Cruises from San Juan

San Juan is a Caribbean port located on the north-eastern coast of Puerto Rico. The original Spanish name was San Juan Bautista, or Saint John the Baptist. San Juan is the capital and the largest city of Puerto Rico. Since the year 2000, San Juan has been the 42nd largest city under American jurisdiction. It is the second oldest city of its kind in the Americas as it was colonised by the Spanish in 1521. It was the Spanish who gave the island the name of Puerto Rico.

San Juan is situated south of the Atlantic Ocean and thus has a climate that is best described as tropical marine. It boasts an average temperature of 28 degrees centigrade all year round. This temperature, however, can rise to 32 degrees in the summer, especially with a southern wind. The winter low temperature is typically 22 degrees centigrade. The tropical climate means that rain is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year and the driest months are usually February, March and April.

San Juan is an historical city with plenty to offer both culture and sun seekers. Technological advances since the end of the Second World War has turned San Juan into a tourist magnet. This has also led to the rising popularity of the rest of the Caribbean during the course of the last thirty years or so. San Juan is made up of a number of different neighbourhoods or barrios. Old San Juan, which dates back to Spanish colonial times, is located on an islet called Islet de San Juan. This islet is connected to the mainland by a roadway and two bridges.

The central city area of San Juan is identified by its cobbled streets and colonial buildings, some of which date back to the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. There is plenty to see for those who are interested in the architectural make-up of the city. This part of the old city is the main tourist attraction in Puerto Rico. The city also boasts several museums and art galleries; the Museum of Contemporary Art of Puerto Rico specialises in contemporary artwork from both the Caribbean and from places in Latin America.

To the east of the old part of the city is the well-to-do tourist area of Condado with nearby beaches such as the Ocean Park Beach. Condado is a very popular area for swimmers, surfers and kite surfers. It is also the focus for many coastline hotels. Enjoy the truly Caribbean feel of places like the El Canario Inn. There is something to suit everyone’s taste in San Juan.

Across the city you’ll find hundreds of restaurants and bars, so you are sure to find something to pique your appetite. San Juan is also great for shopping. There are shopping centres all over the city. While there is a metro and bus system serving the city, most people rely on cars to get them from place to place. Hotel staffs in the city are friendly and helpful and more than willing to arrange car rentals and dinner reservations. You can be sure of a great welcome when you visit San Juan.