San Juan cruise port. San Juan Cruise Port Where to stay before and after your cruise

Where is San Juan Cruise Port?

Cruise port San Juan is the largest in the Caribbean and has 2 cruise terminals.

Transit ships moor at the Old San Juan Cruise Terminal, which is located in the city center and has 6 berths. Liners whose route starts from San Juan, except Carnival Victory, use the Pan American Pier terminal. Its location is a little worse, but it is closer to the airport.

How to get to San Juan Cruise Port

There is a direct connection between the airport and the Old San Juan Cruise Terminal. At the airport you need to take the T5 bus at stop No. 1022. Bus fare is $0.75. Children under 2 years old are free. Entrance to the bus is only through the front door, payment at the entrance, the driver does not give change. Travel time is 53 minutes, the bus leaves every half hour. Please note that this route does not operate on Sundays. Getting from the airport to the cruise port will only be possible by making 3 transfers; the travel time will take about 2 hours. We strongly recommend taking a taxi on this day. The taxi ride from one area to another is fixed. Drivers turn on the meter only when driving in one area. A taxi ride from the airport to the cruise port will cost around $30-35.

Shops and cuisine of San Juan

The main streets for shopping in the old town are Christ, Fortaleza and San Francisco streets. Here you can buy souvenirs popular among tourists: wooden figurines of saints, coca frogs, carnival masks made of coconut and papier-mâché, lace, musical instruments and, of course, excellent Bacardi, Barrilito and Don Qu rum. Pay attention to the local coffee, which has been supplied to the Vatican since the 19th century.

The modern and very large Plaza las Americas shopping center is 15 minutes' drive from the cruise terminal. This is one of the best shopping centers in the entire Caribbean! There are a lot of different stores, a good selection, constant promotions and discounts, and very polite staff. You can get there by taxi or bus with one change.

We recommend trying the roasted pig Lechon. Before roasting on a spit, it is marinated for 24 hours, due to which it acquires an absolutely delicious taste. The staple food in Puerto Rico is soups. One of the most famous soups is black bean soup. Another classic soup is chicken and rice. It may taste slightly different depending on the restaurant. The third classic soup is fish soup, prepared with fish heads and tails.

Try also all kinds of fruits: mango, guava, papaya, avocado, acerola (Barbados cherry), star fruit. Bananas are the most popular side dish served in any restaurant. Moreover, this is not just a raw fruit, but fried green bananas. The national drink in Puerto Rico is, of course, rum. 80% of all rum consumed in the United States comes from this island.

Routes, excursions, transport in the port of San Juan

A tourist train runs through the old town. Interestingly, you can ride it completely free of charge. Opening hours are from Monday to Friday from 7 am to 7 pm, and from Saturday to Sunday from 9 am to 7 pm. The train has 3 different routes, all of which start from stop number 1, which is located across the street from the cruise terminal. The route name is located on the front of the cart under glass.

What to see in the vicinity of San Juan

The largest rum factory in the world, Bacardi, is located 18 km from the capital. Here you can see the entire manufacturing process, visit the Bacardi Family Museum, and also taste and buy the rum you like. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 09:30 to 16:30, Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00. Cost from $15 per person. You can get there from ferry pier No. 4.

25 km east of the capital is the country's best reserve, El Yunque - the Caribbean National Forest.

The best beaches near San Juan are located 6 km from the pier to the east - Cornado and Ocean Park. They can be reached by public transport. Cornado beach is located a little closer to the terminal, you can get there by buses T3 or T21 every day, except on Sundays, the travel time is about 50 minutes. Ocean Park Beach can be reached by buses T5, T21, D53 or T3 every day except Sunday. Travel time is about an hour.

Currency of San Juan

The national currency of Puerto Rico is the US dollar. The US dollar is often called "peso" on Puerto Rican price tags.

In all major populated areas There are many automated teller machines (ATMs), and some of them, designated ATH ("a todas horas" - "at any hour"), are located in banks, supermarkets, casinos and most large hotels) operate around the clock. Stores with sales tax refund ( tax free) not in the country.

Where to stay before and after your cruise?

To stop at the port before your cruise, try Airbnb, where you can rent a full-fledged apartment for the price hotel room. By registering using our link you will receive coupon for 2100 rub. for your first stay from RUB 4,500!



