Guidebook for San Juan
Food Scene
Best coffee shop in town. Within walking distance of both apartments.
51 abantu bendawo batusa
Hacienda San Pedro
318 C. De DiegoBest coffee shop in town. Within walking distance of both apartments.
Asere Cubano - Kitchen & Bar
180 C. dos HermanosGreat Cuban at la Placita de Santurce.
Santaella
219 C. CanalsBest fine dining at Placita de Santurce.
The best Thai food in Puerto Rico, period. And right across the street from our Placita apartment.
53 abantu bendawo batusa
Mai Pen Rai
303 C. CanalsThe best Thai food in Puerto Rico, period. And right across the street from our Placita apartment.
San Juan Smokehouse
255 Calle OrbetaBest BBQ in San Juan, hands down.
Recent addition to the Calle Loíza food scene. Great local food done fancy...
116 abantu bendawo batusa
Sabrina
1801 C. LoízaRecent addition to the Calle Loíza food scene. Great local food done fancy...
Lote 23
1552 PR-25Hipster food truck park walking distance from the apartment.
Famous for, among other things, hosting President Obama in 2011. You can still order the Presidential Special and sit in the table where the President himself ate a Medianoche Sandwich. Food is great. My recommendations: order a Frita Cubana and a Quesito.
341 abantu bendawo batusa
Kasalta
1966 Av. McLearyFamous for, among other things, hosting President Obama in 2011. You can still order the Presidential Special and sit in the table where the President himself ate a Medianoche Sandwich. Food is great. My recommendations: order a Frita Cubana and a Quesito.
Great place to take in the views of the ocean and eat all sorts of cheap artery clogging Puerto Rican favorites. Yes, we love our fried food. Try the alcapurrias... You won't regret it.
44 abantu bendawo batusa
Kiosko El Boricua
Puerto Rico 187Great place to take in the views of the ocean and eat all sorts of cheap artery clogging Puerto Rican favorites. Yes, we love our fried food. Try the alcapurrias... You won't regret it.
If you really want to go all out, 1919 is the best of the best in the San Juan fine dining scene. It's also in the Condado Vanderbilt, a beautiful hotel from the 1930s that features a beautiful old-timey bar, live music and great ocean views.
39 abantu bendawo batusa
1919 Restaurant
1055 Ashford AveIf you really want to go all out, 1919 is the best of the best in the San Juan fine dining scene. It's also in the Condado Vanderbilt, a beautiful hotel from the 1930s that features a beautiful old-timey bar, live music and great ocean views.
Ombra Italian Eatery
303 Calle VillamilGreat pizza, great Italian food, awesome ambience.
An outdoor pizza oven brought in from Naples makes this the place to get authentic Italian pizza in Puerto Rico.
Verace Pizzeria Napoletana
8020 José M. Tartak AvenueAn outdoor pizza oven brought in from Naples makes this the place to get authentic Italian pizza in Puerto Rico.
Drinks & Nightlife
It's a cool but unpretentious speakeasy that's always playing Sinatra...
13 abantu bendawo batusa
Bar La Unidad
562 C. CuevillasIt's a cool but unpretentious speakeasy that's always playing Sinatra...
Not sure if this would even qualify as a dive bar... It's just a kiosk with cheap drinks that locals love.
21 abantu bendawo batusa
El Coco de Luis
Not sure if this would even qualify as a dive bar... It's just a kiosk with cheap drinks that locals love.
Four buildings down from the Placita apartment, a hot new bar with a low-key vibe. Look for the building on the corner of Ponce de León and Canals covered in psychedelic graffiti.
605 abantu bendawo batusa
La Placita
300 C. dos HermanosFour buildings down from the Placita apartment, a hot new bar with a low-key vibe. Look for the building on the corner of Ponce de León and Canals covered in psychedelic graffiti.
Sightseeing
I-Castle San Felipe del Morro
501 Bulevar del ValleTruly impressive Spanish fort.
Parks & Nature
If you're in the mood for a very challenging hike, try La Coca Trail.
1253 abantu bendawo batusa
El Yunque Rain Forest
If you're in the mood for a very challenging hike, try La Coca Trail.
The longest zip line in the world, as confirmed by Guinness.
