Condado El Condado, as the locals say, is the island's most glamorous district, featuring high end boutiques, a variety of restaurants and some of the finest hotels on the island. Linked to Puerta de Tierra and Old San Juan by a bridge built in 1910, el Condado was once known as the Riviera of the Caribbean. This beach bordering district is wedged between the Atlantic Ocean and several large inland bodies of water. Many nationals reside here in beautiful turn-of-the-century mansions. Much of the Condado architecture today is viewed as "kitsch," the way Art Deco on Miami Beach is prized. You'll notice the populace on any given day to be a good balance between tourists and locals. If you're an avid jogger, you'll love the expanse of open area. This district spans from the Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino in the west to the Ocean Park area in the east.
Guaynabo This is the main suburb of San Juan. Guaynabo is an upscale district that is home to several of the island's wealthiest residents. It is full of boutique malls offering fine accessories, jewelry, and designer labels.
Hato Rey Hato Rey is several miles from Old San Juan, but is easily accessible. It is the island's central commercial district and filled with many high-rises, a large federal complex and many business and banking offices. Thus, its restaurant scene caters to more business people than anywhere else on the island. Avenue Roosevelt, the district's residential area, can be found just off Highway 52. It is one of the most famous venues for nightlife in San Juan, and Plaza Las Americas, the Caribbean's largest mall, is also located here.
Isla Verde Isla Verde is home to high-rise apartment buildings, huge clubs and luxurious hotels. This area is actually part of the municipality of Carolina, connected to San Juan via several highways and streets. It spans from the Punta Las Marias area (adjacent to Ocean Park) to the land just beyond the International Airport. Isla Verde hosts world-class hotels that include the Ritz-Carlton, El San Juan and the Intercontinental, all with their own casinos. Its nightlife is exciting, and the enormous balneario, or public beach, is where locals and guests come to sunbathe and get their fill of people-watching. This district appeals to people who like everything under one roof: entertainment, vast selections of dining, convenient shopping, fun casinos and an array of planned activities. Isla Verde is the Las Vegas of San Juan.
Miramar/Santurce Miramar is an upscale residential neighborhood across the bridge from Puerta de Tierra. Some of the finest homes in Puerto Rico are found here. It's also the site of Isla Grande Airport, where you can board flights to the islands of Vieques and Culebra. Santurce is the neighborhood right next door to Miramar. It was originally an upper-class neighborhood, but today, there are office buildings and abandoned structures with a small but very good marketplace called Plaza del Mercado.
Ocean Park Dividing the competitive beach resort areas of el Condado and Isla Verde, Ocean Park is a beachfront residential neighborhood. It's completely built up today with houses that are smaller and more spread out than those in the Condado district. Beaches here are slightly less crowded than those at Condado or Isla Verde.
Old San Juan This is the most historic area in the West Indies and consists of narrow streets encompassing over four hundred years of history and tradition. San Juan is a colonial city that is bordered by walls and filled with Spanish colonial architecture. It's encircled by water; on the north is the Atlantic Ocean and on the south and west is the San Juan Bay. Ponte San Antonio Bridge connects the Old Town with "mainland" Puerto Rico. As the seat of the island's bicameral government, it houses La Fortaleza (home of the Governor) and El Capitolio (the seat of the House of Representatives). The Senate, on the other hand, is located in nearby Puerta de Tierra. However, both districts can be found on the islet of San Juan and are connected to the mainland via several bridges.
Puerta de Tierra Translated as "gateway to the land" or "gateway to the island," Puerta de Tierra lies just east of the old city walls of San Juan. It is split by Avenida Ponce de Leon and interconnects Old San Juan with the Puerto Rican "mainland." Founded by freed black slaves, the settlement today functions as the island's administrative center and is the site of military and government buildings, including the capital and various U.S. naval reserves. Puerta de Tierra also houses hotels such as the famous Caribe Hilton and the Radisson Normandie.
Rio Piedras This district is known as "University City" because it houses the University of Puerto Rico. It is dominated by the landmark Roosevelt Bell Tower, named for Theodore Roosevelt, who donated the money for its construction. The main thoroughfare is Paseo de Diego, site of a popular local produce market. The Agricultural Experimental Station of Puerto Rico maintains a botanical garden that includes many tropical plants, including 125 species of palms. Visiting Rio Piedras is enlightening for those who want to explore the real Puerto Rico first-hand. The district has a traditional Plaza del Mercado and a very hometown atmosphere.
Villa Palmeras Villa Palmeras is a residential sector and business area of San Juan, an eastern extension of the Santurce district. Its far eastern frontier opens onto Laguna Los Corozos. On the eastern side of the water is the international airport. From the Old Town, Route 26 east takes you to this district.