Last Updated on June 17, 2022
San Juan, Puerto Rico is an incredibly charming city to explore, whether you are there for a day or a week! The old town is filled with beautiful buildings, winding streets, and of course some of Puerto Rico’s best Instagrammable places!
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That’s why we’ve put together the top 16 Most Instagrammable Places in San Juan, Puerto Rico which you can’t miss on your next trip. Whether you are a professional instagrammer or are just looking to take your vacation photos to the next level, this instagrammable places guide includes everything you need to know about each photography spot in San Juan.
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Table of Contents
Map of the Best San Juan Instagram Spots
Old Town San Juan is a relatively compact area, comprised of winding streets set amongst beautiful old buildings, and perched on the numerous hills of the area. The Instagrammable locations in San Juan are relatively easy to see all in one day, and can even be walked between without much difficulty. It is totally possible to hit most of these San Juan instagrammable places in one day of walking the city.
This map includes all the most instagrammable places in San Juan. Make sure to use it to plan your trip to visit all the best San Juan Instagram spots.
16 Most Instagrammable Places in San Juan, Puerto Rico
We’ve compiled the 16 best Instagram spots in San Juan for every instagrammer and photography lover. These photo spots will help you capture the beauty of the city including the stunning architecture, unique culture and vibrant street art that it is famous for. These Instagram photo locations are sure to make all of your friends want to plan a trip to San Juan for themselves!
Are you looking to learn more about the history of San Juan? There are some great Old San Juan Walking Tours that will take you to many of these locations and teach all about this varied history of this beautiful city!
Puerto Rican Flag Door
Starting off our list of the 16 most Instagrammable places in San Juan with our personal favorite. This famous door of an abandoned building has been painted in multiple iterations of the Puerto Rican flag. It was previously the vibrant red, blue, and white of the flag, but it’s now shown in black and white.
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This black and white mural in San Juan is beautifully juxtaposed against the many brightly colored buildings that are all over the streets of Old San Juan.
Location: Puerto Rican Flag Door
Hours: This San Juan Instagrammable spot is open all the time.
Best Time for Photos: This is quite a flexible photo location for timing, as the door is primarily in the shade throughout the day. On days where there are lots of tourists, or many cruise ships in port, this is one location that can become quite popular.
Tips: Try to use a wide-angle lens or the feature on your phone to capture the full building and to show the top abandoned portion of the building to create more drama and beauty in your San Juan Instagram photo.
Calle Imperial
Not far from the first San Juan Instagrammable photo spot on our list is another Puerto Rican flag mural, this time on a larger door and painted in the vibrant colors on the flag. The doors are located at one end of Calle Imperial, just outside the Museo de San Juan.
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This is a popular San Juan photo location for tours to stop at, or even to just slowly drive by. Here you can take a number of fun photos to celebrate your time spent in Old San Juan. This is an easier location to photograph than the first location as there are fewer cars and you are able to get further away from the mural to add more depth to your photo.
Location: Calle Imperial
Hours: There are no hours restrictions on this San Juan photo spot.
Best Time for Photos: The best time to take photos here is during the early morning or late afternoon for softer light.
Tips: Stand farther away from the flag mural and zoom in as much as you can on your camera to create a sense of drama and depth to your photo, with the Puerto Rican flag in the background.
Umbrella Street San Juan (Paseo de Sombrillas)
The famous Umbrella Street of San Juan is actually located just in front of La Fortaleza, which is the official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico. The street leading up to La Fortaleza is decorated with beautiful and colorful umbrellas during the spring and summer months. If you visit during the offseason you will likely see the street without the umbrellas, which is unfortunate as they are a truly unique location on the list of San Juan Instagrammable places.
Location: Umbrella Street San Juan
Hours: The umbrellas street of San Juan is open all day, however it can be guarded due to its location next to La Fortaleza, and entrance can be restricted.
Best Time for Photos: It’s best to visit this location, one of the most instagrammable spots in San Juan, early in the morning to avoid crowds.
Tips: Plan your trip to San Juan in spring or summer to be sure that the Umbrella Street of San Juan will in fact be covered in colorful umbrellas!
Plaza Colon
This plaza in another important landmark of old San Juan. Plaza Colon was previously the main entrance to the old walled city of San Juan. The walls have since been demolished, but the plaza is still just as beautiful and in the center you will find a monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus.
Opposite the plaza on the eastern side is the stunning Antiguo Casino de Puerto Rico, painted a beautiful light shade of blue to highlight its architecture.
Location: Plaza Colon
Hours: This location on the list of most instagrammable spots in San Juan is open all day.
Best Time for Photos: The best time to take photos here is in the morning. With no buildings immediately surrounding the plaza on the eastern side, the early morning sun will quickly fill the plaza with light.
