Things to do in San Juan: beaches, forts and nature

Most trips to Puerto Rico start in San Juan. The walled old city, with El Morro, San Cristóbal and five centuries of streets and squares, is the island's great historic sight, and the city beaches of Condado, Ocean Park and Isla Verde are a few minutes away.

Beyond the hotels there is more nature than you would expect: the mangroves and kiosks of Piñones, the reef of El Escambrón and small urban forests such as San Patricio. San Juan is also the base for day trips east to El Yunque and Fajardo.