Spanish Influences and Colonial Neighborhoods Are Preserved in Old San Juan - Puerto Rico, United States
What is It? - Over five million visitors come to the United States territory of Puerto Rico each year and the vast majority arrive at the international airport in the capital city of San Juan. From there, most people disperse onto the large fleet of cruise ships that embark on sailings from the city's modern port, transit to area beaches to relax at hotels and casinos, or travel into the countryside to explore the island's mountains, waterfalls, and the El Yunquel rainforest. Other people seeking a broader cultural and historical experience in Puerto Rico, however, should tour the forts, streets, and buildings of Old San Juan.
First settled by the Spanish leader Juan Ponce de Leon in 1509, Spain used San Juan for over 400 years as its base of operations for exploring the New World and defending its possessions from other colonial powers. The city of San Juan eventually expanded to the west and the east beyond the confines of its walled forts and streets. However, unlike many other colonial era settlements, the structures erected in the 74 block area of Old San Juan over the centuries have been preserved along with the city's blue cobblestone streets. The Spanish ceded full control of Puerto Rico to the United States after the Spanish-American War in 1899, but it took another fifty years for the U.S. government to initiate preservation efforts by creating a National Historic site encompassing the key landmarks.
The historic importance and unique architecture of Old San Juan is evident today to people taking walking tours, carriage rides or bus trips around the historic district. The National Park Service has described the Old Town area as "the nation's most complete Spanish urban center with Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture, which create a sense of drama and authority through their beautifully detailed ornamentation, arches and domes." In 1983, UNESCO recognized Old San Juan as a World Heritage Site.
Today, San Juan is a modern metropolitan area with a population of almost 2.5 million people which constitutes over two thirds of all Puerto Rico's residents. In addition to tourism, the island has become a popular corporate location for U.S. companies including significant pharmaceutical suppliers, petroleum refiners, sugar refiners and rum distillers. Old San Juan enhances the island's overall sense of style and has blended many cultures together including its Spanish heritage.
What You Will See There- There are many interesting historic places and cool neighborhoods to see in the Old Town including:
Spanish Forts and Walls - A few decades after the establishment of a settlement at San Juan, the Spanish realized that extensive military fortifications would be necessary to protect the city from attacks by rival European powers and local Carib Indians. In 1553, they constructed a fort known as La Fortaleza facing south towards San Juan Bay. Next in 1584 they added the massive ramparts and walls of San Felipe del Morro castle to a bluff at the western end of San Juan. Although English and Dutch forces briefly captured parts of the city in the early 17th century, the Spanish retained control of Puerto Rico and continued to solidify the city's defenses. They built a new segment of thick walls facing the harbor to the south and added a third fort on the northeast side of the Old Town called San Cristobal in 1771 to secure the city against an attack by land. As the largest fort in the New World, the San Cristobal Fort helped Spain retain control of the island until the end of the 19th century.
All three forts can be partially viewed on a walking tour around Old Town. La Fortaleza is the most tranquil today after being converted into an executive mansion with gardens and a formal residence for the Governor of Puerto Rico in 1846. The El Morro fortifications at the tip of the island consist mostly of a vast parade ground and high, thick seawalls today, and can be entered by purchasing a ticket. However, El Morro still looms large when approaching San Juan by ship, so cruise ship passengers crowd the decks to view it when leaving the port. Fort San Cristobal can be entered by purchasing tickets also and visitors can explore the elaborate tunnel system connecting the different past of the fort, a small museum and of course hear a few ghost stories there.
Churches - Proselytizing native peoples and settlers to practice Christianity was a major goal of Spain in establishing colonies in Puerto Rico and throughout the New World. The San Jose Church built in Old San Juan 1532 served to house Dominican friars for generations and was the oldest church in continuous use in the entire Western Hemisphere. Perhaps more prominent to modern visitors and religious pilgrims is the large Cathedral of San Juan Bautista which was built and rebuilt several times from the 16th century on. This massive structure reflects Spanish architecture and has always played an important role in the religious and civic affairs in the city. It houses the tomb of Juan Ponce de Leon and a shrine to a Puerto Rican saint, and is the seat of the Archdiocese of San Juan. The Plaza outside the cathedral has been a popular public square and gathering place over the years.
Squares, Plazas and Promenades - The squares and plazas of San Juan have always played an important part in the social and public life of its citizenry. Visiting some of the principal ones in Old San Juan is a good way to feel the history of the place and meet some locals. The Plaza De Armas Square has a casual feeling and is popular with families and adults. It has statues and fountains but also places for people to sit and talk with friends. The Columbus Square and adjacent Fortaleza Street has evolved into an area with entertainment activities like theaters as well as cafes and coffee shops. Finally, the Princess Promenade is a pedestrian only place where you can relax in the shade, take a walk, and sample the wares of local vendors. Many local festivals are held here on the weekends.
Neighborhoods - Old San Juan is especially popular for walking tours because of the bright Caribbean colors of the houses and shops, the blue and gray cobblestone streets, and its cleanliness. You get the feeling of being in a friendly neighborhood where people are likely to know each other and look after their neighbors rather than in the middle of a big city. There are plenty of restaurants and clubs scattered around the Old Town as well for dining and nightlife enjoyment.
When to Go - To take in the full flavor of Old San Juan, you need to be outdoors. Because of Puerto Rico's tropical climate, high monthly temperatures in San Juan average over 80 degrees year round and low monthly temperatures average over 70 degrees year round. Nevertheless, the most comfortable time to be walking around and sightseeing there is from April to early June because the temperature is not too hot, rain storms are intermittent, and the crowds are not as large. The temperature is slightly cooler during the prior months of December to March, but hotels and attractions are generally busier then too. After June, the temperature is hotter, there is more rain, and there is an occasional risk of a tropical storm affecting your trip.
How to Get Here - Many airlines fly direct into San Juan. Jet Blue has a hub there and also the most daily flights to San Juan. In addition, Southwest, American Airlines, West Jet, Spirit, and Cape Air have a significant presence at the San Juan International Airport.
Where to Stay - In selecting a place to stay to visit Old San Juan, there are many options. The area is easy to reach whether staying in Old Town, at a nearby hotel on Condado Beach, or just outside of San Juan at the Isla Verde beach hotels. Right in the Old Town, there are some interesting renovated boutique hotels such as the Old San Juan Hotel which has 43 rooms and suites for adults only or the stylish El Colonial Hotel with 33 bedrooms to consider, along with the Marriott brand's Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel with 240 rooms located adjacent to the port and the cruise ship terminal.