The best hotels in San Juan
San Juan has 8,000+ places to stay and picking the wrong one means you're stuck in a soulless resort corridor with zero walking access to the city. We reviewed the standouts. these 10 made the cut.
Our Top Picks in San Juan
Click any hotel to check availability and book at the best price.
Casa Sol Bed & Breakfast
Old San Juan, San Juan
Free cancellation & Pay later
Dreamcatcher Guest House
Ocean Park, San Juan
Free cancellation & Pay later
At Wind Chimes Inn
Miramar, San Juan
Free cancellation & Pay later
Condado Lagoon Villas at Caribe Hilton
Condado, San Juan
Free cancellation & Pay later
The Gallery Inn
Old San Juan, San Juan
Free cancellation & Pay later
Intercontinental San Juan
Isla Verde, San Juan
Free cancellation & Pay later
La Concha Renaissance Resort
Condado, San Juan
Free cancellation & Pay later
El San Juan Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton
Isla Verde, San Juan
Free cancellation & Pay later
All Hotels Compared
Side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right hotel. Prices reflect shoulder season averages.
| # | Hotel | City & Area | Price/Night | Score | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Casa Sol Bed & Breakfast | Old San Juan, San Juan | $65–95/night | 7.8/10 | Budget Pick |
| 2 | Dreamcatcher Guest House | Ocean Park, San Juan | $79–99/night | 8.1/10 | Hidden Gem |
| 3 | Hotel Milano | Old San Juan, San Juan | $105–145/night | 8.3/10 | Best Location |
| 4 | At Wind Chimes Inn | Miramar, San Juan | $120–160/night | 8.5/10 | Most Popular |
| 5 | Condado Lagoon Villas at Caribe Hilton | Condado, San Juan | $149–220/night | 8.2/10 | Family Friendly |
| 6 | The Gallery Inn | Old San Juan, San Juan | $159–215/night | 8.7/10 | Romantic Stay |
| 7 | ESJ Towers | Isla Verde, San Juan | $175–230/night | 8/10 | Best Value |
| 8 | Intercontinental San Juan | Isla Verde, San Juan | $199–249/night | 8.4/10 | Business Pick |
| 9 | La Concha Renaissance Resort | Condado, San Juan | $280–420/night | 9/10 | Top Rated |
| 10 | El San Juan Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton | Isla Verde, San Juan | $320–550/night | 9.2/10 | Luxury Pick |
Why These Hotels Made Our List
Every hotel earned its spot. Here's exactly why we picked each one.
Casa Sol Bed & Breakfast
This small guesthouse sits on Calle Sol in the heart of Old San Juan, two blocks from the main plaza. Rooms are basic but clean, with colorful local artwork on the walls. The shared breakfast area gives you a good chance to meet other travelers. Air conditioning works well, which matters a lot in the summer heat. Not glamorous, but honest value for the location.
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Dreamcatcher Guest House
This boutique guesthouse on Calle Tapia in Ocean Park draws a laid-back crowd of solo travelers and couples. The beach at Ocean Park is a short walk away and far less crowded than Condado. Rooms are small but thoughtfully decorated with eclectic furniture. The communal areas and courtyard are genuinely relaxing. Staff give solid local restaurant tips that you will not find on tourist maps.
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Hotel Milano
Hotel Milano is on Calle Fortaleza, one of the most central streets in Old San Juan, and the location is genuinely hard to beat. The building is historic but the rooms are updated with modern fixtures. Street noise can be an issue on weekend nights, so ask for an interior-facing room. The rooftop terrace has good views over the old city toward the bay. A solid mid-range pick for anyone who wants to walk everywhere.
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At Wind Chimes Inn
This Spanish-style inn on Calle Taft in Miramar has a loyal repeat guest base for good reason. The pool courtyard is shaded and well-maintained, making it a proper retreat after a day in the heat. Rooms vary in size so request a larger one when booking. It sits midway between Old San Juan and Condado, which is convenient for getting around by rideshare. Breakfast included in some packages is worth adding on.
