San Juan is the capital and most populous municipality in the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico. The city was founded by Spanish colonists in 1521 as Ciudad
de Puerto Rico. San Juan is the second-oldest European-established capital
city in the Americas and a key cruise ship destination. Tourists must visit
this city for its sandy beaches, historic forts, a rich colonial
architectural heritage, and a flamboyant musical ambiance. This is upheld
by numerous hotspots that offer fine dining and entertainment scenes.
Things to do in San Juan
Old San Juan
Old San Juan, home to almost 500 years of world-class architectural and
historical identity, is the older part of the city of San Juan. Visitors
can see its historic forts and more than 400 beautifully restored 16th- and
17th-century colonial buildings. Main highlight here is the Fuerte San
Felipe del Morro, a fortress set on an elevated land overlooking the sea.
Fuerte San Felipe del Morro
Fuerte San Felipe del Morro is a 16th century fortress
constructed on a point of land just above the Atlantic Ocean. The fort was
completed over a period of 250 years as it was continuously subjected to
many pirate raids and attacks from the sea pirates. Today, it features a
maze of ramps, outposts, barracks, dungeons, and tunnels that are all
sprinkled with circular sentry boxes.
Castillo de San Cristobal
Castillo de San Cristobal is the largest fort ever erected by the Spanish
in the Americas or the New World. The fort is spread across more than 27
acres with 5 individual units linked by moat and tunnel. The difference
between El Morro and the Castillo is that the former was constructed to
guard against attacks by sea while the latter was constructed to guard
against a land-based attack.
Best Time to Visit San Juan
The best time to book flights from Austin to San Juan is from December to
April. It is the season when tourists can have a great time at beach,
indulging in water sports. Tourists can book flights from AUS to SJU during
summers to enjoy famous cultural events like San Sebastián Street Festival,
Maricao Coffee Festival, Casals Festival and Ponce Carnival.