A blog on the fifty places that are a must when visiting Old San Juan! Some background information and ideas as well to help you when picking things to do or see at Old San Juan. We hope you enjoy!

La Fortaleza: this is known as the governor’s palace. It was built between 1532 and 1540 for defensive reasons by foreign attacks. It served as a military fortress until 1845. This marvelous structure is a great tourist attraction. The history attracts various people. Not only the history, but the beauty of the outside and neoclassical interiors.  

 Castillo San Cristobal: it is located in the entrance of San Juan Bay. The place was laid in 1539, but the six-level fortification was not complete until 1787. This is also a tourist attraction which people like to visit to study the history of the attacks. If you visit Puerto Rico you should definitely come and visit the beautiful forts and learn about their exiting history.  

    

Bastion de San Fernando: This bastion is located right next El Morro, with a view to the ocean. It was used as a platform for artillery. 

 El Hamburger: Every person who has gone to San Juan knows this marvelous restaurant. El hamburger is located in Puerta de Tierra near the popular surfing beach El Escambron. It has not only excellent burger but also a nice view and great service. You can’t leave San Juan before eating a burger here. 

Fuerte San Geronimo: Built during the 17th century, San Geronimo became part of San Juan's first line of defense. San Geronimo was built to replace the original Boquerón that was used by the Spanish to defend the city of San Juan from attacks by Sir Francis Drake in 1595 and George Clifford in 1598 who managed to destroy it. 

Plaza Darsena is located right outside the city walls near the beautiful Paseo La Princesa it is a lively place filled with food and souvenir vendors. Plaza Darsena is great place for seniors to gather, on Saturday nights they gather to play dominoes and dance to live music.

Catalino(Tite) Curet Alonso that lived from 1926 to 2003 was a Puerto Rican composer of salsa popular music. Even though that Tite Curet spent most of his life living in the United States this statue shows him sitting in his favorite bench at Plaza de Armas in San Juan Puerto Rico. 

The Polvorin Santa Elena is located on next to the Castillo San Felipe del Morro. The main purpose of Polvorin Santa Elena was to store the forts ammo. The Polvorin is a great historical figure of the fort.

                                 La Mallorquina is a restaurant

                                that was founded in 1848. It has 

                                been open and running without problems 

                                from 1936 till 2012. This was a place 

                                for reunions of politicians and men 

                                from the states at different ages.

                                



                               

                                

Capilla del Cristo - Capilla del 

Cristo is a chapel which is now a 

landmark, it was originally built in 1753 and is a fairly small, but historical chapel. it is located at the end of Cristo street next to the Parque de las Palomas in Old San Juan.

Museo del niño: it is located in front of the San Juan cathedral, and it opened its doors on 1993 to the public. This amazing museum is filled with pictures and exhibits for children to interact with in all three floors. Children who go on field trips or kids that go there always have a good time and learn new things. If you visit San Juan you should definitely take your children there.

 La Rogativa: one of the many tourist attraction in San Juan is la Rogativa and here you will se beautiful bronze statues of a Bishop and three women in a procession. It is claimed to be one of the top ten things to visit in San Juan. Meant to honor the legend of San Juan, which go far back as 1797. 

    

Parque Luis Munoz Rivera: this 27.2-acre recreational public park is named after statesman Luis Muñoz Rivera. This park is used for public activities. It has a playground for children to play all they want. If you have children you should definitely go and visit it, plus it is also right next door to the beach.

Plaza del Quinto Centenario: this plaza next to el Morro was built in 1992 at the highest point in San Juan. It was made to honor the 500^th anniversary of the arrival of Christopher Columbus in Puerto Rico. It also has a very famous structure known as el Tótem Telúrico. If you go to San Juan you are definitely going to see it. It is also a big tourist attraction and you can also play with the water in the fountains there. 

         

Casa Blanca: it is the oldest museum in Puerto Rico built in 1521 and considered to be great in historical value. This also beautiful structure also foreshadows many other beautiful places in old San Juan due to its amazing history. You should definitely go check it out and learn more about it.

    

Casa Rosa: Near La Rogativa stands this beautiful structure. It was built in the early 19^th century for Spanish forces and the as a child day care center. You should definitely come visit this beautiful structure and then keep walking and find el Morro. Don’t forget to take some pictures too. 

          

Castillo San Felipe del Morro: this is the most important place in the history of Puerto Rico. This fort was built to protect the city of San Juan from foreign attacks and enemies. It was first constructed in 1539 and the layout you see today was designed in 1587. This fort survived many attacks from enemies and it still looks good. Everybody in Puerto Rico knows about el Morro and if you go to San Juan you have to go there. It is a big tourist attraction and you can also fly kites there.

Escalinata de las monjas: This is a famous set of stairs in old San Juan, which has a good angle for taking pictures. These stairs are located next to Hotel El Convento and to the Plaza de las Monjas. In these stairs you see small buildings next to them and they are usually for sale. 

       

Cuartel de Ballajá- This place is all about culture, it was obtained by the government of Puerto Rico from the federal government of the United State in 1976. It was restored and now used for cultural, educational, and touristic motives. El Cuartel de Ballajá used to be a camp for the Spanish soldiers and their families. 

Puerta de San Juan-  During the 17^th century when Puerto Rico  decided to build walls around the city to protect them from attacks, they built three enormous doors as entrance which at night would be closed, of these the only one that remains is la Puerta de San Juan. From the door you may see the ocean, it is a beautiful view. 

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Teatro Tapia- The oldest theatre in Puerto Rico, named after Alejandro Tapia y Rivera a Puerto Rican poet. It was inaugurated in the year 1832 and its architecture portrays the style of the 18^th century. .  It is pretty big with a space of 640 persons maximum. 

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Plaza de San José- In this plaza you will find the San José Church which was dedicated to Saint Thomas Aquinas. In the plazas center there is a statue of the first governor of Puerto Rico, Juan Ponce de León which was made from cannons! It is a great idea to visit this plaza because you will also find bars, restaurants, museums, and even benches just in case you’re really tired of walking. 

Alejandro Tapia y Rivera- (1826- 1882) he is considered the father of Puerto Rican literature, he wrote poems and books and he also introduced the rest of the genres to Puerto Rico. He was educated in Puerto Rico and then left to Spain for few years to finish studying literature. 

Pedro Albizu Campos- Born on the year 1893 in Ponce and died on 1965 in San Juan. Studied in University of Vermont and in Harvard University, his studies were intervened by World War I in which he participated as soldier for the United States Army. He was a politic and a very important figure in Puerto Rico’s fight for independence.

   

Pedro Albizu Campos- Born on the year 1893 in Ponce and died on 1965 in San Juan. Studied in University of Vermont and in Harvard University, his studies were intervened by World War I in which he participated as soldier for the United States Army. He was a politic and a very important figure in Puerto Rico’s fight for independence.

José Julián Acosta-Born on February 1825 and died 1891. Known for representing the Liberal Reformist party, having abolitionist ideas, and writing many historical works. A very busy man who had the rolls of teacher, political leader, lawyer, and writer. He was imprisoned for his liberal ideas and then became one of the organizers of the Liberal Reformist Party, he was also director of the new Civil Institute of Secondary Education in San Juan