The umbrellas are no longer there. There are some Christmas lights in its place. There is no idea…read morewhen or if the umbrellas will return. The area where the umbrellas were has a high police presence because it is right in front of the governor's mansion. There was a huge Christmas tree up while I was there in mid January as well. Even though the umbrellas are long gone, it is still worth a peak. And it is right around the corner from the pigeon park.

Doesn't exist any longer. Residents said it's be gone for about 2 years now. There are no longer…read morecolored umbrellas there it looks like just clear beads/string.

I was 11 years old when I first visited this house. I remember the beautiful garden and the very…read moresmall 16th century bed displayed in one of the rooms. We were told it was the type of bed used during the times of Spanish Conquistadors. After all, the house was originally built (a wooden structure) for Juan Ponce de Leon. Although, he never got to live in it. His descendents lived in the rebuilt stone structure for 250 years until they sold it to the Spanish government. It was then transitioned to the US Military after the Treaty of Paris (1898). It became a museum in 1974. Today, it's also an event space for weddings and celebrations. I have to be honest. I was a little disappointed during this last visit. The garden and pathways are not being maintained regularly. I wanted to step down into the area overlooking the ocean, but there wasn't a clear enough pathway due to overgrown shrubs. I was fully prepared to pay the $5 admission fee to go inside, but decided not to after seeing the condition of the public garden in the front and back of the house. We visited on a Saturday, so it's not like it was some off day for lawn services. It's a highly anticipated touristy day. Looking back at it, we probably should have paid the fee and given an extra donation for a clearer path to the ocean view. I've read that the money is needed for restorations of this historical safe haven. Don't let this review discourage you. Just pick a day to visit before or after a wedding or garden event. Then you'll be sure to see it at its best. Because... why would you have your wedding here otherwise?

La Casa Blanca ~ A historic house museum in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, originally built for the…read morefirst governor, Juan Ponce de León. Just $5 to tour and see the museum contents and garden grounds. Worth the visit if in the area.

Checking out El Morro (Castillo San Felipe del Morro) in San Juan, PR was 1 of those experiences…read morethat really stays w/ you long after you leave. This historic Spanish fort was built in the 1500s & played a major role in defending San Juan from sea attacks during the colonial era. Walking through it, you can really feel the weight of that history. The thick stone walls, open courtyards, tunnels, and lookout points all reflect how strategic & intense life had to be back then, especially w/ the constant threat of war & invasion. What really hit me most emotionally was just being there & taking it all in. Standing on the grounds overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, it was easy to imagine what it must have been like centuries ago(soldiers watching the horizon, waiting for ships to appear). There's something powerful about physically being in a place that played such a major role in PR's history. It was honestly a really memorable moment for me. Not just b/c of what I learned, but b/c of how it felt being surrounded by so much history in 1 place. It gave me a deeper appreciation for San Juan & the stories built into the island itself.

El Morro is it must see for anyone who visit old San Juan. It's inexpensive to get in, however, you…read morecan use your America the Beautiful Pass valid for up to four guests. There are so many different exhibits and displays available to take plenty of photos. There's a small gift shop and clean restrooms available. It is handicap accessible. Be sure to secure a brochure guide on your way in. This will Hope keep you on track so that you don't overlook anything.

This is the other I heart PR sign on the island. Great photo…read moreopportunity! There was a line to take a picture both times we passed it. It's a popular spot!

This Sign is located at the San Juan Airport. Last thing you see as your heading into the airport…read moreto head home it's gets very nostalgic. Literally crying like I should have got one more Bacalaitos. Smh but lol all at the same time. My Puerto Rico I don't want to leave you.

We did the tour and our Guide Francheska was fantastic. We had the opportunity to walk around the…read moregardens, the chapel, visit the Dungeon... and furthermore learn the history of this historical building. LinK: https://www.fortaleza.pr.gov/recorridos

This was the perfect area in Old San Juan to spend your day in, lots of shops and restaurants to…read morewalk around and shop.

Great way to explore iconic history. The San Juan National Historic Site includes both Castillo San…read moreFelipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristóbal, and a $10 ticket gives you access to both for 24 hours, which is a great value. I really enjoyed walking through the forts, tunnels, and open plazas while taking in the ocean and city views. There's a lot more to explore than you'd expect, and every section has something interesting, from massive stone walls to lookout points overlooking the coastline. Definitely recommend comfortable shoes and starting early if you plan to see both forts in one day. Overall, a great mix of history, views, and outdoor exploring right in the heart of Old San Juan.

Castillo San Cristobal should be your first tourist stop in Old San Juan. I visited the castle…read moretwenty five years ago, but I did not really see the entire site. This time, I was determined to explore every inch, and it was spectacular. From the views to the historical recreations to the overall sense of place, it was absolutely worth the extra effort. I have two recommendations. First, go before noon, which is what we did. The afternoon sun in Puerto Rico can be intense, and there are often afternoon showers. Most of the castle is exposed to the elements, so the earlier visit makes a big difference. Second, I wish I had brought my America the Beautiful National Park Pass, because it would have allowed me to enter for free. It would have been nice to save a few dollars, although the ten dollar admission fee is still much lower than what many other national parks charge. One final tip. Just outside the entrance, there is a wonderful juice bar called Bien Papayas. It is a great place to refresh and recharge after walking around the expansive Castillo San Cristobal. San Juan's National Historic Site is absolutely worth doing on day one, and I am very glad I experienced it properly this time.

Bastión de las Palmas de San José in Old San Juan, was built in the 17th century in 1625 after the…read moreDutch attacked. Two green-colored benches, a railing, and a masonry wall made out of stone and bricks can be observed. Bastión de las Palmas de San José was later turned into a park. The San Juan Bay and the coast of the municipality can be seen from a distance.

A this is a nice little park with a great view…read more We found it by walking down some streets just to ser what is down there.

It's the cute stone chapel that was built on the city wall near La Fortaleza at the end of Calle…read moredel Cristo in the late 1800s. The legend is that Baltazar Montañez lost control of his horse during a race and they both fell over the wall (or cliff). He was miraculously saved by divine intervention. The chapel was built at that very same spot of the miracle. Another account of the story is that he didn't survive the fall, and that the chapel was built to prevent this type of accident from ever happening again. Maybe the real story is somewhere in between the lines. Did he survive and later succumb to his injuries? Either way, it's a believable part of history which brings people to this chapel looking for miracles. The facade and bell tower make it look even more mysterious, and especially at nighttime. This is my second time visiting it. I've never been inside it. It's usually closed to the public to protect the religious relics inside. Try visiting it in the afternoon on a weekend. You may have a better chance of entering the chapel. Don't forget to visit Pigeon Park while you're there.

The legend says that the chapel of the Cristo de la Salud was erected to honor a miracle…read more Legend has it that for the years 1750 or so, there had been a horse race along the Cristo Street. One of the participants could not stop his horse and fell down the cliff. Don Tomás Mateo Prats, who was Secretary of Government for that time, invoked the Santo Cristo de la Salud and that the young man who fell off the precipice was saved. Thanking the Santo Cristo de la Salud, Don Tomás Mateo Prats ordered to build the chapel. The truth was not that. Studies by Don Adolfo de Hostos confirmed that the young man who fell down the cliff, died. Don Tomás Mateo Prats ordered to erect the Chapel to prevent future tragedies.

This was another huge sign/landmark that was used a lot for photo opportunities by people getting…read moreoff the Carnival Cruise boat we were on as well as other tourists. The sign is just outside the Port of San Juan, a bit down from the I Love (Heart) PR Sign. Not a boricua, but I can certainly appreciate the sign.