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I visited old San Juan during my stay in Puerto Rico and this is the main event of the town. Basically everything is built around the history of this castle and it's woven in everywhere
Great place to spend 2-3 hours! Lots of history - not only about the fort itself, but also Puerto Rico and the whole region. It will definitely take you a while to walk through all the grounds and rooms, especially if you read all the info carefully - 100% worth it. You'll also get incredible views of the sea and Castello San Felipe Del Morro.
Def worth visiting while exploring Old San Juan. This fort offers great views of both the city and the ocean. Admission is included with the same $10 ticket that also grants access to Castillo San Felipe del Morro for 24 hours. I enjoyed exploring the tunnels, sentry points, and historic military defensive areas. There always seemed to be another passageway or viewpoint to discover. The plazas and historic barracks help you imagine what life was like for the soldiers stationed there. I also liked walking along the outer walls and taking in views of Old San Juan and the coastline. If you plan to visit both forts, start early and wear comfortable shoes. Together, they offer a fascinating glimpse into Puerto Rico's history along with some beautiful views of San Juan.
The fortress is in a great area of San Juan that is very walkable. There's lots to do around the area. We didn't have time to go in and fully explore the site, but we did take advantage of what we could see from the outside, which was very neat! The view of the ocean and the city is incredibly and insanely gorgeous! Worth coming and seeing the vantage point even if you don't go inside. Be aware that it is a very busy area as people really use the opportunity here to take a million pictures.
We walked from Castillo San Felipe del Morro to this fort and it was an easy walk of about a mile. This fort is a smaller than the other but offers many of the same experiences of daily life in the fort. In this fort, you have the ability to view PR from a bunker like structure. They also had some cool tunnels that brought you through the fort. We were glad we did both.
Walking distance from el morro, this fort is also very beautiful. Very educational and very beautiful views of the island. I will say dress comfortably and make sure you have water. It's a lot of walking
When you're visiting San Juan, one of the top tourist spots is definitely this castle. It has a couple of photogenic areas to be taken outside and you can pay to do a tour inside the castle. Unfortunately, the day that I visited, we didn't have enough time to enter the castle, but it would've been really neat. It overseas the water so we were able to also find a good spot to take pictures with a view of the coast. Bring your sunglasses as there is not a lot of shade and lots of sun!
I went to a wedding at San Cristobal but before got to check out the castle/fortress. It has managed to take and survive everything PR has had thrown at it with incredible grace. San Cristobal is stunning and a rich part of PRs history, where it is so worth coming and spending at least an hour reading all all the plagues placed around - and I'm sure you can book a tour if you get in early.
We spent theday in Old San Juan as our cruise ship docked here. We knew we would come back to the fortress of the Castillo San Cristobal. Since it was Christmas day, the museum was closed but we spent time walking the area and hanging out in the grassy fields, the outer part of the fort. We've been here a few times and it never disappoints. Being a photographer, this offer a multitude of photographic opportunities. There are spots where you can see the city and the ocean. There is a lot of walking to be done here so make sure that you're wearing comfortable shoes and bring your suntan lotion. Each time I have been here I have had great opportunities for pictures. A beautiful day, an old fort, the blue ocean. What more can you hope for? KUDOs to the team here at Castillo San Cristóbal for their constant upkeep of this historic area.
Castillo San Cristobal is an expansion of Castillo San Felipe del Morro built to protect the city of San Juan. It's considered the largest fortress of the America's, but it seems smaller than El Morro because it's only 3 levels. I was able to check out the whole place in half the time as well. The sentry box or guard tower was pretty cool with a narrow walkway. The view of the city from the top is quite nice too. Admission is $10 for adults and I was told I could return the next day or use it at El Morro since I had little time the day I visited before closing at 5pm. Visiting both El Morro and San Cristobal is a must when visiting San Juan, but if you had to choose one, go to El Morro first!
We spent a day in Old San Juan and decided to start our day at the fortress of the Castillo San Cristobal. It was very interesting and beautiful to see this historic site in its natural state! So many of the original furnishings and equipment were still there. We went into the dungeon, up into the spires, and got to look out onto the ocean from the small "windows" of the fort. If you are a lover of history, architecture, or just plain old interesting sightseeing - this is a must do in San Juan!