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Condado Lagoon Villas at Caribe Hilton
These villa-style units on the Caribe Hilton property give families a lot more space than a standard hotel room. The lagoon-side location means calmer water for kids compared to the open ocean beach. Full kitchens in units allow you to skip restaurant meals when budget calls for it. The Condado strip with its restaurants and shops is a short walk along Ashford Avenue. Check-in can be slow during peak season, so arrive patient.
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The Gallery Inn
The Gallery Inn is a one-of-a-kind property on Norzagaray Street overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the city walls. The building is filled with original sculptures and paintings by the owner, and no two rooms look the same. It is not a hotel for people who want cookie-cutter comfort, but for those who want something genuinely unusual it delivers. The rooftop terrace at sunset is one of the better spots in all of San Juan. Book well in advance because it fills up fast.
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ESJ Towers
ESJ Towers on Isla Verde Avenue puts you steps from one of the best beach stretches in San Juan. The condo-style suites with full kitchens are a smart option for stays of four nights or more. The building has multiple pools and direct beach access, which makes it popular with extended-stay guests. Isla Verde has a more local, less touristy feel compared to Condado. Some units are privately owned so quality can vary slightly, always read recent reviews before booking.
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Intercontinental San Juan
The Intercontinental sits directly on Isla Verde beach and handles both business travelers and vacationers competently. Meeting and event spaces are well-equipped and the conference staff are organized. The pool area and beach are well-maintained and rarely feel overcrowded even in high season. Airport proximity makes it convenient for short trips or early departure days. Rooms are consistent with what you expect from the brand, clean and functional with good beds.
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La Concha Renaissance Resort
La Concha on Ashford Avenue is the most architecturally striking hotel on the Condado beachfront, with its iconic shell-shaped tower dating from the 1950s. The beach here is excellent and the hotel manages the chairs and umbrellas well so it never feels chaotic. Lava restaurant on site is a genuine destination for dinner, not just a hotel convenience. Rooms in the tower have sweeping ocean views that justify the price premium. Service is polished and the pool scene on weekends is lively without becoming overwhelming.
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El San Juan Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton
El San Juan Hotel on Isla Verde Avenue is the gold standard luxury property in Puerto Rico and has been since it opened in 1958. The lobby with its mahogany woodwork and chandelier is genuinely impressive and sets the tone for the whole stay. The beach is wide, well-serviced, and the ocean water here is clear. Bars and restaurants on property are all high quality, particularly the outdoor bar near the pool. This is the right choice if budget is not the deciding factor and you want the best the island offers.
Check AvailabilityWhere to Stay in San Juan
The neighborhood you pick matters more than the hotel.
Old San Juan: where to stay and what to skip
Old San Juan is one of the most walkable neighborhoods in the Caribbean. You can cover El Morro, Castillo San Cristóbal, Calle del Cristo, and Paseo de la Princesa all on foot in a single morning. Hotels here sit inside 16th and 17th century buildings, which means charm, but also small rooms and tricky parking.
The best blocks to stay on are within a 5-minute walk of Plaza de Armas or along Calle San Francisco. Avoid anything marketed as 'Old San Juan adjacent' that's actually in Puerta de Tierra, which is a 20-minute walk with nothing interesting in between. Gallery Inn and Hotel Milano are both genuinely inside the walled city and worth what they charge.
Condado vs. Isla Verde: the beach neighborhood breakdown
Condado is more connected to real San Juan life. Ashford Avenue has local restaurants, pharmacies, and coffee shops, and you can walk to Santurce's art district in about 20 minutes. The beach at Condado is narrower than Isla Verde but still good, and La Concha Renaissance sits right on it.
Isla Verde has the wider, more resort-style beach and better offshore snorkeling around the reef near El San Juan Hotel. But it's a bubble. You need a car or Uber for basically everything beyond the hotel strip on Avenida Isla Verde. If you want to stay in and decompress, Isla Verde works great. If you want to actually explore the city, Condado serves you better.
Budget travel in San Juan: what $65-120/night actually gets you
Casa Sol in Old San Juan and Dreamcatcher in Ocean Park are both legit options under $100/night. Casa Sol puts you inside the walled city within 8 minutes walk of El Morro. Dreamcatcher is a 3-minute walk from Ocean Park Beach on Calle McLeary, with a genuinely welcoming atmosphere and a crowd that tends to be solo travelers and couples over 30.
