Do you speak Spanish? See Casas en Venta en San Juan
Population: 342,259
Median age: 43.3
Population per square mile: 8,262.3
Land area: 47.85 square miles
Number of households: 142,699
Median household income: $22,710
Income per capita: $19,361
Source: Latest U.S. Census data
Situated in the northern part of the island, San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico, as well as its most populous city. It offers a solid infrastructure, robust economy and plenty of things to do.
Dating back nearly 500 years, San Juan is rich in colonial history, while still providing a modern thriving economy. With a significant influence in the region, San Juan is often considered the “Wall Street of the Caribbean.” Tourism here is also thriving — thanks, in part, to Condado Beach, which is home to several resorts and hotels.
San Juan has a lot of appeal for a variety of people. From major sports and concert venues to lush foliage in the nearby El Yunique Rainforest, the city offers both culture and fun. Here, you’ll find casinos, the Castle of San Cristobal and Ocean Park in San Juan — along with the impressive San Jose Church, which is considered one of the oldest examples of Spanish Gothic architecture in the Americas with construction starting in 1523.
Real estate in San Juan tends to be somewhat more expensive than in other cities in Puerto Rico. But, even the pricier properties are more affordable when compared to nearby similar U.S. cities like Miami. The median price for properties in San Juan is:
San Juan is comprised of 18 different districts stretching from Old San Juan (situated on an island) and Santurce to the north, all the way to Quebrada Arenas in the south.
Old San Juan lies on the Isleta de San Juan, which connects to the mainland via a causeway. The area’s history dates back to the 16th century and it features many historic sites to this day, which is a big draw for tourists arriving by cruise ships. The narrow cobblestone streets and the colonial style architecture date back to the earliest days of the settlers.
The largest district of San Juan in terms of both area and population, Santurce lies in the northern part of the city. It’s home to the Port of San Juan, Condado Bridge Beach, and Ocean Park, along with many beautiful architectural gems.
This part of the city features everything from restaurants and shops to important government buildings. It’s also home to the headquarters of the Puerto Rico Department of Education, as well as a field office of the FBI. The Roberto Clemente Coliseum and the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum Polanco can also be found here.
As its name suggests, this section of the city is home to the University of Puerto Rico.
The public schools in San Juan are operated by the Puerto Rico Department of Education. Classes are taught in Spanish and the breakdown of tiers is similar to the U.S.: elementary schools, junior high school and high school. Several private schools can also be found in the Puerto Rican capital.
San Juan is home to many colleges, universities and technical schools. The University of Puerto Rico - Río Piedras Campus and the University of Puerto Rico’s Medical Sciences Campus are both within city limits. Art schools include the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music and the School of Fine Arts. Here, 81.3% of the local population holds at least a high school diploma, while 37.3% has completed at least a bachelor’s degree or other form of higher education.
Tourism, health care and social assistance, manufacturing and retail are some of the main industries governing the local economy. The products being manufactured in San Juan include chemical substances, medicine, beverages, fertilizers and electronic devices, among others. Tourism is mostly concentrated in Condado Beach, where luxurious hotels and resorts can be found.
Puerto Rico’s capital is home to dozens of museums, including the Casa Blanca Museum, the National Gallery, the Museo de San Juan and the Pablo Casals Museum. Other notable must-sees include the Christopher Columbus Statue, the Capitol Building and the Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery – considered the most beautiful cemetery in the Caribbean.
The Coffee Harvest Festival, the San Sebastián Street Festival, San Juan Bautista Day and the Heineken JazzFest are some of the most popular events held in the city. Most of San Juan’s nightlife is found along the water, with the Parrot Club, El Batey and Club Kronos being some of the most popular places.
The Roberto Clemente Coliseum and the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum host everything from sporting events and concerts to religious conferences. San Juan is also home to championship basketball, baseball and soccer teams. The Cangrejeros de Santurce basketball team is more than 100 years old and has won four championships since 2000.