Top things to do in and around the Port of San Juan

These hotels have been selected by us based on own experience, and the experiences of other cruise travelers. Determining factors when choosing: proximity to the San Juan cruise terminal, the ability to quickly and easily get to the ship, as well as the airport or train station.

Puerto Rico is considered almost the 51st state of America, i.e. is under the control of the United States, but is not an integral part of it (the validity of the US Constitution on the territory is limited, the supreme power belongs to the US Congress, but the territory has its own system of self-government).

In short, American visas (or, as we have, ESTA permits) had to be shown before visiting this state. Because of this, before disembarking, a huge queue lined up along the entire length of the boardwalk of our Independence.

Coming ashore, we were greeted by very good weather. My friends and I decided to visit the real a tropical forest, which is located an hour's drive from the capital in the territory national park El Yunque. As the guide promised, a real tropical jungle with waterfalls awaited us.

We immediately formed our mini-group at the port. This is what always usually happens - while we are finding out the prices and proposed routes, several people from the ship themselves come up to us and ask where we are going and if they can come with us. We are always happy to share our journey with the district residents.

We rented a minibus for 8 people, the price was slightly reduced - at first it was offered at $50, but we agreed on $45 per person. After the forest, they also promised to take us around the city, take us to the beach and show us Old San Juan.

On the way to the reserve we drove through the capital. San Juan is a city of contrasts, there are high-rise buildings, and there are also not very brilliant, to put it mildly, neighborhoods.

After some time we found ourselves in the rain forest of El Yunque National Park. Mount El Yunque, where the reserve itself is located, rises 575m above sea level. Of course, here you can get acquainted with all the variety of extraordinary Caribbean plants. There are even thousand-year-old trees and exotic plants. The minibus climbed steep road, surrounded on all sides by centuries-old tropical plants. The guide told us in detail what the tree is called.

There were several stops during the tour. The first stop introduced us to one of the many waterfalls in this park. Not Iguassu, of course, but still quite interesting to see the local attractions.

You can find small waterfalls everywhere in the park, so it’s very pleasant to be in the forest, cool and fresh from them. But there is also frequent rain, so it is recommended to take something with you to cover yourself. We were lucky, not a drop fell!

Nature appears here in its original form - lush vegetation all around. Not a bad setting for any movie about ancient world, about dinosaurs. By the way, no poisonous reptiles are found in these tropical forests.

Next we climbed Yokahu Observation Tower, which offers a breathtaking view of the entire surrounding forest and even the coast can be seen in the distance.

It was such an easy, pleasant walk through the tropical forest; it was quite interesting to be among centuries-old trees and plants, and to visit local waterfalls.

After the jungle we headed back towards the city, stopped at one of the beaches to look at the powerful waves Atlantic Ocean.

We admired the ocean for a bit and continued sightseeing tour according to San Juan. We didn’t get off the bus because we had already walked around the tropical forest and just wanted to follow the pictures from the window. We saw the Capitol (Capitolio de Puerto Rico) - the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico, where the Senate and House of Representatives are located.

Fort San Felipe del Morro (Castillo San Felipe del Morro), named after the Spanish king Philip II (Felipe II; 1527-1598), is a powerful fortified fortress located on the northwestern tip of the island.

The Telurico Totem, a giant column of black granite and ceramics by Puerto Rican artist Jaime Suárez, was erected in 1992 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Columbus's discovery of the New World.

After the end of the excursion, as per tradition, we went onto the ship to have lunch and then went out for another 1.5 hours to stroll through the streets of San Juan before sailing. A cute town with ancient architecture. Merchants are not asleep - they offer souvenirs right on the road, not far from the liners. We just wandered along the streets and took in the atmosphere, so to speak. We accidentally wandered into an interesting salon of fashionable designer clothes. We met the owner, a very nice girl.

Those who do not like to travel on foot can choose another method of transportation, for example, by horse-drawn carriage or mini-train.

And we're back on board, thanks for the ride! Nice island, interesting.

Perhaps romance is an integral part of any trip. What could be more romantic? Caribbean Sea with its pirate glory and tropical beauty? It is in the middle of the Caribbean waters that the island with the colorful name “rich port” - Puerto Rico - has been resting for a hundred years now, and its capital - San Juan - attracts a continuous flow of tourists from all over the world from year to year.

