Guidebook for San Juan
Food Scene
Adorable eclectic coffee shop with really good, healthy food and a boutique on the second floor!
9 locals recommend
Kamoli Juice Bar
1706 Calle Loíza Adorable eclectic coffee shop with really good, healthy food and a boutique on the second floor!
It's a storage container "food truck" kind of place. You can get fish tacos, sliders, delicious drinks, poke bowls, and make sure to stop by the cute hidden coffee shop in the back!
134 locals recommend
Tresbé
1765 C. LoízaIt's a storage container "food truck" kind of place. You can get fish tacos, sliders, delicious drinks, poke bowls, and make sure to stop by the cute hidden coffee shop in the back!
One of the best Puerto Rican food spots in the area! Only problem is, it gets quite packed, so you might have to make a reservation.
Try the shrimp mofongo with "salsa criolla" and ask for "tostones de pana". The place is also famous for their delicious fish tacos! Yum!
269 locals recommend
La Cueva Del Mar
1904 C. LoízaOne of the best Puerto Rican food spots in the area! Only problem is, it gets quite packed, so you might have to make a reservation.
Try the shrimp mofongo with "salsa criolla" and ask for "tostones de pana". The place is also famous for their delicious fish tacos! Yum!
This place doesn't have the best ambiance, but the food is delicious and it's a great option if you want to sample Puerto Rican / Cuban cuisine. I recommend grabbing food to-go and eating it on the rooftop!
Some classics to order:
-Shrimp mofongo with "salsa criolla"
-Churrazco mofongo "al ajillo"
-Tostones de pana (or regular tostones)
-Rice and beans
-Chillo (fried red snapper)
-Arañitas (potato “spiders”)
-Ropa Vieja
-PIÑA COLADA
202 locals recommend
Bebo Cafe
1600 C. LoízaThis place doesn't have the best ambiance, but the food is delicious and it's a great option if you want to sample Puerto Rican / Cuban cuisine. I recommend grabbing food to-go and eating it on the rooftop!
Some classics to order:
-Shrimp mofongo with "salsa criolla"
-Churrazco mofongo "al ajillo"
-Tostones de pana (or regular tostones)
-Rice and beans
-Chillo (fried red snapper)
-Arañitas (potato “spiders”)
-Ropa Vieja
-PIÑA COLADA
BY DAY: A beautiful market with fresh fruits, smoothies and hand rolled tobacco.
BY NIGHT: A great place for partying. Depending on the night, and depending on which bar/club you go to, you might find older crowd, a younger crowd, karaoke, live salsa, reggaeton or house music. Something for everyone.
141 locals recommend
La Plaza del Mercado Santurce
205 Calle Jose M. RaffucciBY DAY: A beautiful market with fresh fruits, smoothies and hand rolled tobacco.
BY NIGHT: A great place for partying. Depending on the night, and depending on which bar/club you go to, you might find older crowd, a younger crowd, karaoke, live salsa, reggaeton or house music. Something for everyone.
This is my go-to taco spot and one of my favorite places in the area. All the ingredients are 100% fresh. Even the tortillas are made there fresh daily! The margaritas are also to die for.
178 locals recommend
Acapulco
2021 C. LoízaThis is my go-to taco spot and one of my favorite places in the area. All the ingredients are 100% fresh. Even the tortillas are made there fresh daily! The margaritas are also to die for.
Cocobana
#2000 C. LoízaDelicious vegetarian food!
Incredible hidden gem! It’s actually pretty hidden (they no longer have a sign on the wall.. just walk into the parking lot, to the random building in the center) The menu changes every day. Super fresh, delicious vegetarian dishes made with love!
64 locals recommend
Berlingeri
#1966 Av. McLearyIncredible hidden gem! It’s actually pretty hidden (they no longer have a sign on the wall.. just walk into the parking lot, to the random building in the center) The menu changes every day. Super fresh, delicious vegetarian dishes made with love!
Cheap Puerto Rican food if you want something 100% not touristy at all!
7 locals recommend
Café San Felipe
103 Cll BetancesCheap Puerto Rican food if you want something 100% not touristy at all!
Pirilo Pizza
2000 Av. McLearyDelicious "rustic" pizza, nice ambience and good beer!
Amazing date night spot!! This place has one of the most delicious, creative menus in the area. Pricey, but worth it!
110 locals recommend
Atelier Cocina Abierta
58 Cll CaribeAmazing date night spot!! This place has one of the most delicious, creative menus in the area. Pricey, but worth it!
Café Marquesa
110 C. del ParqueBRUNCH! Pricey..but sooo goood.
Great artsy place for brunch! Sometimes they have live music or creative circus-style performances!
99 locals recommend
Abracadabra
1661 Av. Juan Ponce de LeónGreat artsy place for brunch! Sometimes they have live music or creative circus-style performances!
