If you’re planning a trip to Puerto Rico, a day in San Juan with kids is a perfect way to experience colorful streets, historic forts, and delicious eats that the whole family can enjoy. For a full overview of our adventures, check out our complete Puerto Rico family travel guide.
We stayed at Caribe Hilton in San Juan, which is right on the water and about a 10-minute drive to Old San Juan. The hotel is recently renovated, clean, and has several onsite restaurants, including a Starbucks, making it an easy and comfortable base for families exploring the city. They also claim to have created the first pina colada y, which was a fun nod to local history.
Early Arrival and Parking
We arrived early around 8:30 AM, just before the cruise ship crowds took over the city. Parking in Old San Juan can be tricky, but we found Don Fela Parking garage, which worked perfectly. We were able to keep our car here for the whole day for just $5—a total win!
We also brought water with us, knowing it was going to be hot, which was a lifesaver for keeping the kids hydrated while walking around.
Breakfast at Café Manolín
Our first stop was breakfast at Café Manolín. The breakfast was tasty, moderately priced, and the bar-style seating made it fun for the kids to sit at the counter and watch the action. It was the perfect way to fuel up for a morning of exploring.
Exploring Old San Juan
After breakfast, we wandered the charming streets, taking in the colorful architecture and brick roads that make Old San Juan so unique. The kids loved exploring, and the atmosphere made for a fun morning stroll.
Castillo San Felipe del Morro
Next, we made our way to Castillo San Felipe del Morro (commonly called El Morro). Luckily for us, it was free to enter due to a government shutdown—normally there is a $10 fee. We spent about an hour here, exploring every corner of the fort.
The kids loved checking out the garitas (sentry boxes) with beautiful views, seeing where the soldiers slept, where the kitchen was, and what the soldiers wore. It was a great way to teach the kids a little history and give them a sense of appreciation for how much life has changed since then. Some of the kids even completed the Junior Ranger program, which added an extra educational twist to the visit.
Parque de las Palomas (Pigeon Park)
After El Morro, we walked to Parque de las Palomas (Pigeon Park). Some of the kids didn’t mind walking around with pigeons everywhere, while others waited outside the gate. Food is sold inside if you want to feed the birds. I personally had a bird land on my hat, screamed, and walked out—definitely a memorable moment!
Basilica San Juan and Icees
Next, we visited Basilica San Juan, which was beautiful and full of history. After exploring the church, we treated the kids to piraguas (shaved ice) from a street vendor—basically icees made with shaved ice and fruit syrups! They were a huge hit and kept the kids cool for the rest of our walk.
Lunch at Barrachio
Our final stop in San Juan was lunch at Barrachio. We arrived right at opening and were seated immediately, but by the time we left there was a wait—so definitely plan ahead. The food was delicious, and of course, I had to try a pina colada since Barrachio claims to have made the first one—it was an A+.
After lunch, we walked around a little more to take in the sights before heading back to Caribe Hilton, where the kids could enjoy all the pool and beach amenities and unwind after a fun day of exploring.
Tips for Visiting San Juan with Kids
- Arrive early to avoid cruise ship crowds.
- Parking garages like Don Fela make a full-day visit stress-free.
- Bring water and snacks, especially on hot days.
- Piraguas or icees are a fun way to keep kids cool.
- Junior Ranger programs at Castillo San Felipe del Morro are a great way to make history fun.
- Plan for breaks at parks or ice cream/shaved ice stops to keep kids happy.
- Be ready for pigeons! Some kids may love them, others not so much.
Other Things to Do in Old San Juan
If you have extra time, here are three popular activities many families enjoy that we didn’t get to:
- Castillo San Cristóbal – Another historic fort to explore with tunnels and ramparts.
- La Fortaleza (Governor’s Mansion) – Take a guided tour of the historic governor’s residence.
- Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride – A fun way for families to see the city without too much walking.
A day in San Juan with kids is fun, educational, and full of tasty treats. From exploring forts and garitas to wandering colorful streets, visiting historic churches, feeding (or avoiding!) pigeons, and enjoying refreshing icees, this city is perfect for a family adventure in Puerto Rico. Ending the day at the pool and beach at Caribe Hilton made it even more relaxing for everyone.
While San Juan has plenty to keep kids entertained, we also loved exploring the rainforest. For a full day of hiking, waterfalls, and adventure, check out our El Yunque Rainforest with Kids guide.
For a complete overview of all our Puerto Rico family adventures—including beaches, accommodations, and travel tips—don’t miss our full Puerto Rico family travel guide
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