Tips: In the distance on the north eastern side of the plaza you will see a large stone fortress, which is Castillo de San Cristobal, also on the list of most instagrammable places in Old San Juan!
St. Germain Restaurant
The St. Germain restaurant is a well-known vegetarian restaurant in Old San Juan. It’s not only know for it’s great food but also it’s very Instagrammable exterior, which is why it makes it onto the list of the most Instagrammable photo spots in Old San Juan.
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The best photo angles are straight-on with the palm tree in the photo, or shooting from the corner of the street to capture nearly the full building in your Instagram photo. Have fun and don’t forget to try out the delicious St. Germain menu!
Location: St. Germain Restaurant
Hours: The restaurant hours vary by day. Sometimes it is open early and closes in the afternoon, sometimes it opens later and stays open into the night. Check with St. Germain before visiting.
Best Time for Photos: The best time for photos here is in the late morning once the restaurant is open but isn’t too busy.
Tips: The outside of the building of the restaurant St. Germain is beautiful for pictures, but be sure to visit inside and check out their delicious vegetarian menu. The restaurant has amazing reviews, and it’s important to support businesses that have beautiful instagrammable locations!
Cementerio Santa María Magdalena de Pazzi
The Cementerio Santa María Magdalena de Pazzi is another famous photography location in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The cemetary dates from the mid 1800’s and has a beautiful building with red roof located in the middle, and is located on the rocky coast of the ocean. There are many angles and areas to take photos of this beautiful location, so get creative and find the best angle for you!
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Location: Santa Maria Cemetery
Hours: It’s best to visit this location during daylight hours only.
Best Time for Photos: Great photos can be taken here anytime of day, however early in the morning is preferred for the best light.
Tips: The best location for photos is actually above the cemetery on the walls of the fortress that surrounds this area.
San Felipe del Morro Castle
This San Juan Instagram location has a lot of history and dates to the 16th century when it was first built by the Spanish to fortify their colony here. This is a great place to explore on your own, allowing you to find the perfect San Juan Instagram photo as well as some new angles and viewpoints of the city.
The large grass area outside San Felipe del Morro Castle is also a great place for photos, and is a very popular area to fly a kite.
More Adventures: Check out the castle from the ocean with a sunset catamaran tour!
Location: San Felipe del Morro Castle
Entrance Fee: $10 USD per adult. Children under the age of 15 are free. Includes Castillo de San Cristobal.
Hours: Entrance to San Felipe del Morro Castle is generally between 9:30 AM and 4:30 PM.
Best Time for Photos: The best time for photos is during the morning when there are the fewest number of other visitors.
Tips: This is a United States National Historic Site and you can access the grounds by using your America the Beautiful National Park Annual Pass; don’t forget to pack it on your trip to San Juan!
Castillo de San Cristobal
Castillo de San Cristobal is special because it is the largest fortress to be built in the Americas. It was built to protect the city of San Juan by the Spaniards and the full fortress took over 150 years to complete.
The fort has a number of unique angles and walking along the fort walls and taking Instagram photos with the ramparts is a sure way to capture some incredible photos.
Location: Castillo de San Cristobal
Entrance Fee: $10 USD per adult. Children under the age of 15 are free. Includes San Felipe del Morro Castle.
Hours: Entrance to Castillo de San Cristobal is generally between 9:30 AM and 4:30 PM.
Best Time for Photos: The best time for photos is during the morning when there are the fewest number of other visitors.
Tips: This is a United States National Historic Site and you can access the grounds by using your America the Beautiful National Park Annual Pass; don’t forget to pack it on your trip to San Juan!
More Adventures: Check out one of the most popular Old San Juan Walking Tours!
Plaza de Armas
This plaza was the main square of San Juan in Spanish colonial times. There are some beautiful government buildings that surround the plaza which have great architecture and are painted in the iconic bright colors of Old San Juan.
If you need a break from taking photos on the list of the most Instagrammable spots in San Juan, this is a great place to sit and have a short break, grab a snack and people watch.
Location: Plaza de Armas
Hours: This San Juan Instagram location can be accessed any time of the day.
Best Time for Photos: The best time to take photos here is early in the morning or in the late evening when the sun is setting just above the building tops.
Tips: The Plaza de Armas can get very busy throughout the day and is also frequently decorated or closed for special events or performances.
Plaza Del Quinto Centenario
This a smaller plaza located between San Felipe del Morro Castle and the rest of Old San Juan. The plaza features a very tall monument with clay tiles and was built to pay tribute to the Christopher Columbus’ first voyage.
Location: Plaza del Quinto Centenario
Hours: There are no specific hours for this San Juan Instagram location.
Best Time for Photos: There is no specific time to take photos at this location, however generally speaking there are less tourists and other people at the plaza earlier in the morning.
Tips: On a hot day Plaza Del Quinto Centenario has a splash area with water fountains!
