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. More than 400
restored 16th- and 17th-century Spanish colonial buildings fill Old
San Juan, drawing thousands of tourists who walk the narrow, steep
streets every day. The old town is enclosed by thick, high walls
and features numerous attractive plazas bearing sculptures and
memorials.
Old San Juan
cogito ergo imago
Fort San Felipe del Morro
Built in 1540, the mighty six-level
fortress of San Felipe del Morro towers 140 feet (43m) above the
sea on San Juan Bay, its 18-foot thick (5m) walls having proved a
worthy defence against many an 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. In Old San Juan, stands 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 residence of the governor. During the following
centuries, the original structure has been remodelled and expanded,
with a neoclassical façade being added in 1846 to lend a certain
palatial trait to the place. 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 an overview of the
island's history through the medium of art. The museum also hosts
events such as 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. 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 exile from
Cuba in the 1950s, the Bacardi founders moved to Puerto Rico and
set up a small rum distillery on the outskirts of San Juan. It now
produces 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 tour guides show visitors around a variety
of exhibits and vintage rum stills, as well as explain the
company's history. It 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.
Address:
Bay View Industrial Park
Casa Bacardi Visitor Centre
Qz10
Isla Verde
Isla Verde is San Juan's trendiest 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 hue
that proves irresistible to swimmers and divers. The beautiful
beach boasts soft sand and the shade of tall palm trees, while
visitors can also enjoy world-class spa treatments and a vibrant
nightlife. Isla Verde is home to two of the island's best casino
hotels and a wide range of raucous clubs and bars with live music.
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.
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.
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San Juan's downtown area is old with
charming cobble-stoned roads, great for those wanting to explore on
foot. So just remember to take comfortable walking shoes, or even
hire a bicycle. In fact, many attractions have no convenient
parking spots, making driving downtown frustrating.
The Metropolitan Bus Authority (AMA)
service covers most of San Juan. Several routes, including those
between the old town 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
using a guidebook or professional guide. The city is compact and
flat, meaning it's ideal to explore on foot. Travellers can 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. A note of caution
though is that the island can experience hurricanes during this
period.
Old San Juan
cogito ergo imago
Fort San Felipe del Morro
Farragutful
La Fortaleza
Jerrye & Roy Klotz MD
Museo de Arte
Moebiusuibeom-en
Caribbean National Forest (El
Yunque)
Alessandro Cai
Casa Bacardi Visitor Centre
Qz10
Coral Beach, Isla Verde
cogito ergo imago
