Old San Juan

The streets of Old San Juan are gorgeous

Did you know that Old San Juan is the second oldest city in the western hemisphere and the oldest city under the U.S. flag?

If want to go to explore the history of Puerto Rico, just spend some time in Old San Juan! Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes to enjoy the architecture, the language, the foods, the sunsets!

Old San Juan is a 465-year-old neighborhood originally conceived as a military stronghold. Its 7-square-block area has evolved into a charming residential and commercial district. The streets here are paved with cobbles of adoquine, a blue stone cast from furnace slag; they were brought over a ballast on Spanish ships and time and moisture have lent them their characteristic color. The city includes more than 400 carefully restored 16th- and 17th-century Spanish colonial buildings.

Each turn brings a surprise!

Streets are paved with blue cobblestones of adoquine.

Below is a list of plazas and their statues, should you come across them during your exploratory walks!

Plaza de San José 

Plaza de San José features bronze statue of Ponce de León

Plaza del Quinto Centenario

Plaza del Quinto Centenario (Quincentennial Square) features a sculpture by one of Puerto Rico's foremost artists, Jaime Suarez,in black granite and ceramics symbolizes the earthen and clay roots of American history.

Plaza de Armas

Plaza de Armas (arms square) on San José Street features four statues representing the four seasons.

Plaza de Colón

Plaza de Colón (Columbus square) features bronze tablets at the pedestal of the Columbus statue record important episodes in the explorer's life.

Plazuela de la Rogativa

Plazuela de la Rogativa  features a modern sculpture depicting a procession of religious women commemorates an event that took place on the site in 1797.

Plaza de Hostos

The Plaza de Hostos is located near La Casita, which includes artisan displays, snack stands, and traditional piragüeros.

There are also small parks throughout Old San Juan which are just as beautiful as the plaza and many with just as much history!

El Parque de las Palomas 

El Parque de las Palomas (pigeon park) is located at the top of the city wall, this park overlooks the restored La Princesa Jail, now a government office with an attractive art gallery.

The Muñoz Rivera Park

The Muñoz Rivera Park is an spacious ocean side park with large trees, landscape gardens and wide walks, located on Jesús T. Piñero Avenue. Open Tues-Sun 9:00am - 5:00pm.

Martí Coll Linera Park

Martí Coll Linera Park, can be accessed from 3 different places: right next to the AquExpreso terminal in Hato Rey, from a corner of the Parque Central, and from the San Juan Park. Perfect for if you’re a runner or a biker.

Puerto Rico's CentralPark

Central Park has facilities for jogging, baseball, calisthenics and tennis.

Forts

For photos and information on Puerto Rico's Forts, click here or click on the archive on this blog called El Morro

El Morro

Old San Juan is really quite amazing and gorgeous and very easy to spend a day walking and window shopping. If you're not comfortable walking about on your own, you can always do the tourist thing and book a walking tour.

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