What is so good about San Juan? For the inquisitive traveler - everyone: natural resources; grandiose, albeit dilapidated, structures - forts, bridges, monasteries, etc.; vibrant folk festivals and traditional holidays; a unique collection of ancient universities and other wonders. For those who just want to relax in some new place globe In addition to the perhaps boring Turkey or Egypt, there are excellent conditions in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean: sandy cultural beaches, truly luxurious hotels, first-class restaurants and a vibrant night life. And wouldn’t a potential tourist be intrigued by the very history of the emergence of San Juan, which appeared on the world map at the beginning of the 16th century and remains to this day the oldest settlement of the New World on American territory, created by immigrants from Europe... Today, when you arrive here, you will immediately see something that is usually noted in tourist guides: the port of this city is one of the most grandiose and busiest by world standards - be it container traffic or cruise ships. It is curious that, numbering about 400 thousand... read more

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Weather in San Juan by months:

Month Temperature Cloudiness Rainy days /
Precipitation
Water temperature
in the sea
Number of solar
hours per day
During the day At night
January 27.3°C 23.4°C 41.8% 3 days (1770.4 mm.) 26.7°C 11 o'clock 10m.
February 27.2°C 23.2°C 47.8% 2 days (39.5 mm.) 26.3°C 11 o'clock 33m.
March 27.5°C 23.3°C 40.1% 2 days (33.8 mm.) 26.3°C 12h. 3m.
April 28.2°C 24.1°C 41.6% 3 days (42.6 mm.) 26.6°C 12h. 34m.
May 28.9°C 25.0°C 40.8% 3 days (57.9 mm.) 27.1°C 13:00 0m.
June 30.3°C 25.7°C 36.4% 2 days (32.7 mm.) 27.8°C 13:00 13m.
July 30.9°C 26.0°C 39.0% 3 days (40.8 mm.) 28.1°C 13:00 7m.
August 30.8°C 25.9°C 41.0% 4 days (79.6 mm.) 28.7°C 12h. 44m.
September 30.7°C 26.1°C 39.3% 4 days (91.3 mm.) 29.1°C 12h. 14m.
October 30.3°C 25.9°C 40.0% 6 days (74.2 mm.) 29.1°C 11 o'clock 43m.
November 29.1°C 25.0°C 48.4% 6 days (83.6 mm.) 28.6°C 11 o'clock 16m.
December 28.0°C 24.0°C 48.7% 3 days (43.9 mm.) 27.7°C 11 o'clock 3m.

*This table displays weather averages collected over more than three years

HOLIDAY PRICES:

Prices for holidays in San Juan. July 2014.

tour cost

We bought a package (flight + hotel) on the Expedia website from America. We chose a tour for 7 days. Two couples were flying, one with a child. We were accommodated in different hotels, so the price of the packages was different. Their flight to New York and accommodation at the Marriott hotel, friends with a child (under 5 years old) cost 2.5 thousand dollars (a plane ticket for a child is full price, hotel accommodation is free). The second tour for two and the Acacia Boutique hotel cost $1,600. We flew to San Juan, so the beach area with hotels in the city was not far from the airport. !0-15 minutes by taxi cost us 30 dollars for everyone.

There are few excursions in San Juan, they offer trips to Old San Juan for $30, islands by boat from $30 to $60, and a tropical forest for the whole day from $40 to $70. We went to San Juan twice on our own. The first time in the evening by taxi ($20), the second time for the whole day - by regular bus(75 cents)

Food and products

Restaurants here are of different levels, average price dinner (full, with drinks and snacks, hot food and coffee) - up to $30. You can have a snack in regular fast foods, pizzerias, and small local cafes from 8 to 11 dollars per lunch. Coffee and light breakfast in a cafe or store (good coffee machines, hot pastries and sandwiches) from 3 to 5 dollars. All products, cigarettes, coffee, wine, fruits are cheaper in Puerto Rico than in the USA.

Cost of services and entertainment

There are many casinos in Puerto Rico. In the evenings in good hotels a lot of people gather. Most people spend time playing slot machines, where you can place bets starting from 1 cent. By the way, the machines are fairly honest and have a good winning percentage.

Total money spent on vacation

Helpful information?

