A Traveler’s Guide to Condado, Puerto Rico

Condado is one of the most popular towns in Puerto Rico, in the heart of San Juan, full of vibrant shopping, ocean adventures, and rich nightlife that provides visitors with an experience like no other.

Located on the north coast of San Juan, Condado is known for its beautiful beaches, quaint boutiques, beachfront properties, and some of the best vacation rental homes stay in, where you’ll be spoiled from check-in to check-out. It makes it one of the most visited destinations in all of Puerto Rico by both locals and tourists.

Condado also has a thriving nightlife and restaurants to suit all types of palates. If you’re looking for a relaxing day at the beach or an exciting night out on the town, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for in Condado. There are also many water adventures you can take on, such as snorkeling, kayaking, and swimming in crystal-clear waters.

We prepared this traveler’s guide to help you make the most of your time in Condado, Puerto Rico. So, pack your bags and come to explore this wonderful destination!

All About Condado, Puerto Rico

Condado is a sub-neighborhood of Santurce located within the capital city of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Condado has a coastline in the north with a lagoon in the southwest, so there are many oceanfront things to do and stunning views from nearly every corner.

Many of the streets are pedestrian-friendly, and you’ll find many restaurants, wine bars, nightclubs, and galleries within walking distance. If you love shopping, then you’ll enjoy the selection of unique boutiques on Ashford Avenue along with some upscale storefronts like Cartier.

There are also many parks, including Ventana del Mar which faces the Atlantic Ocean in the north and is right next to cafes where tourists and locals like to mingle together. You can also relax for a day (or two!) at Condado Beach to enjoy the views.

Due to its location in the north, visitors are close to the Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport (SJU), making it a convenient place to stay during a visit.

Best Time to Visit Condado, Puerto Rico

Because Puerto Rico is a small paradise in the Caribbean, visitors can visit all year round for summer-like weather. It is the perfect getaway spot. However, the best months to visit Condado are between December to April as it brings the best weather and scheduled events.

The tourist season in Puerto Rico is between December and March and again in the summer months between July and August. It brings higher crowds and the highest temperatures, which can go up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Just be sure to follow our packing guide so you come prepared for whatever you’re most interested in doing on your trip.

How to Get to Condado, Puerto Rico

Visitors arriving in Puerto Rico will do so from the Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport (SJU). The airport provides car rental, taxis, and bus options to arrive at Condado, which is about a 10-minute car ride.

Departing from the airport, exit off to PR-26/Isla Verde/San Juan ramp and stay on the highway for around 3.3 miles (5.4 km). Then take the exit toward Avenue R.H. Todd/Santurce/Condado and merge into Marginal Road. Finally, take a right turn unto Condado Avenue to reach the center of the area before arriving at your local rental property.

Best Places to Eat in Condado

Condado boasts some of the best restaurants on the island. Below we provide you with some of the best places to try:

• 1919 Restaurant: For the best fine dining using locally sourced ingredients.
• Mario Pagan Restaurant: Tasty international infusion dishes and seafood.
• Ropa Vieja Grill: Brings a mix of flavors from Puerto Rico and Cuba
• Serafina: Best Italian dishes in the area with a great atmosphere.
• Kabanas Restaurant: great location serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• 1950 Condado: Best location for authentic Puerto Rican comfort food and happy hours in a 1950s inspired-setting.
• Atabey Condado: If you love brunch, then look no further than Atabey Condado with its smoked salmon toasts, Brulee pancakes, eggs florentine, and so much more.
• Waikiki Restaurant: Enjoy a variety of meats and seafood while taking in the gorgeous ocean views from the terrace.
• Semilla Kitchen and Bar: Located in the heart of Condado, Semilla offers fresh food and brunch options infused with its Puerto Rican roots and comfort food.
• Cayo Blanco Seafood Restaurant: Cozy fine dining restaurant serving tasty seafood with good flavors. We recommend calling ahead to make a reservation as it can get crowded.

The 6 Best Things to do in Condado, Puerto Rico

Visit Great Gifts Shops & Boutiques for Unique Clothing

Condado has some of the most unique shops and boutiques in the capital city of San Juan. Visitors will find everything from women’s and men’s clothing, to jewelry, gifts, and souvenirs. For women’s fashion, check out Nativa with its nice collection of dresses, tops, jumpsuits, and cocktail dresses at reasonable prices.

Other shops include Charme, which carries an inventory of flowy linen pieces perfect for the Puerto Rican weather, and Olivia Boutique with a collection from designers like Agolde, Miss June, Carolina Herrera, Derek Lam, and Zimmermann.

