important ports, San Juan is one of the top Caribbean destinations for travelers. This metropolitan city has expanded rapidly over the years, creating suburban areas such as Miramar, Santurce and Condado. San Juan is responsible for the largest industrial and processing centers, maintaining facilities such as rum distilling and sugar refinery.


Places to Sleep
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Casablanca Hotel Old San Juan: A charming hotel decorated with pop art, located a few minutes away from many historical sites. When I walked into the lobby I fell in love, especially because there was a stunning Marilyn Monroe portrait greeting me. (Everyone should know I'm obsessed with MM.) Starting at $95/night (well worth it!)
316 Calle Fortaleza, Old San Juan
Tel: 787-725-3436
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The Palace Hostel: A cozy hostel located in the Miramar neighborhood just a bus ride away from Old San Juan and El Condado. With free breakfast and coffee daily and 15 minutes walking distance from the beach, you can't go wrong. Rooms are $14-$18/night, mixed dorms
666 Calle Suau, Miramar
Tel: 787-998-2494
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Posada San Francisco: Located in one of the most convenient locations in El Viejo San Juan, the hostel overlooks Plaza Colon and is surrounded by tons of restaurants, bars and active nightlife. Starting at $20/night, dorm and $40/night, private
405 Calle San Francisco, Old San Juan
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Fortaleza Guesthouse: One block away from Plaza Colon, the hostel is also situated among many trendy restaurants and shops.​ Starting at $20/night, dorm​
303 Calle Fortaleza, Old San Juan
Tel: 787-721-7112
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Pop Art Hotel: The hotel/hostel can be classified as the five stars of dorming. I could describe how unbelievably chic and classy this place is but it won't matter until you actually step foot into one of Old San Juan's hidden gems. The hotel has a shared kitchen and dorms that fit 1-4 or 1-6 people. The beds start at $31.25/night. Note: If you are traveling alone, you will be charged for the rest of the beds. The hotel also have private suites for $95/night.
103 Calle Cruz, Old San Juan
Email: poparthotelpr@gmail.com
Tel: 787-722-3123
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At Wind Chimes Boutique Hotel: A restored Colonial Spanish villa, At Wind Chimes is a mixture of intimacy and romance packaged in a Puerto Rican/Spaniard way. The villa has a relaxing swimming pool and is just steps away from the beach. Starting at $65/night, low season. Honeymoon packages are available
1750 McLeary Ave. Condado
Email: reservations@atwindchimesinn.com
Tel: 787-727-4153
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Hotel Iberia: Located in San Juan's El Condado, this European-style hotel is in the middle of the trendiest neighborhood in Puerto Rico. The intimate Spanish villa is only 10 minutes from the airport. Starting at $70/night.
1464 Wilson Ave, Condado
Tel: 787-722-5380
Things to do
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Visit La Perla: The slums located outside the city walls of Old San Juan. Originally a slaughterhouse in the 19th century is now home to 338 residents. La Perla has a bad reputation for illegal activities but the neighborhood holds local salsa and hip hop concerts weekly in an attempt to clear away from there bad image. If you are planning to go, it would be best to go with someone that knows people there. I went in the morning and there was no one around, only because people were up late partying the night before.
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Breakfast at Cafeteria Mallorca: A diner, with a truly Spaniard name, serves probably the most Puerto Rican breakfast I've ever had in a public place: Libby's sausages with eggs, toast and home fries. Along with a natural fruit juice and it's a perfect start to any day. 300 Calle San Francisco
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Coffee Shops: There are several cafes serving delicious and very artistic coffee. Caficultura, Cafe Colao, Cafe Poetico, Aromas Coffee, and Cafe Cuatro Sombras are amongst the best in San Juan.​
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Eat customized pizza at La Focaccia: Owned by an Italian couple who moved to Puerto Rico, this authentic Italian pizzeria
allows you to customize any tray or personal pizza with their fresh Italian products. It is like dying and going to pizza heaven. 201 Calle San Justo
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​Eat mangu de yuca con camarones at Yeyos: You MUST NOT leave Puerto Rico without eating smashed yuca with shrimp. The dish is so delectable you might lick the plate. Stop by Yeyos for lunch. They don't have this dish everyday so you might have to ask what day of the week they make it. Another appetizing dish is pastelon de marudo (yellow plantain) stuffed with meat and a side of white rice and beans. Yum!! Most plates are no more than $10. Buen provecho.​ 353 Calle San Francisco
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Visit all the historical sites in El Viejo San Juan: There is plenty of history here! Many of the sites and museums are close together. Especially, go see the Cemetery and El Morro. ​
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​Kite flying at El Morro: Taking it back to childhood memories. Oh the nostalgia! There is a large field before the entry of El Morro where locals come to fly their kites. If you don't own one, no worries. Before entering the field, a woman selling hot dogs, chips and sodas also has kites for $5.