Skip the budget motels along Route 26 near the airport. They look cheap online but you'll spend $15-20 per Uber ride every time you want to go anywhere, which kills your savings fast. At Wind Chimes Inn in Miramar is another solid mid-range play at $120-160/night, and Miramar puts you 10 minutes by Uber from both Old San Juan and Condado Beach.
San Juan for first-timers: the one-week neighborhood strategy
Stay in Old San Juan for your first 2-3 nights. Walk Calle del Cristo, eat at Marmalade on Calle Fortaleza, and do the forts early before the cruise ship crowds arrive around 10am. Then consider moving to Condado or Ocean Park for the beach portion of your trip.
The biggest first-timer mistake we see is booking a resort in Isla Verde for the whole week and barely leaving the property. San Juan's food scene in Santurce around Calle Loíza, the street art, the local beach culture at Ocean Park: you miss all of it from a Isla Verde resort. Split your stay if you can.
Romantic stays in San Juan: beyond the resort brochure
The Gallery Inn on Calle Norzagaray in Old San Juan is the best romantic hotel on this list. Full stop. It's a converted 18th-century mansion with a rooftop view of the Atlantic that genuinely stops conversation. Rooms run $159-215/night, which is remarkable given what you're getting.
For a splurge, La Concha Renaissance in Condado does romance well with a beachfront pool and serious cocktail game at their Perla restaurant. But if you want atmosphere that no resort can manufacture, the narrow streets of Old San Juan at night, with the blue cobblestones and lit fortifications, are hard to beat. Walk to El Batey bar on Calle del Cristo after dinner. You'll understand.
Business travel in San Juan: location and logistics
Most corporate events and conferences in San Juan happen in the Condado-Miramar corridor or at the convention center near Isla Verde. InterContinental San Juan on Isla Verde puts you 10 minutes from the Puerto Rico Convention Center and has reliable WiFi and actual business amenities, not just a desk wedged next to the minibar.
At Wind Chimes Inn in Miramar is a smarter pick if you want character without sacrificing location. Miramar sits between Old San Juan and Condado, and you can get to either in under 10 minutes by Uber for $8-12. The inn has parking, which matters in this city, and the neighborhood is quiet enough that you can actually sleep before an early meeting.
San Juan's best neighborhoods
Old San Juan is where you want to be if you're here for culture, food, and walkability. If the beach is the priority, Isla Verde and Condado both deliver, but they feel completely different from each other.
Old San Juan 3 vetted hotels History, cobblestones, and the best food in Puerto Rico.
History, cobblestones, and the best food in Puerto Rico.
Old San Juan is a 7-square-block UNESCO-listed neighborhood ringed by 16th-century Spanish walls. You can walk from the Paseo de la Princesa along the bay to El Morro in about 20 minutes, passing some of the best restaurants and bars on the island along the way.
Hotels here are inside historic buildings, which means personality but also quirks. Rooms can be small, AC units older than you'd like, and parking is a genuine hassle. The Gallery Inn on Calle Norzagaray and Hotel Milano on Calle Fortaleza are both worth the trade-offs. Casa Sol is the budget option and it holds its own.
Avoid the blocks just outside the old wall near the cruise pier. They're fine during the day but lack the energy of the interior streets, and the proximity to departing cruise passengers makes for noisy mornings. Stay inside the walls.
Condado 2 vetted hotels The beach-meets-city balance that most visitors actually want.
The beach-meets-city balance that most visitors actually want.
Condado sits on a narrow strip of land between the Atlantic and Condado Lagoon, about 10 minutes east of Old San Juan by car. Ashford Avenue is the main drag, lined with restaurants, shops, and hotels ranging from guesthouses to full resorts. It has more day-to-day infrastructure than any other beach neighborhood in the city.
La Concha Renaissance is the top hotel here, sitting right on the beach with a pool that's as good as any in Puerto Rico. Condado Lagoon Villas at Caribe Hilton is on the other side of the lagoon, on a private peninsula near Puerta de Tierra, and families consistently rate it above similar resorts in Isla Verde.
