Detroit/ Health & Lifestyle
Published on April 11, 2019
Top travel picks: Getaway from Detroit to San JuanPhoto: iStock

If you're looking to escape to the tropics, head to San Juan, Puerto Rico, the destination with the top spot on the New York Times' list of places to visit in 2019. The island's capital and largest city faces the Atlantic Ocean, and it has plenty to offer.

Plan to visit both the Isla Verde resort strip, known for its bars, nightclubs and casinos and Old San Juan, which features colorful Spanish colonial buildings, cobble-stoned streets and 16th-century landmarks. There is also the Paseo de la Princesa bayside promenade, a number of imposing fortresses and the close proximity to El Yunque National Forest, all of which are worth visiting.

Thankfully, there are plenty of relatively inexpensive flights between Detroit and San Juan. We pulled from travel site Skyscanner to provide you with a short list of flights and hotels handpicked with the trendy adventurer in mind.

(Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in the articles may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Prices and availability are subject to change.)

Cheapest San Juan flights

Currently, the cheapest flights between Detroit and San Juan are if you leave on May 4 and return from Puerto Rico on May 8. Spirit Airlines currently has tickets for $235, roundtrip.

There are also deals to be had in April. If you fly out of Detroit on April 30 and return from San Juan on May 7, Spirit Airlines can get you there and back for $237 roundtrip.

Top San Juan hotels

Regarding where to stay, here are some of San Juan’s top-rated hotels, that we selected from Skyscanner's listings based on price and customer satisfaction.

The Hotel El Convento (100 Cristo St., Old San Juan)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

If you're looking to splurge on top quality, consider The Hotel El Convento. The hotel has a 4.9-star rating on Skyscanner, and rooms are currently available for $280.

This San Juan boutique hotel is located in the historical district, near the Museo del Nino's, San Juan Cathedral and the Puerta de San Juan.  

The Marriott San Juan Resort & Stellaris Casino (1309 Ashford Ave.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

There's also the 4.7-star rated The Marriott San Juan Resort & Stellaris Casino, which has rooms for $261/night.

Located in San Juan, this beachfront resort is close to the Plaza del Mercado and Condado Beach. Additional attractions include the Puerto Rico Convention Center.

The La Concha Resort: A Renaissance Hotel (1077 Ashford Ave.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

A third option is The La Concha Resort: A Renaissance Hotel. The 4.6-star hotel has rooms for $209/night.

Local restaurant picks

If you're looking to snag a bite at one of San Juan's many quality eateries, here are a few popular culinary destinations from Skyscanner's listings that will help keep you satiated.

Kasalta (1966 Mc Leary)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

If you're looking for a local favorite, head to Kasalta, which has an average of 4.6 stars out of 29 reviews on Skyscanner.

"It's great for breakfast even though it has a bar and deli as well," wrote visitor Dani.  

Santaella (219 Calle Canals)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Another popular dining destination is Santaella, with five stars from 10 reviews.

"Santaella celebrates the roots of the island and incorporates techniques, flavors and fusions from around the world into its food," wrote reviewer www.puertorico-rentals.com.  

El Jibarito (280 Calle Sol)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Also worth considering is El Jibarito. It has 4.9 stars from 12 reviews.

"This is San Juan dining at its best," wrote Aaron.  

Marmalade Restaurant & Wine Bar (317 Calle Fortaleza)

Finally, there's the Marmalade Restaurant & Wine Bar, with 4.9 stars from 19 reviews.

"We did the 14-course meal and it featured great food," wrote visitor Dani.  

Featured San Juan attractions

To round out your trip, San Juan offers plenty of popular attractions worth visiting. Here are two top recommendations, based on Skyscanner's descriptions and reviews.

Old San Juan (San Juan)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

First up is Old San Juan. It has 4.9 stars from 152 reviews. 

"Old San Juan was beautiful. I highly recommend coming here if you're interested in learning about history, local food, museums and more," wrote visitor Sofia.

Castillo San Felipe del Morro (501 Calle Norzagaray)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

The Castillo San Felipe del Morro is another popular destination, with 4.7 stars from 123 reviews.

Constructed in 1540, this six-story fort hides a warren of prison cells, barracks and hallways. It was attacked on many occasions by both English and Dutch forces. It is listed in the National Historic Register. 

This story was created automatically using flight, hotel, and local attractions data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.