Old San Juan
Encompassing about seven blocks, this area dates back about 500
years to the Spanish occupation when it served as a military
stronghold that even withstood Sir Francis Drake's armies. The
original cobbles on the streets are blue-tinged and were originally
used as ballast on Spanish ships. The ancient stones set off the
more than 400 restored 16th- and 17th-century Spanish colonial
buildings that fill Old San Juan and draw thousands of tourists to
walk the narrow, steep streets every day. The old town is enclosed
in amazingly thick, high walls, and features numerous attractive
plazas bearing sculptures and memorials.
Old San Juan
cogito ergo imago
Fort San Felipe del Morro
The mighty six-level fortress of San Felipe del Morro, built in
1540, towers 140 feet (43m) above the sea on San Juan Bay, its
18-foot thick (5m) walls having proved a worthy defence against
invasion. One of the largest fortifications in the Caribbean, it is
a maze of tunnels, dungeons, barracks, lookouts, and ramps,
offering spectacular views from atop its ramparts. Also in
Norzagaray Street, Old San Juan, is El Morro's partner in defending
the city, Castillo San Cristobal, built in the 17th century to a
confusing and intricate modular design.
Opening time:
9am - 6pm
Fort San Felipe del Morro
Farragutful
La Fortaleza
La Fortaleza was built in 1540 as a fortress to guard the
entrance to the San Juan harbour, but later became the official
Governor's residence. During succeeding centuries, the original
structure has been remodelled and expanded, with a neoclassical
façade being added in 1846 to leave the building with its palatial
aspect. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the
oldest administrative mansion still in use in the New World.
Address:
Fortaleza Street, Old San Juan
La Fortaleza
Jerrye & Roy Klotz MD
Museo de Arte
Puerto Rico's showcase art gallery is housed in a former city
hospital in Santurce and offers a permanent and visiting
exhibition. The aim is to highlight the island's heritage through
the work of local artists, such as Francisco Oller, who studied in
France with Cézanne, and Jose Campeche, a late-18th century
classical painter. The museum has been described as a 'living
textbook of Puerto Rico', providing on overview of centuries of the
island's history through the medium of art. The museum also hosts
events like concerts and festivals throughout the year.
Address:
299 De Diego Avenue, Santurce
Museo de Arte
Moebiusuibeom-en
Caribbean National Forest (El Yunque)
The Caribbean National Forest, 35 miles (56km) east
of San Juan, is the only tropical rainforest in the United States
National Park system and was named El Yunque by the Spanish. Its
28,000 acres contain about 240 different species of tree and
numerous other plants, from tiny, delicate wild orchids to gigantic
ferns.
Visitors can start their visit at the El Portal
Tropical Forest Centre where there are films, exhibits, and
interactive displays on the rainforest. Maps are available of the
dozens of walking trails through the forest, graded according to
difficulty. Nearby is Puerto Rico's best beach, Luquillo Beach,
famous for its soft white sand and towering coconut palms.
Caribbean National Forest (El
Yunque)
Alessandro Cai
Casa Bacardi Visitor Centre
Undoubtedly one of the top tourist attractions in
Puerto Rico, a trip to the Casa Bacardi Visitor Centre is a must
for travellers to San Juan. Following their exile from Cuba in the
1950s, the Bacardi family moved to Puerto Rico and set up a small
rum distillery on the outskirts of San Juan.
Today, that small distillery has grown into the
largest in the world, producing a jaw-dropping 100,000 gallons of
rum per day and 21 million cases per year. Tours of the Casa
Bacardi Visitor Centre last about an hour, as visitors are shown
around a variety of exhibits and vintage rum stills. They will also
be informed about the history of Bacardi rum (including a short
movie).
The tour culminates in a visit to an on-site,
classically-styled bar, where a bartender will show you the proper
methods of preparing Cuba libres and mojitos. The best part? All
visitors receive two complimentary drink tickets, which they can
cash in on ice-cold Bacardi-based drinks. There is also a gift shop
located on the premises, a perfect place to pick up some rum or
Bacardi apparel for friends back home.
