Attractions
Old San Juan
Old San Juan is five centuries old and was once a military stronghold during the Spanish occupation. The blue-tinged cobbled streets cover a seven-block area where more than 400 restored 16th- and 17th-century Spanish colonial buildings stand. Thousands of tourists explore the old town and its thick, high walls and plazas with sculptures and memorials.
Spanish Forts
The San Felipe del Morro is a six-level fortress that looms 140 feet above San Juan Bay. It was built in 1540 and is the largest fortification in the Caribbean. The Castillo San Cristobal is another nearby intricate fortress that was built in the 17th century.
La Fortaleza
Hailing from the 1500s, La Fortaleza originally served as a fortress guarding the entrance to San Juan Harbour. Eventually it became the official residence of the governor, which it remains today. It is the oldest governor’s mansion in the Western Hemisphere.
Address: At the west end of Fortaleza Street in Old San Juan
Telephone: (787) 721 7000
Hours of operation: Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm
Admission: Free, but you need a reservation.
Casa Blanca
Ponce de Leon, Puerto Rico’s first governor, built Casa Blanca in the 1520s. It was eventually taken over by Spain and then the United States. Today, Casa Blanca is home to two museums – one focusing on the lives of Taino Indians and the other on the life of the house through centuries.
Address: San Sebastián Street, Old San Juan
Telephone: (787) 724-4102
Hours of operation: Tues-Sun, 9am-noon, 1pm-4:30pm. Closed Mondays. Guided tours are offered during the week with an appointment.
Admission: $2USD for adults and $1USD for children
Casa del Libro
Translating to House of the Book, the Casa del Libro museum is home to a large collection of early manuscripts and books – some dating back to the 15th century. Two royal mandates signed by Ferdinand and Isabella regarding Christopher Columbus’s journey to the New World are prized possessions at Casa del Libro. It was on that journey that Puerto Rico was discovered.
Address: 255 Cristo St.
Telephone: (787) 723 0354
Hours of operation: Tues-Sat, 11am-4:30pm, except on major holidays.
Admission: Free
University campus
The University of Puerto Rico is home to the University Museum as well as the Botanical Gardens – all located in Río Piedras. Historical and archeological exhibitions run consistently, and art exhibitions are put on display every now and then. The Botanical Gardens house Puerto Rico’s native flora, with more than 200 species of tropical and sub-tropical plants.
Telephone: (787) 764-0000; ext. 2452 for the museum, ext. 6580 for the Botanical Gardens
Hours of operation: Mon-Fri, 9am-11pm; Sat-Sun, 9am-3pm. Botanical Gardens: Daily, 9am-4:30pm
Admission: Free
Museo de Arte
Opened just a few years ago, the Museo de Arte has already caused quite a splash. The museum has both permanent and visiting exhibitions and lives in what used to be a hospital in the small town of Santarem. Though the gallery itself cost millions of dollars to build, though the promotion of Puerto Rico’s heritage through the work of local artists is priceless.
Address: 299 De Diego Ave, Santarem
Telephone: 787-977-6277
E-mail:info@mapr.org
Website:www.mapr.org
Hours of operation: Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat, 10am-5pm; Weds, 10am-8pm; Sun, 11am-6pm
Admission: $6USD for adults and $3USD for children over five. Children under five are free.
Arecibo Ionosphere Observatory
The Arecibo Ionosphere Observatory serves as the base for NASA’s Search for Extra-terrestrial Intelligence and is considered one of the most important astronomical research facilities in the world. It is situated in a sinkhole and is pointed upward toward the stars, so it can detect even the faintest sounds in space. There are interactive exhibits and demonstrations in the Visitors Centre to show just how this thing works.
Telephone: 787 878 2612
Website:www.naic.edu
Hours of operation: Weds-Sun, 9am-4pm; 1 June-31 July and 15 December-15 January: open daily
Admission: $6USD for adults and $4USD for children and senior citizens
Camay Cave Park
A little ways away from San Juan, you’ll find the 268-acre Camay Cave Park. A million years ago, the Camay River carved the caverns from limestone, resulting in potentially the world’s largest network of caves. Only 11 kilometres have been completely explored and 16 entrances discovered. Visitors are taken on guided tours through a cave and two sinkholes to see stalactites, stalagmites and a fair share of bats – so be ready. There are also picnic areas, walking trails and places to eat and buy souvenirs.
Address: Route 129, Arecibo
Telephone: (787) 898 3100, (787) 763 0568
Hours of operation: Weds-Sun, 8am-3:45pm
