Guidebook for San Juan and points

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Guidebook for San Juan and points

Drinks & Nightlife

Great place to hangout with tourists and locals and have a drink or two. This is Old San Juan. The best way to get here on the weekend, is to go by Uber. Get dropped off at the plaza and walk up to Calle San Sebastian. Follow the good looking people to a fun time. This place has lots of bars, and is known for its craft mixed drinks.
370 locals recommend
La Factoria
148 C. San Sebastián
370 locals recommend
Great place to hangout with tourists and locals and have a drink or two. This is Old San Juan. The best way to get here on the weekend, is to go by Uber. Get dropped off at the plaza and walk up to Calle San Sebastian. Follow the good looking people to a fun time. This place has lots of bars, and is known for its craft mixed drinks.
The Convention Center offers a laid-back atmosphere if you want to listen to music (live or dj) outside or go to a restaurant. Try your luck at the tables or machines. This is a photo session venue during the day and night. You have a gorgeous view of the San Juan bay that makes a great backdrop for photos at sundown. Drive or Uber to this location. There is plenty of parking and every driver knows how to get here.
23 locals recommend
Casino Metro
200 Convention Boulevard
23 locals recommend
The Convention Center offers a laid-back atmosphere if you want to listen to music (live or dj) outside or go to a restaurant. Try your luck at the tables or machines. This is a photo session venue during the day and night. You have a gorgeous view of the San Juan bay that makes a great backdrop for photos at sundown. Drive or Uber to this location. There is plenty of parking and every driver knows how to get here.
Arena Live is a great spot for a quick dinner or drop by after the show at the Coliseo for a drink or two. The menu is continually improving and the kitchen is open late for the after-concert crowd.
Arena Live
Arena Live is a great spot for a quick dinner or drop by after the show at the Coliseo for a drink or two. The menu is continually improving and the kitchen is open late for the after-concert crowd.

Food Scene

La Placita has become a tourist attraction by day and night. If driving, free parking is virtually impossible. Paid parking starts at $7 all day. For BBQ stateside style, including classic sides and Island spin on a few dishes check out San Juan Smokehouse. Happy hour starts at lunchtime.
Great place to hangout Thursday through Saturday night. This place is especially exciting on the weekends where the music can be heard for blocks. There’s a great crowd from all over the world on the days the cruise ships dock for the night. Plenty of small restaurants and street food every evening. Try Santaella restaurant for locally inspired fare.
605 locals recommend
La Placita
300 C. dos Hermanos
605 locals recommend
Great place to hangout Thursday through Saturday night. This place is especially exciting on the weekends where the music can be heard for blocks. There’s a great crowd from all over the world on the days the cruise ships dock for the night. Plenty of small restaurants and street food every evening. Try Santaella restaurant for locally inspired fare.
This is a great place to drop by for the food trucks and stay for the drinks and music. Have an alcapurria, or chicken dish, poke or any number of pork dishes. Get dessert and then enjoy a craft beer or mixed drinks.
226 locals recommend