Address:
Bay View Industrial Park
Casa Bacardi Visitor Centre
Qz10
Isla Verde
Isla Verde ('Green Island') is San Juan's hippest area and home
to many of its best beach resorts and upmarket hotels. The area's
name is inspired by the colour of the water in its bay: a rich,
green-turquoise shade that will prove irresistible to swimmers and
divers.
While the beautiful crescent-shaped beach, with its soft sand
and tall palm trees, is a tourist attraction in its own right, most
visitors to Puerto Rico will seek out Isla Verde for its excellent
beach resorts, plush hotels, international dining options,
world-class spa treatment facilities, and vibrant nightlife. Isla
Verde is home to two of the island's best casino hotels and a wide
range of raucous night clubs and bars, where live local music is
often staged.
A natural base for well-heeled travellers to San Juan, Isla
Verde makes for a luxurious home away from home during your holiday
in Puerto Rico. A fantastic winter sun vacation destination, Isla
Verde sees most of its tourist activity between December and
January, when days are warm and sunny and there is no threat of
hurricanes or storms.
Coral Beach, Isla Verde
cogito ergo imago
San Juan, like all of Puerto Rico, has a tropical monsoon
climate and enjoys warm, sunny days for most of the year. The
tropical climate ensures an average temperature around 81°F (27°C),
with an average low of only 71°F (22°C) year-round. Humidity runs
continuously at around 80 percent.
The rainy season peaks in August, and rain can be extremely
heavy with each month receiving rain roughly half of its days. The
driest months are February to April. Between August and November
the island is vulnerable to hurricanes.
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
Location: The airport is situated seven miles (12km) east of San
Juan.
Time: Local time is GMT -4.
Transfer Between Terminals:
The terminals are all connected and can be reached on foot.
Getting to the city:
Bus stops are located on the departure level of Terminals A, D,
and E. The AMA bus service and the airport shuttle connect the city
and airport. Taxis are located outside the baggage claim arrivals
areas of Terminals A, B and C.
Car Rental:
Car rental agencies Budget, Enterprise, Avis, Thrifty, National,
Alamo, and Hertz are represented at the airport, amongst
others.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis are available.
Facilities:
Facilities at the airport include a bank, ATMs, restaurants,
bars, and shops (including duty-free). Disabled facilities are
good; those with special needs should contact their airline in
advance.
Parking
Parking is charged at $5 for the first hour, $7.50 for two
hours, $9.75 for the third hour, up to $26.75 for the first day,
and $18 per day thereafter. There is a separate cell phone lot that
allows up to 45 minutes of free parking for drivers who remain in
their vehicle.
San Juan's old, cobble-stoned downtown area is fairly compact
and can be explored on foot (take comfortable walking shoes) or by
bicycle. In fact, many attractions have no conveniently-located
parking, which can make driving downtown frustrating.
The Metropolitan Bus Authority (AMA) service covers most of San
Juan. Several routes, including those between Old San Juan and the
tourist districts, may be useful to visitors. To go farther afield,
visitors can flag down one of the plentiful taxis or minibus taxis
(publicos).
There is a flat-rate system for most destinations in the city,
which often makes getting around by taxi quite economical but most
travellers who want to explore the rest of Puerto Rico opt to hire
a car, with international car rental agencies well represented.
San Juan is the busiest cruise port in the Caribbean and a major
tourist destination for North American travellers. It is a city
with much to offer its visitors: the beauty and history of the old
town, artistic treasures of the Museo de Arte, and sun-soaked
beaches only minutes from the city centre.
The best way to see the sights and experience the city's
attractions is to take a walking tour; either self-directed with a
guide book or led by a professional guide. The city is compact and
flat, meaning it's ideal to explore on foot. Travellers should
remember to take regular rests at the charming piazzas while
exploring the old town. Also, the area can get busy and crowded as
the day wears on.
High tourist season is from December to April, while June to
November is far quieter (although the island can experience
hurricanes during this period).