Ateneo de Puerto Rico
museum founded in 1876, it is the largest cultural institution in puerto rico. art contests and classes are held here as well. hours are m-f 9am to 4:30pm. 787 722-4839.
The Teatro Tapia
787 721-0169 or 787 721-0180. built in 1832, this is one of the oldest theaters in the western hemisphere. this building, which was named after alejandro tapia y rivera, has been remodeled twice, once in 1949 and once in 1987. plays, ballets, and other concerts and events are held here.
The Casino of Puerto Rico
Is a large building with a 12 foot chandelier and an open ballroom, built right before world war i.
Parque de las Palomas
Overlooks la princesa jail. from this park you are able to see a great view of the mountains, harbor and the city.
La Princesa
former municipal jail, now a history museum overlooks san juan bay. la princesa was built in 1837. a beautiful structure that has beautiful landscaping. it is surrounded by a wall and contains many trees, as well as a fountain and a sculpture. open m-f from 9am to 4pm. 787 721-2400.
La Marquesa Canopy Tour
Located about 30 minutes outside of san juan in guaynabo you can tour the la marquesa forest reserve via zip line. it is a low impact experience suitable for people of all ages. those who are up for extreme adventure travel may find this a little too easy.
Central Park
Is the park to visit if you're looking for traditional activities such as jogging, tennis, baseball, etc.
Museo de Arte
museum of art, 299 av. josã© de diego, santurce. open tu and th-sa 10am-5pm; w 10am-8pm; su 11am-6pm. puerto rico's most important gallery, which opened in 2000 and was constructed at a cost of $55 million, is a state-of-the-art showcase for the island nation's rich cultural heritage. admission is $6 for adults, $2.50 for seniors, $3 for children under age 12.
The Pablo Casals Museum
Calle san sebastiã¡n 101, 787 723-9185. tu-sa 9:30am-5:30pm. casals came to puerto rico in the 1950s and was the conductor for the puerto rico symphony orchestra. the museum contains footage of his concerts as well as other pictures and manuscripts.
Casa del Libro
787 723-0354. tu-sa 11am-4:30pm. a museum holding nearly 5,000 early works of manuscripts and books, some as from as old as the 15th century. this museum is most known for having two royal mandates signed by ferdinand and isabella concerning arranging columbus' fleet for his second voyage.
Check out the beaches in Condado and Isla Verde.
A popular point of interest is Old San Juan, a 7-block area that has become popular for tourists as well as residents. The narrow streets of old San Juan are packed with people so it is recommended to experience Old San Juan by foot in order to avoid too much traffic. You can take a taxi for less than $20 from most hotels but for .75 you can also take the B21 bus which picks up from many locations near the hotels and is very easy to use.
Check out the parks in San Juan.
Museo Nuestras RaÃces Africanas
our african roots museum, plaza san josã©, calle san sebastiã¡n. open tu-sa 8:30am-8:30pm. this museum documents the african contribution to the sociology of puerto rico. admission is $2 for adults; $1 for seniors, children, and students; free for ages 10 and under.
Museo del Niño (Children's Museum)
At calle del cristo 150. open: tu-th 9am-3:30pm; f 9am-5pm; sa-su 12:30pm-5pm. through interactive exhibits, children learn simple lessons, such as the benefits of brushing teeth or recycling aluminum cans, or the value of caring properly for pets. admission $5; $4 children 14 and younger.
Garfield
Munoz Rivera Park
Av. ponce de leã³n. tu-su 9am-5pm. located by the ocean and has beautiful trees and landscaping. a great place to tour by foot.
Felisa Rincón de Gautier Museum
At calle clara lair. open m-f 9am-4pm. felisa rincã³n served as the mayor of the city of san juan for 22 years, between 1946 and 1968. the museum that commemorates her memory is in a 300-year-old building. free.
Cuartel de Ballaja
787 724-5052. m-f 10am-4pm, sa,su 11am-5pm. guided tours m-f 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm and 2pm. completed in 1863, and in 1881 a chapel was added. this building originally housed military personnel and is now a museum containing caribbean and european american arts and artifacts. free admission.
Spanish barracks
now museum de ballaja