Guide · Updated October 24, 2026 · Includes a note from Levi's stay at this hotel when it was the Sheraton Old San Juan; other hotels are research only. Prices change, so confirm the final total before you book.
History by day, beach by afternoon.
Old San Juan for character, Condado for the beach.
Know before you go
- Time zone
- Atlantic Standard Time all year: 1 hour ahead of New York in winter, same as New York in summer.
- Language
- Spanish and English are both official; English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
- Currency
- US dollar.
- Cards
- Accepted almost everywhere.
- Cash & ATMs
- US cards and ATMs work just as they do at home, so you'll rarely need much cash.
- Plugs & voltage
- Same as the US (Type A/B, 120V).
- Tap water
- Tap water is treated and generally safe; many visitors prefer bottled.
- Tipping
- Same as the US mainland: 15–20% at restaurants.
- Getting around
- Uber and taxis are easy to find; you don't need a car in the city.
- Entry requirements
- US citizens don't need a passport; a valid government ID is enough. Other travelers follow US entry rules.
- Safety
Levi's advice: Use common sense. Leave flashy jewelry at home, carry money in a front pocket if you can, and don't wander around on foot late at night unless you're close to your hotel.
Tourist areas are busy and generally safe. Be more careful on quiet streets late at night, and never leave valuables in a car or unattended on the beach.
- Emergency number
- 911
Checked October 2026 for US travelers. Entry rules and fees change, so confirm them with official government sources before you fly.
Old San Juan, Condado or Isla Verde?
Old San Juan is the colonial heart of the city: colorful streets, El Morro and San Cristóbal forts, and some of the island's best restaurants. It has no real beach, and the cobblestones are tough with heavy luggage. Condado, about 10 minutes east, has a city beach, Ashford Avenue's restaurants and shops, and plenty of upscale hotels. Isla Verde, next to the airport, has a long beach and resort hotels.
Old San Juan
- Walk to forts, plazas and restaurants
- Historic character
- Close to the cruise piers
Condado and Isla Verde
- Beach on your doorstep
- Bigger, resort-style hotels
- Less character; a taxi to the old city
Ocean Park, between Condado and Isla Verde, is a quieter, local beach neighborhood if you want something low-key.
Featured hotel: Hotel Rumbao, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
The former Sheraton Old San Juan, renovated and reopened by Marriott in 2024 as Hotel Rumbao. It has 240 rooms, a rooftop pool and hot tub, and several places to eat, right at the edge of Old San Juan near the cruise piers.
Strengths
- Walk into Old San Juan's streets, shops and restaurants
- Rooftop pool with city and harbor views
- Marriott Bonvoy points and elite benefits when booked direct
- Newly renovated rooms
Watch out for
- No beach; plan a taxi to Condado or Isla Verde
- Cruise-ship days make the area busy
- City hotel, so check what fees are added to the room rate
I stayed here with my children when it was still the Sheraton Old San Juan. I booked a room with two queens and was upgraded to a one-bedroom suite.
Before you book
- Book direct with Marriott if you want points and elite benefits
- Ask for a harbor-view room on a higher floor
- Check the total with taxes and any hotel fee before you pay
Sources: Caribbean Journal: Hotel Rumbao opens · Where to stay in San Juan
See these San Juan hotels: photos, prices and availability
Photos, guest ratings and live prices for the featured hotel, a second Old San Juan pick and a Condado option near the beach, from our booking partner Stay22. Change the dates to see your own prices. Booking through the map may earn Conteluma a commission at no extra cost to you. A hotel that is sold out for your dates won't appear.
See photos and live prices for these hotels. The map loads from Stay22 and uses affiliate tracking, so it needs your OK first.
What it costs, and when to go
For a January 18–21, 2027 sample on our partner's map, checked October 24, the three hotels ran from about $321 to $398 a night: Alma San Juan $321, Hotel Rumbao $343 and AC Hotel Condado $398.
- Peak season: mid-December to April, with the driest weather and the highest prices, plus busy cruise-ship days in the old city.
- Hurricane season: June 1 to November 30, with the highest risk from August to October. Prices drop, but buy travel insurance and watch the forecast.
- Sargassum: seaweed can wash up on some beaches from about April to September. It varies by year and beach, so check recent guest photos.
Costs to plan for
- No passport for US citizens: Puerto Rico is a US territory, so US citizens can travel with a valid ID, and the currency is the US dollar.
- Taxes and hotel fees: hotels add Puerto Rico's room tax, and many add a resort or hotel fee. Compare the total, not the nightly rate.
- Getting around: the airport is about 5 minutes from Isla Verde and roughly 20 minutes from Old San Juan. Taxis and ride apps are easy; you don't need a car in the city.
- Day trips: El Yunque rainforest and the bioluminescent bays are popular; book tours ahead.
Use the trip cost calculator to add flights, transfers and extras to your hotel price, or the true-cost calculator to compare two hotels' real totals.
Two more hotels to compare
One more Old San Juan option and one in Condado, both Marriott brands.
| Hotel | Why compare it | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Alma San Juan, Autograph Collection Check prices → | Boutique Marriott hotel in Old San Juan. | Room size and noise; many old-city rooms are compact. |
| AC Hotel by Marriott San Juan Condado Check prices → | Modern Marriott hotel in Condado, near the beach and Ashford Avenue. | Whether a beach base is worth a taxi to Old San Juan for sightseeing. |
Five checks before you book
- Decide on old city or beach first; you can easily visit the other.
- Compare totals including room tax and any hotel fee.
- Check cruise-ship schedules if you're staying near the piers.
- Watch hurricane season dates and consider travel insurance.
- Book direct with Marriott if you want points and elite benefits.
More help: hidden hotel fees checklist · book direct or use a booking site? · Marriott vs. Hilton status
Levi's note is from his own stay before the hotel was renamed. Hotel facts come from Caribbean Journal and hotel listings; prices and ratings in the map come from our booking partner. The photo shows a street in Puerto Rico, not any hotel in this guide.