Hotel prices in Condado run $10-40/night more than Ocean Park for comparable rooms, but you're paying for Ashford Avenue access and the general buzz. January through March is when prices spike hardest here, sometimes 60% above October rates.
Isla Verde 2 vetted hotels The widest beach, the biggest resorts, and not much else nearby.
The widest beach, the biggest resorts, and not much else nearby.
Isla Verde is San Juan's resort row. Avenida Isla Verde runs parallel to a genuinely excellent beach, and the hotels here are larger and more amenity-heavy than anywhere else in the city. El San Juan Hotel is the standout: a Hilton Curio property that's been a landmark on this beach since 1958 and earns every dollar of its $320-550/night rate.
ESJ Towers offers actual apartment-style suites at $175-230/night, which makes more sense for longer stays or families who want a kitchen. The InterContinental is the business pick of the neighborhood, 10 minutes from the Puerto Rico Convention Center with proper conference facilities and reliable service.
The honest downside: Isla Verde is car-dependent. The nearest grocery store is a 10-minute drive. Old San Juan is 20-25 minutes away. If you want to be in Puerto Rico rather than just near it, you'll feel the disconnect after a few days.
Ocean Park & Miramar 2 vetted hotels Quieter, cheaper, and more local than anywhere else on this list.
Quieter, cheaper, and more local than anywhere else on this list.
Ocean Park sits between Condado and Isla Verde and is almost entirely residential. The beach here, stretching along Calle McLeary, is longer and less crowded than Condado. It's where locals actually swim. Dreamcatcher Guest House is 3 minutes walk from the sand and draws a mix of solo travelers and couples who found out about Ocean Park from someone who actually lives here.
Miramar is inland, separated from Condado by the lagoon. It's not a beach neighborhood, but it's central. At Wind Chimes Inn on Calle Taft sits in a quiet residential block and is 8 minutes by Uber to Old San Juan and 6 minutes to Ashford Avenue in Condado. The price, $120-160/night, is some of the best location-value on this list.
Both neighborhoods are dominated by guesthouses and small hotels rather than resorts. That means less poolside service but more local flavor, better coffee in the morning, and staff who actually know the city. Ocean Park rates run $40-70/night below comparable Condado hotels.
Best Areas by Vibe
Tell us how you travel and we'll point you to the right part of San Juan.
Romantic
Old San Juan's Calle Norzagaray at night, with fort walls lit up and the Atlantic below, is the most atmospheric spot in the city for couples. The Gallery Inn is the obvious base, but even a dinner at Marmalade on Calle Fortaleza will do the work.
Culture
Santurce is where San Juan's contemporary art scene lives, centered around the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico on Avenida De Diego and the street murals near Calle Loíza. Stay in Old San Juan and take the 15-minute Uber over. it's worth the trip.
Family
Condado Lagoon Villas at Caribe Hilton gives kids a private beach, a lagoon, and enough space to run around without getting lost in a crowd. The Hilton's peninsula location near Puerta de Tierra keeps families self-contained without feeling totally cut off from the city.
Budget
Ocean Park on Calle McLeary has the best ratio of beach access to price on the island, with Dreamcatcher Guest House coming in under $100/night. You're 5 minutes from the water and 10 minutes by Uber from Old San Juan.
Beach
Isla Verde Beach along Avenida Isla Verde is the widest, most consistently clean stretch of sand in the city, backed by the El San Juan Hotel's towering palms. The reef just offshore is decent for snorkeling and keeps the waves manageable.
Foodie
Old San Juan's restaurant density along Calle del Cristo, Calle Fortaleza, and Plaza San José is unmatched in Puerto Rico. Stay here and you're 3-8 minutes walk from everything from mofongo at La Fonda del Jibarito to tasting menus at Marmalade.
Location Quality
Is the neighborhood walkable? Are restaurants, shops, and attractions within 10 minutes on foot? How does it feel after dark? We evaluate safety, public transport access, and whether the area has genuine local character or just tourist traps. A hotel in the wrong neighborhood ruins a trip. That's why location carries the most weight.
