Americas Destinations

The charm of Old San Juan

January 22, 2019

San Juan – Puerto Rico’s largest city and capital has one of the most charming old towns I’ve seen: The city luckily got away with a black eye from Hurricane Maria and the well-preserved, colonial architecture looks as clean and colourful as ever!

1. Old San Juan

Although Old San Juan is small and walkable, it’s easy to get carried away by its cobblestone streets, pastel-painted houses and the majestic forts that the Spanish used to defend the island for centuries.

2. El Morro

Castillo San Felipe del Morro right next to Old San Juan is an impressive fort from the 16th century that used to protect the bay from intruders. Today it’s more like a massive entry gate for various cruise ships and a popular museum/park under the US National Park Service (therefore there is an admission fee). The ocean views are second to none from there!

Btw ocean: If you’re looking for a refreshing swim (or surf), there are a couple of beaches and resort towns East of Old San Juan.

3. Recommended eats and drinks:

Café Cuatro Sombras: They serve high-quality coffee grown in the mountains of Puerto Rico. If you’re there during Christmas season, try the coquito – the local coconut egg nog – yummy!

El Jibarito: Traditional Puerto Rican Cuisine

Barrachina: One of the two places in Puerto Rico that claim to have invented one of the world’s most beloved cocktail – the Piña Colada (the other is the Caribe Hilton). No wonder it’s popular among tourists who enjoy this perfect tropical blend from a slushie machine with or without rum!

4. Recommended stay:

La Terraza de San Juan: Beautiful boutique hotel inside a colonial building with rooftop bar and infinity (plunge) pool. The rooms are spacious and the beds very comfortable! You can book a room here.


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15 Comments

  • Reply The Wayfarer January 23, 2019 at 7:33 am

    It looks gorgeous! I love all your pictures from Puerto Rico.

    • Reply sileas February 5, 2019 at 5:47 pm

      Oh thank you!

  • Reply Paleica January 23, 2019 at 8:28 am

    achja, ich habe es ja ohnehin schon auf der bucketlist vermerkt <3 von der architektur und dem stil erinnert es mich sehr an havanna *.*

    • Reply sileas February 5, 2019 at 5:50 pm

      Soweit ich das von Fotos von Havanna beurteilen kann, kann ich dir nur Recht geben. Wahrscheinlich ist es nur etwas weniger heruntergekommen 😉

      • Reply Paleica February 6, 2019 at 2:33 am

        …was ja jetzt nicht unbedingt schlecht ist 😉

  • Reply tayonthemove January 23, 2019 at 1:35 pm

    Loving this post! I’m dying to visit Puerto Rico too!

    • Reply sileas February 5, 2019 at 5:52 pm

      You should! I’m sure you’d love it 🙂

  • Reply christine polz January 24, 2019 at 10:46 am

    Gerade die bunten Häuser und Straßen, die du hier zeigst, finde ich sehr schön!

    • Reply sileas February 5, 2019 at 5:52 pm

      Vielen Dank! Ich mag sie auch sehr gerne…

  • Reply SueT January 26, 2019 at 8:17 pm

    How fabulous does this place look Julia. Building colours are similar to those I have seen in photos of Cuba. Had to give myself a history lesson via the web on Puerto Rica.

    • Reply sileas February 5, 2019 at 5:55 pm

      Thanks Sue, I can imagine it’s similar to Cuba due to the Spanish influence. It’s interesting how differently it developed though being part of the US now!

  • Reply PinaySkattebasse January 31, 2019 at 10:19 am

    That big fish and the oina colada, please. Thank you. 🙂 Nice photos Julia. <3

    • Reply sileas February 5, 2019 at 5:58 pm

      This trip got me hooked on Piña Coladas! I drink it at home almost every day now (mostly the virgin version) since I got a blender 😀

  • Reply equinoxio21 February 3, 2019 at 7:16 pm

    Thanks for the nice walk around San Juan. It’s good to see they’ve preserved the old city.

    • Reply sileas February 5, 2019 at 5:59 pm

      Thanks, it was my pleasure 🙂

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