Get in

By train
As of 2005, San Juan now is served by a new subway line (which mostly runs above ground) called "Tren Urbano" (Urban Train). This train connects the San Juan to the towns of Guaynabo and Bayamón. There are 16 stations along the entire alignment. A little known fact is that the train can be reached from Old San Juan. In the dock area look for the "Acua Expreso" terminal, which is ferry service from Old San Juan to the financial district. There is a train station called "Hato Rey" right besides the ferry dock on the San Juan Financial District.

By bus
If you dare, you'll get to wherever you're going by next week.

Language

Spanish is the native language of Puerto Rico. The majority of San Juan residents have a knowledge of basic English since it is taught as a foreign language at Puerto Rican schools from an early age, but you should be prepared to come across places where very little English is spoken. It could be essential to at least know very common Spanish words and phrases.

Essential Basic Words & Phrases to Know for San Juan

 • Donde es/está...? - "Where's...?"
 •Cuánto chavos (or "dinero") cuesta...? - "How much does it cost?"
 • Dónde el Turista es Oficina?- "Where's the Tourist Office?", this is the main information hub for tourists
 • El Horario- hours of operation/opening & closing times
 • Cambio de Moneda- "currency change", used during purchases and also designates Currency Exchange stations
 • Lugar de Bebidas- "drink place", designates places where refreshments can be purchased
 • Restauré/Restaurante- "Restaurant", designates places where food/meals can be purchased
 • Aperitivos- "appetizers", broad term used to describe anything eaten before the main course
 • joyería/reloj- "jewelry shop/watch shop", these can be seen in abundance in the old city
 • "sin"- "without", often used on food items to designate what it does not contain, for instance, "sin cafeina" means "without caffeine"
 • "con"- "with", the exact opposite of "sin", "con" would designate what something does contain
 • La isla - "The island", means for everything outside of San Juan Metro Area

Dining

 • San Juan Hard Rock Cafe: Located at Old San Juan.
 • Ajili Meili Caribbean San Juan: Locals come here for a taste of mofongos (green plantains stuffed with veal, chicken, shrimp, or pork), arroz con pollo, medallones de cerdo encebollado (pork loin sauteed with onions), carne mechada (beef rib-eye stuffed with ham), and lechon asado con maposteado (roast pork with rice and beans). Located at the corner of Calle Joffre, Condado, San Juan.
 • Al Dente: The oldest continuously operated Italian restaurant in Puerto Rico. Located at Calle Recinto Sur 309, Old San Juan.
 • Parrot Club: Live music, either Brazilian, salsa, or Latino jazz, is offered nightly as well as during the popular Sunday brunches. Located at Calle Fortaleza 363, Old San Juan.
 • Rico Puerto Kafe: at Calle Fortaleza 260, Old San Juan. Puerto Kafe is famous for it's low-cost food that strictly adheres to the tenets of old-fashioned Puerto Rican cuisine. Reservations are not necessary.
 • Ramiro's: at Av. Magdalena 1106, Condado, San Juan. "Creole" style cooking pioneered by owner and chef Jesé Ramiro.
 • Ostra Cosa: at Calle del Cristo 154, Old San Juan. Reservations recommended. The ambience here is one of the most sensual and romantic in Old San Juan.
 • Luigi's Restaurant at 104 Diez de Andino, Condado, San Juan. Serves Italian and Genovese cuisine.

Lodging

 • InterContinental San Juan Resort, Spa & Casino, 5961 Isla Verde Avenue, 787-791-6100, 800-443-2009.  
 • Park Plaza Normandie, Mu?z Rivera Avenue at Parque de Tercer Milenio, (Puerta de Tierra), 729-2929, 877-987-2929 or 800-448-8355.
 • Tu Casa Boutique Hotel, 2071 Calle Cacique, (Ocean Park), 727-5100.
 • Hosteria del Mar, 1 Calle Tapia, (Ocean Park), 727-3302 or 800-742-4276.
 • Palm View Realty, 5970 Isla Verde Avenue, 888-268-5281, fax: 727-1415 - Palm View Realty Specializes in short term rentals as well as condo, apartment and house sales in Puerto Rico. Affordable rentals are Beach Front and fully furnished.
 • Wyndham Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino 
 • Wyndham El San Juan Hotel & Casino 

• Attractions
• Education
• Drink

Districts

 • Old San Juan -- The historic core of the city
 • El Condado -- Beach resort area of the city
 • Isla Verde- located next to the International Airport Luis Mu?z Mar? in Carolina. Many ocean front hotels in this tourist area.

Get around

Rent a car at the airport. You could also go by taxi. They're mostly everywhere in more tourist-y parts of the city, but harder to come by in the more suburban areas.

Culture

San Juan is a Latin American city, with Spanish-based culture, mixed with African traditions and Tao's culture. Museums of modern art exist abroad. The citizens of San Juan (called Sanjuaneros) are very festive, as the rest of the island.

San Juan has bars and discotheques all-around the city, from Old San Juan to even the southern part of the city and that stay open to 3-4 AM. San Juan has become very modernized as of late, with its first Metro line (called Tren Urbano) and buses. Like most large cities, however, there is a small population of vagrants and beggars lining the streets.

Climate

San Juan is a tropical city, with temperature that can go in summer to 97°+/- to 67° at winter. Normally sunny, but has a tendency to rain from April to November at afternoons. Be also mindful that San Juan, as the rest of Puerto Rico has the possibility of having tropical systems such as hurricanes from July to November.