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San Juan
Photo: Godot13 · CC BY-SA 4.0

5 Days · in San Juan

5 Days in San Juan: Art, Rum & the Rainforest

Five days give you time to truly enjoy San Juan and see more of the island. The first three days cover Old San Juan, the forts, Condado and El Yunque. Day four explores the art and restaurants of Santurce, and day five crosses the bay to Casa Bacardí before an afternoon at the beaches and kiosks of Piñones.

5 days

Day 01

Old San Juan & El Morro

The walled city, its great fortress and a sunset along the walls.

  1. Morning

    Castillo San Felipe del Morro

    Arrive at opening time to explore the six levels of the fort before the heat and the crowds.

  2. Late Morning

    Casa Blanca & Cementerio views

    Visit the house built for Ponce de León's family, then look down on the seaside cemetery from the walls.

  3. Lunch

    Calle Sol

    Have a home-style Puerto Rican lunch at Deaverdura or mofongo at El Jibarito.

  4. Afternoon

    Cathedral & Calle del Cristo

    See Ponce de León's tomb in the cathedral, then walk down Calle del Cristo to the Capilla del Cristo.

  5. Late Afternoon

    Paseo de la Princesa

    Walk through the San Juan Gate and along the promenade to the Raíces fountain.

  6. Evening

    Calle Fortaleza

    Have dinner at Marmalade, booked in advance, or at a restaurant on Calle Fortaleza.

Day 02

San Cristóbal, the Capitol & Condado

The second fort, the seat of government and the beach.

  1. Morning

    Castillo San Cristóbal

    Use the same ticket as El Morro to explore the tunnels and the Garita del Diablo.

  2. Late Morning

    Capitolio de Puerto Rico

    See the Constitution beneath the dome and walk to the oceanfront behind the building.

  3. Lunch

    Puerta de Tierra

    Have lunch near Balneario El Escambrón.

  4. Afternoon

    Condado Beach

    Swim and relax on the beach, or paddleboard on the Condado Lagoon.

  5. Late Afternoon

    Caribe Hilton

    Taste a piña colada at the hotel that claims its invention in 1954.

  6. Evening

    La Placita de Santurce

    Have dinner at Santaella, then join the crowds and the salsa around the plaza.

Day 03

El Yunque & Luquillo

Rainforest, a lookout tower and a beach with food kiosks.

  1. Morning

    El Yunque National Forest

    Drive about 45 minutes east and start early on PR-191 to find parking and clear skies.

  2. Late Morning

    Yokahú Tower

    Climb the tower for views over the forest to the coast, then walk a short trail that is open.

  3. Lunch

    Luquillo kiosks

    Have lunch at the food kiosks by Luquillo Beach.

  4. Afternoon

    Luquillo Beach

    Swim in the calm water of one of the island's best-loved beaches.

  5. Late Afternoon

    Drive to Fajardo

    Continue east to Fajardo for an evening tour.

  6. Evening

    Laguna Grande

    Kayak through the mangroves into the bioluminescent lagoon with a guided tour, best on dark nights.

Day 04

Santurce Art & Food

Murals, the island's art museum and some of its best restaurants.

  1. Morning

    Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico

    Explore Puerto Rican art from colonial times to today and the sculpture garden.

  2. Late Morning

    Santurce murals

    Walk the streets around Calle Cerra to discover the murals.

  3. Lunch

    Santurce

    Have lunch at La Casita Blanca for Puerto Rican comfort food.

  4. Afternoon

    Ocean Park Beach

    Relax on a local favorite beach and watch the kitesurfers.

  5. Late Afternoon

    Kasalta

    Stop for café con leche and pastries at the Ocean Park bakery.

  6. Evening

    Vianda or Cocina al Fondo

    Dine at one of Santurce's acclaimed restaurants, booked in advance.

Day 05

Rum, Ferry & Piñones

A ferry across the bay, a rum tour and seaside fritters.

  1. Morning

    Cataño ferry

    Take the 50-cent ferry from Pier 2 for views of Old San Juan from the bay.

  2. Late Morning

    Casa Bacardí

    Join a rum tour or cocktail class, booked in advance (18 and older).

  3. Lunch

    Old San Juan

    Return by ferry and have lunch in the old city.

  4. Afternoon

    Piñones

    Head east past Isla Verde to the wild beaches and the bike path of Piñones.

  5. Late Afternoon

    Piñones kiosks

    Taste alcapurrias and bacalaítos fresh from the fryer.

  6. Evening

    Old San Juan bars

    Have a drink at La Factoría and explore the bars of Calle San Sebastián.