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San Juan LGBTQ City Guide

San Juan is the capital city of Puerto Rico. It is well-known for its tropical beauty, sunshine, and island vibes – but it’s also known as a very gay-friendly, diverse city with much to see and do. Truly, for so many reasons, San Juan would make a wonderful place to call home.

A Look at San Juan's History

Puerto Rico has a long and rich history. Initially a Spanish territory, in 1917, Puerto Rico officially became part of the United States. Since becoming a part of the United States, it has always been an important center for tourism and agriculture, as well as a city full of opportunity and a thriving arts and culture scene. It’s also known for being a friendly, welcoming, and vibrant town with much to see and do for visitors and residents alike.

A Few Fun Facts About San Juan

  • Old San Juan is considered the oldest city in the United States, celebrating its 500th anniversary in 2022.
  • Puerto Rico itself is considered the world’s “oldest” colony and has been considered a colony since its initial discovery by Christopher Columbus in 1493.
  • The governor’s mansion in San Juan is the oldest continuously used executive mansion in the Americas.

Read more fun facts about San Juan and Puerto Rico here.

San Juan’s LGBTQ Community                                         

San Juan is a city that loves and supports its LGBTQ community with a variety of resources, including:

PFLAG Puerto Rico

PFLAG Puerto Rico is the San Juan area’s local chapter of the national PFLAG organization, which is the largest grassroots organization of its kind in the country. PFLAG is well-known for its mission of supporting LGBTQ people, friends, family, and allies across the country in a wide variety of ways. With 500 chapters and more than 200,000 members in the United States, PFLAG plays a critical role in providing advocacy, support, and resources to the LGBTQ community.

What's the Weather Like in San Juan?

As would be expected of a tropical location, San Juan weather is usually sunny, warm, and windy, with plenty of rain. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically ranges from 72ºF to 89ºF. San Juan receives a significant amount of rainfall each year and no snow. For those who love sunshine and warm temperatures, San Juan weather won’t disappoint!

Can’t-Miss Events in San Juan

Gay Pride Puerto Rico

Gay Pride Puerto Rico is the largest annual LGBTQ pride celebration in San Juan, and it’s one celebration you’ll want to be sure to put on your calendar. This annual celebration draws festive and friendly crowds each year, and includes family-friendly entertainment, plenty of vendors, excellent performances, delicious food, and plenty of opportunities to meet friends and have fun!

The Best Neighborhoods in San Juan

The LGBTQ community in San Juan is sprinkled throughout the city, which means that there are many wonderful places to choose from. The entire city is very LGBTQ-friendly, so finding a neighborhood that you like will largely be a matter of budget and personal preference. Condado, Old San Juan, and Santurce are neighborhoods that are especially popular with some in the LGBTQ community, although generally, most neighborhoods in the city are warm and welcoming. The median list price of homes currently for sale in San Juan is around $225,000.

Arts and Entertainment

Old San Juan

Old San Juan is a unique, historical neighborhood full of an eclectic assortment of shops, restaurants, pubs, parks, and more. It’s a beautiful area great for shopping, dining, walking, and enjoying a beautiful San Juan day.

Museo de Arte

The Museo de Arte is the largest art museum in San Juan, and it hosts an impressive collection of art in many genres. The Museo de Arte is more than just an art museum, however. It also hosts concerts, festivals, and other events throughout the year. It’s a wonderful place to spend the day enjoying inspiring art, or an evening, enjoying a wonderful show.

Parks and Recreation

Bioluminescent Bays

Bioluminescence is a phenomenon that can be found in many places all over the world, but there are only five bioluminescent bays in the entire world. Lucky enough, three of them are in Puerto Rico. They are the Fajardo Bioluminescent Bay, La Parguera in Lajas, and Mosquito Bay in Vieques. Seeing the glowing water of these beautiful bays on a dark and starry night is an experience you won’t want to miss!

Catedral de San Juan Batista

Also known as the San Juan Cathedral, the Catedral de San Juan Batista is a historical treasure and the city's most important religious landmark. It is the oldest church still in use in the Americas and has been standing since the 1500s. Visiting it is a unique step back into history, and into the heart of San Juan itself.

San Juan Nightlife

The Bear Tavern

The Bear Tavern opened its doors in 2017, and since then, has been a very popular gay nightspot in San Juan. It prides itself on being a bar where men of all sizes are celebrated, and it is a friendly, laid-back, fun spot for all to enjoy a night out in San Juan.

Oasis Tapas and Lounge

The Oasis, though not specifically an LGBTQ bar, is a very popular San Juan nightspot, and one that you'll definitely want to put on your list for a night out in the city.

Contact a San Juan Gay Realtor Today

If you're ready to make a move to San Juan, at www.gayrealestate.com, we're here to help you take the first step toward finding an agent who knows and loves the community, and who can help you find a home and a neighborhood you'll love. We're proud to have a network of excellent realtors in San Juan, and we would love to help connect you with the right one. Contact a San Juan gay realtor today for a free, no-obligation consultation!

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