Posted by Book2Go Travel on Oct 8
The capital city of Puerto Rico, San Juan is an enchanting destination, situated about 1000 miles from Miami, around a natural harbor, at the meeting spot of the Caribbean and the
Atlantic. Founded in 1521,
San Juan, also known as ‘La Ciudad Amurallada,’ is the second oldest city in the
Americas. The metropolitan area of San Juan consists of three distinct areas such as: Old San Juan, El Condado (the beach and resort area), and other remote communities including Río Piedras – which is home to the main campus of the University of Puerto Rico, Hato Rey – the business center comprising main banks, Santurce – famed as the cultural capital of Puerto Rico, and Puerta de Tierra.
Further,
San Juan is one of the biggest as well as the busiest ports in the
Caribbean.
Most popular among the attractions of
San Juan is undoubtedly Old San Juan. Steeped in history with an old world as well as romantic European charm, Old San Juan is a 475-year-old settlement, with about seven blocks, such as, Ballaja, Catedral, Marina, Mercado, Puerta de Tierra, San Cristobal, and San Francisco. The focal point of Old San Juan is its cobblestone streets and multi-colored buildings dating back to the 16th century, when
Puerto Rico was a Spanish possession. The area also has to its credit an incredible variety of churches including the Cathedral of San Juan Bautisha, which houses the tomb of the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León, apart from the Colegio de Párvulos – an ancient Catholic school for elementary education. Old
San Juan’s attractions also cover a lot of historic places, shops, museums, open air cafés, restaurants, courteous homes, and tree-shaded plazas.
Another great attraction of
San Juan is its elegant Spanish forts. The most prominent among them is perhaps San Felipe del Morro (El Morro), which holds the distinction of being the largest fortification in the
Caribbean. Built in 1540, this stunning fort rises about 140 feet above the sea on a rocky peninsula. A labyrinth of tunnels, barracks, and dungeons can be seen here. Further, its ramparts provide spectacular views of the surroundings. Castillo San Cristobal, built during the 17th century, is also a great Spanish fort in the area.
No visit to San Juan would be complete without taking a tour to the historical sites in the area, such as, La Fortaleza – a 40-room mansion that has been declared as a World Heritage Site; Casa Blanca – once the residence of Governor Juan Ponce de Leon – now houses two museums exhibiting Indian and colonial displays; and Hacienda Buena Vista – a 19th century coffee plantation.
Equally worth mentioning are the museums of San Juan, including, Pabla Casals Museums, housed within an 18th century home; Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico – an art museum which also hosts festivals and concerts; Museo del Nino, an area exclusively for children; and Museo de Las Americas, a folk art museum containing vibrant exhibits.
Attractions in San Juan also include a variety of beaches and natural reserve areas like
Luquillo
Beach and Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve.
December 25th, 2007 at 13:50
benicio del toro brad pitt…
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