One of our first trips while staying in Old San Juan. Beautiful. A Birdseye view of the city and beautiful rocky coast. So much history throughout the museum to read and learn. Wear your comfortable shoes because the climb in parts of the fort are quite the workout. A cheap entrance fee, I remember $14 dollars each. I'm from Florida and St. Augustine's fort is dwarfed compared to this! A must see in P.R. if you are there? Don't miss it!
2 months ago
My family went on a cruise through Norwegian and one of our ports was San Juan Puerto Rico. San Quan is filled with so much history, so we decided to spend some time exploring Castillo San Cristóbal, a fortress located in the historic district. The main reason the fort was built was to protect the city, and is now known as the largest fortification that was built by the Spanish in the New World. My family went during the summer, so it was extremely hot, there was not a lot of shade. I would recommend bringing water, snacks, and sunblock in order to have a good time exploring the fortress. In addition, in my opinion, I would say you should be in good health to visit the fortress, because there is a lot of walking and hills. Don't be afraid to bring your children, I liked that Castillo San Cristóbal had interactive areas where children could learn about the history and the importance of the fort in a playful way. Although Castillo San Cristóbal is not free to visit: $10 for adults and under 15 is free. If you have a national park pass issued through the United States, like my family has, you can go for free, paying no additional charge. Even though admission is $10, it's worth it. My family explored the fortress for 2 hours and the views of the ocean are also beautiful. Furthermore, the staff was extremely friendly, greeting us with warm smiles. There is a public restroom for you to use located underneath the giftshop. The restroom was extremely clean with no visible dirt on the floor. If you are visiting San Juan from the cruise port Castillo San Cristóbal is about a 30 minute walk from the port, but if you would like to you could also take public transportation. My family decided to walk and see the city of San Juan instead of taking the bus. All in all, if you like learning about the history of the area you are visiting I would recommend you to take a look at Castillo San Cristóbal to learn more about Puerto Rico's history. I had a wonderful time with my family during our port day in San Juan. read more
Excellent visit to Castillo San Cristobal. Admission is $10 but is also good for admission to the nearby Castillo San Felipe del Morro within one day of your visit here. So be sure to take advantage of this perk. The castle contains some great exhibits providing details on its history. It also offers some really amazing views of the streets and buildings Old San Juan...very unique. Note that there are some hills (some steep) and steps throughout the castle and its grounds...so pre prepared and wear comfortable shoes. Great location just steps from the streets of Old San Juan with tons of food options and other attractions. A short walk from the cruise port. read more
After visiting Castillo San Cristóbal, I can def say it's worth seeing along w/ Castillo San Felipe del Morro. In fact admission is free if you already purchased a ticket to Castillo San Felipe del Morro so it's a no brainer to see both.Even though they're both historic forts, San Cristóbal had its own personality. I really enjoyed exploring the different levels, walking through the tunnels, & taking my time checking out all the rooms and passageways. It felt like there was always something new to discover around the next corner. I also loved how many incredible views there were throughout the fort. Between the ocean, the city, and the impressive stone architecture, I found myself stopping often to take photos & just soak it all in. Before heading out, I stopped by the gift shop & found a cool souvenir (a stuffed coqui that makes its signature sound)for my niece. It was such a fun,cute little keepsake to bring home. They carried an assortment of cool,interesting merch & PR themed items. If you're exploring Old San Juan, I def recommend visiting Castillo San Cristóbal. It's full of history, beautiful scenery, & so many interesting areas to explore. I spent much longer there than I expected b/c there was just so much to see. read more
2 months ago
Great place to spend 2-3 hours! Lots of history - not only about the fort itself, but also Puerto Rico and the whole region. It will definitely take you a while to walk through all the grounds and rooms, especially if you read all the info carefully - 100% worth it. You'll also get incredible views of the sea and Castello San Felipe Del Morro. read more
4 months ago
