San Juan, Puerto Rico City Guide

For over 20 years, Pamela Lanier's San Juan, Puerto Rico Travel Guide has been your connection to San Juan's tourism community with invaluable details on local attractions, restaurants, shopping, museums, history, outdoor recreation and more.

Attractions

Puerto Rico is close to the deepest submarine depression in the North Atlantic Ocean. The Puerto Rico Trench, roughly parallel to the northern coast of the island of Puerto Rico and lying about 75 miles (120 km) to the north. The Puerto Rico Trench is about 1,090 miles (1,750 km) long and 60 miles (100 km) wide. The deepest point in the Atlantic Ocean, the Milwaukee Depth lies within the Puerto Rico Trench, at a depth of 27,493 feet (8,380 meters) in the western end of the trench, about 100 miles (160 km) northwest of Puerto Rico. The origin of the trench can be traced back to the beginning of the Tertiary period. The Puerto Rico Trench appears to be part of a complex system of almost sinister strike-slip faults in the north Caribbean.

To protect the transportation of gold, silver and jewels, on its route from America to Spain, the Spaniards built a series of forts in the Caribbean. The beautiful city of San Juan was founded in 1521. A massive wall and forts were built around the city to protect it from the enemy. The city was used as a stopover for ships that came from Spain and a stronghold to prevent the enemy from taking control of the island and making Puerto Rico an enemy base.

These walls and fortifications are part of the heritage left by Spain to Puerto Rico. Today the cobblestone streets, interior patios, hanging balconies, plazas, and chapels make of this historic city a charming and picturesque place to visit.

San Juan is the largest city in Puerto Rico. It is serviced by the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport which is a short drive from the ocean and the city central to the northwest. Just north of the airport is the Isla Verde beach area and its large, expensive casino hotels.

There are two forts protecting San Juan, one from an ocean attack, the other from land invasion. The largest, which guards the harbor, is El Castillo San Felipe del Morro, usually refered to as EL Morro. A half mile to the east is Fort San Cristobal. Looking east along the coast from the ramparts of San Cristobal one can see all the way to Isla Verde. Looking slightly south you gaze at the old city and the Capitol Building.

Puerto Rico is being called "the success story of the Caribbean." Behind every successful island there are a few good legends. San Juan is much more than casinos and high-rises. Old San Juan in particular is a treasure house of history and lore, a meeting place of cultures, a living museum a century older than Jamestown and Plymouth Rock.

San Juan is a visual treat. Anyone who has never seen the sun bid farewell to San Juan has missed one of God's gifts of the ages. Reddish gold rays reflecting off a crystal blue sea create a heaven-sent kaleidoscope for both artist and photographer.

About this time of day the visitor notices a strange chirping from the trees of the island. The tiny coqui frog--the national symbol of Puerto Rico--has begun its nightly symphony. The coqui, which measures anywhere from one-quarter inch to one inch, is said to have descended from a beautiful bird stripped of its wings by a cruel fate. The bird learned to climb trees for protection, and to this day, it is said, its offspring call out a song of joy at living in this Eden.

A leisurely walk through Old San Juan is one of the most pleasant experiences anyone could have here in Puerto Rico. The colonial architecture of hanging balconies and cobble stone streets make you feel like you have gone back in time. Includes are only some of the nice places to visit in and around San Juan and Old San Juan.

Learn about the different character of Puerto Rico's favorite beaches, or find out where to participate in your favorite sports. All literature and maps of Puerto Rico, and Old San Juan available at La Casita next to Plaza de la Dársena, near Pier 1 are free. The hardest part will be choosing what to do first.

Maybe spend a weekend afternoon at Paseo de la Princesa where local artisans display and sell their work, with live music early Sunday evenings and special occasions. Constructed circa 1630, made of solid sandstone blocks bonded together with mortar, limestone, sand, and water. The strong, heavy wooden door of La Puerta de San Juan (The San Juan Gate), constructed in 1520, was the official entrance for those who came to Puerto Rico during the colonization. Mass would be held not one block away at La Catedral de San Juan to thank God for granting them a safe journey. La Fortaleza was originally built as a defense fort. This small castle has been utilized as the governor’s mansion for centuries. El Morro is a six level castle approximately 140 ft above the sea, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and San Juan Bay. Completed in 1771, the San Cristobal Fort was designed to protect the city from land invasions. Stage performances, plays, ballets, and concerts are a regular event at Teatro Tapia, one of the oldest theaters in the Western Hemisphere.

Old San Juan has a plethora of museums. Art exhibits and collections of historic items can easily be found throughout this historic neighborhood. Highlighted here below are just a few of those historic sites.
- Institute of Puerto Rican Culture presents Puerto Rican paintings and sculptures.
- Museo de Las Americas displays Archaeological findings, Santos (woodcarvings of saints), crafts and more.
- Museo de Arte e Historia exhibits Puerto Rican art and music. Many concerts and festival are held here.
- Casa del Libro displays the art of printing and bookmaking. On display also, is a rare collection of books from the 16th century.
- Formerly a jail, the restored La Princesa, today is the headquarters for the Puerto Rico Tourism Department.
- La Casa Blanca was built as a home for Governor Juan Ponce de Leon who died in Florida before he could live there. His family lived here for 250 years.
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