Puerto Rico’s capital has island beauty its continental counterparts can only dream of. Here, blue waters lap the shores of a city that wears its Spanish, American and Puerto Rican influences on its sleeve. Architecture enthusiasts will find a feast for the eyes in San Juan, from the jubilant colors of the old city to the Art Deco Miami tower in urban Condado. It begs to be explored, and the city’s #3 Walkability ranking pairs beautifully with its #1 Air Quality and a well-deserved #7 Nature & Parks ranking. Unsurprisingly, people are on their way: 2024 was a record year for tourism, with 8% more passenger arrivals to its airport—6.6 million in total. They’re drawn not just to San Juan’s landscape, but also its kinetic nightlife (#37) and myriad shopping destinations (#22), from the glitzy Plaza Las Américas to artisanal shops in Old San Juan. Like all great hosts, the city is focused on improving itself. The poverty rate here is as low as it gets, and grants are available to all local businesses with a storefront. Larger scale, Phase 2 of the Bahía Urbana redevelopment is transforming port facilities into public spaces—bayfront Ferris wheel included.