Angelica's Guidebook
Nightlife
Revitalized after a $3 million renovation, the once dilapidated Santurce market is one of the most popular scenes in town, day and night. The day starts shortly after dawn when bleary-eyed market traders stock up their permanent stalls with homegrown fruits and vegetables from around the island. There’s chayote from Barranquitas, pumpkin from Coamo, pineapple from Lajas, and mango from Mayagüez – all glowing colorful, tasty and fresh in the morning sun.
Materializing mid-morning, inquisitive shoppers arrive en masse to finger and bag the best produce, before sitting down for a hearty lunch in one of the plaza’s many family-run cafes.
At 5pm, with the market winding down, the square undergoes a heady transformation, particularly on Friday. Still dressed in their smart work attire, groups of office clerks roll in to drink, chat, destress and unwind. As the myriad bars fill up, ties are loosened, a salsa band lets rip from a makeshift stage, and a bright and infectious energy infiltrates the crowd. It doesn’t take long for the dancing to start. A shimmy here, a holler there and suddenly the whole plaza is alive with marketing reps kicking off their high heels and slick-haired business analysts salsa-ing into the morning light.
Come 5am there’s few left, save for a handful of all-night revelers nursing premature hangovers and the familiar clatter of early-morning traders setting out their wares for another day of business.
605 locals recommend
La Placita
300 C. dos HermanosRevitalized after a $3 million renovation, the once dilapidated Santurce market is one of the most popular scenes in town, day and night. The day starts shortly after dawn when bleary-eyed market traders stock up their permanent stalls with homegrown fruits and vegetables from around the island. There’s chayote from Barranquitas, pumpkin from Coamo, pineapple from Lajas, and mango from Mayagüez – all glowing colorful, tasty and fresh in the morning sun.
Materializing mid-morning, inquisitive shoppers arrive en masse to finger and bag the best produce, before sitting down for a hearty lunch in one of the plaza’s many family-run cafes.
At 5pm, with the market winding down, the square undergoes a heady transformation, particularly on Friday. Still dressed in their smart work attire, groups of office clerks roll in to drink, chat, destress and unwind. As the myriad bars fill up, ties are loosened, a salsa band lets rip from a makeshift stage, and a bright and infectious energy infiltrates the crowd. It doesn’t take long for the dancing to start. A shimmy here, a holler there and suddenly the whole plaza is alive with marketing reps kicking off their high heels and slick-haired business analysts salsa-ing into the morning light.
Come 5am there’s few left, save for a handful of all-night revelers nursing premature hangovers and the familiar clatter of early-morning traders setting out their wares for another day of business.
live music awaits you at the iconic Esquina Watusi. Known as la esquina del chinchorreo, this local dive showcases local artwork and murals with occasional plena music and other live performances.
58 locals recommend
Esquina El Watusi
801 Cll Elisa Cerralive music awaits you at the iconic Esquina Watusi. Known as la esquina del chinchorreo, this local dive showcases local artwork and murals with occasional plena music and other live performances.
Museums
Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico
299 Avenida José de DiegoHoused in a 1918 schoolhouse with Georgian-style architecture, this two-story museum is dedicated to championing Latin American and Caribbean artists. Each former classroom feature an exhibit based on a theme, from graffiti to graphics.
162 locals recommend
Museum of Contemporary Art of Puerto Rico
Housed in a 1918 schoolhouse with Georgian-style architecture, this two-story museum is dedicated to championing Latin American and Caribbean artists. Each former classroom feature an exhibit based on a theme, from graffiti to graphics.
Arts
Located on Ponce de Leon in Santurce, Luis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center is the island’s premier destination for performing art. There are four major theaters; you can attend ballets, plays, operas and concerts. Also home to the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, CBA hosts the Festival Casals (classical music festival) annually in February.
62 locals recommend
Centro de Bellas Artes Luis A. Ferre
Located on Ponce de Leon in Santurce, Luis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center is the island’s premier destination for performing art. There are four major theaters; you can attend ballets, plays, operas and concerts. Also home to the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, CBA hosts the Festival Casals (classical music festival) annually in February.
This gallery is a major player in Santurce’s Art District, representing the work of Puerto Rican artist in an array of mediums, from sculpture to graffiti.
Galeria Petrus
726 Calle HoareThis gallery is a major player in Santurce’s Art District, representing the work of Puerto Rican artist in an array of mediums, from sculpture to graffiti.
This gallery, which moved from a lime-green historical mansion into a sleek 1930s warehouse space in 2015, has a strong presence in international art fairs and features an impressive roster of both international and local artists.
ROBERTO PARADISE
802 Av. Roberto H. ToddThis gallery, which moved from a lime-green historical mansion into a sleek 1930s warehouse space in 2015, has a strong presence in international art fairs and features an impressive roster of both international and local artists.
My favorite places to eat in Santurce
Owned by chef Mario Ormaza, who studied with acclaimed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, this casual eatery serves up quick and easy bites, such as tacos, empanadas and ceviche. For the best seats, try to grab a table outside on the wooden deck.
134 locals recommend
Tresbé
1765 C. LoízaOwned by chef Mario Ormaza, who studied with acclaimed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, this casual eatery serves up quick and easy bites, such as tacos, empanadas and ceviche. For the best seats, try to grab a table outside on the wooden deck.
Is a vibrant gastronomic oasis filled with locals, music, and delicious food.
224 locals recommend
Lote 23
1552 PR-25Is a vibrant gastronomic oasis filled with locals, music, and delicious food.
La Casita Blanca
351 C. TapiaAcapulco
2021 C. Loíza