HOLIDAY REPORTS:

Natalia

Impressions from a holiday in September

Living in the USA, a group of friends and I decided to fly to San Juan, Puerto Rico, to relax. People who live in the USA for vacation choose islands that are located in the south South America. One of the overseas possessions that belong to this country is Puerto Rico. It was interesting to fly to a very green island and a wonderful first-class holiday seaside resort. A very good option to go on such a holiday is best at the end of September, when, although it is hot, it is not as hot as in the summer. Puerto Rico is a small island with a lot of sun, beautiful beaches, a large number of green plants and beautiful palm trees. Of course, the best option for relaxation would be the resort town of San Juan. I can’t say that this is a cheap town, but it would be best to immediately book hotel rooms and travel by transport from these hotels. Or rent a vehicle for your company.

Youth recreation

I think that traveling to this region with a group will be much more interesting than traveling alone or with children. Walk around the green city, spend time on the beaches, and there is also the opportunity to save money in various establishments.

Family holiday

What better option than to spend romantic getaway There are no two people at such a resort, but you need to spend a lot on it.

What to take with you on vacation?

In Puerto Rico, the most important thing you need to take is more money, and then: 1) a camera; 2) a backpack for the trip, swimming trunks and a mask with a snorkel and fins, sports shoes; 3) glasses and a mini-fridge bag for water.

Where is the best place to stay?

The most the best option For settlement there will be areas "Las Marías", "Ocean Park", "Biascoechea", where there are the most different hotels for relaxation. One of the good and inexpensive hotels is considered to be "Coqui del Mar Guest House", "Tres Palmas Inn", "Isla verde guest house", where you can relax with a group. Large swimming pools are made on the hotel premises, since most of the beaches in the city are rocky and this makes it possible not to walk far.

What to do at the resort?

Very beautiful and colorful San Juan amazes with its flowers, green palm trees, clear blue sky and turquoise color of the Caribbean Sea. San Juan is considered the most respectable resort in the Caribbean and its main rival is the city of Miami. The city has a Spanish flavor with different names in this language. The city looks very clean and well maintained with beautiful colorful houses. In the city there is an opportunity to attend some kind of holiday, as there are many of them. Lots of free shows. You can go to the rainforest outside the city, but it is better to take a guide. Be sure to visit the Arecibo Observatory, which is very large and beautiful.

Due to the fact that the beaches are rocky, it is not easy to get to a normal beach. And if you get there, you will see a lot of algae on the shore. This is a big minus for the resort.

The most popular food in Puerto Rico is called Mofongo. This is a side dish made from the plantain variety of bananas with different types meat. If you want, you can order it with seafood or just chicken. At folk festivals you can try the Pinocolada cocktail, which was invented in Puerto Rico and is not expensive.

Is it worth vacationing in San Juan?

Nice city, nice people and everything is very beautiful and expensive. Therefore, you can only relax if you take a lot of money.

San Juan is a modern city with characteristic features American metropolis. However, behind the shiny facades of the new buildings, the historical features of the Spanish heritage are clearly visible. After all, the capital of Puerto Rico was a colony of Spain for more than 400 years. San Juan is divided into two parts: old and new. Old city is a museum under open air, surprising with its unique architecture. Outside the boundaries of the old city there are private houses and elite suburbs, as well as resort area with a luxurious beach Isla Verde(Isla Verde).

Region
Puerto Rico

Population

434 thousand people

Population density

U.S. dollar

Timezone

Postal code

International dialing code

Climate and weather

The city of San Juan is located in a tropical climate zone. Throughout the year, the temperature varies from +22 °C to +31 °C. The warm period in San Juan lasts from late May to October. The hottest days occur in early September, when the average daily temperature can reach +35 °C. The cold (according to the islanders) period lasts from December to March: during this time the daytime temperature is +29 °C. Precipitation is possible throughout the year. The period from January to March is considered the driest.

Nature

The city of San Juan and its surroundings amaze with its unique flora and fauna. The coastal waters are inhabited by colorful tropical fish and funny crabs. Coral reefs untouched by poachers attract divers from all over the world with their beauty.

Evergreen trees and shrubs make it feel like you are in another world. It is home to many interesting fauna that you will not find in other parts of the world. The most interesting specimen of the animal world is the coca frog. This frog is one of the symbols of the island of Puerto Rico. It is very difficult to notice cocas, since even the largest of them reach a length of about 5 centimeters. However, it is difficult not to hear them. Even a small company of these little creatures attracts attention with their characteristic sounds. "ko-kii", thanks to which they received such a name.

