When to Go

During the high season, mid-December through mid-April, hotels tend to be packed, though rarely full, and rates are a bit higher than in the off-season. Fall and spring are less expensive. The weather's still fantastic, and the tourist crush is less intense. However, a winter visit may allow you to participate in many of San Juan's annual events. The January San Sebastián Street Festival, held in Old San Juan, consists of several nights of live music, food festivals, and cabezudos (parades). The Heineken JazzFest, each June, is the Caribbean's showcase for local and international talent. And the mid-November Festival of Puerto Rican Music takes place in both San Juan venues and elsewhere on the island. The festival celebrates Puerto Rico's traditional plena and bomba folk music with competitions and concerts.

San Juan's weather is moderate and tropical year-round, with an average temperature of about 82°F (26°C). And although it's true that hurricane season accounts for much of the summer and fall, San Juan's still an attractive destination during those months—hotels charge their lowest rates, restaurant reservations are easier to come by, and the streets are tourist free.