Best of San Juan

Ocean Park Beach [1]: Easy access and pristine sand make Ocean Park Beach an excellent place to spend the day in the sun. Due to its central location, it’s a short cab ride from anywhere in the city. On weekends, lounge chairs are available for rent and street vendors patrol the area selling snacks and beverages.

Castillo de San Felipe del Morro [2]: Established in 1539, this imposing Spanish colonial fortress was designed so sentries could spot enemies entering San Juan Bay. That’s what makes it such an exceptional place to admire the views. The vast lawn is a great spot to fly a kite too.

Castillo de San Cristóbal [3]: Built to protect San Juan from attack by land, San Cristóbal was begun in 1634 and eventually encompassed 27 acres, making it the largest fort on the island. It provides an excellent vantage point for checking out stunning views of the city.

Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico [4]: This impressive new 130,000-square-foot museum showcases Puerto Rican art from the 17th century to the present, from classical portraiture to politically charged conceptual art. As an added bonus, the wall text is in Spanish and English.

Catedral de San Juan Bautista [5]: Established in 1521, the cathedral lays claim to being the oldest existing church in the Western Hemisphere. The current structure dates from the 1800s or early 1900s and contains the tomb of Juan Ponce de León.

Nuyorican Café [6]: The casual Old San Juan nightclub is the hot spot for live salsa music every night but Monday. This is where locals go to dance the night away on the tiny dance floor. Get there early if you want a seat.