Santurce

Arts and nightlife district with local culture and La Placita's street party scene. Needs more street smarts than tourist areas like Condado.

Street art murals cover buildings along Calle Loíza, local families shop at La Placita market during the day, and the whole area turns into an outdoor salsa party weekend nights. This is the biggest district in San Juan, mixing working-class neighborhoods with art galleries and some of the city's better restaurants. Calle Loíza has indie shops, craft cocktail bars, and restaurants doing everything from traditional mofongo to fusion. La Placita de Santurce is a market square by day that becomes the nightlife center Thursday through Sunday after 10pm - police close the streets, live salsa plays from every bar, locals and tourists dance in the streets with drinks. You blend in fine here if you're comfortable dancing with strangers. During the day the area is safe for checking out galleries and cafes, though less English than tourist zones. At night stay on main streets like Calle Loíza and La Placita where there are crowds and lights. This is more authentic Puerto Rico with an art scene.