The umbrellas are no longer up! It’s also been a place where a giant Puerto Rican flag was hung on display. If you don’t have time to make your way into the cemetery itself, you can get some great views from the top of Castillo del Morro. It’s just a 15-20 minute walk from the fort to the cemetery. Visitors are welcome to walk into the cemetery. Sitting alongside the Atlantic Ocean, filled with colorful flowers, life-sized sculptures made of marble, and bright white burial sites, the cemetery is a photographer’s dream. The locals say the location of the cemetery, which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, represents the path a spirit takes as it crosses over to the afterlife. Located just outside the walls of the Castillo del Morro fortification, the cemetery is named in honor of the Catholic saint, Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis. See Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis CemeteryĪ cemetery might not be top of mind when it comes to things to do in San Juan but this cemetery should be.Įstablished in 1863, this colonial-era cemetery is the final resting place for many notable residents of Puerto Rico, including famous poets, politicians composers, and artists. Wear sunscreen and bring water as you sightsee around the city. Most San Juan activities come with a lot of sun exposure. ProTip: Be sure to wear comfortable shoes to climb the fort’s stairs. For even more spectacular views, take a scenic helicopter flighthigh above Old San Juan and marvel at the sights from a bird’s-eye perspective. From the top of the fort, peer out towards where the bay meets the mighty Atlantic Ocean. The fort is one of Puerto Rico’s most visited tourist attractions offering panoramic views of San Juan Bay to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the north. Today, Park Rangers are there to provide information, in addition to the site’s displayed signs and exhibitions, to help you experience this impressive historical landmark. Army moved out of the fort and turned it over to the U.S.
The result is an impressive 6-level fort that played a vital role in protecting the colonized island from invaders entering San Juan Bay.Ĭastillo San Felipe del Morro has a long history, from the time it was completed through both World Wars. The fortification was designed and built by Spanish engineers over 250 years with the foundation laid in 1539! It wasn’t actually considered complete until 1787. At nearby Luquillo Beach, families swim in the calm waters.The 16th-century citadel sits at the northwestern-most point of the island and was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Hop on a ferry and tour the nearby Bacardi Distillery. San Juaneros head to the golden sands of Isla Verde Beach to swim and snorkel in the calm, clear waters. Castillo de San Felipe del Morro, perched on a rocky promontory, provides a view of the entire city. Golden sand fronts the coastal areas of Ocean Park and Isla Verde, where peaceful sunsets rub shoulders with a nightlife that rocks until the early morning.Įscape the high-rises and highways of central San Juan for the cobbled streets in the walled city of Old San Juan, lined with Spanish townhouses decorated with wrought-iron balconies. New San Juan has its charms as well, particularly in its more storied residential architecture in Santurce and Miramar. The cobblestone streets of Old San Juan teem with restaurants and shops and a large concentration of art galleries and museums. San Juan, Puerto Rico's buzzing capital, preserves the island's Spanish heritage in its colonial neighborhoods.