Old San Juan
Puerto Rico
Old San Juan is rich in history and vibrant with modern lifestyle. Renowned explorer and seeker of the Fountain of Youth, Juan Ponce de León, our first Spanish Colonial Governor, founded the city in the second decade of the 1500s. Today, Old San Juan is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and a magnet for cultural events such as the San Sebastian Arts Festival annually held in January. The Caribbean Ocean and San Juan Bay surround the old city with water views on three sides. Here, there are many Puerto Rico San Juan Hotels, like the Boutique Hotel San Juan.
La Terraza de San Juan is in the very heart of the historic district, surrounded by historic cultural attractions, shopping, and exciting nightlife of top restaurants, bars, and clubs. Our staff will be happy to recommend points of interest to you in Old San Juan and make necessary arrangements and reservations, whether you seek the perfect restaurant to taste our local cuisine, or an art gallery, museum, the perfect hidden shop, a day in the sun or a leisurely walk through our historic district and sites.
Our Hotel San Juan is on one of the most historic streets in Old San Juan: Calle Del Sol. At the head of the street is the Castillo de San Cristobal, which is the largest fortification built by the Spanish Empire in the Western Hemisphere. At the foot of the road is La Casa Blanca, constructed by Ponce de León and said to be the oldest European-built house in the Western Hemisphere. Other famous museums within a short walk include the Puerto Rico National Art Gallery and the Museum of the Americas, which holds an incredible variety of art and pre-Columbian cultural artifacts from throughout the Americas.
The city was designed with impressive battlements, including the forts San Felipe del Morro and San Cristobal, which formed part of the defenses of the walled city.
San Juan was once an important port for expeditions into uncharted territories and the return trip to Spain with the New World’s riches.
Old San Juan’s rich history includes the second oldest church in the New World, Iglesia San José. Its construction began in 1523, and the church is one of the earliest examples of 16th Century Spanish Gothic architecture in the Western Hemisphere. Ponce de León donated the land to the Dominican friars, and his coat of arms is still in place near the altar. Another historical site that should not be missed is the Catedral San Juan Bautista. The cathedral looks unassuming from the outside, with its baroque façade, but offers one of the few examples of medieval architecture in the New World on the inside.
The Hotel San Juan is located within walking distance of the UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes La Fortaleza, the Governor’s Mansion, which can be toured inside and out strictly by appointment, the two forts mentioned above, and the old city walls.
Our historic city has been the object of various restoration and renovation booms, including one inspired by the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the Americas. The architectural styles of the more than 400 historic structures in Old San Juan run the gamut from Spanish Conquest to the neoclassical 19th century.
The blue, cobblestoned streets are lined with buildings in all stages of conservation, with pristinely renovated structures sharing walls with others in assorted phases of restoration.
Take time to stroll along the streets and see the fascinating mélange of architectural styles. When you do, make sure to look up. The façade of each building is unique: balconies abound, as does elaborate scrollwork in metal and cement, mosaics from Moorish to modern, and a pleasing palette of colors. Buildings with bland storefronts at ground level can and do prove to be beautifully restored gems one story up.
Within a short drive of the historic district, Old San Juan’s beaches attract both sun worshippers and surfers alike with a 78-degree year-round average temperature, soft sand, and warm, azure waters. Surfers refer to Puerto Rico as the Hawaii of the East for its sizable waves.
The island is a paradise for all other kinds of watersports as well, including kitesurfing, windsurfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving. With all of these attractions, San Juan remains as the gateway to the Caribbean and one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, without mentioning the excellent attention and quality of the San Juan Hotels.
San Juan was once an important port for expeditions into uncharted territories and the return trip to Spain with the New World’s riches.
Old San Juan’s rich history includes the second oldest church in the New World, Iglesia San José. Its construction began in 1523, and the church is one of the earliest examples of 16th Century Spanish Gothic architecture in the Western Hemisphere. Ponce de León donated the land to the Dominican friars, and his coat of arms is still in place near the altar. Another historical site that should not be missed is the Catedral San Juan Bautista. The cathedral looks unassuming from the outside, with its baroque façade, but offers one of the few examples of medieval architecture in the New World on the inside.
The Hotel San Juan is located within walking distance of the UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes La Fortaleza, the Governor’s Mansion, which can be toured inside and out strictly by appointment, the two forts mentioned above, and the old city walls.
Our historic city has been the object of various restoration and renovation booms, including one inspired by the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the Americas. The architectural styles of the more than 400 historic structures in Old San Juan run the gamut from Spanish Conquest to the neoclassical 19th century.
The blue, cobblestoned streets are lined with buildings in all stages of conservation, with pristinely renovated structures sharing walls with others in assorted phases of restoration.
Take time to stroll along the streets and see the fascinating mélange of architectural styles. When you do, make sure to look up. The façade of each building is unique: balconies abound, as does elaborate scrollwork in metal and cement, mosaics from Moorish to modern, and a pleasing palette of colors. Buildings with bland storefronts at ground level can and do prove to be beautifully restored gems one story up.
Within a short drive of the historic district, Old San Juan’s beaches attract both sun worshippers and surfers alike with a 78-degree year-round average temperature, soft sand, and warm, azure waters. Surfers refer to Puerto Rico as the Hawaii of the East for its sizable waves.
The island is a paradise for all other kinds of watersports as well, including kitesurfing, windsurfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving. With all of these attractions, San Juan remains as the gateway to the Caribbean and one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, without mentioning the excellent attention and quality of the San Juan Hotels.