Attractions

The historical center of San Juan is considered Old San Juan(Viejo San Juan). It lies on the edge of the peninsula of the same name, which is washed by the waters of the Atlantic. Now it is a National Historic Site, attracting many tourists. His monuments are included in the list of World Heritage Sites cultural heritage UNESCO.

The entire center of old San Juan is filled with buildings and structures of the 16th-17th centuries. Many of them are considered unique examples of the Spanish colonial style. Thus, Viejo San Juan boasts numerous defensive structures and majestic forts: San Felipe del Morro(XVI century) and San Cristobal(XVII century), as well as El Palacio de Santa Catalina.

Buildings and structures that deserve attention include: Town Hall, former family home Ponce de Leon(Casa Blanca), Church Saint Joseph 1523, Theater Tapia, former Spanish barracks, now a museum Ballaha, former municipal prison La Princesa(Now historical Museum), municipal cemetery C Saint Mary Magdalene de Pazzi, Cathedral John the Baptist XVI century (it contains the grave of the great explorer and founder of the colony, the Spaniard Juana Ponce de Leon), Dominican Convent, Pigeon Park, known as "Parque de La Palomas".

8 kilometers from San Juan is the largest factory in the world where rum is produced "Bacardi". Here you can see almost the entire process of making an elite alcoholic drink and taste it, as well as buy local alcoholic products.

Nutrition

Locals call their cuisine Cocina Criolla. It has absorbed the features of Spanish, African and American culinary traditions. Lunch and dinner usually start with soups and hot appetizers. Be sure to try the roast suckling pig Lechon. Before roasting on a spit, it is marinated for 24 hours, due to which it acquires an absolutely delicious taste.

Soups are a staple of the Puerto Rican diet. One of the most famous soups is black bean soup. Another classic soup is chicken with rice. It may taste slightly different depending on the restaurant. The third classic soup is fish soup, prepared with fish heads and tails.

The flavor that comes from all Puerto Rican cuisine comes from the use of various herbs and spices.

Stews are a staple of the Puerto Rican diet. They are usually prepared in сaldero- deep and heavy pans. The main course is usually grilled steak with onions, pork butt and Creole-style meat. Puerto Ricans also love chicken, which is seasoned with various spices. Most visitors to San Juan will enjoy fish and shellfish dishes.

Try also all kinds of fruits: mango, guava, papaya, avocado, acerola (Barbados cherry), star fruit. Bananas are the most popular side dish served in any restaurant. Moreover, this is not just a raw fruit, but fried green bananas.

To finish off your meal in a San Juan restaurant, try aromatic black coffee. Since the island does not produce wine, it is better to order beer for light alcohol. The most popular brand is considered Medalla. And, of course, rum is the national drink of Puerto Rico. 80% of all rum consumed in the United States comes from this wonderful island.

Accommodation

Puerto Rico is considered one of the most inexpensive countries in the Caribbean. Of the 12 thousand hotels in the country, more than 50% are located in San Juan and its surroundings. A stay in luxury hotels (for example, the Condado area) will cost you from $250 per day, but you can find many good places and for 100-200 $ per day. A cheaper area begins in the east of the city Isla Verde, where there are many inexpensive guesthouses and a nice private beach.

Small boarding houses and private hotels are ready to provide tourists with rooms ranging from $50-70 per night. In addition, the government subsidizes the opening of small hotels with reasonable prices and a good level of service. They are usually designated "Paradores Puerto Ricanos"(Paradores Puertorriquenos) and are located not only in San Juan, but throughout the island. From May to November, accommodation prices decrease by 20-30%, which is associated with hurricane season on the island of Puerto Rico.

Entertainment and relaxation

While in San Juan, visit the area Condado- the busiest part of the city with many shops and luxurious restaurants, fashionable hotels and casinos. For lovers beach holiday worth to visit Condado Beachbest beach capital Cities. There are also a huge number of sports facilities, nightclubs and dance schools located here. Diving and surfing enthusiasts should head to the lagoons Los Corozon And San Juan.

