San Juan is the most populous city in Puerto Rico, and it is also acknowledged as its capital. Known for being the center of the country’s manufacturing, tourism, and culture, San Juan is a vibrant city which has become a popular tourist destination. Boasting of majestic and pristine beaches, fascinating cityscape, colorful traditions, remarkable music and art scene, and a venue to major sports events such as the Carribean series, World Baseball classics, Special Olympics, and others. There is just so much to love about this laid back city, and adventurers by heart are simply drawn to it. If you are one of those people who feel a compelling force to visit San Juan any time soon, this list of the best things to do alone in San Juan might be of big help in planning your itinerary. Feel free to check it out below.
1. Be a part of history by visiting Castillo San Felipe del Morro
Visiting Castillo San Felipe del Morro is like having a part of centuries of history with you. This historic site symbolizes perseverance, strength, victory, and generations of brave men fighting for control of this Island. This place tells various heartfelt stories that tourists should know by heart. Its mere architecture and structure are enough to be filled with awe. Roam around the area, mingle with other tourists, share stories, and take photographs of the amazing landscape to your heart’s content.
Castillo San Felipe del Morro
Address: 501 Calle Norzagaray, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico
Website: Castillo San Felipe del Morro
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)
Price: 7 USD
2. Take amazing selfies at La Puerta de la Bandera
Another fascinating landmark in Puerto Rico is La Puerta de la Bandera. It showcases remarkable architecture and artistically painted walls that exude generations of authentic Puerto Rican art, telling fascinating stories. Tourists come to this place to take amazing pictures of the area as it is a must that you visit it when you are in Puerto Rico. Who knows, you might find your soulmate in this lovely place. At the present time, locals add different expressions of art in La Puerta de la Bandera to send their message for the Puerto Rican government and recent political issues.
La Puerta de la Bandera
Address: 51-57 Calle San José, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico
Website: La Puerta de la Bandera
Opening hours: 24/7
Price: Free
3. Worship at San Juan Bautista Cathedral
Featuring a Neoclassical architecture style, San Juan Bautista Cathedral is definitely a must visit during your vacation in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Situated in Old San Juan, this Roman Catholic Cathedral is one of the oldest structures in the city. It also houses a number of artifacts significant in the Catholic religion such as Relics of Carlos Manuel Rodríguez Santiago, Virgen de la Providencia (Virgin of Providence), and Tomb of Juan Ponce de León. Whether alone or in a group, you will feel the presence of the Almighty in San Juan Bautista Cathedral.
San Juan Bautista Cathedral
Address: 151 Calle del Cristo, San Juan, 00902, Puerto Rico
Website: San Juan Bautista Cathedral
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5:30pm; Sat: 9am - 8pm; Sun: 8am - 4:30pm
Price: Free
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4. Say a few prayers at Capilla del Cristo
In the 18th century, General Don Mateo Prats built a small chapel in San Juan named Capilla del Cristo. Its site is known to be with the presence of divine intervention, and the chapel is believed to have healing powers. It is also considered one of the most remarkable structures and tourist destinations located in the old San Juan. Thousands of locals and tourists alike come to this place of worship to say a few prayers especially high hopes to be cured of their mundane illnesses. So spend some alone time in Capilla del Cristo and solemnly pray for those you love.
Capilla del Cristo
Address: San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico
Website: Capilla del Cristo
Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 12pm - 6pm (closed from Mon - Fri)
Price: Free
5. Have an amazing time at the Pigeon Park
Another fascinating tourist destination in Old San Juan is the Pigeon Park also known by the name Parque Las Palomas. It features a small recreational area with benches and aged trees that provide the perfect amount of shade convenient for visitors. The back of the park provides refuge to pigeons with little cutout holes that house them. These pigeons bring charm to this lovely place, and tourists are free to feed and pet these friendly little creatures. Pigeon Park is quite easy to find as it is close to Capilla del Cristo. It is an amazing tourist destination with a picturesque view of the San Juan Bay. There is no idle moment when you are with these friendly animals.
