San Juan : Puerto Rico

The capital city of Puerto Rico is San Juan, a spirited city that offers an interesting blend of historic colonial flair and high-rise buildings. San Juan dates back to the early part of the 16th century, which makes it the second oldest city in all of the Americas. Today, this city is vibrant with a strong economy. Although you will not find the isolated stretches of sand as you will in other areas of the country, San Juan does make an ideal destination for day trips where you can shop and dine, or spending time to enjoy the activities and nightlife.

Often referred to as “La Ciudad Amurallada, which translates to “The Walled City”, Juan Ponce de Leon came and founded the first settlement in 1508 although the actual city was not founded until 13 years later. This settlement was known as Caparra, today as Pueblo Viejo. Unfortunately, just one year after Caparra was settled, the people left with the site being moved to what we know today as Old San Juan. In addition to a solid history, this city also boast one of the largest and most impressive natural harbors in the Caribbean.

Approximately 442,000 people call San Juan home with hundreds of thousands of people coming to visit each year. As you make your way to San Juan, you will discover that it is broken down into three areas. First, there is the Old San Juan area, second, the beach, and finally, the resort area, which consists of many surrounding communities to include Hato Rey, Puerta de Tierra, Santurce, and Rio Piedras.

The area of Old San Juan is 465 years old. This area was actually established to be a military stronghold but today, it is a quant business and residential area. You will find cobblestone streets, more than 400 beautifully restored Spanish colonial buildings, all from the 16th and 17th centuries, casinos, excellent beaches, and an amazing climate all year round. Although Old San Juan has a number of great plazas, Plaza de San Jose is probably the best where people of all ages can enjoy historic buildings, shopping, and restaurants.

Two other plazas worth seeing include Plaza del Quinto Centenario and Plaza de Armas. The first plaza only opened in 1992. Today, this is the hub of the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery of the New World. There, you will find a 40-foot sculpture made from ceramics and black granite to symbolize the clay and earth roots of American history. Finally, the second plaza, which translates to “Arms Square”, is in the main square. This plaza proudly displays four different statues, each symbolizing the four seasons of the past 100 years.

Next, the Capilla del Cristo is a beautiful 16th century chapel that features Campeche paintings and stunning glass doors. Other points of interest include the Teatro Tapia, which is one of the oldest theaters in the entire Western Hemisphere, the fine arts center called Centro de Bellas Artes, a modern facility with a large collect of art, and the San Juan Museum of Art and History. Built in 1855, this museum was restored in 1979. Today, the museum showcases Puerto Rico art and music, often hosting festivals and concerts. Just remember, San Juan is a city that has something to offer everyone with these being just a few examples of the things you can do and see while visiting this fabulous Puerto Rican city.


Last Updated: 10/19/2006 3:14:00 PM

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