In the heart of the Condado
El Canario's Neighborhood

All Three El Canario Hotels are located in the most exclusive area of San Juan, making our everyday low rates even more impressive.

Not only is the Condado a major tourist area, but it is also the most sought-after and prestigious residential area in San Juan and all of Puerto Rico.

Perhaps the true center of Condado is the park at Magdelena Avenue and Cervantes Street - just a block away from the El Canario Inn.

Local residents use this park as their outdoor salon...  and you're welcome to join in to get a taste of local life....

Make sure to pay a special visit to the fountain with the statue of 'Juan Bobo' which portrays a legendary Puerto Rican 'Jibaro' or country bumpkin who constantly entertains children and adults alike.  Here 'Juan Bobo' is at the height of his creativity - trying to use a basket to carry water on his head....    don't get too close or you may get wet before you get to the beach!  

Just to the left of El Canario Inn is the Radisson Ambassador Casino. Here you will also see the restored house of Dr. Ashford which is a refreshing contrast to all of the high-rise condos that line the avenue.

Heading one block back to Ashford Avenue, you will find exclusive shops directly across from the Canario Inn. Just look for the brightly painted cow in front of Oggetti with their very high-design furnishings.

 A new addition is the Piú Bello 'gelatto' cafe which also has sandwiches, breakfast and fantastic Italian/Argentine ice creams in every imaginable flavor.  Open from early morning until late at night, its a neighborhood favorite already....  and right next door is the new 'Medi Spa' to relax after a hard day of sightseeing... A new bookshop is just next door.

Across from the Marriott is the new Starbucks Coffee and a new Gelato Shop.

 The Marriott Hotel and Stellaris Casino has become a focal point for the entire Condado Area.  The parking lot here is also very convenient for guests staying at El Canario Inn or El Canario by the Sea.

  Since El Canario Inn and El Canario by the Sea form 'bookends' at either end of the Marriott - you have access to The Casino, Restaurants, Lobby Bar and Shops of the Marriott without the higher price of their rooms.

Also part of the Marriott complex is the Cherry Blossom - featuring the best in Japanese food including Sushi and Tepenaki Tables. Check out their 'early bird specials'.

The next block has The Greenhouse Restaurant on the corner of Condado Avenue where you turn toward the ocean for El Canario by the Sea.

This intersection is perhaps the most important center of activity in the Condado, since the Walgreen's Drug Store is open 24 hours a day - for whatever you need including the New York Times and Miami Herald....  A new addition next door is  the Latin Star Restaurant - for typical Puerto Rican food at reasonable prices - which is also open 24 hours!

You'll also find an internet cafe on this block.

This is also the corner for the Diamond Palace Casino along with their rooftop Italian Restaurant 'Martinos' with a spectacular romantic view.  

But don't get distracted with too much shopping and eating.....

Condado Avenue ends at El Canario by the Sea and this is perhaps the best beach in the Condado!

The view on the left is from the end of Condado Avenue - toward the newly renovated Renaissance La Concha Hotel. Beach chairs are available for a small charge from the vendors on the beach.  

The view through the palm trees is from the front door of the El Canario by the Sea,,,, Remember, our rooms don't have views like this - there is a condominium between us and the beach.  But who wants to stay in their room when all of this is only 20 steps from your front door?

If we go back to Ashford Avenue, you can continue on toward El Canario by the Lagoon - passing the International Fitness Gym, several very interesting, but slightly funky - beach style shops and bookstores....  Restaurants include 'Cafe del Angel' for local food,  The Burger Joint, Wendy's, Subway, & McDonalds for fast food - and Baskin Robins Ice Cream.. or Dunkin Donuts  anytime you need a break...

For those looking for a healthy choice - check out the newly renovated 'Natural Foods' restaurant just next to Wendy's.

Just a short detour to the left of the 'All in One' mini-mart is the local branch of the U.S. Post Office and a few more elegant restaurants including Ramiros, José José and Cielo Lindo (Mexican). 

Heading back down Ashford Avenue, you will pass Banco Popular,  the luxurious Zen Spa, some very high end shopping and Cartier.  

All of these shops are opposite the new "La Gran Ventana al Mar" or Grand Window to the Sea which is a fantastic new park created where the old convention center used to be located.  This large park offers a great oceanfront promenade and easy access to the beach at the newly renovated 'La Concha' Renaissance Hotel which is schedule to re-open in September, 2007.

When you come to Cartier and Avis, take a left on Joffre Street and you'll soon come to Calle Clemencau and El Canario by the Lagoon.  

Just past El Canario by the Lagoon, you'll find the Condado Lagoon for windsurfing and kyaking....  

But that's not all - if you continue on Ashford Avenue, you'll pass 'Great Taste' Chinese Restaurant, Ajili Mojili - perhaps the most famous restaurant for typical Puerto Rican food (elegant and somewhat pricey) and then Chilis, before coming to the Wyndham Condado Plaza Hotel and Casino with Tony Roma's Ribs and several other dining spots. 

After Condado Plaza, there is a wonderful beach for children where the lagoon meets the ocean - and if you take the walk across the long Dos Hermanos bridge, you'll get a stunning view before coming to the Hilton Hotel & Casino and Normandie Hotel which was built to resemble the classic ocean liner.  

If you need more options or need to be steered to the local nightlife, just ask your front desk manager and they will be happy to make suggestions to help make sure your stay in our very special neighborhood as enjoyable as possible.

If you wan an easy way to get around - just look for one of the bus stops and jump on - its only 75 cents (exact change required).

This page was last updated on July 13, 2007