463 abantu bendawo batusa
Toro Verde Adventure Park
State Route 155The longest zip line in the world, as confirmed by Guinness.
Arts & Culture
Great and expansive collection of Puerto Rican art. Wednesdays between 2 pm and 8 pm, admission is free.
473 abantu bendawo batusa
Iziko Lokusebenza Lwezobuciko lwePuerto Rico
299 Avenida José de DiegoGreat and expansive collection of Puerto Rican art. Wednesdays between 2 pm and 8 pm, admission is free.
About a five to ten minute bus ride from both apartments, the Conservatory is Puerto Rico's music university. On Tuesdays at 5 pm there are free student recitals. Check out their calendar on the Conservatory's website for other free concerts, including monthly jazz nights overlooking Condado Lagoon. (Airbnb lists this place at the wrong address. The right address is: 958 Ave Juan Ponce de León.)
28 abantu bendawo batusa
Conservatorio de Musica de Puerto Rico
951 PR-25About a five to ten minute bus ride from both apartments, the Conservatory is Puerto Rico's music university. On Tuesdays at 5 pm there are free student recitals. Check out their calendar on the Conservatory's website for other free concerts, including monthly jazz nights overlooking Condado Lagoon. (Airbnb lists this place at the wrong address. The right address is: 958 Ave Juan Ponce de León.)
Walking distance from the Placita apartment, the Contemporary Art Museum showcases local artists. Students with a valid ID get in free on Tuesdays.
162 abantu bendawo batusa
Museum of Contemporary Art of Puerto Rico
Walking distance from the Placita apartment, the Contemporary Art Museum showcases local artists. Students with a valid ID get in free on Tuesdays.
Shopping
La Placita
300 C. dos HermanosGet fresh fruits and vegetables daily at La Placita.
Best bookshop in San Juan and within walking distance of both apartments.
33 abantu bendawo batusa
Libros AC
1510 Av. Juan Ponce de LeónBest bookshop in San Juan and within walking distance of both apartments.
Fancy gourmet market with good cheap eats for lunch. Great coffee and good place to people watch.
47 abantu bendawo batusa
La Hacienda
762 C. CuevillasFancy gourmet market with good cheap eats for lunch. Great coffee and good place to people watch.
Entertainment & Activities
Metro Cine is an old classic art deco theater showing first-run movies. Within walking distance of the Placita apartment. (Airbnb lists this place at the wrong address. The right address is: 1255 Ave Juan Ponce de León.)
49 abantu bendawo batusa
Caribbean Cinemas - Metro Cinemas
1255 Av. Juan Ponce de LeónMetro Cine is an old classic art deco theater showing first-run movies. Within walking distance of the Placita apartment. (Airbnb lists this place at the wrong address. The right address is: 1255 Ave Juan Ponce de León.)
Stand up paddle boarding rental place right on Condado Lagoon. At the park, you can also rent kayaks or paddle boats.
47 abantu bendawo batusa
San Juan Paddleboarding
Stand up paddle boarding rental place right on Condado Lagoon. At the park, you can also rent kayaks or paddle boats.
Tony and Nancy are simply the best. Rent their bikes or book a bike tour with them. You'll love them and you'll love the unique perspective they offer on San Juan's sights and attractions.
21 abantu bendawo batusa
Rent the Bicycle
100 C. del MuelleTony and Nancy are simply the best. Rent their bikes or book a bike tour with them. You'll love them and you'll love the unique perspective they offer on San Juan's sights and attractions.
Our family lives in Puerto Rico and we've gone out with these guys three times in the past couple of years. It's a foolproof sailing day trip just an hour from the apartment. Price is relatively inexpensive and includes lunch and an open rum bar. You can pick from a few different adventure options. We like the Cayo Icacos and Snorkeling adventure. Call them for more details.
106 abantu bendawo batusa
I-East Island Excursions
Marina Puerto Del ReyOur family lives in Puerto Rico and we've gone out with these guys three times in the past couple of years. It's a foolproof sailing day trip just an hour from the apartment. Price is relatively inexpensive and includes lunch and an open rum bar. You can pick from a few different adventure options. We like the Cayo Icacos and Snorkeling adventure. Call them for more details.