Kaleidoscopic street art and some of the city’s best dancing venues await in this neighborhood exploding with vivacity.
Considered to be the artistic pulse of the city, the colorful neighborhood of Santurce lies across the bridge from San Juan and radiates with an unmistakably hip vibe. Urban through and through, Santurce is in the midst of a renaissance. Eateries, shops, museums, niche stores, and artists are burgeoning in droves inside this neighborhood, making it a hot place for residents hoping to be in the center of the action.
First colonized by Europeans in the 1760s, Santurce is considered part of the San Juan metropolitan area and has long been a convenient location between suburb and city. Recently, however, Santurce has blossomed into one of the most densely populated areas on the island and is known as a haven for creative types.
Santurce is excellent for those just starting out and young professionals — thanks to its plentiful options for housing, specifically its abundance of well-priced, upscale apartments and condos. The closer to the beach buyers get, the more lavish the residences become, and several oceanfront estates boast six-plus rooms and excellent amenities.
Those living in Santurce are less than ten minutes from the Luis Muños MarÍn Airport, within proximity of San Juan’s best commercial areas and right next to the beach. In essence, Santurce is a place for those who want to be right in the middle of all the action. Santurce is home to the most up-and-coming nightclubs, innovative new restaurants, and a fast-growing commercial district.
Living in the metropolitan pulse of San Juan certainly has its benefits, and the sprawling array of great eats and local shopping are a huge hit. Santurce is just ten minutes from Puerto Rico’s premier retail destination —The Mall of San Juan. At this massive retail mecca, shoppers can peruse 100 stores, including high-end brands such as Coach, Banana Republic, Jimmy Choo, and Versace.
There’s a cornucopia of excellent dining choices in Santurce, and many restaurants lie within what’s known as La Placita de Santurce. A must-see for anyone in the area, this plaza is a culinary and nightlife neighborhood that glows as the sun sets and offers epic street food paired with local vendors and merchants. One popular restaurant set in the plaza is Santaella, a visually stunning establishment pioneered by Chef José Santaella, where tropical flavors come to life in every dish.
In the heart of Santurce, Vianda is a farm-to-table eatery fueled by the best produce and ingredients that Puerto Rico has to offer. Sobao is the go-to cafe for a quick bite or a decadent brunch treat, perfect for stopping in on a day out on the town.
Whether you’re walking the creative streets of Calle Loíza and taking in the music, grabbing a bite to eat at the best street food vendor around, Café Tresbé, or expanding your intellectual horizons at one of the many museums, Santurce has a bevy of exciting activities to explore.
Art connoisseurs will want to visit the Puerto Rico Museum of Contemporary Art, known locally as MAC. The collection centers around the creations of artists living during the mid-20th century diasporas of Puerto Rico, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The museum as a whole boasts an unrivaled cultural diversity.
Those more inclined to the musical arts can check out the Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico, which hosts student and faculty concerts and many international artist performances from time to time.
Santurce is home to several excellent schools. Top educational opportunities include:
Maria del Mar Ortiz, or Maria, has been a leader in the financial services industry of Puerto Rico. She began her career as the assistant to Treasurer at BBVA before shifting her focus to the private client side of the industry. Contact Maria today.
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