historic walking tour san juan puerto rico map

The house is open Tuesday- Sunday from 8:30am to 4:00pm (closed 12-1 for lunch). Today it is a a National Historic Monument, and a “museum” of period furnishings. Casa Blanca was built in 1521 as a “strong-house” for Ponce de Leon, but he died before it was completed. Walk to the end of the street where you will find Casa Blanca. When you exit, turn left, go one block and then turn right onto Calle San Sebastian. It has recently been restored…it is just beautiful inside. You will almost walk right into the church! It is almost 500 years old, it is the second oldest church in the Americas. Go through the Ballaja and cross the Plaza with the fountain and the Totem. Phone 78 for more info.Īt this point you will be close to The Iglesia San Jose. Open Thursday through Sunday from 11:00am to 4:00pm. There are also some rotating temporary exhibits.

In this building (an old barracks) you will find many wonderful museums – Museo de las Americas – which contains 3 permanent exhibits including folk arts, Indigenous Indian museum and a study of African influence. Phone 78 for more info.Īfter you have completed your tour of the fort, cross the long yard and continue straight into the Plaza de Ballaja. There is a $10 admission fee valid for entrance to both El Morro and San Cristobal forts for people 16 years old and up. The fort is open to the public daily (except Christmas, New Years, and Thanksgiving) from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. And the views are great – just seeing a massive cruise ship, dwarfed by this large fort is amazing! There is a small military museum, and gift ship on the premises. You can do a self-guided tour with the map you get upon admission.Įl Morro has all sorts of neat areas to explore: the barracks, kitchen, latrine, chapel, storage, etc., all connected with ramps and stairways. The fort is a National Historic Site administered by the US National Park Service. The Fort itself was originally “completed” in 1589, but the massive walls were added in the mid 1700’s. When you are ready – make your way across the field until you get to the entrance to the fort.Įl Morro is a huge, six-level fortress built to protect the city from sea invaders. This field is always windy, so everyone flies kites here – especially on weekends! Off to the right is the San Juan Cemetery – an interesting (though morbid) side trip. You can’t help but see the massive Castillo de San Felipe del Morro (“El Morro”) across a large field. This article will pick up where the prior one left off. Part 1 of our Old San Juan Self Guided Walking Tour series started at the Visitor’s Center and ended just as we approached El Morro Fort.

Historic walking tour san juan puerto rico map