Best time of day to visit San Juan

Puerto Rico has to be one of the most amazing places on Earth - the culture is so rich and vibrant, the people are so warm and fun. It has everything you could imagine! There's a reason that everyone on the plane bursts into raucous applause as soon as the wheels hit the runway.

The first time I visited San Juan it was in the middle of the day with the sun blazing down as we navigated through the throngs of lumbering cruise ship passengers. I could see that San Juan is an amazing city; the popping colors of the colonial architecture, the expansive view of the sea, the cobblestone streets - (sigh). But the oppressive heat and throngs of tourists, of which I know I was one, left me exhausted. I can only imagine what it's like for people that actually live there!

San Juan during the day (beautiful and HOT!)

On our most recent trip to Puerto Rico we ventured into Old San Juan in the evening instead. Our night started walk along la Paseo de la Princessa, near the vendors selling handmade crafts, and toward the Fuente Raices. As twilight approached the sea breeze picked up cooling the thick tropical air, the cruise ship crowd began to disperse clearing out the sidewalks, and the last bit of sunlight cast an orange hue on the hills. There was a huge Boriqua flag waving in the sky and San Juan took my breath away.

We wandered the streets stopping for dinner of Mofongo and Piña Colada (they'll make them non-alcoholic for the kiddos). We wandered trough galleries and gift shops and bought a painting at the Poets Passage - Living Museum of Poetry and Local Art. Here's their website for more info: https://poetspassage.com/index.php.

I know some people have raised safety concerns about San Juan at night but we never felt unsafe. In fact, for us this was the optimal time to leisurely stroll around and breath the city in!