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Freshly-squeezed orange juice at El Pinos Café in Miramar: ​Owned by a Dominican family, El Pinos, seriously, makes the best freshly-squeezed orange juice I have ever tasted. The locals are very well aware of this and specifically go here to grab a cup to go on a hot, sunny day. 655 Avenida Juan Ponce De León
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​Watch a movie at Fine Arts Cinema Cafe at Miramar: Right across the street from El Pinos, is the fancy movie theater that show Spaniard, American and Latin American/Caribbean films, most with Spanish subtitles. The space is so welcoming. The huge movie theater seats are extremely comfortable and the desserts are to die for. 654 Ponce de León Ave
Nightlife
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Wedneday salsa nights at Nuyorican Cafe: The place to be on Thursdays! Listen to hypnotizing live salsa music play all night and watch or dance along with the very professional salsa dancers. Located on an alley passageway. ​312 Calle San Francisco

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Café Celeste, across from Nuyorican, might get overlooked but this hole-in-the-wall bar holds its own, with a jukebox full of old-school music from mambo to salsa and $2.50 cocktails. Grab a chair and mingle out on the cobblestone street.
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La Rumba Party Cruise: Drink and dance to live music while taking a tour around the old city by sea. What better way to spend an evening. The fun begins on Fridays at 10:30pm, Saturdays at 9:30pm and Sundays at 7:30pm. Last tour on Fridays and Saturdays is at 2:30am and Sundays at 11:30pm. Admission $14, departs from Plaza de Darsenas at San Juan Bay
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Late night dinner and cocktails at Tantra: Like I heard someone say, "if you don't come here than you are stupid." (Just quoting) The romantic ambiance mixed with Latin, Indian and Asian infused cuisine and tropical fruit cocktails, why wouldn't you come. 356 Calle Fortaleza - CLOSED
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Bar hop on Calle San Sebastián: T​here is a strip of restaurants and bars here where Puerto Ricans have been partying for years. Mingle with the stylish locals and dance to great music.​
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Saturday night at La Concha: Wear your most fabulous and fashionable outfit and head out to one of El Condado's ubber chic hotels. Grab a drink at the bar of La Concha's lobby or have dinner at La Perla Restaurant. The iconic shell shape of the restaurant is architecture magic.​ 1077 Ashford Avenue
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Club Brava: One of San Juan's most popular nightclubs located inside El San Juan Hotel & Casino.​ 6063 Isla Verde Ave, Carolina
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Tuesday nights at Red Line: ​A rather American establishment, this bar and restaurant that serves burgers and beer gets very Puerto Rican on Tuesdays when Salsa music is played all night. Follow them on Facebook for upcoming events. 210 Calle Eleanor Roosevelt
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Circo Bar: Puerto Rico is exceptionally open to homosexuality, contrary to other islands in the Caribbean. Circo, a gay bar, is known to have some of the hottest bartenders on the island. Located in the not so safe neighborhood of Santurce, once you get there, it's packed with security and friendly staff. 650 Calle Condado, Santurce
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Mist Rooftop Lounge: ​​Every Thursday to Saturday starting at 6pm, attend one of Isla Verde's poppin' parties at this very chic Miami-esque meets New York rooftop lounge in the San Juan Waterbeach Club Hotel. 2 Tartak Street, Isla Verde
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Late night at Marmalade: Known to leave you paralyzed due to its delicious flavors and prices, this Caribbean and French cuisine restaurant is well worth it! ​317 Fortaleza Street
NOTE: The Latin Roots, Tanama Yoga Studio, Tantra and Pop Art Hotel are no longer open.