Nearby Attractions

Historic Old San Juan

(7 MI/ 11.27 KM)

Old San Juan is the second oldest city in the Americas. The old city comprises seven historic square blocks characterized by narrow cobblestone streets and colorful buildings that date back to the 16th and 17th century when Puerto Rico was a Spanish possession.

The district is also characterized by numerous public plazas and churches including the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista, which contains the tomb of the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León.  With its abundance of shops, historic places, colonial fortifications, museums, open air cafés, restaurants, gracious homes, tree-shaded “plazas”, Old San Juan is a treasured spot for locals and visitors alike.

The district of Old San Juan is located on a small island connected to the mainland of Puerto Rico by bridges and a causeway.  Its oldest parts remain partly enclosed by massive walls. Several defensive structures and notable forts, such as the emblematic Fort San Felipe del Morro, Fort San Cristóbal, and Palacio de Santa Catalina, also known as La Fortaleza, acted as the primary defenses of the settlement which was subjected to numerous attacks. La Fortaleza continues to serve also as the executive mansion for the Governor of Puerto Rico.

Excursions available at our tour desk. (See driving map)

Plaza Las Américas Mall

(12 MI/ 19.31 KM)

"Plaza," as known by many Puerto Ricans, is the largest shopping mall in the Caribbean and any Spanish-speaking country and the 2nd in all of Latin America. The first American-style mall built in Puerto Rico houses some 300 stores; a 35,000 ft² state-of-the-art bowling alley; 13 movie theaters; and over 40 eateries and restaurants.

The mall boasts the busiest and highest-grossing RadioShack store in the world; the first Macy’s store to open outside of the continental US; the largest (four-story) JC Penney’s store in the world; and the largest Big K-Mart in the Caribbean.

Open: Monday to Saturday, 9am-9pm; Sundays, 11am-5pm.

Location: F.D. Roosevelt Avenue, Hato Rey. (See driving map)

Puerto Rico Art Museum (MAPR)

(4 MI/ 6.44 KM)

MAPR is a 130,000 square foot neoclassical building from the 1920s by architect William Shimmelphening, formerly known as the San Juan Municipal Hospital. It is one of the biggest museums in the Caribbean and a local house for collections from the 17th century. The new east wing, which is dominated by a five-story-tall stained-glass window, is the work of local artist Eric Tabales.  Permanent collections include works by José Campeche, Francisco Oller y Cestero, Jesús 'Bubu' Negrón, Carlos Irizarry, and Myrna Báez.  On the fourth floor over 10,000 square feet of gallery space for temporary exhibitions surround the atrium.

Location:  The Museum is conveniently located on 299 De Diego Avenue in Santurce, close to the Condado tourist area. Opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the schedule extended on Wednesdays to 8:00 p.m.

Sunday opening is 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (See driving map)

Entrance is $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children, students, handicapped and senior citizens (60+) are $3.00. To arrange guided tours, please call the Department of Education at 787-977-6277, ext. 2230 or 2261.

Beaches!

(Only steps away)

The Holiday Inn San Juan is within a short walking distance of the magnificent Isla Verde Beach…the beach that made Puerto Rico famous! 

Isla Verde Beach is actually a series of beaches stretching for miles.  A tranquil place during the week, Isla Verde really comes alive on weekends. Beach lovers stream in from everywhere to get some sun, party with family and friends, play paddleball and beach volleyball, jet ski, sail, or walk along the sandy shores.

Within five to ten miles of our hotel are well-known surfing beaches. Whether you’re hard-core or just want to enjoy the show, you’ll find enthusiasts of surfing, parasailing, kite surfing, windsurfing, and body boarding in action virtually every day of the year. The waves are especially high during our winter months – November thru March.

Our concierge will let you know where the waves are breaking! (See driving map)

Hipódromo Camarero

(12 MI/ 19.31 KM)

For a day at the races, Hipodromo Camarero (best known by its former moniker “El Comandante”) is the only thoroughbred racetrack in Puerto Rico, located on a valley with a superb panoramic view of El Yunque National Rainforest. The beautifully landscaped complex of 257 acres features a mile-long racetrack with a seven-furlong chute - which equals 1,400 meters.

The racetrack is host to the Caribbean Derby, a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old thoroughbred horses, held annually on the first Sunday in December. The race features the best three-year old horses from Puerto Rico, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica and others.

Hipódromo Camarero is open during the whole year except Tuesdays and Thursdays. Post time for the first race on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday is 2:45 p.m. AST.  Try your luck or simply sit back and enjoy the “sport of kings”!