Pigeon Park
Address: Calle de Tetuan, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico
Website: Pigeon Park
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)
6. Hang out at the beaches of San Juan
One of the many things San Juan is known for is its lovely and breathtaking beaches. The city is surrounded by a number of beaches that tourists love to visit and spend quality time in. Some of them are known for having powdery white sands, some have an exciting laidback vibe, and some are known for providing adventurous and funfilled water sports. While in San Juan, be sure to visit most of them, if not all. Some of the most popular beaches are Condado Beach, the Playa Peña, Ocean Park Beach, Isla Verde Beach, and more. These beaches are well visited that you will find some solo travelers and start making friends.
Playa Peña
Address: San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico
Website: Playa Peña
Opening hours: 24/7
Price: Free
7. Eat a delectable tripleta
If you are visiting Puerto Rico, there is no way you should miss trying their popular street food, Tripleta. A Tripleta is the equivalent of the Cuban sandwich. It is a combination of chicken, beef, and ham, as its main ingredients. Together, these meats are grilled side by side and placed inside a sweet French baguette-like roll. The recipe comes with a slather of mayo, ketchup, and mustard, topped with some thin fried potato sticks. If you want to try this Authentic Puerto Rican food you should head over Tripletas Mi Sueño as they have this delectable food on their menu.
Tripletas Mi Sueño
Address: Cll Haydee Rexach, San Juan, 00915, Puerto Rico
Website: Tripletas Mi Sueño
Opening hours: Wed - Sat: 6pm - 6am; Sun: 6pm - 12am
8. Shop till you drop at Plaza Las Americas
Situated in Hato Rey, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Plaza Las Americas is a popular shopping destination in the city. On record, it also the first ever indoor shopping mall established in Puerto Rico, considered the second largest shopping mall in Latin America and largest in the Carribean. This shopping center houses popular brands like Forever2, Sears, Macy’s, Old Navy, Marshalls, and many more. Aside from that, it also has some excellent restaurants and cafes such as Chili’s, Romano’s Macaroni Grill Restaurant, The Cheesecake Factory, and others. Everything that you might need, you can find in Plaza Las Americas. So spend some alone time and enjoy the rest of the experience.
Plaza Las Americas
Address: 525 Av. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, San Juan, 00918, Puerto Rico
Website: Plaza Las Americas
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 9pm; Sun: 11am - 7pm
9. Catch a street party at La Placita
La Placita is a popular landmark in San Juan Puerto Rico that serves as a farmer’s market and a melting pot for culinary enthusiasts as well as regular residents and curious tourists. It is open 24 hours a day, housing 42 various bars, cafes, and restaurants. It is always active. Experience socializing in La Placita as it sometimes holds street parties, with live music, tables of Mexican food, and overflowing cocktails. This place pretty much resonates Puerto Rico’s culture, laidback, vibrant, and funfilled. Socialize, mingle, and get unique recipe lessons from other tourists as well as vendors.
La Placita
Address: 179 Calle dos Hermanos, San Juan, 00907, Puerto Rico
Website: La Placita
Opening hours: 24/7
10. Go for an exciting sea trekking adventure (from USD 109.0)
Imagine being a mermaid or a merman for a day, socializing with friendly sea creatures and being one with the underwater world. These are all possible if you book an underwater sea trek in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Guests will be given an hour and a half to play in the enormous aquarium in a specialized helmet that lets them breathe underwater like a real sea creature. This adventure package includes underwater equipment, a professional guide, an unforgettable experience with marine life, and captured photos that will mark this important experience. Plus, you can avail of this activity even if you are a solo guest. So what are you waiting for? Book now and be a part of this world, as Ariel in The Little Mermaid would say.
Underwater Sea Trek in San Juan
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Vibrant San Juan
San Juan, Puerto Rico, is definitely an exciting city to visit. It is laid back, funfilled, and boasts of vibrant culture and fascinating traditions that tourists will love and experience for the first time only in this city. Socializing and enjoying some drinks in La Placita, Pigeon feeding at the Parque Las Palomas, eating mouthwatering Tripleta, are just a few of the unique experiences that are food for our soul. In case you are planning on traveling to San Juan, always remember this list of the best things to do alone in the city. That way, there will never be a dull moment, and it’s guaranteed to be a funfilled experience.
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