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San Juan Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in San Juan
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San Juan Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in San Juan - The capital city of Puerto Rico, San Juan, is
one of the busiest ports in the Caribbean and a third of all Puerto
Ricans live here. Nearly every visitor to the island arrives at San
Juan, many on cruise liners. The port is the largest home-based
cruise port in the world, hosting 28 vessels with more being added
to the list each year.
San Juan is divided into
three distinct districts: Old San Juan, the historic walled city;
the beach and resort area; and the outlying suburbs. Tourists are
concerned mainly with Old San Juan, site of most restaurants, shops
and entertainment venues, and the beaches. The old city is linked
to the new by a series of modern highways, leading to the Condado
beach front, which is reminiscent of Florida's Miami Beach with its
high-rise hotels and apartment blocks. It is not
only tourism that keeps the financial mills grinding in San Juan.
The city is an important centre for petroleum and sugar refining,
brewing and distilling, and manufacturing of cement,
pharmaceuticals, metal products and tobacco products. In the midst
of all the hustle and bustle there are numerous attractions to
amuse, entertain and interest the many tourists, and the city is a
perfect base for exploring the rest of what this small Caribbean
island has to offer.
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San Juan
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. Old San Juan
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What is it? This area, encompassing about seven blocks,
dates back about 500 years to the Spanish occupation when it served
as a military stronghold that even repulsed Sir Francis Drake. The
original cobbles on the streets are blue-tinged, and were
originally ballast on the Spanish ships. The ancient stones set off
the more than 400 restored 16th and 17th century Spanish colonial
buildings that fill Old San Juan and draw thousands of tourists to
walk the narrow, steep streets every day. The old town is enclosed
in amazingly thick, high walls and features numerous attractive
plazas bearing sculptures and memorials.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
2. Spanish Forts
www.nps.gov/saju |
What is it? The mighty six-level fortress of San Felipe
del Morro, built in 1540, towers 140 feet (43m) above the sea on
San Juan Bay, its 18-foot thick (5m) walls having proved a worthy
defence against invasion. The largest fortification in the
Caribbean, it is a maze of tunnels, dungeons, barracks, lookouts
and ramps, offering spectacular views from atop its ramparts. Also
in Norzagaray Street, Old San Juan, is El Morro's partner in
defending the city, Castillo San Cristobal, built in the 17th
century to a confusing and intricate modular
design.
Hours of Operation: Forts open daily 9am to 5pm (June to November), 9am
to 6pm (December to May). Tours are available in English and
Spanish
Phone:729 6960 |
3. La Fortaleza
The Fortaleza is situated at the west end of Fortaleza
Street in Old San Juan
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What is it? The Fortaleza was built in 1540 as a fortress
to guard the entrance to the San Juan harbour, but later became the
official Governor's residence. During succeeding centuries the
original structure has been remodelled and expanded, with a
neoclassical façade being added in 1846 to leave the building with
its palatial aspect. The current governor of Puerto Rico is in
residence - the 170th Governor to live in the
Fortaleza.
Hours of Operation: Daily 9am to 6pm (until 5pm from June to November).
Tours are available every 30 minutes from Monday to Friday between
9am and 3.30pm. Reservations are required
Phone:721 7000 ext. 2358 |
San Juan
holidays - Top Events
1. San Sebastian Street Festival
From 2007-01-22
To 2007-01-25
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What is it? The street festival is a carnival of colour
featuring live music, food stalls, fairground rides and processions
of flamboyant Puerto Rican culturama.
Where is it? The streets of San Sebastian |
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