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Top 15 Places to Visit in Río Piedras

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Río Piedras

Day Trip Ideas in San Juan’s Best College Town

During a study abroad program in college I spent five weeks studying at the University of Puerto Rico – Río Piedras. I had a fantastic experience, and a lot of that was because of my experience in the Río Piedras area.

While not generally the most popular place for tourists to visit in the San Juan metropolitan area, there’s plenty of things to do in Río Piedras perfect for a fun day trip.

Río Piedras is one of the oldest neighborhoods in San Juan. For years it connected the Spanish colonialists in San Juan and local agricultural workers outside of city limits, serving as a commercial connection between the two. Nowadays the area has less regional influence, but the city remains a key part of the island’s history. The city of Río Piedras as a whole is very walkable. Our whole school group explored the area for weeks on foot and never had any issues.

Additionally, as a bonus, the Tren Urbano has a station right in the middle of Río Piedras! All of the places listed here are accessible with just a short walk from the rail station.

To make it even easier to visualize the opportunities in the area, I’ve created a custom Google Map that includes all of the locations and information from this article. You can find it attached at the bottom of this post.

Here are some of my favorite places to visit in Río Piedras:

University of Puerto Rico – Río Piedras

University of Puerto Rico – Río Piedras (Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Río Piedras)

The University of Puerto Rico – Río Piedras was founded in 1903, and is both the oldest and the largest higher learning institution in the Caribbean, with about 14,000 enrolled students. The school boasts some incredible architecture on its campus as well, with the beautiful clock tower as a central attraction. The gates remain open year round, and strolling around the campus will be well worth your time (just make sure to stay where visitors are welcomed and not where students are working). 

  • Address: 6, 2526 Av. Universidad #601, San Juan, 00925, Puerto Rico
  • Hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
  • Website: http://www.uprrp.edu/

Read more about my study abroad experience at the University of Puerto Rico – Río Piedras here!

Museum of History, Anthropology, and Art (Museo de Historia, Antropología y Arte)

This impressive museum is located on the campus of the University of Puerto Rico – Río Piedras next to the University Tren Urbano Station. It’s open from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm most days, and admission is free to the public. The exhibits offer an interesting window into the island’s history and culture, and I highly recommend stopping by. 

  • Address: Universidad de Puerto Rico Río Piedras Campus 6 Avenida Universidad Esq, calle Mangó, San Juan, 00925, Puerto Rico
  • Hours: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
  • Website: http://museo.uprrp.edu/
University Plaza

University Plaza (Plaza Universitaria)

Located right across the street from the main gates of the University of Puerto Rico – Río Piedras, the University Plaza is a newer extension of the main campus. It is home to university dormitories, along with classroom and office space. On the ground floor of the plaza there are a few restaurants to stop at for a bite to eat as well.

  • Address: Plaza Universitaria, Cll Pedreira, San Juan, 00925, Puerto Rico
  • Hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
  • Website: http://www.uprrp.edu/

Looking for a place to stay in Río Piedras? Check out Booking.com for great deals!

Río Piedras Campus Sports Complex (Complejo Deportivo del Recinto de Río Piedras)

The University of Puerto Rico – Río Piedras’s official sports complex has it all. There are tennis courts, two tracks, soccer fields, baseball and softball fields, and a pool and basketball courts across the street. The complex is a great place for a stroll or a run, and I was even able to join a pick-up soccer game one afternoon while I was there too.

  • Address: CX53+J5J, Av. Barbosa, San Juan, 00931, Puerto Rico
  • Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
  • Website: http://www.uprrp.edu/

Arrope Café

Arrope Café was one of the most popular restaurants to eat at for our study abroad group, and for good reasons. With excellent breakfast and lunch options at reasonable prices, Arrope Café is a great place to fill up with some tasty food.

  • Address: 51 Consuelo Carbo, San Juan, 00925, Puerto Rico
  • Hours: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
  • Website: http://arropepr.com/

El Boricua

Perfectly situated between the University of Puerto Rico – Río Piedras and the main areas of Río Piedras, El Boricua is a highly popular place for both students and community members to gather. The restaurant and bar offers free live music on select nights during the week. For example, while I was staying in Río Piedras we’d go listen to bands play the traditional Puerto Rican musical genre plena on Tuesday nights.