During the day you can visit all sorts of museums in San Juan: the Museum of Art of Puerto Rico, the Children's Museum, the distillery Bacardi(known as "Rum Cathedral") and etc.

In the evenings the city is filled with music. And these are not just tunes coming from nightclubs - these are classics at their best. You can listen to jazz in "Carly Cafe Concierto", you can enjoy flamenco in Spanish restaurants, but salsa and reggaeton will delight you in nightclubs.

Every year San Juan celebrates the birthday of its guardian angel - July D-Day John Baptista. You'll be lucky if you get there in January street festival Saint Sebastian and in July - for a musical Casals Festival. Before Christmas or after the New Year, numerous street concerts and vibrant folklore performances are held in the capital. But even the most ordinary day in San Juan passes like a holiday!

Purchases

Walking along the cobbled streets of Old San Juan, you will find everything you want - from small shops and stalls with traditional crafts to famous brand boutiques ( Coach. Burberrys, Ralph Lauren, Reebok, Guess and Custo Barcelona). Lovers of jewelry and expensive watches will also find a couple of shops here. Many of them are passed down from generation to generation, and perhaps the owner will not only sell you the jewelry, but also explain the intricacies of his complex craft.

The main streets for shopping in the old town are the streets Christ, Fortaleza And San Francisco. Here you can buy souvenirs popular among tourists: wooden figurines of saints, coca frogs, carnival masks made of coconut and papier-mâché, lace ( "mundillo"), musical instruments (“cuatro”) and, of course, great rum "Bacardi", "Barrilito" And "Don Ku" Pay attention to the local coffee, which has been supplied to the Vatican since the 19th century.

The largest shopping center in the Caribbean is located in the center of San Juan - Plaza Las Americas. Here you will find more than 300 luxury stores, including clothing and accessories from such famous designers as Louis Vuitton, Gucci And Salvatore Ferragamo. By shopping in factory outlets of famous brands, you save more than 50% compared to European prices. Factories are also located outside the city. shopping centers, where you can buy clothes and accessories from brands such as Kenneth Cole, Lacoste, Nine West, Calvin Klein, Banana Republic, Nike, Nautica, Polo Ralph Lauren etc.

Transport

There are two ways to get to San Juan: by plane on the route Moscow - Atlanta - San Juan (the cost of a round trip ticket is about $1000) or by water (ferry, cruise ship etc.) to the port of San Juan.

Urban transport in San Juan includes the metro, buses and taxis. The metro has only one line with 16 stations. All stations are mainly ground-based. There are also underground ones - these are stations Rio Pedro and University. The San Juan Metro operates daily from 5:30 to 23:30. The cost of one trip is $1.5.

Despite the fact that in San Juan buses run regularly on several routes, bus service between the cities is very poorly developed. Intercity transportation, connecting the capital and West Coast, carried out by one small company Linea Sultana. Therefore, local residents prefer to use their own transport to travel around the island. San Juan is served by five limited-access express roads, highways, and expressways. Despite this, roads in San Juan suffer from severe congestion.

Connection

For calls to the mainland, there are several options in San Juan. Firstly, you can use cellular services (roaming from American operators). cellular on the entire island of Puerto Rico has one feature - it operates in the range CDMA/TDMA. If your phone supports standard communication GSM, it is better to rent a local phone at any mobile operator office.

The second option is to use landline services (payphones, telephone in a hotel room). Payphones operate using telephone cards, which can be purchased at post offices and kiosks, as well as ATT cards and cards for international calls.

The third option is the Internet web. There are quite a few Internet cafes in San Juan. In addition, almost all business centers and large hotels have their own access points, including WiFi.

Safety

The security situation in San Juan is mixed. Any serious crimes against tourists are extremely rare here. However, crime (fraud and theft) does exist, especially in poor areas on the outskirts of the city. Tourist areas are fairly safe and are guarded by a specialized police force called the tourist police.

In any case, you should remain vigilant and prudent when moving around the city, especially at night. It is clear that at this time it is better to avoid dark outskirts and alleys, deserted beaches. Only in the old part of San Juan can you safely walk the streets at night, as this part of the city never sleeps. The coastal area is also suitable for night walks La Perla.

When asking locals for directions, be careful with the phrase: "Follow me!". Most likely, you will be led to the place you were looking for. However, there is also a possibility that you will fall into the hands of scammers. This is especially true for women and solo travelers.