Def worth visiting while exploring Old San Juan. This fort offers great views of both the city and the ocean. Admission is included with the same $10 ticket that also grants access to Castillo San Felipe del Morro for 24 hours. I enjoyed exploring the tunnels, sentry points, and historic military defensive areas. There always seemed to be another passageway or viewpoint to discover. The plazas and historic barracks help you imagine what life was like for the soldiers stationed there. I also liked walking along the outer walls and taking in views of Old San Juan and the coastline. If you plan to visit both forts, start early and wear comfortable shoes. Together, they offer a fascinating glimpse into Puerto Rico's history along with some beautiful views of San Juan. read more
3 months ago
The fortress is in a great area of San Juan that is very walkable. There's lots to do around the area. We didn't have time to go in and fully explore the site, but we did take advantage of what we could see from the outside, which was very neat! The view of the ocean and the city is incredibly and insanely gorgeous! Worth coming and seeing the vantage point even if you don't go inside. Be aware that it is a very busy area as people really use the opportunity here to take a million pictures. read more
We walked from Castillo San Felipe del Morro to this fort and it was an easy walk of about a mile. This fort is a smaller than the other but offers many of the same experiences of daily life in the fort. In this fort, you have the ability to view PR from a bunker like structure. They also had some cool tunnels that brought you through the fort. We were glad we did both. read more
5 months ago
Walking distance from el morro, this fort is also very beautiful. Very educational and very beautiful views of the island. I will say dress comfortably and make sure you have water. It's a lot of walking read more
When you're visiting San Juan, one of the top tourist spots is definitely this castle. It has a couple of photogenic areas to be taken outside and you can pay to do a tour inside the castle. Unfortunately, the day that I visited, we didn't have enough time to enter the castle, but it would've been really neat. It overseas the water so we were able to also find a good spot to take pictures with a view of the coast. Bring your sunglasses as there is not a lot of shade and lots of sun! read more
1 year ago
I went to a wedding at San Cristobal but before got to check out the castle/fortress. It has managed to take and survive everything PR has had thrown at it with incredible grace. San Cristobal is stunning and a rich part of PRs history, where it is so worth coming and spending at least an hour reading all all the plagues placed around - and I'm sure you can book a tour if you get in early. read more
We spent theday in Old San Juan as our cruise ship docked here. We knew we would come back to the fortress of the Castillo San Cristobal. Since it was Christmas day, the museum was closed but we spent time walking the area and hanging out in the grassy fields, the outer part of the fort. We've been here a few times and it never disappoints. Being a photographer, this offer a multitude of photographic opportunities. There are spots where you can see the city and the ocean. There is a lot of walking to be done here so make sure that you're wearing comfortable shoes and bring your suntan lotion. Each time I have been here I have had great opportunities for pictures. A beautiful day, an old fort, the blue ocean. What more can you hope for? KUDOs to the team here at Castillo San Cristóbal for their constant upkeep of this historic area. read more
Castillo San Cristobal is an expansion of Castillo San Felipe del Morro built to protect the city of San Juan. It's considered the largest fortress of the America's, but it seems smaller than El Morro because it's only 3 levels. I was able to check out the whole place in half the time as well. The sentry box or guard tower was pretty cool with a narrow walkway. The view of the city from the top is quite nice too. Admission is $10 for adults and I was told I could return the next day or use it at El Morro since I had little time the day I visited before closing at 5pm. Visiting both El Morro and San Cristobal is a must when visiting San Juan, but if you had to choose one, go to El Morro first! read more
6 months ago
Beautiful national park with lots of history. Veterans get in free. Beautiful views on San Juan. So much history of the island including the world wars. Must see! read more
We spent a day in Old San Juan and decided to start our day at the fortress of the Castillo San Cristobal. It was very interesting and beautiful to see this historic site in its natural state! So many of the original furnishings and equipment were still there. We went into the dungeon, up into the spires, and got to look out onto the ocean from the small "windows" of the fort. If you are a lover of history, architecture, or just plain old interesting sightseeing - this is a must do in San Juan! read more
