Fondly known as the Enchanted Island, Puerto Rico has an amazing mix of natural and manmade wonders. That’s especially true of the island’s capital, San Juan. The beaches here are some of the best in the world. There are gorgeous tropical rainforests to explore. The diverse culture is an eclectic mix of Caribbean, Spanish, African, and Taino. Then there’s the architecture, which is fascinating and stunning to see. We’ve gathered them for you here, so if you’re searching for cheap things to do in San Juan, Puerto Rico, here it is! From incredible nature reserves to Old San Juan, beaches, tours, and more. We’ll help you discover them all below!
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San Juan’s Beautiful Beaches
There are several excellent public beaches in and around San Juan to enjoy. The vast majority are completely free, fun, relaxing, and exciting. The gorgeous turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea are simply gorgeous, which makes snorkeling a popular pastime. The beaches tend to get crowded on weekends, so going early to get a good spot is essential.
Tip: While they look inviting, the beach chairs and umbrellas are all rentals. That means you’ll need to pay for them if you use them. Our fantastic advice; bring your own if you plan to hit the beach often.
Old San Juan
Walking around Old San Juan is the perfect way to spend an afternoon with friends or your significant other! There are quite a few things to see and, if you get tired, the trolleys are free also! Your first stop should be the Plaza de Armas, the city’s central gathering place. (Typical of Central and South America.) Around the plaza, you’ll find a wide variety of trendy cafes and beautiful shops.
A couple of blocks away is the Catedral de San Juan Bautista. This magnificent Cathedral has intricately painted ceilings. They leave their doors open so you can go in and be inspired by the beautiful stained glass and statues. (We do recommend leaving a small donation in the donation box.)
Your last stop should be the San Juan Gate, right on the ocean. It’s a terrific place to take a walk with stunning views of the ocean and architecture. Not to mention that the walkway itself is beautiful too. It’s on a wall made from stones in the classic style. Above all, this gorgeous walk through the old city is the perfect cheap thing to do in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Sunset Concerts at Plaza Darsena
In Old San Juan, Plaza Darsena is one of the many plazas in the city. What makes it special is that they host a free concert every Sunday! Local bands play traditional (and some more modern) music starting at 5:30 p.m. That makes it perfect for a night out with friends and some salsa dancing. (Don’t know how to salsa? Then see the next idea on our list of cheap things to do in San Juan, Puerto Rico!)
Free Salsa Lessons at Oceano Lounge
In the nearby town of Condado is the Oceano Lounge, one of San Juan’s best clubs. There you’ll find salsa bands playing at the oceanfront every night. Every Tuesday, however, you’ll also find salsa instructors giving free lessons!
Noche de Galerias
On the first Tuesday of every month, all the galleries and museums in Old San Juan are free to enter. If you’re a fan of the arts, you’ll save big while enjoying some of San Juan’s most beautiful artworks. This monthly event begins at 6 p.m., but we suggest you arrive early as it’s quite popular. If you do, there are plenty of other things to see and do while you wait! (See above!)
Cine de Estuario
Are you a fan of free movies Under the Stars? If so, and you are in San Juan during August, Cine de Estuario is fantastic! It’s held at Condado Lagoon and free to the public. Most people bring their own food and adult beverages, making it a fantastic (and cheap!) movie night in San Juan, Puerto Rico!
Tip: This is a very popular event every August, so arriving early is a must.
El Yunque National Rainforest
One of the true marvels in Puerto Rico is El Yunque National Rainforest. While there are 13 different trails, all free to use, the Big Tree Trail is a favorite. It leads to the spectacular Cascada La Mina waterfall. The hike takes about 40 minutes but is seriously worth it. It’s a clearly laid-out path with many exciting twists and turns.
You’ll need to drive to the rainforest (or take a bus or Uber). Once you get there, the first thing you’ll see is Cascada la Coca, the first waterfall in the rainforest. For most visitors, the biggest challenge is deciding which trails to take. Trust us; you won’t be able to see them all in one trip. However, if you’re coming to San Juan to stay, you’ll have plenty of time to return!
The Historical Bacardi Distillery Tour
Rum has been a mainstay in Puerto Rican culture and the economy for centuries. While not free, the Historical Bacardi Distillery Tour is only $15.00 per adult. For that, you get a fantastic tour, a drinking glass, and a drink, too. Even better, you can enjoy your drink in their beautiful outdoor pavilion. It’s well worth the money and a fun, exciting, and interesting time.
There are, however, two other tours which, while not super cheap, are exceptional. They are the Mixology Tour and Rum Tasting Tour. Both get you more alcoholic beverages, more fun, and more glasses! (And both cost $45.00 per person, which, admittedly, is not all that cheap.)
Cheap Things to Do in San Juan, PR, Brought to you by Southern Self Storage
Almost everything on our list today is fun, exciting, and 100% free! We’re sure there’s something on the list for everyone in the family! Here at Southern Self Storage, our San Juan storage units aren’t free, but they are affordable. They’re also secure, clean, and ready to safely store all your household goods.
We recommend reserving a San Juan storage unit before you arrive if you’re moving here soon. Truth is, all sorts of things can go wrong when you have to ship your things on a container ship. Plus, moving away from the United States mainland presents some unique challenges. Reserving a San Juan, PR storage unit ahead of time makes a lot of sense and might save you a lot of headaches.
If you have questions, you can chat with Southern online. If you’re already here, visit one of our 4 self-storage locations in San Juan and meet the onsite manager. They can help answer all your questions and help you choose the Puerto Rico storage units that fit your needs best.
So from everyone at Southern Self Storage, enjoy all the amazing cheap things to do in San Juan, Puerto Rico! As we’ve seen today, there are plenty of them, all perfectly made for today’s tighter budgets!