Guía de ciudad
San Juan SJU: The US Territory You Keep Flying Past
Puerto Rico is a US territory. Americans don't need a passport to land here. Just a boarding pass. Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport is 20 minutes from Old San Juan, which has been described as one of the most beautiful cities in the Americas. Most people just connect through.
Getting to Old San Juan
Taxis from SJU to Old San Juan run $20-25 flat rate, 20-30 minutes. Uber is available and usually $12-18. The free trolley within Old San Juan connects the main sights once you're in the historic district.
No visa, no passport
Puerto Rico is a US territory. American citizens don't need a passport. A government-issued ID (driver's license works) and a ticket is all you need. TSA security, not customs. This is the easiest Caribbean connection available to US travelers.
Old San Juan in 5 hours
The pastel-painted buildings of Calle del Cristo, El Morro fortress at the tip of the peninsula, and Plaza de Armas are all walkable. Mofongo (mashed plantains with garlic and pork) at La Jibarita costs $12 and is the correct meal. El Morro is $10 to enter and takes 90 minutes to do properly.
The thing most people miss
The walls. Old San Juan sits on a peninsula surrounded by 16th-century Spanish fortifications. Walking the Paseo del Morro (the path along the outer walls with the Atlantic on one side and the city on the other) takes 30 minutes and is free. Do this first.