San Juan Vacation Guide
If you want to experience the pulse of Puerto Rico, there’s no better place to do it than San Juan. Perched on the country’s eastern edge, this capital city sparkles with a mix of historical and modern; medieval buildings sit next to avant-garde art galleries, traditionalists share the sidewalk cafes with trendsetters, and passing cars blare salsa beats as frequently as they do the latest reggaeton hits. This is a city defined by its dynamic past and thrilling future, and the perfect San Juan vacation gives you the chance to uncover both.
Of course, it’s also a stunning beach destination, and you’ll find a variety of San Juan all inclusive vacation packages designed to let you explore its shores. Start with the golden sands and hip crowds of Ocean Park, and then make your way to the famous Condado Beach to book a variety of water-sport adventures. This is the spot that put the city on the map in the 1920s, and its energetic atmosphere and crashing surf are classically San Juan. Plus, you’ll find several family hotels and all inclusive San Juan resorts perched along its coastline.
Beyond the beautiful beaches, however, San Juan offers a distinctly urban vibe. The city is similar to Miami in that way; the coast is fantastic, but the city’s heart belongs to its vibrant street life. Old San Juan is the historical center, and it’s here that you’ll see the area’s most obvious Spanish-colonial influences. Colorful houses line the cobblestone alleys, tropical flowers grace the patios, and sights like the El Morro fort allude to a less-than-peaceful past. In this district, San Juan all inclusive hotels run the gamut from old-world chic to uber-modern, and the selection is something of a microcosm of the city itself.
Once you’ve shopped for souvenirs and seen the historical sights, venture beyond the tourist centers to sneak a peek at a more local-friendly side of San Juan. The Santurce barrio is great for avant-garde art museums and after-hours nightclubs, and the campus area of Rio Piedras is home to the Plaza del Mercado and its authentic food court. Just be sure to make it back to El Condado before nightfall; no all inclusive San Juan Puerto Rico vacation is complete without seeing one of the area’s spectacular sunsets.
