Metro Region
The Metro region includes the bustling capital city of San Juan and the surrounding metropolitan area. By far the most populous region on the island, be prepared for traffic during rush hour. The metropolitan area is where ¾’s of all of Puerto Rico’s inhabitants live, around 2.5 million. As such, there is a ton to do in this area. The most popular attraction is to explore the historic Old San Juan. Beyond the historic district, San Juan is a modern city with a lot to see. The Condado neighborhood is home to luxury hotels, fine dining, and upscale boutiques, while the Santurce district is known for its nightlife. For those interested in rock climbing there is a great place in Bayamón – debatably the best on the island. Other attractions include surfing at La 8 and a stunning waterfall at Charco Prieto.
Old San Juan, the historic district of Puerto Rico’s capital city, is a fascinating blend of history and culture. Founded in 1521 by Spanish colonizers, Old San Juan is one of the oldest European settlements in the Western Hemisphere and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The district is characterized by its narrow, cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and historic forts. The San Felipe del Morro and San Cristobal forts, which date back to the 16th century, were built to protect the city from invaders and are now popular tourist attractions. Visitors can explore the forts’ labyrinthine tunnels and enjoy breathtaking views of the ocean and the city.
Old San Juan is also home to numerous museums and cultural landmarks that showcase Puerto Rico’s rich heritage. The Museo de las Américas, located in the historic Cuartel de Ballajá, features exhibits on Puerto Rico’s indigenous peoples, African heritage, and Spanish colonial period. The Casa Blanca Museum, located in the former residence of Puerto Rico’s first governor, showcases the city’s architectural and cultural history. Additionally, the district is home to numerous art galleries, theaters, and cultural centers that host events and performances throughout the year.
In addition to its historic and cultural significance, Old San Juan is also a vibrant and lively city. The district is known for its restaurants, bars, and nightlife, which blend traditional Puerto Rican cuisine and music with contemporary influences. Visitors can enjoy live music, dance performances, and street festivals throughout the year.
This is the largest mall in the Caribbean and includes restaurants like Cheesecake Factory and Red Lobster. You can browse through hundreds of stores, from high-end luxury brands to local boutiques and souvenir shops.
This mall has restaurants, a movie theater, an indoor adventure park, but the central courtyard (pictured) is the coolest part. There are screens everywhere and a stage for events. I have heard sports broadcasts here are awesome.
The Condado area is a main tourist hub, it has great restaurants, some of the best hotels in San Juan, and some decent, popular beaches. Playa Ocean Park is the best beach on this strip of coast. There are spots to play beach volleyball or tennis and it’s a favorite spot for windsurfers. For those with an ample budget, the 100 year old Condado Vanderbilt Hotel is a beautiful, historic building in a prime location.
The Condado Lagoon – Laguna del Condado is surrounded by a bustling metropolitan area. You can rent kayaks or paddle boards from multiple outfits in the area. I own an inflatable SUP so I park and put in here. If you’re lucky, you may see manatees grazing during the day, and the water illuminate with bioluminescence at night (I’ve seen each of these phenomena once). The wind can be strong on the lagoon, making paddle boarding difficult, but not impossible. If you were considering renting a paddleboard, switch it for a kayak on a windy day.
You’ll know you are at the trailhead when you see a small wooden Puertorican flag with “Bienvenidos, Welcome” painted below it. The hike will take around 20-30 min each way. Prepare to get wet as there is a river crossing right at the start that is unavoidable. There are a couple spots that are very muddy as well. Be cautious if it has been raining a lot and consider leaving if you notice the water increasing in volume and intensity as flash floods can happen here. See section “What to do if you can’t book El Yunque” for more info.
In Bayamón tucked behind an industrial park and right next to a women’s detention center sits a relatively large protected forest area. There is a lot of space for day use, mountain biking trails, hiking trails, and rock climbing. This is the one of the most developed, well maintained, and popular climbing spots on the island. There is an observation tower that you can hike to that is sadly closed due to disrepair. But, standing at the foot of the tower is still a good view. There are plenty of trails snaking through this forest. It gets hot and humid here but the trails are mellow. Parking costs $4.00.
For more information on these beaches and to see them ranked, check out Beaches.
This city will always have a special place in my heart as this is where my wife and I live while she goes to graduate school. Driving south from San Juan, the verdant mountains grow around you as you enter the heart of the island. Caguas is much smaller than San Juan, though still one of the five largest cities on the island at a population of 127,244 as of 2020. As such, there is plenty to do. There is a charming plaza with 2 parrots in a large aviary, good restaurants and even a food park, a large botanical garden, and a few museums (though admittedly mediocre). In 2023, Caguas’ Las Catalinas Mall got a bowling alley, a go-kart track, and more. Caguas is known by some for having two great ice cream shops: King’s Cream and Jendy’s. Jendy’s has interesting flavors like Cazuela and Pumpkin, in addition to more traditional offerings. King’s Cream is a soft serve with only a few options, mostly fruit based. It tastes incredibly fresh to me, which is a word I don’t typically associate with ice cream. For those that like game stores, Titan Games may be the best on the island. The popular Lechón Road is just outside of Caguas (See Food > Lechoneras). Although Caguas is a great place and there are many things you can find to do here, it is not a tourist destination and should be skipped for most itineraries.
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