DELICIOUS creative fusion cuisine. One of my favorite restaurants in Puerto Rico. Great date spot. I hear there's also a new speakeasy right next to it.
31 locals recommend
Soda Estudio de Cocina
909 Av. Manuel Fernández JuncosDELICIOUS creative fusion cuisine. One of my favorite restaurants in Puerto Rico. Great date spot. I hear there's also a new speakeasy right next to it.
La Bombonera
Calle de San FranciscoCLASSIC breakfast place. Try a mallorca with ham and cheese!
Cafetería Mallorca
300 C. de San FranciscoIf la Bombonera is packed, try the mallorcas here!
Cheap food in a really cool atmosphere. This is in the heart of Santurce's art scene. There's an annual mural festival in this area with cool exhibits and music events.
12 locals recommend
El Patio De Solé
Calle Fernandez JuncosCheap food in a really cool atmosphere. This is in the heart of Santurce's art scene. There's an annual mural festival in this area with cool exhibits and music events.
Café Cuatro Sombras
259 C. del Recinto SurGreat coffee shop.
El Jibarito
280 C. del SolGreat Puerto Rican food!
St. Germain
156 Sol StreetBrunch place! Above it there's a cool elegant rooftop place too!
Caficultura
Good breakfast/coffee place.
Try all the street fritters and have a refreshing coconut or piña colada! Ask for: alcapurria de jueyes, pionono de carne, ceviche, arepa rellena de pulpo, empanadilla de chapín and a bacalao!
33 locals recommend
The ossobuvo
Calle MarginalTry all the street fritters and have a refreshing coconut or piña colada! Ask for: alcapurria de jueyes, pionono de carne, ceviche, arepa rellena de pulpo, empanadilla de chapín and a bacalao!
Lechonera Los Amigos
BoClassic place to eat lechón/pernil!
Drinks & Nightlife
THIS IS THE PLACE TO GO IN OLD SAN JUAN. It's 4 bars merged into one! Secret doors keep opening up to reveal hidden sections of the bar, each offering something unique. Amazing cocktails can be found all over. The first is a casual but very cool bar, next up a more quiet wine bar area, then a dancefloor with live salsa music, and finally a techno/house danceclub.
369 locals recommend
La Factoria
148 C. San SebastiánTHIS IS THE PLACE TO GO IN OLD SAN JUAN. It's 4 bars merged into one! Secret doors keep opening up to reveal hidden sections of the bar, each offering something unique. Amazing cocktails can be found all over. The first is a casual but very cool bar, next up a more quiet wine bar area, then a dancefloor with live salsa music, and finally a techno/house danceclub.
La Taberna Lúpulo
151 C. San SebastiánCRAFT BEER and a very cool indoor patio!
La Cubanita
51 C. San JoséKind of an extension to "La Factoría"
This is one of the best spots in the university district. Really cheap drinks and GREAT live music!
32 locals recommend
El Boricua Rio Piedras
5 C. SaldañaThis is one of the best spots in the university district. Really cheap drinks and GREAT live music!
Monday is the night to go! Drink specials for people on a student budget!
6 locals recommend
El Refugio
CalleMonday is the night to go! Drink specials for people on a student budget!
Club 77
1102 Av. Juan Ponce de LeónPunk rock scene!
It's a bar, it's a music venue, it's a danceclub, it's anything you want it to be. It's a hipster punk rock place made for making bad decisions. It's extreeemely fun and very crazy. They host movie nights and karaoke nights. Everyone's smoking weed. It's like you're at a friend's place. People go late and stay till the sun rises!
20 locals recommend
El Local en Santurce
1425 Av. Manuel Fernández JuncosIt's a bar, it's a music venue, it's a danceclub, it's anything you want it to be. It's a hipster punk rock place made for making bad decisions. It's extreeemely fun and very crazy. They host movie nights and karaoke nights. Everyone's smoking weed. It's like you're at a friend's place. People go late and stay till the sun rises!
Really casual bar with a FREE POOL TABLE and Jenga. Sometimes they have live music. It's super funn.
32 locals recommend
EL NIE BAR
1013 Av. Las PalmasReally casual bar with a FREE POOL TABLE and Jenga. Sometimes they have live music. It's super funn.
Try the local shot in every flavor! Parcha, coconut and tamarindo are my favorites!
14 locals recommend
Los 3 Cuernos
359 C. de San FranciscoTry the local shot in every flavor! Parcha, coconut and tamarindo are my favorites!
Casa Verde Hotel
Carretera 413 RamalChill surf bar.
Fun surf bar with a pool! You can also eat good sushi here for dinner.
80 locals recommend
Pool Bar Sushi
Calle Vista del MarFun surf bar with a pool! You can also eat good sushi here for dinner.