Plazuela La Rogativa
This small plaza has a beautiful monument and stunning view of the San Juan harbor. It’s easy to miss, and a small location, but a great place to stop at and snap a great Instagram photo of San Juan.
Location: Plazuela La Rogativa
Hours: There are no specific hours for this location.
Best Time for Photos: There is no specific time to take photos at this location, however generally speaking there are less tourists and other people at the plaza earlier in the morning.
Tips: There are a lot of stray cats near this location. They may seem friendly, but be careful.
Fuente Raices
Fuente Raices is a fountain located at the end of a long tree-lined promenade. The buildings and design of this area have a bit of European flair. Behind the fountain is the Bay of San Juan, providing a beautiful backdrop to this photography location of San Juan. If you arrive during a time when there are not too many other people at this photo location, it’s best to take a photo along the tree-lined promenade to balance and frame your Instagram photo. If that’s not possible, the fountain itself is beautiful and makes for a great picture location as well!
Location: Fuente Raices
Hours: You can access this San Juan Instagrammable location any time of the day, however if you can visit earlier in the morning when there are fewer tourists, that is the best time to take photos.
Best Time for Photos: Early in the morning for the least amount of people, or in the evening to capture sunset views and a colorful sky.
Tips: If you back up along the tree-lined promenade and use the trees to frame your photo you can create a really cool Instagram photo of San Juan.
Looking for more adventure in Puerto Rico? Book an amazing tour to explore the island!
La Casita de Rones
Located in a small plaza just outside the marina and cruise ship port, La Casita de Rones is a beautiful building that makes for another great Instagrammable photo spot in Old San Juan. This location is also located in the same plaza and the next Instagrammable location on this list!
Location: La Casita de Rones
Hours: This restaurant is open from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM most days of the week.
Best Time for Photos: The best time to take photos at this San Juan Instagrammable photo spot is any time of day. It’s a great flexible location for photos!
Tips: This is a quick and easy snap and is immediately next to the Plaza Darsena Rainbow Arch noted below. Enjoy both Instagram photo locations at the same time!
Plaza Darsena Rainbow Arch
This colorful rainbow arched walkway is a great quick photo stop on the list of most instagrammable places in San Juan. The arch is best to photograph either to or from the marina as you make your way further into Old San Juan.
Location: Plaza Darsena Arch
Hours: You can access this San Juan Instagrammable location any time of the day.
Best Time for Photos: The best time to take photos with this colorful arch is when the sun is shining onto the arch, rather than behind. Therefore later in the afternoon is the best time for this San Juan photo location.
Tips: Many of the San Juan Instagrammable spots are great for using a punch of color in your outfit, and this one is not exception!
More Adventures: Looking for some real adventure? Try a San Juan ATV Tour!
I Love Puerto Rico Sign
If you are looking for one of the most Instagrammable places in San Juan, look no more! This iconic ‘I LOVE PR’ sign is located at the Old San Juan harbor, in front of where the giant cruise ships dock.
This Instagram spot in San Juan is perfect for those arriving by cruise ship, as it is one of the first things that you will see when you get off the ship.
Location: I Love PR Sign
Hours: This San Juan Instagrammable spot is open any time of day.
Best Time for Photos: The best time to take photos here is early in the morning or in the late afternoon when the sun is close to setting.
Tips: This sign is easier to take a photo of when you return to your cruise ship rather than when leaving. Generally most people leave the ship at a similar time and it can get quite busy, however everyone returns at a different time, so your chances of having the I Love PR sign to yourself is higher.
Streets of San Juan
As you make your way through the list of the most Instagrammable places in San Juan you will see that there are so many beautifully colored buildings on the streets of Old San Juan. Buildings are often repainted and freshened up, so you never know what you beautiful building you might find on your trip. It’s best to take some time and just wander the streets, taking in all of the beauty of this city.
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Location: Old San Juan
Hours: Old San Juan is accessible at all times of the day.
Best Time for Photos: The best time for photos of the colorful buildings in Old San Juan can really be whenever you chose. There are so many colorful buildings, that you really just have to get out on foot and explore the side streets of this beautiful city.
Tips: Many buildings can have cars parked in front of them, garbage cans out, or any number of obstacles in front that make it difficult to take a picture-perfect Instagram photo. Experiment with new angles and poses, and take close-up photos with the brightly colored building as an immediate background.
16 Most Instagrammable Places in San Juan, Puerto Rico Summary
Hopefully you found this list of the 16 most Instagrammable places in San Juan helpful! This list is perfect if you are just visiting San Juan for one day as part of a cruise stop, or if you are visiting this beautiful city for multiple days. Did we miss any of your favorite Instagram photo locations in San Juan? Let us know in the comments!
Wonderful pictures. S
Thank you so much Giselle!