Best Things to do in San Juan for First-Time Visitors
When we started planning our most recent summer vacation we knew we wanted to visit somewhere tropical, colorful and full of character. It didn’t take much research before we knew that San Juan was the perfect place to begin our journey. What better place to visit than a city painted in bold Caribbean color, alive with music, culture,incredible food and centuries of layered history?
From the moment we arrived we knew we’d made the right choice. From the old world charm of the cobblestone streets to the rich aromas wafting out of buildings beckoning visitors inside to taste flavors passed down through generations, every corner of San Juan unlocked a treasure to be discovered. 
Our first visit certainly won’t be our last. While we’re far from experts on this vibrant capital city, I did glean a little wisdom to share. So to help out my fellow first-timers, I’ve created this quick guide to the best things to do in San Juan for first time visitors. Use it as a key to unlock the magic of this Caribbean city and create your own unforgettable island adventure.
What First-Time Visitors Should Know
We did so much research to prepare for our trip, I feel like I could write an entire travel guide on parts of Puerto Rico, San Juan being the area I learned the most about. Here’s a rundown of the information I found most useful.
Best Time to Visit San Juan
San Juan is beautiful at any given time of the year, however spring in Puerto Rico brings the least amount of rain and comfortable temperatures. Unfortunately this also coincides with the northern hemisphere’s winter months, December through March , so you’ll encounter heavier crowds as those folks flee colder weather. The months following, March – June typically offer quieter streets and lower prices.
Tourism in San Juan is built heavily around it’s proximity as a cruise port. While weekends are busiest, it’s best to consult a cruise port schedule to get an idea of what kinds of crowds you’ll be up against. It’s also important to note that some shops and restaurants close during the weekdays when business is likely to be slower, so be sure to check hours of spots you’d like to hit before making final plans. 
Safety in San Juan
Because San Juan is a major cruise port, there was a heavy police presence in the city. While that sounds as if it may feel a bit concerning, it actually had quite the opposite effect. During our entire visit, I never once felt unsafe. We’ve visited a lot of major cities, and this is the first time I can recall feeling completely safe.
Getting Around San Juan
We rented a vehicle for the duration of our 10 day trip, and parked it downtown in San Juan. To be safe, we chose a monitored parking garage to be safe and had no issues. We covered about half the city on foot in half a day, and the whole thing is likely doable in a day, but be forewarned… July is hot, hot, hot! Our visit was towards the end of July and the open sun of San Juan felt like it was cooking us alive.
Ubering around the city is certainly a possibility, especially if you’ve got a limited time and specific sites on your itinerary. The ride in the AC might also be a good way to break up the heat!
Currency, language, tipping
Since Puerto Rico is a United States territory, the American dollar is standard currency here. While the native language in San Juan is Spanish, we found most of the people who worked in the city could also speak a little English. The service industry is similar to the US and the standard 15-20% tip is welcomed here. 
Best Things to Do in San Juan for First-Time Visitors
There is so much to do and see in San Juan, we couldn’t possibly pack it all into one day. Here are the highlights of our day.
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Admire the colorful street art and amazing architecture of San Juan
Strolling the streets of San Juan feels like exploring an open-air gallery. You’ll discover bright murals lining the city walls, each one telling its own story of culture, history and island pride. As you wander, you’ll find yourself surrounded by incredible architecture that blends Spanish Colonial charm with Caribbean flair. Every corner calls you to take a picture and create a lasting memory.
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Visit Cathedral de San Juan Bautista
This stunning cathedral is one of the oldest in America. Inside this towering church you’ll find beautiful stained glass, intricate woodwork and the tomb of famous explorer, Ponce de Leon. The whirling fans throughout the building were a nice reprieve from the heat but my girls favorite part of this stop was the friendly church cat who stopped to say hello.
- Tour Castillo San Felipe del Morro
This 16th century Spanish fortress is a must see. With its perch high above the Atlantic you’ll find incredible views and picture perfect photo opps. I highly recommend grabbing pictures in one of the corner lookout towers. You may have to wait in line, as the entrance ways are narrow and don’t accommodate more than one person at a time, but the result is worth it. Exploring the fort and knowing you’re walking the same stone pathways soldiers once tred is a unique way to bring the island’s history to life. 
- Make some feline friends at Save a Gato
We wandered off course looking for this spot, yet the trail of kitties showed us the way. We followed one through a park and rounded a corner and experienced a whole herd of cats trotting to greet us. These friendly felines were more than happy to hop on a bench beside us and soak up the scratches. Save a Gato is an amazing non-profit organization run by volunteers aiming to help the feral and stray cat population around San Juan. 
- Get flocked with fun at Pigeon Park
Second only to the hoards of cats were the pigeons of Parque de las Palomas. Overlooking San Juan Bay, this lively spot allows you to purchase corn so pigeons will flock to you in search of treats. It’s a mostly funny, slightly scary tourist attraction that resulted in lots of laugher and priceless pictures. 10/10 must experience once in your life. 
- Cool off with a cup of gelato
We found the perfect spot to cool down in the center of the city. Anita Gelato is a popular gelato shop known for its fun atmosphere and generous scoops. It offers an assortment of flavors ranging from traditional chocolate to more unique flavors like cheesecake caramel cookies. You’ll find it hard to go wrong with any of their options, but if you’re looking for suggestions the strawberry mascarpone and ricotta is out of this world! 
- Iglesia de San Jose
Another historic church worth stopping by is the Iglesia de San Jose. Built in the early 1500s, it is one of the oldest churches in the Americas. During our visit, part of the church was closed for a service, but we still stepped inside and admired its stunning Spanish Gothic architecture.
There are still so many sites I want to see, I’m certain we will be back. San Juan is easily a multi-day city, especially when you build in breaks to account for the sweltering heat!
Common Mistakes First-Time Visitors to San Juan Make
- Being in a rush: Everything happens on island time in Puerto Rico. The pace is a little slower than the standard American frenetic energy. Still back and savor the moment and ignore the call to rush.
- Underestimating heat: Again, especially true in San Juan. No shade makes a big difference, and the cobblestone streets seem to radiate heat on sunny days.
- Skipping sunscreen: See above.
- Skipping water: Sensing a theme yet?
- Not planning time for traffic: Island time doesn’t just exist in San Juan. If you’re traveling in from another city, you almost certainly need to account extra time for traffic.
- Getting started late: Crowds tend to peak as the day goes on. Starting early also gives you the benefit of better color temperatures.
- Trying to see everything in one day: Speaking from experience, I can’t imagine how this is possible. We might have covered more ground without kids, but seeing everything on the list in one day still seems unlikely.
Make the Best of your First Time Visiting San Juan Puerto Rico
Your trip to San Juan will stay with you for long after your first visit ends. From the historic streets and coastal forts to the incredible food and culture you’ll find the heart of Puerto Rico inside this city.
Avoid assuming that these city streets show you all of Puerto Rico’s must-see sights! Check out How to Spend 10 Days Puerto Rico post for all the tips on how to make the best of your time on this island oasis.
