Where to Stay in San Juan, By an Area Local (2023)

5 Best Neighborhoods and Areas to Stay in San Juan

The historic city of San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico and it has 18 different official neighborhoods, which you can see on this map. But, as a Puerto Rican, I can say San Juan is basically divided into the old town, Old San Juan, and the new town. 

Whether you’re looking for a beachfront hotel in front of the sandy beach with a wellness center or a boutique hotel with an outdoor pool, you’ll find it in one of these 5 neighborhoods in San Juan.

Old San Juan

👉 Best Area for Sightseeing or Solo Traveling | ✨ Best Old San Juan Hotels: El Convento • Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel • Villa Herencia Hotel

The historic Old San Juan or Viejo San Juan is the prime location to stay. It’s one of the top spots to visit in Puerto Rico, and you will have San Juan’s top attractions within a walking distance. You’ll find some of the top San Juan accommodations here, as well as some luxury hotels like El Convento. 

By staying in Old San Juan, you’ll have easy access to attractions like the San Juan Bautista Cathedral, Puerta de San Juan, La Fortaleza, Castillo de San Cristobal, Paseo de La Princesa, and El Morro. Old San Juan also sports a beach, fine dining restaurants, and bars.

👉 Related Reading: Check out my complete guide to the 49 best activities to do in Puerto Rico to see what else you can do during your trip!

Pros of Staying in Old San Juan:

• Home to many of the top attractions in San Juan
• Historical landmarks at walking distance
• Lots of restaurants, food kiosks, and bars
• Great nightlife

Con of Staying in Old San Juan:

• Things can be pricey
• It can be noisy at night

Condado

👉 Best Area For Families | ✨ Best Condado Hotels: Condado Vanderbilt • La Concha Renaissance Resort • Condado Ocean Club

If you’re looking for a place to stay with your family in San Juan, then Condado is your go-to destination. Condado offers visitors accommodation options and it sports some of the best hotels in San Juan. 

Most hotels in this area offer an ocean view, swimming pool, spa, hot tub, and rooftop terrace. You can also find small luxury hotels like Condado Vanderbilt or the Olive Boutique Hotel. You can easily walk to the beach or stroll through Ventana al Mar. The area offers fun watersports, cycling, and scooters perfect for a fun family vacation.

Pros of Staying in Condado:

• Walking distance to some of the top beaches in Puerto Rico
• Lots of restaurants and bars
• Fun activities like kayaking, paddle boarding, bicycle riding

Con of Staying in Condado:

• Crowded on nights and weekends
• Need a ride to get to Old San Juan’s landmarks

Miramar

👉 Best Area For Business Travelers | ✨ Best Miramar Hotels: Aloft San Juan • Hyatt Place San Juan • Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino

Miramar is a neighborhood in San Juan close to the city’s top attractions without the chaos of the tourist sites. If you’re traveling for business purposes and are researching where to stay in San Juan, the Miramar sports some of the best resorts for you in the city center. 

The hotels in the Miramar area sport convention halls, meeting rooms, and facilities like desks, wifi, and audiovisual equipment that will make your business trip run smoothly. In your free time, you can enjoy the hotel’s facilities such as a plunge pool or an infinity pool, or take a 5-minute ride to the Spanish forts in Old San Juan.

Pros of Staying in Miramar:

• Avoid the crowd of San Juan’s main spots
• Close the Convention Center of San Juan and T-Mobile District
• Close to lots of restaurants and bars

Con of Staying in Miramar:

• There aren’t many attractions within walking distance
• You need to ride a car to get to the San Juan beaches

Ocean Park

👉 Best Area For College Students and Young Professionals | ✨ Best Ocean Park Hotels: Trópica Beach Hotel • DoubleTree by Hilton • Numero Uno Beach House

Ocean Park is a great option for young people looking to enjoy both beachfront hotels and Puerto Rico’s nightlife. Ocean Park has one of the most popular urban beaches in San Juan offering water sports like kitesurfing and beach volleyball. 

What really makes Ocean Park ideal for young people is the lively Calle Loíza, which offers visitors a variety of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. From this central area, you can easily reach Condado, Old San Juan, and Isla Verde.

Pros of Staying in Ocean Park:

• Beach within walking distance
• Close to Condado and Isla Verde’s main attractions
• Close to lots of restaurants and bars

Con of Staying in Ocean Park:

• Limited parking
• Need a ride to get to Old San Juan’s landmarks

Isla Verde

👉 Best Area For Honeymooners | ✨ Best Isla Verde Hotels: Hampton Inn & Suites • Embassy Suites by Hilton • TRYP by Windham

The line between San Juan and Carolina is quite blurry and that’s why it’s hard to define which city Isla Verde belongs to. But, that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a great location if you’re looking where to stay in San Juan. Isla Verde sports some of the best hotels in San Juan along with beautiful beaches to enjoy the heat of a Caribbean island. 

Couples and honeymooners can enjoy their stay in a romantic hotel, stroll down Isla Verde Beach, eat in a fine dining restaurant or dance the night away in one of the neighborhood’s multiple nightclubs.

👉Are you a beach lover? Check out my guide to the 19 Best Beaches in Puerto Rico! Isla Verde Beach is one of the excellent finds on that list!

Pros of Staying in Isla Verde:

• Great for enjoying Puerto Rico’s nightlife
• Close to the beach and airport
• Lots of restaurants and attractions

Con of Staying in Isla Verde:

• Gets crowded
• Hotels can be pricey

Tips for Staying in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Travel Off-Season

A visit to San Juan can easily stretch a thin travel budget, especially when it comes to hotels and restaurants. Many tourists tend to visit the island during winter or summer. Instead, if possible, you should try to travel between August and early November to find cheaper hotel prices.

Eat at Chinchorros

It’s probably tempting to go to restaurants or chain restaurants you already know. But, as a Puerto Rican, I recommend eating at small food kiosks called chinchorros. Even if they don’t always look like it, they actually offer the best local food in San Juan. Piñones right next to Isla Verde beach has a lot of them.

Don’t Go Mindlessly into La Perla

After the music video Despacito, the community La Perla became famous and a lot of tourists visit it out of curiosity without knowing about the area. If you choose to visit, I would recommend asking for a local guide to go with you and visit only during the day. Be respectful of locals and don’t go around recording people please!

👉 Read Next: Is Safe Juan Safe to Travel?

Rent a Car

Public transportation isn’t practical in Puerto Rico and taking taxis can quickly consume your budget. That’s why travelers should consider renting a car to move comfortably within Old San Juan and to visit other cities of Puerto Rico. You can use Discover Cars to rent a car for the best price.  

FAQs About Where to Stay in San Juan

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That’s it for the complete guide on where to stay in San Juan. I hope this helps pick the perfect place for you! Make sure to check out my guide on the 15 Best Day Trips from San Juan, so you don’t miss a single experience in Puerto Rico!

Have fun choosing where to stay in San Juan!