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Mind you this was back in 2007, so I’m certain a lot has changed. I agree it is called old San Juan but being as companies like to mislead visitors, the hotel district was considered old San Juan way back when we booked, so out of habit I think I just say downtown.
La Perla is the ghetto. It’s where people go to buy drugs (according to locals who found out we were walking around the area). It’s a rough run down area outside of old downtown San Juan. It’s near the cemetery. The hop on bus stopped my wife & I years ago when they saw us walking around taking pics & warned us to leave once it got dark. We never felt unsafe but it’s known to stay away from that area. >

I’ve noticed people say downtown San Juan but we just say Old San Juan / Viejo San Juan. Where does the downtown thing come from?