Travel on a Budget: Discovering San Juan

The pathway along the old fortification walls of the city provide a lovely setting for a stroll day or night. (Puerto Rico Tourism Company)

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.mapr.org/">El Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico</a> has an outdoor sculpture garden three floors of exhibits, ranging from XX to a recreated 1960s barbershop and a cello that belonged to Pablo Casals. (El Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico)

No matter where you are in San Juan, the beach is never very far away.   Photo: Puerto Rico Tourism Company   (Puerto Rico Tourism Company)

Don't miss a visit to Castillo San Felipe del Morro, a 16th-century fort on the outskirts of Old San Juan. Named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983, the fort attracts more than 2 million visitors each year. Be forewarned: it can get pretty windy out there. (Getty Images)

In old San Juan, it's possible to stumble upon an impromptu art gallery down a cobble-stoned side street. (Puerto Rico Tourism Company)

Built in 1521, La Catedral de San Juan Bautista is among the oldest buildings in Puerto Rico. The tomb of Ponce de Leon is located inside. (Wikimedia Commons)

<a target="_blank" href="http://conradhotels3.hilton.com/en/hotels/puerto-rico/conrad-san-juan-condado-plaza-SJUCOCI/index.html">The Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza Hotel </a> is centrally located in downtown San Juan, with the Condado Lagoon on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. Split between two buildings, it features four restaurants, a casino, spa, and great views. (Conrad Condado Hotel )

Blue cobblestone streets criss-cross Old San Juan. (Lisa Rogak)

The Raices Fountain is located at one end of Paseo La Princesa, a wide plaza overlooking San Juan Bay. The fountain, which represents the cultural and racial diversity of Puerto Rico's rich heritage, was unveiled in 1992 to mark the 500th anniversary of the New World. (Lisa Rogak)

Plaza de Armas in Old San Juan is a popular nighttime gathering place for locals and visitors alike. (Puerto Rico Tourism Company)