San Juan flights and travel guide

After stepping off a flight to San Juan most travellers are left bewildered by the abundance of activities the capital of Puerto Rico has to offer. During the day outdoor enthusiasts can hike the rain forest and surf the waves, while at the night the city is transformed into one of the nightlife capitals of the Caribbean.

As a side trip, travellers booking flights to San Juan should plan to spend a few extra days exploring the coastal town of Guánica and the Caribbean National Forest, El Yunque, then on the way back to San Juan stop for a picnic or a quick dip in the country’s best-known beach, Luquillo.

For sightseeing, Old San Juan, the original city founded in 1521, has a wealth of well-cared-for 16th and 17th-century architecture, built by the Spanish colonists. Still partially surrounded by the wall built in 1633 and paved with the stones used as ballast on Spanish ships, the old city features tree-shaded squares, monuments, open-air cafes, and shops, as well as private homes with their wrought-iron railings on balconies filled with pots of tropical plants.

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San Juan climate

The climate is tropical with summer temperatures in the 18-35 degree range. Thunderstorms are likely between April and November and hurricane season runs June to November. Further inland, temperatures drop a couple of degrees.

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When to fly to San Juan

Peak season:

Mid-December to mid-April is the busiest — and most expensive — time of the year. Throughout the island, but especially in San Juan, prices are considerably higher during this period.

Off season:

Summer and autumn are quieter and less expensive times to take cheap flights to San Juan. And there are two annual events for music lovers. The Pablo Casals Festival takes place in early June. The Festival of Puerto Rican Music is held in November, with venues in both San Juan and elsewhere on the island.

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Getting into town San Juan

The larger hotels generally offer free shuttle buses into Old San Juan, where you can either travel by foot or take advantage of the free trolleys.

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Getting around San Juan

Buses run in some areas, but not all. There are taxis, but you’ll have to negotiate a price with the driver based on your destination. Rental cars are available as well, but make sure you have your ID handy. Some streets are not as well marked as others.

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San Juan insider information

• One venue for Puerto Rico's Latino chic is surprising — the Museo de Arte. Some Puerto Ricans come to the art museum at least once a week, and not just for its fine collection of Puerto Rican art. They also come for productions in the 400-seat theatre. And trendy locals can be seen strolling the museum’s lovely five-acre garden. 
• San Juan has done a great job of adapting old buildings to new uses. La Princesa, for centuries one of the most feared prisons in the Caribbean, now houses the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. It features an exhibit of art by Puerto Ricans, which is free to the public.
• Another example of reuse is the 19^th-century insane asylum, the Antiguo Manicomio Insular, which is now the home of the Puerto Rican Academy of Fine Arts, with its lovely courtyard fountains surrounded by elegant iron fences.

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San Juan airports

Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU) is located 14km (9 miles) east of San Juan.

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