One of our first trips while staying in Old San Juan. Beautiful. A Birdseye view of the city and beautiful rocky coast. So much history throughout the museum to read and learn. Wear your comfortable shoes because the climb in parts of the fort are quite the workout. A cheap entrance fee, I remember $14 dollars each. I'm from Florida and St. Augustine's fort is dwarfed compared to this! A must see in P.R. if you are there? Don't miss it! read more
Super cool castle in San Juan Puerto Rico. Definitely a worthwhile tour attraction. Admission price is very inexpensive. This used to be an ancient historical for that was used by the Spaniards when they had occupied San Juan. And then it was passed on to the Dotch and then to the Americans. It is now a museum a ran by the national Park services. This place is huge, although not as big as the fortress next to the peninsula. There was definitely more details and more views in this fortress. Lots of different levels different rooms used for different purposes. We spent a couple of hours here walking through all the different areas and admired the views from the watch towers. A must see when you're in San Juan. read more
4 years ago
With the beautiful water views, all the history, & awesome photo opportunities, adding a visit to Castillo San Cristobal is a must for your PR itinerary! Since sharing is caring here are a few of my FYI(s): ~$10 is the cost to get into Castillo San Cristobal & into El Morro ~The "short walking distance" between Castillo San Cristobal & El Morro seemed not so "short" after a few hours spent in the super hot sun while exploring this location on Saturday 04/02/2022 so we decided to visit El Morro the next day, which you can do just keep your receipt to show. ~you could really feel the history while exploring..walking through the tunnel & getting to explore the underground cell that had the prisoners original drawings was so surreal. And the water views were so pretty!!! ~Make sure to stay hydrated & have sunscreen because you will be exposed to the sun while exploring & even if inside some of the areas were very hot w/ no air circulation. I also had a paper fan that was my life saver! ~There are clean restrooms onsite & a few benches in different areas for you to sit Hope this info helps! ~Rebecca out read more
3 years ago
It was really hot when I visited here, so make sure to hydrate. There is Gatorade and water sold at decent prices at their souvenir shop. The workers were very friendly and welcoming. It was a nice place to see and was included with our El Morro tickets. We didn't stay here long because it looked similar to El Morro. read more
Built from 1634 until 1765, for centuries the Castillo San Cristóbal has been standing guard at the eastern gate of Old San Juan to protect it from land attacks. The imposing fortress was built to guard the city against enemies approaching by land, serving as a counterpart to Castillo San Felipe del Morro. what amazed me most is the Sentry box - Soldiers can guard the fort and they target enemies from these Sentry boxes. The textured walls, the tunnel with the old mural, and the sentry boxes with their outstanding views will all hold you spellbound. There are three levels at the fortress: Level 1: Main Plaza & The Lowest Level Level 2: Main Firing Battery Level 3: Observation Area & The Highest Level this fort also gives you a spectacular view of San Juan city, Capitol building, El Morro Fort, Caribbean sea, Cruise ships. One tunnel leads to a dungeon. I would recommend taking a guided tour to know more about it. Castillo San Cristobal is also a popular wedding venue, the elegant courtyard is a beautiful location for fairy tale weddings without having to travel to a faraway place. Ticket: Entry is only $10 which also includes El Morro fort, approximately 1.4 miles from here. ticket is valid for the Same and next day. read more
3 years ago
What a beautiful and wonderful place, full of history and great architecture. The place is amazingly big and easy to walk... the guide is full of knowledge and really transport us to the old times when this fort was active. We came in the Disney cruise Fantasy and the Castillo was a walking distance from the port. You can visit your self or take the tour bus. The views are fantastic and the two souvenir shops are decent and not too expensive. This fantastic monument is a must when you visit Puerto Rico read more
Also in old San Juan. Castle in old San Juan. Took over almost an hour to go 7 miles in town. It's madness to get here. No parking around this castle or close by at all. We will need to grab any spot we find in the old San Juan area. It wasn't as busy or packed when we were here 3 years ago. Doesn't look like we will get to see the castle this visit. It's a good thing we already saw it 3 years ago then. Been in the car for 1.5 hours and no spot yet. We at least get to see much of old San Juan at least. read more
