San Juan (Spanish words for Saint John) is the capital and most populous
municipality in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, an unincorporated
territory of the United States. It was founded by Spanish colonists in 1521
as Ciudad de Puerto Rico (or the ‘Rich Port City.’ San Juan is the
second-oldest European-established capital city in the Americas and a major
cruise ship destination. You should visit here for its sandy beaches,
historic forts, a rich colonial architectural heritage, and a loud musical
ambiance. This is seconded by several hotspots that offer fine dining and
entertainment scenes.
Things to do in San Juan
San Juan Viejo (or Old San Juan)
Home to almost 500 years of world-class architectural and historical
identity, Old San Juan is the older part of the city of San Juan. Visitors
are wowed with its historic forts and more than 400 beautifully restored
16th- and 17th-century colonial buildings. A star highlight here is the
Fuerte San Felipe del Morro, a fortress set on a raised land overlooking
the sea.
Fuerte San Felipe del Morro (El Morro)
Fuerte San Felipe del Morro is a 16th century fortress built on
a point of land just above the Atlantic Ocean. It was completed over a
period of 250 years because it was continuously subjected to many pirate
raids and attacks from the sea pirates. The fort today features a maze of
ramps, outposts, barracks, dungeons, and tunnels that are all dotted with
circular sentry boxes.
Castillo de San Cristóbal
The Castillo de San Cristóbal is the largest fort ever built by the Spanish
in the Americas or the New World. The fort, built between 1634 and 1790, is
spread across more than 27 acres with 5 individual units connected by moat
and tunnel. The difference between El Morro and the Castillo is that the
former was built to guard against attacks by sea while the latter was built
to defend against a land-based attack.
Best Time to Visit San Juan
Winter season (the months from December to April) are the best to book your
flights from Rochester to San Juan. It is the season when you can have a
great time at beach, indulging in water sports. Book your flights from ROC
to SJU during summers to enjoy famous cultural events like San Sebastián
Street Festival, Maricao Coffee Festival, Casals Festival, and Ponce
Carnival. It is advised to book San Juan flights in advance to avoid paying
more during peak season.