The metropolitan area of San Juan has three distinct districts Old San Juan, the Beach & Resort area, and other outlying communities including Río Piedras, Hato Rey, Puerta de Tierra, and Santurce. Old San Juan is the major historic part which is home to most historic attractions, galleries, museums, and tourist traps. Fortaleza and San Francisco streets of this area are thronged by thousands of tourists as they are lined with many Artisan Shops and Jwelery stores and San Juan Puerto Rico vacation rentals. A leisurely walk on the narrow streets of the city would let you experience this bit of the Old World. San Juan boasts several plazas of which Plaza de San José is a favorite meeting place for young and old alike. The major landmark of this area is the bronze statue of Ponce de León, which is made from British cannon captured during Sir Ralph Abercrombie's attack of 1797. Other major plazas skirting the Old San Juan include Plazuela de la Rogativa, Plaza de Armas, and Plaza de Colón. San Juan is dotted with many well manicured gardens and Parks which serve as the perfect spot for relaxing and picnicking. Located at the top of the city wall is the Parque de las Palomas that overlooks the restored La Princesa Jail, now a government office with an attractive art gallery. Dominating the north western point of the islet of San Juan, are the sixteenth century old citadels namely, El Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Palacio de Santa Catalina which have been declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO. Some of the other noteworthy attractions in the city include Castillo de San Jerónimo, Fuerte San Geronimo, El Castillo de San Cristóbal, Catedral de San Juan, Munoz Rivera Park,Iglesia de San José, Centro de Bellas Artes, and The Escuela de Artes Plásticas. If you want to explore more, then you can plan a day excursion to the cities of >Fajardo, Rio Grande, and Arecibo.

San Juan is truly a haven for gourmets and shopping enthusiasts. The streets of Old San Juan such as Calle del Cristo and Calle San Francisco are lined with countless shops, boutiques, brand showrooms, galleries and elegant eating joints. The swanky Malls of San Juan are great venue for dining and shopping where you can find everything from stylish fashion wear, jwelery to local handicrafts including needlework, straw work, ceramics, hammocks, and papier-mâché, as well as paintings and sculptures by Puerto Rican artists. If you want to buy the carved wooden religious idols known as Santos, head to Galería Botello, Olé, or Puerto Rican Arts & Crafts. One of the biggest malls in the city near San Juan vacation rentals is Plaza Las Américas, which is located in the district of Hato Ray. The complex houses more than 300 upscale shops and a variety of specialty restaurants which serve mouthwatering local and international cuisines.

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