Puerto Rico’s capital city (pop. est. 500,000, 1.1 million in Metropolitan area) the Caribbean’s commercial hub is an intriguing mixture of old and new.
Start your tour in charming Old San Juan which is perched atop a hill on a small island facing the Atlantic Ocean.
Today it is a showcase for four centuries of architectural treasures and the heart of the island’s unique cultural identity.
Take time to stroll along the narrow cobblestone streets and investigate the pastel-colored buildings restaurants boutiques museums mansions and nightclubs.
The Paseo de la Princesa a newly revamped promenade that follows the waterfront and the Paseo de la Muralla which winds along the city walls are particularly romantic.
These two beautiful walks are even illuminated at night.
El Morro the largest which commands San Juan Bay with six levels of gun emplacements and walls that tower 140 ft/43 m above the Atlantic; San Cristobal which dates from the 18th century and has an intricate network of tunnels used for transportation and to ambush enemies; and San Jeronimo which is east of Old San Juan and has an interesting military museum.
Another must-see is La Fortaleza which was built in 1540 and is the oldest governor’s mansion still in use in the Americas.
Along Calle del Cristo one of San Juan’s most interesting streets visit the Parque de las Palomas where thousands of pigeons have made their home alongside the city walls and the small Capilla del Cristo.
The multilevel Quincentennial Plaza is a park and cultural complex that overlooks the ocean and celebrates Puerto Rico’s rich history.
Nearby the Ballajá barracks once home to the city’s Spanish troops now serve as the Museo de las Americas (exhibits include a permanent collection of Latin American folk art and changing exhibits highlighting artists from Latin America and the Caribbean).
The city’s harbor which is the premier cruise port and container-ship terminal in the Caribbean has been extensively renovated and a new hotel and shopping gallery now face the ship’s berths.
Many of the down-at-the-heel buildings nearby have had or are undergoing facelifts.
While sightseeing in Old San Juan requires a lot of walking several plazas invite rest stops.
Allow a full day for the old city and prepare yourself for heavy traffic and crowded sidewalks which get worse as the day goes on.
When you are tired of sightseeing head for the beach.
There are beaches right in San Juan and the best are in the district of Ocean Park and in the Isla Verde district of the suburb of Carolina where the LMM International airport is actually located.
Condado’s beachfront is a wall of hotels restaurants and boutiques which can make beach access difficult for nonguests.
Isla Verde is lined with big chalk-white blocks of condos and luxury hotels.
Though crowded on weekends it’s still one of the most beautiful beaches on the island.
USA Travel Pal helps tourists plan their next road trip with detailed descriptions of thousands of hot spots around the USA with pictures and videos.