For men’s fashion, there’s Zafiro, Root, and Monsieur, while Gul Plaza has some of the best and most affordable souvenirs to get for friends and family.

Paddle Board at the Condado Lagoon with the Manatees

The Condado Lagoon (Laguna de Condado) is an estuary or water mouth between Condado and Miramar right next to the highway (Expreso 26). The lagoon is a natural area frequented by visitors and locals. It provides walking and biking trails, and there is a perfect and tranquil beach on the west corner.

The lagoon has a place where visitors can rent kayaks and paddleboards. There are a few kayaking tour options, which would provide a unique experience, such as glass-bottom kayak tours and sunset kayaking or paddle boarding tours.

The glass-bottom kayak will let spot some Puerto Rican wildlife, including manatees and turtles while learning about the environment and conservation efforts with knowledgeable guides. The lagoon is also great for beginners to try their hand at paddleboarding due to its calm waters and small-guided tours.

Relax at the Spa or Find your Balance in a Paddleboard Yoga Class

Condado, Puerto Rico is a great destination to relax and unwind from day-to-day responsibilities. You can do so by spending a day at the beach or by getting pampered at the spa. La Mar Beach Spa is a great location to get couples’ massages outdoors while listening to the sound of ocean waves.

For those who are active, why not challenge your body and mind with a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) yoga class? Lovers of yoga and water will find doing a SUP Yoga class unique and challenging. You’ll be able to enjoy the 360-degree scenery of Condado while relieving stress and working on muscles you didn’t know existed!

SUP Yoga Puerto Rico offers sunrise yoga classes, visitors will love staying in a savasana position while floating on a paddleboard in the ocean!

Go Bar Hopping Around Condado’s Nightclubs & Bars

Visitors will never get bored in Condado as it is booming with nightclubs, bars, and casinos offering great dancing, live music, and tasty drinks.

For cocktail and wine lovers, you can’t go wrong at Semilla Kitchen and Bar or the Bodegar Wine and Tapas (a Spanish restaurant located on the second floor above Starbucks Coffee). For sunset views, head on to Condado’s rooftop bars, such as the Eter Rooftop Lounge. Visitors can also try their luck at the Casino del Mar or the Stellaris Casino.

Go Kayaking at Night

An excursion visitors can enjoy is kayaking in the Condado Lagoon at night. The tours available use a glass-bottom kayak equipped with LED lights, or visitors can apply glow-in-the-dark paint to their bodies for a fun experience.

Tours start at sundown, so you can enjoy the sunset sky colors and watch the lagoon come to life as the LED lights light up the ocean water from the kayaks. Visitors enjoy the city as it lights up at night as they travel through the historic bridge, perfect for picture taking. You’ll be sure to make life-lasting memories.

Take a Walk Along the Condado Coastline

The Condado coastline is perfect for walking on its shores. The sand is fine and soft with a golden hue, and the water has the perfect turquoise color. Along the coastline, visitors can find a myriad of restaurants, cafes, and ice cream shops to cool down. During walking breaks, visitors can sunbathe or have a cocktail (or mocktail!) while enjoying the views at Condado Beach.

You can start your walk and gain access to Condado Beach through Ventana al Mar. All you need to do is bring a towel, umbrella, and sun protection, such as sunglasses and a hat. However, the ocean water at Condado Beach may not be safe depending on the season but, if you wish to take a dip in the ocean, La Playita del Condado is just around the corner off of Ashford Avenue with views of the Dos Hermanos Bridge.

Have a Beach Day at La Playita del Condado & Go Snorkeling

The English translation for La Playita del Condado is The Little Beach of Condado, and it is indeed! It’s one of the smallest beaches visitors will find in San Juan but also one of the best ones in the area. Visitors can arrive by taking the Dos Hermanos (Two Brothers) Bridge that connects Condado with Old San Juan. This little beach is hidden in the north corner.

The water at La Playita del Condado is calm with many shallow spots making it a perfect option for families or adults who want an easy day to relax and float in the ocean. There’s also a small tidal pool that works as a romantic and intimate setting for couples.

For adventure travelers, Champion Snorkel offers snorkeling tours at La Playita del Condado so you can swim with the fish, manatees, and turtles.

You’ll Love Your Vacation to Condado, San Juan

With so many things to see and do in Condado, it’ll make the perfect location for your next vacation! This charming area has so much to offer, plus by staying in the capital, you’ll have easy access to great day trips when you’re ready to see what more Puerto Rico has to offer.