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San Juan					Puerto Rico

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Puerto Rico Travel Information

San Juan Travel Information

San Juan Puerto Rico

San Juan is the capital city of the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the smallest of the Greater Antilles, it is an island of almost rectangular shape with an area of approximately 9000 square kms (approximately 3435 square miles). It is considered as the meeting point of Anglo-Saxon and Latin cultures due to its geographic location. (See map of San Juan)

The city of San Juan is known as the Walled City (ciudad amurallada), and is the oldest city in America that is still inhabited. It was originally named Caparra and was located west of the current metropolitan area. It was founded in 1508 by Don Juan Ponce de Leon. Lots of the buildings were constructed in the 16th century and are now national and international historic sites. (See pictures of San Juan)

Old San Juan (Viejo San Juan) was constructed as a housing area for Spain’s naval forces. The area consists of 7 square blocks of narrow streets with antique colonial homes. The fortresses and walls of Old San Juan are considered among the best preserved in hemisphere. The area is home to the Caribbean’s most admired architecture.

Puerto Rico is home to 4 million citizens, the metropolitan area is home to 1 million of the 4 million. The society has been directly influenced by Spanish, African, Northern American and Indigenous cultures which have helped make it the modern, vibrant, bilingual multicultural society it is today. Puerto Rico has been a part of the U.S.A. since 1898 and Puerto Ricans have been U.S. Citizens since 1917.

Approximately 60% of Puerto Rico's land consists of mountainous terrain (hills, slopes and mountains). The highest point is in Cerro Punto located in the Central Mountain Range (just between Jayuca and Ponce) and is located 1338 meters above sea level (approximately 4400 feet).

Puerto Rico is also home to a dense hydro-graphic network of close to 800 currents of superficial water. Of these, the strongest currents are found in the northern zone of the country due to the composition of its mountains (longer from North to South) as well as the wind factor that originates in Bermuda north of Puerto Rico. This also makes the south coast warmer and dryer than the northern, eastern and western coasts. (See map of San Juan).

Hotels in San Juan Puerto Rico

San Juan Puerto Rico maintains most of its original architecture and lots of its buildings look the same as they did many centuries ago.

Puerto Rico has a Wide array of hotels, bed and breakfasts and inns.

San Juan is an ideal destination for tourism and conventions. It is home to many important tourist complexes and hotel chains that are world renowned such as Ritz-Carlton, Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, Wyndham, and Westin, there are also picturesque local inns. Tourists in Puerto Rico can find the perfect combination of entertainment, relaxation, comfort and business meetings.

The tourist that visits San Juan, Puerto Rico can choose to stay at one of the different inns that are found throughout the country and outside of San Juan’s metropolitan area and give outsiders a taste of true Puerto Rican warmth and hospitality. Inns range from century old haciendas to small beachside, mountainside and coastal inns.

Tours in San Juan Puerto Rico

San Juan Puerto Rico is home to lighthouses, museums, theaters, galleries, businesses, restaurants and cafes just like most cities but with its own distinctive touch: the cobblestone streets, unique architecture and its history as one of the oldest cities (see Tours in San Juan).

Places to visit In Old San Juan are:

Parque de las Palomas (Pigeon Park): A famous park where families come to feed pigeons. It is located above the city wall and overlooks la Princesa, the bay and the cruise ports.
Capilla del Cristo: Is a small chapel located at the end of Cristo street. Legend says that the chapel is the celebration of a miracle that occurred when a horse and its rider survived a fall from the city wall. The chapel houses several museum quality artifacts.
San Felipe del Morro Fort: Is a fortress built in the 16th century built in the extreme north of San Juan island. For many years, it was used to watch the entrance to the bay of San Juan and protect the city from attacks by sea.
San Cristobal Fort: Is a Spanish fortress that was built to Project the city from attacks by land in contrast to San Felipe del Morro lighthouse that served as to Project the city from sea attacks. This fort is part of the San Juan National Historic Site and is the biggest fortress built by the Spaniards in the new world.
Santa Catalina Palace (The Fortress): Was constructed for military defense functions and was later named as the official home for governors of the island, it is the oldest governmental home in the western hemisphere that is currently in use.
Casa Alcalda: currently the Casa Alcalda de San Juan houses municipal government offices.
El Capitolio: This majestic building house the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico, the concept originated in 1907 and it was finally completed in 1929. It was declared a historic monument and it received the Urbe award for Architectural Excellence for the reconstruction of its platforms where legislative sessions take place.
Catedral de San Juan: Construction began in 1521, it was impacted and damaged by hurricanes and attacks. Its design and construction evolved slowly for 2 centuries. Today it is the most imposing of the religious monuments found in Puerto Rico.
Plaza de las Armas: was a place where the Spanish soldiers held their military exercises.
Casa Blanca: was the home of the first Spaniard to govern Puerto Rico, Juan Ponce de Leon when the island belonged to Spain.
Colegio de Parvulos: was the 1st primary catholic school in Puerto Rico. It is still running today.
Puerta de San Juan: was built between 1631 and 1635. The Puerta de San Juan was the main entrance of the 6 doors that completely encircled San Juan of which only 2 remain, Puerta de San Juan and San Jose which connect the city to the old Cemetery.

Car Rentals in San Juan Puerto Rico

Car Rentals in San Juan Puerto Rico are offered at the International Airport, in the downtown area and in several hotels

Puerto Rico has ample roads and expressways that help reduce driving times between coastal cities, the mountainous interior, Vieques and Culebra islands and the islands of the Caribbean and the rest of the Americas. To see the country, tourists can opt for car rentals, tour guides and specially equipped buses that are specifically used for tourism.

The streets of Old San Juan weren’t designed for vehicular traffic, there is only 1 lane open to vehicles which results in traffic jams and delays and accidents with parked vehicles on several occasions.

San Juan Puerto Rico Tourist Information

The median annual temperature is 26 degrees Celsius (approximately 80 degrees Fahrenheit). The average temperature during winter months is 22.7 C (83F) and 29.4C(85F) during the summer.

February, March and April are the driest months but there is rain throughout the year in San Juan due to it being a tropical city.

Puerto Rico has 2 official languages: Spanish and English

The U.S. Dollar is the local currency.

Visas or passports aren’t required in order to enter Puerto Rico from the U.S. Tourists that are not U.S. citizens or residents need to go through normal U.S. Visa procedures in order to enter Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico uses 110V power (same as U.S.) European visitors require special adaptors.

There are no taxes imposed on items purchased in Puerto Rico that are taken to the Continental U.S.

Most major credit cards are widely accepted and there are ATMs that are on the same network as most major U.S. banks (see orientation prices).

Most businesses in Puerto Rico operate between 8am and 6pm during weekday. The “siesta” hour has disappeared in the country and most businesses operate continuously through closing time. Most businesses are open Saturdays and most major cities have shopping centers that are open at night and on Sundays.