Río Piedras Tren Urbano Station

Río Piedras Tren Urbano Station

One of two Tren Urbano stations in the area (the University station being the other), this rail stop puts you right in the heart of the city of Río Piedras. Not only does it connect you to major points of interest in Río Piedras, but you can travel to other areas of San Juan from here as well.

Church in the Plaza de la Convalecencia

Church in the Plaza de la Convalecencia (Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Pilar)

When you step out of the Río Piedras Tren Urbano station, the first thing to catch your eye is the beautiful Catholic church right across the street. Originally a parish, parts of the church have been destroyed and rebuilt various times over the years. The architecture is incredible and the cathedral is a must-see stop in the city.

Casa de Cultura Profesora Ruth Hernández Torres

Casa de Cultura Profesora Ruth Hernández Torres

Named after the University of Puerto Rico – Río Piedras professor who was instrumental in its establishment, the Casa de Cultura Profesora Ruth Hernández Torres is a two-story, salmon-pink colored building used as an important community center. Located right next to the Plaza de Convalecencia in the heart of Río Piedras, the center offers a variety of community events, including historic tours. If the doors are open feel free to stop by, or check their Facebook page for latest updates on events they’re hosting.

Georgetti Heladería

Georgetti Heladería

Of all the different places to visit in Río Piedras, Georgetti Heladería was the place I found myself coming back to the most while I was living in the area. The ice cream sold here is incredible, and along with standard flavors they also offer Caribbean favorites such as guayaba, papaya, coconut, mango, and pineapple (mango is my personal favorite). They only accept cash or ATH Movil though, so be sure to carry a couple of extra bucks with you when you go.

Plaza del Mercado de Río Piedras Rafael Hernández Marín

This enormous indoor market has something for everyone. With multiple shops inside selling all sorts of different products, the market is a great place to find local food and groceries, homemade items, and everything in between. The market even hosts different festivals during the year, and often has live music.

Plaza del Mercado de Río Piedras
Entrance to the Paseo de Diego
Commercial Centers in Río Piedras

Paseo de Diego

The Paseo de Diego is a street in Río Piedras that used to be one of the largest commercial centers in the area. As the first fully outdoor pedestrian mall in San Juan, the Paseo had busy shops, theaters of all types, and apartments lining the street. Although the area isn’t the same bustling shopping center it was for years, there’s still plenty of stores and restaurants to make the trip worth it. 

  • Address: 109 C. De Diego, San Juan, 00925, Puerto Rico
  • Hours: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm

El Churro Bar

Craving Mexican food and drinks for dinner? El Churro Bar is the place to go. Located in between the Paseo de Diego and the Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Pilar, El Churro Bar is your one stop shop for a refreshing Jarrito, tasty churro, or traditional Mexican dishes and sweets. 

Capetillo Park (Parque Capetillo)

Parque Capetillo is an urban agricultural project located in a neighborhood of residents primarily of Dominican descent. The site has become an important community space for all of Río Piedras though. They offer guided tours through the agricultural and forestry areas, and sell the products grown in the orchard and in the garden to the community.

University of Puerto Rico Botanical Garden (Jardín Botánico de la UPR)

Even though the University of Puerto Rico Botanical Garden isn’t as close to central Río Piedras as the other destinations listed here, it’s too good of an attraction to leave out. Split into two sections (North and South) over almost 300 acres of land, the Botanical Garden contains more than 30,000 plants, as well as lakes, waterfalls, trails, sculptures, and native and endangered species. There is also an information center and gift shop on site. Guided tours, workshops, seminars, conferences, and exhibits are offered for students, the community, and the general public, typically with reservations.

Linked here as well is a custom Google Maps that shows all of our recommendations for the best things to do near Tren Urbano stations, allowing you to transit travel to the fullest in San Juan! The map includes all of the locations listed above in the Río Piedras area as well.

Use this link to access the map in a new tab – https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1GZoLiowS8StZzYvxDNMNMw6_xKpUZMA&usp=sharing

I had a great time staying in the Río Piedras area during my study abroad program, and highly recommend visiting the area during your trip to Puerto Rico! Feel free to share your experiences in Río Piedras in the comments below or any place you think should be added to the list!

Looking for more ideas of things to do in San Juan? Check out Viator.com for great deals on the best tours and activities!

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