Best Areas to Stay in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Old San Juan is the heart of the historic city of San Juan. It is the epicenter of the cultural, historical, and commercial activity of the city

Old San Juan is located on a small islet connected to the main island of Puerto Rico by bridges.

Old San Juan is a safe district.

Viejo San Juan is packed with attractions such as the Malecón de San Juan, a boardwalk surrounded by restaurants, cafes, small shops, and many souvenir stalls.

The city’s main colonial defensive buildings like the San Felipe Castle, Castillo de San Cristóbal or the San Jerónimo de Boquerón fortress are all located in San Juan’s islet.

Some other attractions in this lively area include the governor’s palace La Fortaleza, San Juan Bautista Cathedral, the Casa Blanca, Fortaleza Street, and the central square Plaza de Armas.

This area is connected to the rest of the city by bus, taxi, and the Cataño ferry.

The Old Quarter is also a very pedestrian-friendly area.

Old San Juan is also one of the best areas to stay in San Juan, Puerto Rico, thanks to its variety of hotels, including boutique properties located in refurbished colonial buildings.

Isla Verde (or “Green Island”) is located about 6,8 miles (11 kilometers) east of San Juan, in the municipality of Carolina.

This area stands out for its exclusive hotels, beaches, nightlife, and proximity to the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport.

Some of San Juan’s best beaches are located in or around this area, including Isla Verde Beach, El Alambique Beach, and Carolina Beach. All these offer free parking.

Furthermore, Isla Verde’s west end has many bars, restaurants, food stalls, and souvenir shops.

Isla Verde is also very pedestrian-friendly. That said, you will probably need a taxi to go into Old San Juan.

Because it is close to the airport, Isla Verde is one of the best areas to stay in San Juan during a layover. It is also great for business travelers.

Accommodation options in this area go from private condos to some of the most exclusive hotels and resorts in Puerto Rico.

Palmas del Mar is another of the most exclusive areas to stay in San Juan.

It is located in the municipality of Humacao, on the southwestern corner of the island of Puerto Rico.

The Pterocarpus Forest and the Humacao Nature Reserve are some of the attractions in this area.

It is a good place to stay in San Juan, PR for nature lovers and for those seeking tranquility during their stay.

Palmas del Mar offers travelers a variety of water activities: Deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, diving, boat chartering, and surfing.

Here are also some of the best spas, restaurants, and shops in all of Puerto Rico, as well as luxury resort hotels, geared at the most demanding travelers.

This area is one of the safest areas to stay in San Juan, and it can be explored on foot easily.

Palmas del Mar does not have the best transport connections, and it is necessary to use a taxi or car to move to the Old Town.

Ocean Park is one of the quietest areas of San Juan, and the best area to stay with family or children, especially when compared to the hectic pace of the City Center..

Ocean Park is located on the coast of San Juan, between Condado and Isla Verde, and has numerous cafes, bars, and seafood restaurants.

The great attraction of Ocean Park is its huge beach, where watersport enthusiasts can practice surfing, kitesurfing, or windsurfing.

Transportation in this area is limited to buses and taxis.

Ocean Park stands out for its hotels with sea views. The accommodation offer here goes from small condos to some midrange, family-friendly resorts, and some upscale options.

Condado is an upper-middle-class residential area.

Condado stands out for its beautiful natural parks such as Antonio Quiñónez or Laguna del Condado, where you can practise some water sports.

Condado is connected to Old San Juan through the Dos Hermanos Bridge, which can be crossed on foot or by bicycle.

Condado is a good option to stay in San Juan, Puerto Rico since it offers all kinds of hotels, from simple and cheap pensions to luxury hotels with sea views.

In addition to being a chic area with large luxury stores, it is an ideal setting to sample the island’s culinary creations, as it has numerous restaurants and fast food establishments to the delight of all travelers.

The best way to get around Condado is on foot, however, there are those who prefer to do it by private or rental car.

Buses connect Condado with the rest of San Juan, Puerto Rico.