Value for Money
We compare what you pay against what you get. A €150 hotel with a great location, clean rooms, and helpful staff can outscore a €500 hotel with fancy amenities in a bad area. We factor in seasonal pricing, cancellation policies, and hidden costs like tourist tax and breakfast surcharges. The goal is finding the best ratio, not the lowest price.
Guest Experience
We analyze thousands of verified guest reviews across multiple platforms, looking for patterns rather than individual complaints. Consistent praise for cleanliness, staff, and room quality counts. We also assess the intangibles: does the hotel have character? Would you recommend it to a friend? A soul-less chain hotel with perfect facilities still loses to a well-run boutique with personality.
When to Visit San Juan
When to visit San Juan and what to pay.
Peak Season (December-April)
This is when mainland Americans flee winter, and San Juan hotels know it. Prices in Condado and Isla Verde jump 50-70% above fall rates, and Old San Juan books out weeks ahead. San Sebastián Street Festival in January is a highlight but adds serious pressure on Old San Juan hotels. Book 6-8 weeks out minimum.
Spring Shoulder (May-June)
May and June are genuinely the sweet spot. Crowds thin after Easter, prices drop 20-35%, and the weather is warm without the humidity spike of late summer. Casals Festival runs through parts of June at the Centro de Bellas Artes in Santurce, bringing music fans but not the resort-flooding crowds of peak season. Beaches like Ocean Park are uncrowded and the water is perfect.
Hurricane Season (July-October)
September and October offer the lowest hotel rates of the year, with rooms that run $250/night in January sometimes dropping to $90-130/night. The risk is real: September is statistically the most active hurricane month. But many years see only rain showers and not a full storm. Travel insurance is non-negotiable if you book during this stretch.
Winter Warm-Up (November)
November is arguably the best single month to visit. Hurricane season technically ends November 30, crowds haven't built yet, and temperatures sit at a comfortable 24-29°C. Prices are 25-40% below December rates with essentially the same weather. Old San Juan has breathing room, and you can actually get a table at Marmalade without a week-out reservation.
Booking Tips for San Juan
Insider tips for booking hotels in San Juan.
Book Old San Juan hotels 6-8 weeks out for January
San Sebastián Street Festival draws over 100,000 people to a 7-block neighborhood over 4 days in mid-January. Hotels within the walled city sell out completely, and anything left jumps to $300+/night. If your trip overlaps with San Sebastián, either book early or stay in Condado and Uber in. it's only $10-12 each way.
Skip the hotel breakfast in Isla Verde resorts
Resort breakfast at El San Juan Hotel or InterContinental typically runs $28-45 per person. Instead, Uber 15 minutes to Kasalta Bakery on Calle McLeary in Ocean Park. It's a San Juan institution, full of locals, and your entire breakfast will cost under $12. The mallorcas and cafe con leche are genuinely worth the trip.
Understand the parking reality before booking in Old San Juan
Old San Juan hotels rarely include parking, and street spots don't exist in any practical sense. The Doña Fela garage on Calle Gilberto Concepción de Gracia charges $15-20/day and fills up. If you're flying into Luis Muñoz Marín and renting a car, seriously reconsider. Take a $22 taxi to Old San Juan and rent a car only for the days you're leaving the city.
Use Uber over taxis for airport runs
Official white taxi cabs from the airport to Isla Verde are fixed at $12, to Condado $20, and to Old San Juan $24. Uber often runs $3-6 cheaper and you don't have to negotiate. The airport Uber pickup is on Level 1 of the terminal, follow the rideshare signs, and expect a 5-10 minute wait.
Shoulder season in May gives you near-peak weather for 35% less
The period from May 1 to mid-June sits in a pricing gap that most visitors miss. Hurricane season hasn't started, schools are still in session on the mainland, and hotel rates drop significantly. A room at La Concha Renaissance that runs $350/night in February can be $220-240/night in May with identical weather. Book direct with the hotel for the best rate during this window.