Lote 23
1552 PR-25
226 locals recommend
This is a great place to drop by for the food trucks and stay for the drinks and music. Have an alcapurria, or chicken dish, poke or any number of pork dishes. Get dessert and then enjoy a craft beer or mixed drinks.
This is a wonderful place to drop in for a quick bite. BYOB and glasses and enjoy fusion Mediterranean, Asian, Mexican, and local fare. Open Wednesday through Saturday from lunchtime to the late evening. This is where the locals come for a laid back easy going experience. Live music plays on the weekend.
53 locals recommend
Miramar Food Truck Park
1006 Av. de la Constitución
53 locals recommend
This is a wonderful place to drop in for a quick bite. BYOB and glasses and enjoy fusion Mediterranean, Asian, Mexican, and local fare. Open Wednesday through Saturday from lunchtime to the late evening. This is where the locals come for a laid back easy going experience. Live music plays on the weekend.
The best New York Style Pizza in the area. Lines are out the door on the weekend.
16 locals recommend
Puttanesca Santurce
1207 Av. Manuel Fernández Juncos
16 locals recommend
The best New York Style Pizza in the area. Lines are out the door on the weekend.
There are lots of very nice restaurants especially seafood lovers will find several places to visit here.
141 locals recommend
La Plaza del Mercado Santurce
205 Calle Jose M. Raffucci
141 locals recommend
There are lots of very nice restaurants especially seafood lovers will find several places to visit here.
This is a great place for a quick breakfast. The pastries are fresh and sandwiches are made to order. The coffee is espresso style served in small cups for less than $2 dollars. Try the oatmeal for a deliciously sweet treat.
11 locals recommend
La Ceiba
1239 Av. Franklin Delano Roosevelt
11 locals recommend
This is a great place for a quick breakfast. The pastries are fresh and sandwiches are made to order. The coffee is espresso style served in small cups for less than $2 dollars. Try the oatmeal for a deliciously sweet treat.
If you want to experience barbeque, try the "Pork Road" in Guavate, which is where a number of establishments dedicated to roasting pork is located only 15 minutes away. This spot is off the beaten path but well sought out by locals and those in the know. Roasted pig is what you'll find along with wonderful sides and ice cold drinks. Lechonera Los Pinos located at PR-184 Km. 27.7 Cayey, Puerto Rico 00736 is a point of reference that is surrounded by other establishments serving roasted and barbeque meats including chicken and turkey.
16 locals recommend
Lechonera Los Pinos
Carretera 184
16 locals recommend
If you want to experience barbeque, try the "Pork Road" in Guavate, which is where a number of establishments dedicated to roasting pork is located only 15 minutes away. This spot is off the beaten path but well sought out by locals and those in the know. Roasted pig is what you'll find along with wonderful sides and ice cold drinks. Lechonera Los Pinos located at PR-184 Km. 27.7 Cayey, Puerto Rico 00736 is a point of reference that is surrounded by other establishments serving roasted and barbeque meats including chicken and turkey.
If you don't want to go on the road but still want to try the roasted pork, consider El Jibarito located in Old San Juan.
125 locals recommend
El Jibarito
280 C. del Sol
125 locals recommend
If you don't want to go on the road but still want to try the roasted pork, consider El Jibarito located in Old San Juan.