4 years ago
My wife, two teenage sons (14 yrs, 16 yrs), and I stopped by this fort in the morning as our first sight in Old San Juan. We did not know what to expect, but it's a superb introduction to the city. Beautiful and stunning views from Castillo San Cristobal alone make it worth a trip. From Plaza Colon, it's about a 5 minute walk uphill where you'll see a large ramp to the entrance. It's $10 per adult to enter the fort (kids are free). But if you have a National Park pass, it's accepted here. The interesting history of Castillo San Cristobal was really cool. It was designed to repel a land-based attack from the east, and remained in active use in the 1940s as Fort Brooke to protect shipping lanes from German U-Boats attacks. My teenage sons enjoyed walking into a dungeon "tunnel" that provided a secret passage to move Spanish troops within the fort (or trap an enemy). They also found a watch tower with lovely views of the Atlantic Ocean and the other fort (Morro) in the distance. Would definitely budget at least 1 hour for a visit here. The men's rest room is probably the nicest facility I have ever used in the National Park System! read more
There are 2 forts to visit in Old San Juan that explain the beginnings of this settlement 500 years ago and all of its rich history that the forts have played in San Juan's past. The other fort called Castile San Felipe del Morro (or del Morro for short) is about 1 mile west of here. You can see it from the upper elevations of this fort. Both forts are run by the National Park Service and are well maintained. Adult admission is $10 and is good for both forts. Good deal! Also if you buy the audio tour it's $6 for one fort but if you pay $2 more you get the audio of the other fort too. Good deal again! If there are two of you you can share one audio device and listen to it on its external speaker. Castillo San Cristobal is slightly smaller than the del Morro so budget about 1 hour to tour here and then finish with the gift shop. There are commanding views of San Juan and the Atlantic Ocean from all 3 of its levels. Obviously walking is required going up and down the ramps to the different levels as there were no elevators back then. Many exhibits are under roof providing shelter from the sun and rain however only the gift shop is air conditioned. When finished (and if this is the first of the two forts to visit), walk along the road from this fort to del Morro. It's an easy walk of about 1 mile that parallels the Atlantic on your right and Old San Juan on your left and has wide sidewalks the entire route. I do believe there is a White Trolley that shuttles between the two forts for free. If you can, walk it, as it is a pleasant journey if the weather cooperates. 1/2 the way there you can stop for lunch or a drink at La Verguenza restaurant and bar. You can't miss it as you will walk right by it and offers 3 outdoor levels of seating all facing the ocean. Good food, drink and view!! After La Verguenza continue the other 1/2 mile to del Morro and upon arrival show them your admission receipt and audio tour receipt (if purchased) so that you don't have to pay any more money. An ideal itinerary is to start with one fort and while walking to the other fort stop at La Verguenza for a drink or a meal or both and then continue on to the other fort. read more
4 years ago
Huge castle with amazing views. It sticks out of the city center in San Juan. Be careful of the local traffic while navigating through this area. read more
4 years ago
6 years ago
There are two forts here one can visit for same price, I only had time for one and picked this one. There is a decent exhibit in the visitor's site, but the video playing has multiple movies in Spanish and English which is a little annoying. I walked in during part of one, then it cycled to a new thing, then cycled to a new thing in Spanish, and another thing in Spanish. I'm not sure how long the loop is, but at least having subtitles would be better. I'd rather read a Spanish clip with English subtitles than wait 10-15 for the Spanish video to be over until the English one plays again. The fort has some beautiful views of the ocean, and you can walk around outside and then take the long corridor though different rooms which have more exhibit information. It is pretty hot in these tiny rooms except for the occasional ocean breeze, but you can just imagine soldiers there. I think it's worth visiting for the history, but I would have liked to visit both forts if I had time. It's only $10 and an interesting place to visit. read more
They've done a great job at preserving this site. There's surrounding areas right outside the fort that has some great views if you don't want to pay the entrance fee. My wife and I was $20. Our son whom is 6 had free admission and they even gave him a badge and a kid's booklet. We did a self guided tour and they have plenty of information to read all around. It was a cool and rainy day but very warm inside some of the rooms. Luckily the breeze was going so that felt nice near the windows. Be prepared to walk and climb stairs. Only water is allowed and card only as payment. read more
