Can't stop daydreaming about a tropical escape? Consider heading to San Juan, which was named the top destination on the New York Times' list of places to visit in 2019. Settled on the island's north shore facing the Atlantic Ocean, San Juan is Puerto Rico's capital and largest city — and has plenty to offer.
San Juan boasts many areas worth visiting, including 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's also the Paseo de la Princesa bayside promenade in Old San Juan, home to a number of imposing fortresses, as well as El Yunque National Forest, located within fairly close proximity of the city.
Luckily, there are heaps of relatively inexpensive flights between New Orleans and San Juan. We pulled a short list of flights and hotels from travel site Skyscanner, handpicked with the trendy adventurer in mind. (Prices and availability are current as of publication and subject to change.)
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Cheapest San Juan flights
Currently, the cheapest flights between New Orleans and San Juan are if you leave on Oct. 4 and return from Puerto Rico on Oct. 8. Spirit Airlines currently has tickets for $178, roundtrip.
There are also deals to be had in November. If you fly out of New Orleans on Nov. 14 and return from San Juan on Nov. 18, Spirit Airlines can get you there and back for $183, roundtrip.
Top San Juan hotels
Regarding where to stay, here are some of San Juan's top-rated hotels that were selected from Skyscanner's listings, based on price and customer satisfaction.
Hotel El Convento (100 Cristo St., Old San Juan)
If you're looking to splurge on top-tier quality, consider Hotel El Convento. The hotel has a 4.9-star rating on Skyscanner, and rooms are currently available for $280/night.
Nestled in the historical district of Old San Juan, this boutique hotel offers convenient access to several noteworthy attractions, including the San Juan Bautista Cathedral, Puerta de San Juan and La Fortaleza Palacio de Santa Catalina.
The Condado Plaza Hilton (999 Ashford Ave.)
There's also the 4.8-star rated The Condado Plaza Hilton, which has rooms for $188/night.
"Great place to stay. The hotel is big with tons of restaurants and things to do right in the plaza. The pool area is large and it's right on the beach," wrote visitor Maddie.
The Marriott San Juan Resort & Stellaris Casino (1309 Ashford Ave.)
A third option is The Marriott San Juan Resort & Stellaris Casino, which has a 4.7-star rating and rooms priced at $261/night.
This beachfront resort is within close proximity of Plaza del Mercado, Condado Beach and the Puerto Rico Convention Center.
Featured San Juan food and drink
If you're looking to snag a bite at one of San Juan's many quality eateries, here are a few notable culinary destinations from Skyscanner's listings that will help keep you satiated.
Kasalta (1966 Mc Leary)
One of San Juan's most popular restaurants is Kasalta, which has an average of 4.6 stars out of 29 reviews on Skyscanner.
"Great place for sandwiches, seafood, cheeses and pastries," wrote Hector. "Beverages include beer, wine and all kinds of refreshments, including great coffee. A local's favorite."
Santaella (219 Calle Canals)
Another popular dining destination is Santaella, with five stars from 10 reviews.
"Santaella celebrates the roots of the island's comida criolla, and incorporates techniques, flavors and fusions from around the world into its food," wrote www.puertorico-rentals.com. "Santaella will elevate and redefine your Puerto Rican dining experience."
El Jibarito (280 Calle Sol)
Also worth considering is El Jibarito.
"San Juan dining at its best," wrote visitor Aaron. "The friendly atmosphere, the local feel and the celebration of Puerto Rico's history are just the visual appetizers for the culinary delight that is to come. ... And everything was fantastic."
Marmalade Restaurant & Wine Bar (317 Calle Fortaleza)
Finally, there's Marmalade Restaurant & Wine Bar.
"Delicious pineapple mojitos, really nice ambiance and excellent wine selection," wrote Jennifer. "Very good French-Caribbean cuisine, probably the best meal we had in San Juan."
What to see and do in San Juan
Not sure how to spend your time in San Juan, besides eat and drink? Here are a few recommendations, provided by Skyscanner.
Old San Juan
First up is Old San Juan.
"Old San Juan was beautiful," wrote visitor Sofia. "So much history, and great restaurants! ... I highly recommend coming here if you're interested in learning history, local food, museums and much more."
Castillo San Felipe del Morro (501 Calle Norzagaray)
Castillo San Felipe del Morro is another popular destination.
Constructed in 1540 and now listed in the National Historic Register, this six-story fort hides a warren of prison cells, barracks and hallways, attacked on many occasions throughout history by both English and Dutch forces.
"El Morro was breathtaking!" wrote visitor Sofia. "It's located in Old San Juan. Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes."
The Bacardi Rum Factory (Cataño)
Finally, consider checking out The Bacardi Rum Factory.
See how Bacardi is made and enjoy rum samples while taking a tour of the original Bacardi Rum Factory.
"This place is quite charming. ... They have a nice free tour of their plant, and then they even offer you a complimentary drink," wrote visitor Julio. "The view from Cataño Bay to Old San Juan is really astonishing, especially during sunset."
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.