Arts & Culture

Old San Juan is a must see, must do especially if it's your first time on the island. Visiting the small shops and bars is a fun way to spend the day. Check out Calle San Sebastian for a laid-back afternoon or drop by after dark and hangout with the locals.
460 locals recommend
Old San Juan
100 C. de la Fortaleza
460 locals recommend
Old San Juan is a must see, must do especially if it's your first time on the island. Visiting the small shops and bars is a fun way to spend the day. Check out Calle San Sebastian for a laid-back afternoon or drop by after dark and hangout with the locals.
Centro de Bellas Artes is a wonderful venue only minutes away from the house. Classical music, as well as, contemporary artists perform at one of its many theatres throughout the year. See upcoming events here https://www.cba.pr.gov/
62 locals recommend
Luis A. Ferre Fine Arts Center
62 locals recommend
Centro de Bellas Artes is a wonderful venue only minutes away from the house. Classical music, as well as, contemporary artists perform at one of its many theatres throughout the year. See upcoming events here https://www.cba.pr.gov/

Parks & Nature

This is an easy car ride to one of the most unique places in the world.
395 locals recommend
El Yunque
395 locals recommend
This is an easy car ride to one of the most unique places in the world.
Rowboat or kayak? The one thing you want to do is get out when it's pitch black and enjoy the luminescent bay. For a fun, learning experience you will never forget, this is a great way to start the night. After you return, find your way to one of the local bars and eateries in Rio Grande, Luquillo, or Fajardo.
175 locals recommend
BioBay Fajardo
175 locals recommend
Rowboat or kayak? The one thing you want to do is get out when it's pitch black and enjoy the luminescent bay. For a fun, learning experience you will never forget, this is a great way to start the night. After you return, find your way to one of the local bars and eateries in Rio Grande, Luquillo, or Fajardo.
This "out of the way" spot is known for its bioluminescent bay. Located on the southwesterly side of the Island, this point is mostly visited by locals, and out of towners with a sense of adventure. Small boats and kayak tours are available. The best time to go is any night except when there’s a full moon. Educational trips from all over come to visit and experience the bay. You will need to drive here. This is far from the metro area but certainly worth the trip. There are lots of places to hang out and have a few drinks and listen to music, especially in Cabo Rojo. This is a common area for local nightlife (and people in the know). There are Airbnb hosts in the area who offer short stays.
347 locals recommend
La Parguera
347 locals recommend
This "out of the way" spot is known for its bioluminescent bay. Located on the southwesterly side of the Island, this point is mostly visited by locals, and out of towners with a sense of adventure. Small boats and kayak tours are available. The best time to go is any night except when there’s a full moon. Educational trips from all over come to visit and experience the bay. You will need to drive here. This is far from the metro area but certainly worth the trip. There are lots of places to hang out and have a few drinks and listen to music, especially in Cabo Rojo. This is a common area for local nightlife (and people in the know). There are Airbnb hosts in the area who offer short stays.

Shopping

One of the largest shopping malls in the Caribbean, "Plaza" is a necessary visit for getting that last minute blouse, bathing suit or shoes. Plaza is made up of mostly large and boutique chain stores you’ll easily recognize. When you're tired of shopping, go up to the food terrace for a variety of foods, including local fare at El Meson, also Chinese food, burgers, chicken, ice cream and other fast food. There are also a few casual restaurants. Stay for a movie on a rainy night.
607 locals recommend
Plaza Las Americas
525 Av. Franklin Delano Roosevelt
607 locals recommend
One of the largest shopping malls in the Caribbean, "Plaza" is a necessary visit for getting that last minute blouse, bathing suit or shoes. Plaza is made up of mostly large and boutique chain stores you’ll easily recognize. When you're tired of shopping, go up to the food terrace for a variety of foods, including local fare at El Meson, also Chinese food, burgers, chicken, ice cream and other fast food. There are also a few casual restaurants. Stay for a movie on a rainy night.
This mall is attracting a lot of attention. There are plenty of high-end stores and restaurants open and others are opening soon.
503 locals recommend
The Mall of San Juan
1000 The Mall of San Juan Blvd
503 locals recommend
This mall is attracting a lot of attention. There are plenty of high-end stores and restaurants open and others are opening soon.

Essentials

Cross the bridge to the CVS Pharmacy, which is open 24/7 to get a toothbrush or snack or food items. Blue sky laws are still applicable here. So, you can buy limited items before 10:00 am on Sunday.
CVS Ponce De Leon
374 PR-25
Cross the bridge to the CVS Pharmacy, which is open 24/7 to get a toothbrush or snack or food items. Blue sky laws are still applicable here. So, you can buy limited items before 10:00 am on Sunday.

Entertainment & Activities

Walk to El Coliseito for a show of your favorite artists. From the new generation performers, Anuel, Ozuna, Becky G, Wisin, Yandel, to the established Mark Anthony, La India, Sin Banderas, Gloria Trevi, Daddy Yankee, Ricky Martin. They all perform here. Drop by Arena Live for live music, drinks and a bite afterward. Check out the burgers on their website! Raices Restaurant is also across the street from El Coliseito. They offer local-inspired cuisine.
75 locals recommend
Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot
500 Av. Arterial B
75 locals recommend
Walk to El Coliseito for a show of your favorite artists. From the new generation performers, Anuel, Ozuna, Becky G, Wisin, Yandel, to the established Mark Anthony, La India, Sin Banderas, Gloria Trevi, Daddy Yankee, Ricky Martin. They all perform here. Drop by Arena Live for live music, drinks and a bite afterward. Check out the burgers on their website! Raices Restaurant is also across the street from El Coliseito. They offer local-inspired cuisine.
All types of special events accommodate large crowds for family fairs, outdoor concerts, and sports activities.
12 locals recommend
Hiram Bithorn Stadium
Avenida F.D. Roosevelt
12 locals recommend
All types of special events accommodate large crowds for family fairs, outdoor concerts, and sports activities.