If you rent a car, always try to leave it in a secure car park and not on the side of the road. Never leave valuables in plain sight, so as not to provoke thieves.

Business climate

The capital of Puerto Rico is a free industrial export zone, which, combined with cheap local labor resources, makes it possible to attract foreign investors from all over the world to the country. The relatively low cost of the company registration procedure also plays a huge role, especially compared to other countries. There is some advantage for American citizens: they do not need to obtain a special permit or visa to carry out commercial activities in the country. That's why San Juan is a great place to start your own company and do business.

Puerto Rico has its own Constitution, according to which no income taxes are levied on the population. Moreover, this applies not only to local residents, but also to foreign guests. These virtually duty-free conditions attract large numbers of foreign entrepreneurs to San Juan and other Puerto Rican cities. The most favorable direction for investment is tourism. The pharmaceutical industry, electronics and clothing sales also bring in good profits. Behind Lately The number of large world-famous corporations that have opened their branches in San Juan has increased significantly.

Real estate

On average, San Juan residential property prices are lower than in the United States, but higher than in other Caribbean countries. The main factor determining the price of a property is its proximity to the ocean. On the coast are residential complexes with sky-high prices for apartments. Luxury villas and mansions located on huge plots of land can cost over a million dollars. The owners of such real estate are wealthy islanders or Americans, as well as representatives of the European continent. Prices for luxury real estate are constantly growing, so many foreigners purchase them for the purpose of further resale. A spacious apartment in San Juan near the coast can be purchased for $200,000-250,000. Similar housing in an area further away from the ocean will cost you 2-3 times less.

On the island, including San Juan, there is a special tax system for homeowners. If real estate properties are purchased for personal residence and not for commercial use, they are almost not subject to taxes. When buying cheap real estate, priced below $100,000, owners do not have to pay taxes at all.

Commercial real estate in San Juan is also in high demand: the capital is literally filled with numerous hotels, tourist complexes and hotels, restaurants, bars and entertainment centers. Every year the flow of tourists increases, providing high profits for these establishments.

Puerto Ricans are a very friendly, polite and calm people. If you are friendly towards local residents, then they will treat you the same way. Talking to strangers in stores is common in Puerto Rico. So don't worry if a stranger strikes up a conversation with you.

While vacationing in San Juan, follow some rules that will help make your vacation safe and enjoyable:

  • You may be bothered by local mosquitoes, so it is recommended that you take a strong insect repellent with you on your trip.
  • You can drink tap water in San Juan, but outside the city it is better to prefer bottled water.

The Botanical Garden in San Juan is also called the Botanical Garden of the University of Puerto Rico. It is an educational center for scientific research and a place for have a great holiday and relaxation. Its territory, with an area of ​​121 hectares, serves for the study and preservation of more than 30 thousand local and exotic plants, trees, and flowers.

The botanical garden is located in the center of the capital of Puerto Rico, the city of San Juan, in the northeast of the island. The idea of ​​​​creating such a place was voiced back in 1959, but only on March 10, 1971, the garden was officially opened. In 1991, the first visitors were able to enjoy the beauty of its botanical collections, lakes, waterfalls, cozy roads and sidewalks, allowing a better appreciation of native and tropical flora. The territory is divided into two parts - northern and southern, the latter contains most of the attractions. In the south you can see a garden of heliconias, orchids, palm trees, and a herbarium.

Entrance to the botanical garden is free from six in the morning to six in the evening.

Book Museum

The Museum of the Book in San Juan is dedicated to the history of the book, where you can see the most valuable printed copies in all of Puerto Rico.

The Museum of the Book is located in Old San Juan, in the northern part of Puerto Rico. Today it presents many rare editions of books, medieval manuscripts written on parchment, and manuscripts dating from the 12th-17th centuries. The most valuable are two documents signed by the Catholic monarchs in 1493, which are considered the oldest in all of America. From the end of October 2013, they plan to open a new exhibition dedicated to the 55th anniversary of the founding of the House of Books.

Its history begins in 1955, when a group of townspeople founded the Friends of Calla del Cristo community, one of the goals of which was to create a specialized library of the best printed publications throughout the centuries. The best specialist in this field, Elmer Adler, was hired to organize the library. Under his leadership, books were purchased with public and private funds, and after a while the dream of this community became a reality.

