Tourist Attraction Ideas For Visitors To San Juan

Puerto Rico has plenty to offer visitors to the island, including miles of beautiful beaches, fun and entertaining attractions and interesting historical sites.

For hundreds of years, this small Caribbean island was a colony of Spain, and that influence is still visible today. Columbus landed on the island of Puerto Rico in 1493 during his second trip to the New World, and Spanish colonists settled there in 1508. Because it was of great strategic importance, Puerto Rico was the target of attacks by foreign powers eager to expand their holdings in the Caribbean and obtain some of the New World’s riches.

In 1595 a British fleet under the command of Sir Francis Drake laid siege to the city of San Juan. They were turned back by Spanish forces, but in 1598 the city fell to the forces of the Duke of Cumberland. For 65 days the British held the city, but a combination of attacks by local guerillas and an outbreak of dysentery forced the invaders to withdraw. In 1625 Dutch forces captured the city, but were also forced to leave by disease and guerilla attacks. The Spanish granted Puerto Rico autonomy in 1897, but mere months later the island was invaded by the United States in the Spanish-American war, and was ceded to the U.S. at the end of that war.Today the island is a commonwealth of the United States. Puerto Ricans are legally U.S. Citizens and carry American passports, but they cannot vote for the President unless they live in one of the 50 states.

The visitor to Puerto Rico will see much evidence of the island’s Spanish colonial past. Its brightly colored buildings, ironwork balconies and cobblestone streets make the portion of the city called Old San Juan a throwback to another age. In the early years, several military forts were built in San Juan to protect the city from invaders.

Visitors to Old San Juan must not miss the military fort El Castillo San Felipe del Morro, better known as El Morro. Built by the Spanish in the mid-1500s, the fort is now a popular tourist attraction. The walls of this ancient fort are 20 feet thick and tower 140 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. There are barracks, dungeons and tunnels to see, as well as the picturesque sentry boxes, or garitas, jutting out from the walls which have become a symbol of Puerto Rico. Farther along the coast lies the fort San Cristobal. Built in 1678 to protect El Morro from land attacks, one of this fort’s highlights is a reproduction soldier’s barracks. Built in 1533, La Fortaleza was Puerto Rico’s first fort. It was captured in 1598 by the British and again in 1627 by the Dutch, who burned down part of the fort. It was rebuilt in the 1640s and served as the governor’s mansion thereafter.

Other fine examples of colonial Spanish architecture are open to the public. Casa Blanca was built in 1521 for Ponce de León, the great explorer more famous for his search for the fountain of youth than for his stint as Puerto Rico’s first governor. Located close to El Morro, Casa Blanca is the oldest house in Puerto Rico and currently holds exhibits of archaeology and 16th and 17th century furnishings. Built in 1540, San Juan Cathedral rises high above the streets of Old San Juan. With its gothic ceilings and cupolas, the cathedral is a striking example of colonial architecture. The marble tomb of Ponce de León is located here. A ferry ride away, across the bay from Old San Juan lies the Bacardi Rum Plant, a popular tourist destination.

Visitors can enjoy the beautiful views of the bay and take a free tour of the inner workings of the distillery, beginning with a rum tasting. Museum lovers will find interesting choices in the San Juan area. Located in Santurce, the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico has been educating visitors about Puerto Rican art since it opened in 2000. Guests can view the displays of contemporary works by Puerto Rican artists as well as those created almost 500 years ago. Head to Universidad de Puerto Rico’s Museo de Historia, Antropologia y Arte for displays of artifacts unearthed during archaeological digs on the island.

Afterward, visit the campus’ Botanical Gardens to stroll among the lush, vibrant tropical greenery. Simply hoping to sit in the sun with a drink in one hand and a novel in the other? Beautiful beaches with palm trees swaying in gentle breezes abound in the San Juan area. Two favorites are Playa del Condado, located amidst San Juan’s towering hotels, where beach chair rentals, bars and eateries are easy to find, and Playa Isla Verde, also situated among busy hotels.

Finally, for a taste of San Juan’s nightlife, check out the bars and casinos of the upscale hotels in the Condado Area, or visit Calle San Sebastian in Old San Juan for the lively bars and restaurants.

Author: Lorraine Rivera-Newberry

About Author: Lorraine Rivera-Newberry has traveled several time to San Juan, Puerto Rico.