Free things to do · San Juan · Puerto Rico
8 free things to do in San Juan
San Juan without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Moebiusuibeom-en, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in San Juan without paying an entry fee: Old San Juan streets and plazas, La Placita de Santurce, Paseo de la Princesa and Paseo del Morro and La Fortaleza are all free. Visit from May to mid-June or in November for lower rates and lighter crowds.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 8
- Low-cost extras
- 5
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- September
Free sights and experiences
Neighbourhood · Old San Juan
1.Old San Juan streets and plazas
Walk early in the morning or around sunset, when the light is softer and the streets cooler.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- History
Market · Santurce
2.La Placita de Santurce
Visit twice: by day for a fresh juice and lunch, then late in the evening for the street party.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- After dark
- Iconic
Waterfront · Old San Juan
3.Paseo de la Princesa and Paseo del Morro
Walk it in the late afternoon, then enter the city through the San Juan Gate and climb up to the cathedral.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Couples
- Views
- Outdoors
- After dark
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Palace · Old San Juan
4.La Fortaleza
Photograph it from the bottom of Calle Fortaleza; access inside is limited, so treat it as an exterior stop.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
Religious site · Old San Juan
5.Cathedral of San Juan Bautista
Dress modestly with covered shoulders, and visit outside Mass times.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Historic site · Old San Juan
6.Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery
The view from El Morro's walls is the classic photo; if you walk down, go in daylight and be respectful.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Photo spot
- Views
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Architecture · Puerta de Tierra
7.Capitol of Puerto Rico
Walk the waterfront Paseo Lineal behind the Capitol to Escambrón beach for an easy morning outing.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
Street · Santurce
8.Santurce murals and Calle Cerra
Walk it in the morning when it is cooler, and stay on the main streets with other people around.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Old San Juan | Old San Juan streets and plazas, Paseo de la Princesa and Paseo del Morro, La Fortaleza, Cathedral of San Juan Bautista and Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery | Half a day + 1 hour + 20 minutes + 30 minutes + 30–45 minutes |
| Santurce | La Placita de Santurce and Santurce murals and Calle Cerra | 2–3 hours + 1–2 hours |
| Puerta de Tierra | Capitol of Puerto Rico | 45 minutes |
Worth a small ticket
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Castle · Old San Juan
Castillo San Felipe del Morro
Go early before the heat and cruise crowds; one entrance fee covers both El Morro and San Cristóbal.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Kids
- Photo spot
Castle · Old San Juan
Castillo San Cristóbal
Look for the sentry box known as the Devil's Garita on the outer walls, and visit San Cristóbal first if arriving from Condado.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Kids
- Architecture
Museum · Old San Juan
Museo de las Américas
Combine it with El Morro; the barracks courtyard is a shaded break on a hot day.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
Gallery · Santurce
Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico
Follow it with lunch around La Placita de Santurce, a short ride away.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- History
Nature · Loíza
Piñones
Rent a bike and ride the boardwalk on a weekday, stopping at kiosks along the way; weekends are packed.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Outdoors
- Active
- Nature
More ways to save
- Visit from May to mid-June or in November for lower rates and lighter crowds.
- Old San Juan's streets, Paseo de la Princesa, the beaches and La Placita are free.
- Kiosk food in Piñones and Luquillo costs a fraction of resort restaurants.
- Taxis use zone fares; ride-hailing is often cheaper for trips outside the tourist zones.
- Guest houses in Ocean Park and small hotels in Santurce are better value than Condado resorts.
- Check resort fees and parking charges at Isla Verde and Condado hotels.
Questions travellers ask
+Is San Juan expensive to visit?
San Juan is moderately priced for most visitors, but 8 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in San Juan?
Old San Juan streets and plazas: Walk early in the morning or around sunset, when the light is softer and the streets cooler.