It’s part of the Cortés Foundation, a non-profit organization established to educate and showcase the arts of the Caribbean.Īddress: 210 de Calle San Francisco, San Juan Don’t miss the upstairs gallery filled with local art, as well as artifacts from the Cortés family’s personal collection. From starters like ham croquettes to their mofongo chalupitas, most dishes are infused with chocolate. Though Choco Bar Cortés opened in 2013 (the first “choco bar” in Puerto Rico), the family behind it has been crafting bean-to-bar chocolate for more than eight decades. All menu items are reasonably priced and they serve generous portions.Īddress: 300 C.
Missed breakfast? They’re open for lunch, too. This heavenly plump and buttery roll dusted with powdered sugar and a mercifully strong cup of coffee will give you the fuel you need for a day of exploring Old San Juan. Opened in 1848, the restaurant is named for their signature menu item, Mallorca bread. Kick your morning off with breakfast at Cafeteria Mallorca. Vendors sell unique and relatively inexpensive handmade souvenirs like jewelry, accessories and other items.Ĭouple drinking in Old San Juan / Omark Reyes / Discover Puerto Rico Eat 7. The tree-lined square is located at the entrance of Old San Juan. You’ll often find local artisans’ tents set up along Columbus Square (Plaza Colón), too. Choose from paintings and woodcrafts to handmade soaps and candles-and everything in between. There, you’ll find outside vendors who are part of The Artisan Corner, a collective of local craftspeople offering an authentic cultural shopping experience. If your visit falls on the last Sunday of the month, be on the lookout for kiosks set up behind the Ballajá Barracks beside the Bastion. Hours: Open Mon, Thur, Fri and Sat, 10am–6pm Wed,11am–6pm Tues,10am–12am closed Sun Every piece in the shop was designed and crafted at the store and their workshop-an eclectic collection of ceramic tiles, poetry books, and fine art prints. It’s owned by Lady Lee Andrews, a local poet and publisher. Poet’s Passage is a beautiful mash-up of an art gallery, coffee shop and poetry museum. Botello’s own works that include bronze sculptures, lithographs and oil paintings are also available for purchase. Owned by artist Angel Botello, Galería Botello features myriad sculptures and paintings, as well as an impressive collection of antique carved saints. Admission price benefits various local non-profit organizations.Ĭouple shopping at an artisan’s kiosk in Old San Juan / Omark Reyes / Discover Puerto Rico Shopįrom art galleries and artisans’ kiosks to jewelry stores and clothing boutiques, Old San Juan offers an extensive variety of shopping options for such a compact area. Tours are $5 and are capped at four people per tour. On a clear day you can also see Puerto Rico’s tallest peak, Cerro Punta, in the distance. The second-floor window provides a remarkable view of San Juan Bay. The building serves as a gallery showcasing local artists’ depictions of the Narrow House. However, the house’s sunny yellow facade with a deep green door and balcony catches your eye. The house is sandwiched between two normal sized buildings, amplifying its petite size. The two-story home measures just five feet three inches at its widest point. Architect and proprietor Antonio Alvarez transformed the unused space into a habitable abode in the early 2000s.
It’s listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the narrowest house in the Western Hemisphere. Make your way along Tetuán Street to find The Narrow House (La Casa Estrecha).
If you want to dive into the past, we’ve created a self-guided historic walking tour that includes several “must visit” landmarks. Other historical landmarks of note include La Fortaleza, Museum of the Americas (and Ballajá Barracks) and others. The Gothic-style San Juan Cathedral, one of the oldest structures in the city, preserves the remains of Juan Ponce de León and is open daily for services. Within it are the 16th-century fortresses of San Felipe del Morro, San Cristóbal and San Juan de la Cruz, as well as remnants of the old city walls. It’s replete with history, including the San Juan National Historic Site. History buffs will certainly be sated in Old San Juan.
Couple walking through Old San Juan / Omark Reyes / Discover Puerto Rico Explore 1.