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Plan Your Trip to San Juan: Best of San Juan Tourism

San Juan is the ultimate twofer—a cultural capital and a sunny Caribbean beach destination all in one
The festive city of San Juan is the perfect place to experience Puerto Rican culture. Get to know its roots by exploring the vibrant neighbourhood of El Viejo San Juan (Old San Juan), which consists mostly of Spanish colonial buildings. Flesh out your self-guided history lesson with a visit to El Castillo San Felipe del Morro, a 16th century citadel that’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then head farther afield to take a cooling dip at Luquillo or Carolina Beach or a tasty tour of the Bacardi rum plant.

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Essential San Juan

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Sipping around San Juan’s cocktail scene

My favourite way to get to know a new city is through its cocktail scene, with bartenders serving up local tastes of the destination while also sharing tips on their favourite neighbourhood finds. Sipping my way through San Juan, I’ve discovered the city’s cocktail culture runs the gamut from beach bar tropical rum staples to craft creations at swanky speakeasies. Here’s where to sip in San Juan.
  • La Factoria
    205
    There’s no signage outside La Factoria’s 18th-century facade, and inside many of the six different bar areas are decorated with worn down couches and weathered checkered floors. Don’t be fooled by appearances: this is actually the island’s premiere cocktail bar, and it’s been named the Caribbean’s Best Bar by 50 Best, too. Can’t decide on a drink? Order the Lavender Mule, with vodka and ginger beer, or La Champeta, with aged rum, pineapple, and fermented ginger.
  • JungleBird
    22
    The drinks here are creative masterpieces, which feels appropriate given the bar is near the Puerto Rican Museum of Contemporary Art. One look at the bamboo furniture, leafy plants, fresh ingredients, and Instagram-worthy cocktails and this quickly became one of my favourite stops. The Taino tropical menu gives a nod to the Indigenous Arawak people of the Caribbean. Try the Missionary’s Downfall, with rum, mint, fresh pineapple, lime, and apricot brandy.
  • El Batey Bar
    111
    El Batey’s graffiti-and-sticker-covered walls (a nod to Puerto Rico’s 1970s urban art scene) echo its dive bar appeal. You’re here for the cocktails, so ignore the sticky floor and musty smell, and focus on the vintage jukebox and rum drinks, like the Brown Derby Cocktail (with a sour grapefruit kick and amber honey). What it lacks in polish, it makes up for in characters: the Rolling Stones reportedly loved this bar, as did Hunter S. Thompson.
  • Scryer Rum
    40
    The speakeasy-esque bar along an old Prohibition-era street has several floors (including a cigar lounge and a rooftop deck), each with a unique theme. Cocktails here add a rum twist to the classics, using the Barrelhouse’s own pot-distilled aged rum. The Scryerac, for example, is a smokier version of a Sazerac with rum, Islay whisky, and an Absinthe-washed glass. The La Colada, a spirit-forward version of the classic piña colada, is the crowd favourite.
  • The Mezzanine at St. Germain
    221
    Standing on the balcony, overlooking the colourful streets of Old San Juan, I felt like I had literally stepped into the Mezzanine’s historic framed photos and newspaper articles that line its walls. This cocktail spot, though, has its own modern personality. The drink menu features classics with a tropical twist, like a guava cosmo or the patria libre (aged rum poured over coconut water ice cubes).
  • Tacos & Tequila
    437
    For tacos and tequila served with an ocean breeze, head to this upscale, but unpretentious, bar and restaurant in the elegant Condado Vanderbilt Hotel. As you might imagine, the tequila cocktail selection is robust, but the bar also serves mezcal drinks, sangria, cerveza, and a special Roasted Michelada that feels like a trip to the farmer’s market, with pineapple, onion, pepper, cilantro, lemon, jalapeño, and tomato juice.
  • La Central By Mario Pagan
    38
    Chef Mario Pagán has the city’s most exclusive restaurant (located in the unfortunately named Distrito T-Mobile), with one of the area’s best cocktail bars. Rum is the star here, which is to be expected when you spy the copper rum still at the heart of the bar. Belly up and order La Central’s signature drink, Ron y Tabaco, prepared with añejo rum, tobacco-infused syrup, bitters, and a smoked sugarcane garnish.

San Juan Is Great For

Endless nightlife

Aquatic adventures

Outstanding day-trip destinations