Off The Wall
108 Calle de la CandelariaSangría bar in the heart of the west coast university district.
Shopping
Electroshock
1811 C. LoízaThe best thrift shop!
Lentejuela
1000 C. LoízaBEAUTIFUL BOUTIQUE! Kind of pricey but quality stuff!
Might be my favorite boutique in the area. It's so dangerous to go in because I want to buy EVERYTHING. It's not even that expensive!
17 locals recommend
Moni & Coli
1762 C. LoízaMight be my favorite boutique in the area. It's so dangerous to go in because I want to buy EVERYTHING. It's not even that expensive!
There's a boutique above the Kamoli coffee shop! Super cute, super pricey.
65 locals recommend
Kamoli Kafe Butik
1706 Calle LoízaThere's a boutique above the Kamoli coffee shop! Super cute, super pricey.
Hecho a Mano
Cool comfy bohemian clothes.
There's a bunch of little artisans and markets with souvenirs and trinkets all over Old San Juan.
902 locals recommend
Viejo San Juan
There's a bunch of little artisans and markets with souvenirs and trinkets all over Old San Juan.
Arts & Culture
Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico
299 Avenida José de DiegoART!!!
Essentials
24hr grocery store only a few steps from the apartment. Isn't it magical? There's also a cafeteria in the supermarket with good options for breakfast or a quick snack!
415 locals recommend
SuperMax
114 Avenida José de Diego24hr grocery store only a few steps from the apartment. Isn't it magical? There's also a cafeteria in the supermarket with good options for breakfast or a quick snack!
24hr convenience store conveniently located right by the apartment! Anything you can't get here, you can find in the Supermax (also open 24/7).
34 locals recommend
To Go Store Condado (To Go Stores Bulding)
1615 C. King's Court24hr convenience store conveniently located right by the apartment! Anything you can't get here, you can find in the Supermax (also open 24/7).
Entertainment & Activities
The nicest movie theatre you'll ever go to. They serve SUSHI AND WINE and have BIG COMFY CHAIRS. And the movies they show are all the good, award-winning kind! Perfect date night idea and right by some great restaurants and bars.
69 locals recommend
Caribbean Cinemas Fine Arts Miramar
Avenida de la ConstituciónThe nicest movie theatre you'll ever go to. They serve SUSHI AND WINE and have BIG COMFY CHAIRS. And the movies they show are all the good, award-winning kind! Perfect date night idea and right by some great restaurants and bars.
Sightseeing
Feed the pigeons and they come and perch on your arm and hopefully they don't poop on you. No but really, it's a cute activity.
51 locals recommend
Parque de las Palomas
Calle TetuánFeed the pigeons and they come and perch on your arm and hopefully they don't poop on you. No but really, it's a cute activity.
Come visit the famous fort! Go inside, it's really cool. Especially if you like history!
442 locals recommend
Castillo San Felipe del Morro
501 Bulevar del ValleCome visit the famous fort! Go inside, it's really cool. Especially if you like history!
This is a really nice area to stroll through in Old San Juan.
162 locals recommend
Paseo de la Princesa
54 C. de la FortalezaThis is a really nice area to stroll through in Old San Juan.
If you want to go around the island, definitely check out Rincón. It's a surfer paradise. A hippie/yogi subculture sprung here from many surfer travelers that came for competitions. Geographically, Rincón is unique with breathtaking hills that reveal beautiful ocean views and of course, the BEST SUNSETS!
208 locals recommend
Rincon
If you want to go around the island, definitely check out Rincón. It's a surfer paradise. A hippie/yogi subculture sprung here from many surfer travelers that came for competitions. Geographically, Rincón is unique with breathtaking hills that reveal beautiful ocean views and of course, the BEST SUNSETS!
This little island is perfect. You can take a tiny plane ($40) or a really cheap ferry ride ($2.50). Take a day trip, or spend the night camping, in the International Hostel or book a villa. Flamenco beach is the best beach in the world hands down. Visit the abandoned tanks in Flamenco beach or go swim with turtles in Tamarindo beach! Rays and octopuses are also pretty common to see when snorkeling!
385 locals recommend
Culebra
This little island is perfect. You can take a tiny plane ($40) or a really cheap ferry ride ($2.50). Take a day trip, or spend the night camping, in the International Hostel or book a villa. Flamenco beach is the best beach in the world hands down. Visit the abandoned tanks in Flamenco beach or go swim with turtles in Tamarindo beach! Rays and octopuses are also pretty common to see when snorkeling!
Vieques is a laid-back island with a lot to offer. Beautiful beaches and of course, THE BIO BAY! A must-see attraction, unforgettable experience.
293 locals recommend
Vieques
Vieques is a laid-back island with a lot to offer. Beautiful beaches and of course, THE BIO BAY! A must-see attraction, unforgettable experience.
Arecibo Observatory
Puerto Rico 625A place to geek out!
Cabo Rojo Lighthouse
Beautiful cliffs, cool lighthouse, nice beaches nearby.