The Book House is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 11.00 to 16.30. Free admission.

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Market Square

The market square is located in Puerto Rico, the city of San Juan. More precisely, in its old part. The square has existed for almost a century. On its territory there are markets, shops, and museums. Festivals are also held here periodically.

The markets sell fresh farm produce, herbs, bread, delicacies and much more. There are also cozy restaurants and cafes on the square, where it is especially interesting to sit in the evening. They are surrounded by beautiful architectural buildings. Near the central building there are large sculptures in the form of an avocado. In this square you can fully experience the life and traditions of the city. Local stalls sell handicrafts of extraordinary beauty and you can even chat with the locals.

The Church of Christ the Redeemer, or Chapel of Christ, was built at the end of the 18th century, on top of one of the city's defensive walls. It is one of the most beautiful and fascinating attractions of Old San Juan, and today it is more than 250 years old.

The Church of Christ the Redeemer is located at the southern end of Calle del Cristo, near the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista, in the western part of San Juan. Legend has it that the temple on this site was built for a reason. In 1753, a young man took part in a race, but lost control of his horse, and it rushed into the abyss. The city secretary, Don Mateo Prats, asked Christ to have mercy on the guy’s life, and his prayer was answered. The young man, to express his gratitude, began building this chapel that same year. Cathedral of Christ the Redeemer in Old San Juan - a building with amazing story, it is a must see when traveling around San Juan.

Church of San Jose

Church of San Jose, built in Old San Juan in 1532, is the second oldest church in all of America. This temple is one of the few surviving examples of 16th-century Spanish Gothic architecture in the Western Hemisphere.

The Church of San Jose is located in the historic city of San Juan, in northern Puerto Rico. The land on which the temple was built was donated by Governor Don Juan Ponce de Leon, who was the first to be buried here. First, the Dominican Order built the monastery of St. Thomas Aquinas on it, then it was renamed by the Jesuits who settled here in 1865. The first governor of Puerto Rico, Juan Ponce de Leon, was buried in the temple crypt in 1559, but in 1836 his remains were transferred to the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista. Under the floor of the Church of San José there is still a crypt where the grandson of Juan Ponce de Leon is buried, as well as the famous artist José Campeche. The San Jose Temple is not in the best condition today; it has been closed for 13 years.

Cemetery of Mary Magdalene

The cemetery of Mary Magdalene in the city of San Juan received its name in honor of Saint Mary Magdalene de Pazzi. It is the burial place of many famous natives of the city and its residents. It began to be built in 1863 with the support of Ignacio Mascaro.

The cemetery is located in the historic city of Old San Juan, in northern Puerto Rico. It is located outside the walls of the citadel of San Felipe del Morro, the city's most famous landmark. The average height of the walls is 12 meters, and the width is from four and a half to six meters. Many prominent personalities are buried in the cemetery in San Juan - Jose Ferrer, the first Latin American actor to win an Oscar, Pedro Salinas, a Spanish poet, Rafael Hernandez Marin, a famous musician, Jose de Acosta, a famous historian. The cemetery was built near the Atlantic Ocean as a symbol of the spiritual journey after death.

Grand Turk

The Old City is a place of shopping streets - everything is here: gold, diamonds, clothes, souvenir shops. There were a lot of tourists here. But there were places where it was quiet and deserted.

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Cathedral of San Juan Bautista

The Cathedral of San Juan Bautista is a Roman Catholic church in San Juan, the oldest building in the entire city and the second oldest church in all of America, after cathedral Santa Maria la Menor in Dominican Republic. It is the residence of the Archbishop of San Juan.

The cathedral is located in the western part of the city of San Juan, on Calle del Cristo, in northern Puerto Rico. The first original wooden church building, built in 1521, was destroyed by a hurricane, so a new cathedral was built in its place in 1540. In subsequent centuries it was updated and reshaped more than once, last time in 1917. The cathedral houses the tomb of the great Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon, who founded the first European settlement in Puerto Rico. It also houses the relics of the Most Holy Carlos Manuel Rodriguez Santiago, the first Puerto Rican to be beatified by Pope John Paul II. Particularly noteworthy in the cathedral are relics such as the jewelry and clothing of John Paul II, which he wore during his visit to Puerto Rico in 1984.

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