San Juan
Go to San Juan for the colonial streets of Old San Juan, its Spanish forts and beaches on the Atlantic coast.
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San Juan is the capital and largest city of Puerto Rico, on the island's northern coast. Puerto Rico is a US unincorporated territory, so the city is part of the United States. Spanish colonists founded the city in 1521. Old San Juan, the historic district on a small islet, has narrow streets paved with blue cobblestones and colonial buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries. El Morro and Fort San Cristóbal, both open to visitors, are part of the San Juan National Historic Site.
Condado and Ocean Park are the city's largest beaches, facing the Atlantic, and El Escambrón is the most popular beach near Old San Juan. Spanish is the main language. The driest months are January through March, and rain falls across the rest of the year. Day trips reach El Yunque National Forest near Luquillo and Río Grande.
San Juan in five
- Follow US entry rulesPuerto Rico is a US territory. US citizens flying from the mainland need no passport; other visitors need an ESTA or a US visa.ESTA explained
- Visit the forts earlyCastillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristóbal are part of a National Park Service site with an entry fee. Mornings are cooler on the open walls.
- Swim where the water is calmRip currents are common on the north coast. Choose protected spots such as the Condado lagoon or beaches with reefs offshore, and watch the posted flags.
- Use ride apps and walk the old townRide-hailing apps work across the metro area. Old San Juan is hilly and best on foot; parking there is scarce.
Things to do in San Juan
See all attractions in San Juan
Need to know
- Airport
- Luis Muñoz Marín (SJU), about 15–20 min to Condado
- Getting there
- Direct flights from many US cities; cruise port
- Getting around
- Walking, ride apps and taxis; car for the island
- Best base
- Old San Juan for history, Condado for the beach
- Time needed
- 3 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain15 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Dry, breezyJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 62 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, breezy
- FebruaryRain15 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Dry, busyFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 65 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, busy
- MarchRain16 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Dry, warmMarchRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 65 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- AprilRain17 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Warm, drierAprilRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 98 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, drier
- MayRain18 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Hot, showersMayRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 95 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, showers
- JuneRain16 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Hurricane seasonJuneRain
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 73 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane season
- JulyRain19 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Hot, humidJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 96 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- AugustRain20 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low26°Hurricane riskAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 120 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hurricane risk
- SeptemberRain23 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Peak hurricanesSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 224 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak hurricanes
- OctoberRain24 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low25°Hurricane riskOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 184 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hurricane risk
- NovemberRain20 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Rain easingNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 163 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain easing
- DecemberRain18 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Dry, holidaysDecemberRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, holidays
Average daily high and low in San Juan, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: May Casals Festival · Jun Casals Festival
Right now in San Juan
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
30
- Feels like
- 35°
- Humidity
- 68%
- Wind
- 25 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 76%
San Juan
04:07 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today30°25°76%Monday: Rain. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 76%.
- Tue30°25°41%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 41%.
- Wed30°25°82%Wednesday: Rain. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 82%.
- Thu29°24°79%Thursday: Rain. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 79%.
- Fri28°24°88%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Sat28°24°78%Saturday: Rain. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 78%.
- Sun29°25°49%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 49%.
Updated 01:14 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- May–JunCasals FestivalSan Juan
Day trips by train
- El Yunqueabout 45 min–1 hour by carRainforest trails, waterfalls and lookout towers.Read the guide
- Fajardoabout 1 hour by carNight kayak trips on a bioluminescent lagoon and boats to offshore cays.
- Viequesferry from Ceiba or a short flightQuiet beaches and Mosquito Bay; better with a night or two.Read the guide
Before you go to San Juan
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Plan around San Juan
Regions, entry basics and money
Read the guideEl YunqueRainforest trails, about an hour east
Read the guideViequesQuiet beaches and the bio bay
Read the guideSanto DomingoA short flight to the Dominican Republic
Read the guideESTA explainedUS entry for visitors from abroad
Read the guideCar hire and transportWhen a rental car pays off
Read the guideSan Juan FAQ
Do I need a passport to visit San Juan?
US citizens flying from the US mainland do not. Visitors from other countries follow US entry rules and need an ESTA or US visa.
Where should I stay in San Juan?
Old San Juan for history and walking, Condado for the beach and restaurants, Ocean Park for a quieter beach, and Isla Verde for quick airport access.
Do I need a car in San Juan?
Not in the city, where ride apps and walking work well. Rent one for El Yunque, the west coast or the mountains.
When is the best time to visit San Juan?
December to April is drier and less humid. June to November is hurricane season, with the highest risk from August to October.
Does Puerto Rico use US dollars and US plugs?
Yes. Puerto Rico uses the US dollar, the US plug and socket type, and US mobile networks. Check your home plan's roaming terms or buy an eSIM before you land.