Come See the Treasures of San Juan
What could be better than a travel destination that combines gorgeous beaches, rich history and lively arts? San Juan, the capital city of Puerto Rico, offers all that and more. Check out all the treasures that are awaiting you in San Juan.
Old San Juan
To experience the heart of San Juan, you must explore this colorful and historic district that is characterized by its old Spanish walls, blue cobblestone streets and pastel-painted buildings. Here, you can walk along the popular Calle del Cristo street and check out the many art galleries and restaurants or hunt for a bargain in the lively shops. You don’t want to miss important landmarks like the 16th century St. John the Baptist Cathedral. Located nearby the Hotel El Convent, this beautiful, whitewashed church houses the marble tomb of the famous explorer, Ponce de Leon.
Also known as El Morro, this old Spanish military fort is a must-do to learn more about San Juan’s interesting history. Built in 1539 to protect the city, El Morro features six levels that you can tour to see the thick 140-foot walls, cannons and a museum displaying artifacts.
Bacardi Factory
Another must do is tour the pink, six-story Bacardi Factory to watch how 100,000 gallons of rum is produced each day. At the end of the tour, you can enjoy free samples.
Beaches
No trip to San Juan would be complete without visiting some of its glorious beaches. While Flamenco Beach is the most popular, Culebrita offers a more remote atmosphere of unspoiled beauty and a coral reef that is ideal for snorkeling. Turtle Beach is another favorite among both humans and nestling turtles.
El Yunque
A short drive outside of San Juan is a tropical rainforest that is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Here among lush, misty jungle you can walk along hiking trails and view beautiful waterfalls and vibrant flora while looking for glimpses of exotic parrots and frogs.
Arts and Culture
When it comes to arts and culture, San Juan does not disappoint. The city is home to several classic and contemporary art museums such as the Museo de Nuestra Raiz Africana, which showcases West African artifacts and art works such as old maps, masks and musical instruments. The Puerto Rico Arts Museum houses the country’s largest collection of contemporary works with a focus on Latin and Caribbean influences. At the Pablo Casals Museum, you can view cellos, manuscripts, photos and concert videos that belonged to the renowned Spanish musician, Pablo Casals.
If you are up for a live performance, the Teatro Tapia is a beautiful, historic theater that presents various concerts, ballets and plays.
Outdoor Fun
When you are visiting San Juan, you may want to catch a ball game. The city is home to several sports teams that include baseball, basketball and soccer. Many of the games are played at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium or the Jose Miguel Agrelot Coliseum.
One outdoor attraction that is unique to San Juan is the Camuy Cave system, which is one of the largest in the world. This cave system offers interesting tours as well as thrilling adventures like body rafting, rappelling and mud-sliding.
Climate
San Juan’s tropical climate is one of its most popular features. No matter what season you visit, you are sure to enjoy warm weather and sunshine although the city does experience some scattered rainfall evenly throughout the year.
If you want San Juan to be your next travel destination, why not begin making your plans now by checking out the fantastic deals that are online today?
