Casinos

Puerto Rico [1]’s greatest concentration of casinos can be found in San Juan [2]. It has a total of 10 gambling palaces, all in hotels. Although jacket and tie are not required, attire tends to be dressy. All the casinos have banks of slot machines, blackjack tables, and roulette wheels. Most have craps tables, Caribbean stud poker, and three-card poker. Some have mini-baccarat, let it ride, progressive blackjack, and Texas hold ’em.

The largest casino is at the Ritz-Carlton San Juan Hotel (Isla Verde, 787/253-1700, 10 a.m.–6 a.m.). Within its 17,000 square feet are 335 slots, 11 blackjack tables, four mini-baccarat games, and Texas hold ’em.

El San Juan Hotel (787/791-1000, 10 a.m.–4 a.m.) has the largest number of blackjack tables—14—and the added bonus of proximity to one of the most glamorous old-school hotel lobbies on the island, filled with gorgeous ornate woodwork and a massive antique chandelier.

The only 24-hour casino in Isla Verde is Courtyard by Marriott (787/791-0404). Other casinos in the area include InterContinental San Juan [2] (787/791-6100, 10 a.m.–4 a.m.) and Embassy Suites Hotel (787/791-0505, 10 a.m.–4 a.m.).

For a concentration of casino action, Condado is the place to go. Condado Plaza Hotel (787/721-1000) boasts 402 slots, as well as 13 blackjack tables, six mini-baccarat games, and Texas hold ’em. Other 24-7 casinos in the area include San Juan Marriott Resort (787/722-7000) and the small Diamond Palace Hotel and Casino (787/721-0810). Condado is also home to Radisson Ambassador Plaza Hotel (787/721-7300, 10 a.m.–4 a.m.), with a whopping 489 slots.

Old San Juan [3] has only one casino, Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel (787/721-5100, 8 a.m.–2 a.m.).