Named after St. John the Baptist, San Juan is the largest municipality and the capital of Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico itself is a territory of the United States but still has its own unique personality. San Juan has a history going back to the 16th century, having been founded by Spanish colonists in 1521. During that time, however, San Juan was called Ciudad de Puerto Rico, which translates to “rich port city.” True to its old name, San Juan is an important seaport in Puerto Rico even today. It is home to about 450thousand locals and visited by a lot of tourists as well.
Multicultural by borrowing and by inheritance, San Juan is a definite must-visit for tourists who want to get more from one destination. Not only do cultures merge in this bustling city, but you can also enjoy a blend of old and new. The modern party atmosphere in the city does not clash but rather complement the old city feel of America’s second oldest European settlement. Wandering into the city’s fun streets come with a price, though. You have to endure terrible traffic along with locals and tons of tourists.
Puerto Rico’s international flights are served at Aeropuerto Internacional de Luis Muñoz Marin. When getting around San Juan, it is better to use public transport, such as a bus, a tram, or the metro. You can also hail a taxi if you want. You can also rent a car there only if you are familiar with the streets. Take note though the traffic can be so frustrating that driving a car around the city is not a tourist’s way of enjoying a visit. Tropical in climate, San Juan experiences about equal amounts of rain and about the same warm temperature all year round. The average temperature is at 82 degrees Fahrenheit. You may want to avoid hurricane season, which is from July to November.
Because Puerto Rico is a US territory, you follow US rules when visiting. If arriving straight from the United States, Americans do not need a passport or a visa to enter Puerto Rico. A valid ID card is enough.