Castillo San Cristóbal, is a fortress in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It was built by the Spanish to protect against land based attacks on the city of San Juan. It is part of San Juan National Historic Site. Castillo San Cristóbal is the largest fortification built by the Spanish in the New World. Today, this impressive location is a National Park that you can explore and find out more about the history of the area, specifically San Juan. As you explore they have an area (near the gift shop) that has tons of info about the history of Castillo San Cristobal. Once you make your way through this area, and move on to the upper levels you are greeted with some of the best views of Old San Juan, The Caribbean, Beaches, Sunsets, etc. Gift shop is pretty good sized and has some unique souvenirs if you want to grab something for yourself or somebody that is into historical type things. Also, if you happen to have a National Park pass it is valid here and you'll save $10 per person that is with you (worked for two of us at least, free admission totaling $20). read more
Loved this fort in Puerto Rico. I was only in town for 8 hours or so due to being on a cruise ship, but I am so glad we ventured off the ship and checked out this fort! It was so beautiful to be up here and watch the sunset, explore and walk around. The $8 admission is 100% worth it. It's also walkable from Old San Juan. We got some great photos and saw some fantastic ocean bluffs from the higher vantage points. We also had fun exploring the "cave" systems of this fort. You can see it's in a very strategic location and there's lots of history here. Don't pass up your chance to explore it! read more
The historic citadel fort is mildly pathetic. Many of the displays appear to be under renovation. Some of the displays are very lame. For $10/person, the park is not well maintained. There are some nice views from the walls. Budget about 1 hour unless you're a history buff. read more
$10 admission, but shouldn't be over $5. Both forts are included for 24 hours of admission. Beautiful views of the ocean and parts of old San Juan. There are posters explaining the importance of the fort. Nice picture opportunity and very cool area because of sea breezes. Bathroom: extremely clean read more
Located in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, Castillo San Cristóbal is definitely a landmark of Puerto Rico. Located only 0.7 miles away from Castillo San Felipe makes it so easy to explore both castle the same day. You can also use the same $7 tickets for both castles. While Fort San Filipe was built to protect the city from sea attacks, Fort San Cristobal was built to protect Old San Juan from land attacks. Both forts are full of history, culture and architecture. The views you can get are absolutely BEAUTIFUL! For some reason people don't visit this fort as much as San Felipe. I believe both are worth it and definitely a must when in Puerto Rico. ESPAÑOL Ubicado en el Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico, el Castillo San Cristóbal es definitivamente un punto de referencia de Puerto Rico. Ubicado a solo 0.7 millas de distancia del Castillo San Felipe, hace que sea tan fácil explorar ambos castillos el mismo día. También puedes usar los mismos boletos de $ 7 para los dos castillos. Mientras que el Fuerte San Filipe fue construido para proteger a la ciudad de los ataques marítimos, el Fuerte San Cristóbal fue construido para proteger al Viejo San Juan de los ataques terrestres. Ambos fuertes están llenos de historia, cultura y arquitectura. Las vistas que puedes obtener son absolutamente HERMOSAS! Por alguna razón, las personas no visitan este fuerte tanto como San Felipe. Creo que ambos valen la pena y definitivamente son una necesidad cuando están en Puerto Rico. read more
We stopped at the Fort to learn some history about San Juan. There are exhibits about the Fort and its uses from the 1500s until present day. Not only can you learn some history, but you can purchase souvenirs from the 2 giftshops and get some great views of San Juan and the ocean. One admission price gives you entry to both forts for 2 days. This is well worth it. read more
I loved this fort! We purchased the audio tour for about $9 and it was good at both forts in Old San Juan. The views and architecture here are incredible, and I really enjoyed learning about some Puerto Rican history. However, make sure to wear your sunscreen and keep hydrated. The sun gets HOT. The audio tour told us multiple times that many soldiers here suffered from heat exhaustion and I could definitely see why. read more
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