Ocean Park beach is better than Condado for most of the week
Condado Beach gets crowded on weekends with locals from across the metro area, especially the stretch near Ventana al Mar park. Ocean Park beach, accessible from Calle McLeary or Calle Loíza, has more space, softer sand, and rarely gets packed even on Saturdays. It's 10 minutes by foot from Condado hotels or a $6 Uber from anywhere on Ashford Avenue.
Hotels in San Juan — FAQ
Everything you need to know before booking hotels in San Juan.
What's the best neighborhood to stay in San Juan?
Old San Juan wins if you want walkability and character. You're 5 minutes from El Morro, the cobblestone streets of Calle del Cristo, and some of the best restaurants on the island. Condado and Ocean Park are better for beach access, with prices running $30-60/night cheaper than comparable rooms in the historic district.
When is the cheapest time to book a hotel in San Juan?
September and October are your cheapest months. Hotels that run $250/night in January can drop to $110-140/night in the fall. The trade-off is hurricane season, but most years you'll get sunshine with the occasional afternoon shower rather than a full storm.
How far is Luis Muñoz Marín Airport from the main hotel areas?
Isla Verde is the closest, about 10 minutes from the airport on Route 26. Old San Juan is 20-25 minutes by taxi, which typically runs $20-25. Condado sits in between, roughly 15 minutes and around $18 by cab.
Is Isla Verde worth staying in?
It depends what you're after. Isla Verde Beach on Avenida Isla Verde is legitimately beautiful, and ESJ Towers and El San Juan Hotel both have strong enough offerings to keep you engaged on-site. But you're car-dependent here. Without a rental, getting to Old San Juan means a $20+ taxi or a slow public bus ride on Route 53.
Is it safe to walk around San Juan at night?
Old San Juan, Condado along Ashford Avenue, and Ocean Park near Santa Ana Street are all safe and lively after dark. Santurce has some excellent bars and restaurants around Calle Loíza, but stick to the well-lit blocks at night. Avoid the stretch just east of Puerta de Tierra after 10pm.
What's the difference between Condado and Ocean Park?
Condado is slicker, more developed, with big hotels lining Ashford Avenue and a beach that's decent but sometimes crowded. Ocean Park is quieter, mostly guesthouses and local families, with a longer and less-packed beach. Prices in Ocean Park average $40-70/night less for a comparable room.
Do hotels in San Juan include breakfast?
Most of the big resorts in Condado and Isla Verde don't include it by default, and their in-house breakfast can run $25-40 per person. Guesthouses like Dreamcatcher in Ocean Park and Casa Sol in Old San Juan typically include or offer breakfast at a much lower cost. Always check the rate details before assuming.
What's the best way to get around San Juan without a car?
The Tren Urbano metro line connects Santurce and Hato Rey to the University district, but it doesn't reach Old San Juan or the beach zones. AMA buses cover most of the city for $0.75 a ride, though they're slow. Ubers are reliable, and a ride from Condado to Old San Juan runs $8-12.
Are there family-friendly hotels in San Juan?
Condado Lagoon Villas at Caribe Hilton sits right on its own peninsula near Puerta de Tierra, with a private beach and lagoon that kids genuinely love. You're 15 minutes by car from Old San Juan, and the resort has enough space that kids aren't tripping over strangers. Rates run $149-220/night, which is competitive for what you get.
When is San Juan's peak tourist season?
Mid-December through April is peak season, driven by US mainland visitors escaping winter. Hotel rates jump 40-70% during this stretch, especially around Christmas week and Presidents' Day in February. Book anything in Old San Juan or Condado at least 6-8 weeks ahead if you're traveling in January or February.
Is parking available at hotels in Old San Juan?
It's hit or miss and almost always extra. Old San Juan has narrow streets and very limited hotel parking. The Doña Fela parking garage on Calle Gilberto Concepción de Gracia is the most reliable public option at around $15-20 per day. If you're staying in Old San Juan, seriously consider skipping the rental car entirely.
What local events should I know about before booking?
Casals Festival in June brings classical music fans to the Centro de Bellas Artes in Santurce and pushes up hotel prices citywide. San Sebastián Street Festival in January packs Old San Juan's plazas with 100,000+ people over four days. Book 3 months out if your trip overlaps with either. Semana Santa (Easter week) also sells out fast.