San Juan is the capital and most populous municipality in the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. 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 major cruise ship destination. The city attracts throngs of visitors with
its sandy beaches, historic forts, a rich colonial architectural heritage,
and a loud musical ambiance. San Juan is also home to several hotspots that
offer fine dining and entertainment scenes.
Things to do in San Juan
San Juan Viejo
Home to almost 500 years of first-rate architectural and historical
identity, San Juan Viejo is the older part of the city of San Juan. The
area is known for its historic forts and more than 400 beautifully restored
16th- and 17th-century colonial buildings. One of the prominent highlights
here is the Fuerte San Felipe del Morro, a fortress set on a raised land
overlooking the sea.
El 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
as it was continuously subjected to many pirate raids and attacks from the
sea pirates. The fort features a maze of ramps, outposts, barracks,
dungeons, and tunnels that are all dotted with circular sentry boxes.
Castillo de San Cristobal
Castillo de San Cristobal is spread across more than 27 acres with 5
individual units linked by moat and tunnel. It is the largest fort ever
erected by the Spanish in the Americas or the New World. The difference
between El Morro and the Castillo is that the former was constructed to
defend 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 Raleigh Durham 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 RDU to SJU
during summers to enjoy famous cultural events like San Sebastián Street
Festival, Maricao Coffee Festival, Casals Festival and Ponce Carnival.