Houston/ Health & Lifestyle
Published on June 14, 2019
Escape from Houston to San Juan on a budgetPhoto: 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 are 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.

Using travel site Skyscanner, we’ve sifted through the cheapest flights between Houston and San Juan in the next few months, including some top-rated hotel options and highly reviewed local attractions. (Prices and availability are current as of publication and subject to change.)

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.

Cheapest San Juan flights

Currently, the cheapest flights between Houston and San Juan are if you leave on Aug. 11 and return from Puerto Rico on Aug. 17. Delta currently has roundtrip, nonstop tickets for $259.

There are also deals to be had later in August. If you fly out of Houston on Aug. 12 and return from San Juan on Aug. 15, United can get you there and back for $438 roundtrip.

Top San Juan hotels

To plan your accommodations, 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 treat yourself, consider The Hotel El Convento. The hotel has a 4.9-star rating on Skyscanner, and rooms are currently available for $280.

This 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.

This beachfront resort is close to the Plaza del Mercado and Condado Beach. 

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.  

Top picks for dining and drinking

San Juan has plenty of top-notch dining options. Here are a few of the most popular, according to Skyscanner.

Santaella (219 Calle Canals)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

If you're looking for a local favorite, head to Santaella, which has an average of five stars out of 10 reviews on Skyscanner.

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

El Jibarito (280 Calle Sol)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Also worth considering is El Jibarito, with 4.9 stars from 12 reviews.

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

Marmalade Restaurant & Wine Bar (317 Calle Fortaleza)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Finally, there's the Marmalade Restaurant & Wine Bar. It has 4.8 stars from 19 reviews.

"You have to try the white bean soup. It is truly amazing!" wrote Jani.  

What to see and do in San Juan

Not sure what to do in San Juan, besides eat and drink? Here are two recommendations, provided by Skyscanner.

Old San Juan (San Juan)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

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

"There's a lot to do here. I highly recommend coming here if you're interested in learning about history, local food, museums and much more!" wrote 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, and 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.