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.

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.

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.

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.

Cross the Puente Guillermo Esteves Bridge to reach the Condado Lagoon and Beach. This concrete and…read moresteel girder bridge is also a great place to walk to catch the sunrise on an early mornng walk. This bridge is the fourth structure to occupy this site since the 1520s. The first bridge was a simple stone causeway. It was followed by a stone arch bridge. The northern span of that structure ended against the gate of a historic Spanish fort used to defend the area and was the site of several significant battles. The stone bridge was replaced by a four-span iron girder lattice bridge in 1894. The modern bridge, which was completed in 1927, is a conduit for most of the traffic entering the historic San Juan islet. The northernmost edge still rests on the historic fort's partly visible ruins. The facade plates, the decorative cast iron lighting fixtures and the balustrades are beautiful, but hide how dangerous the bridge can be. Be careful when crossing the street to reach this bridge. Although there are crossing traffic signals, they do not work consistently and are only at one end of the bridge

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.

This place is an old prison that is converted to a tourism/welcome center. The staff there was very…read morefriendly and helpful. I went their to get a map of the local area attractions. The map was very helpful and they highlighted points of intrest for me to visit and the route to take to get to them. There is not much to this place. Inside you will find a display of local art and some history information placards. If you out of the back door you will come across a courtyard with a few tables and chairs. And if you go to the right, you will and through a very narrow walk way, you will come across three originals cells from the old prison. They do not have doors and are very primitive. If you are doing a self guided tour of San Juan, this should be your first stop. It gave me my marching orders and I was able to organize my stops.

My family and I took a seven day cruise out of Miami aboard the Carnival Celebration to Dominican…read moreRepublic, Puerto Rico and Saint Thomas. We took a shore excursion in Puerto Rico to see famous sites throughout San Juan. Our first stop was the Antigua Prison de la Princesa. This prison was built in 1837, taking the name of the walkway, the Paseo de la Princesa, that runs along it. In 1854 during the reign of Isabel II, the tower and watch were built and placed. While it was in operation it had capacity for 240 inmates, continued as a prison until the 1965. The building was rehabilitated in 1989, and currently houses today the office of the tourism company of Puerto Rico and contains a contemporary art exhibition. We toured the old prison area. It was definitely not a very nice place to spend. We were told about the history of this prison while we were inside it. Its cool that it now houses the tourism company of Puerto Rico and I really wished we had the time to actually see the art exhibition. Still, this was a great first stop on our tour of beautiful San Juan.

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.

It's the square that was built in 1992 to mark the 500th Anniversary (5 centuries) of the Spanish…read morediscovery of Puerto Rico. It's used today for gatherings, and as a place to chill & relax while transitioning from the castle to the rest of the city. At first glance, it looks similar to a miniature version of the Spanish Steps. The bronze sculptures on both sides of the steps represent the Lamb of God in Puerto Rico's Coat of Arms. But in actuality, it's the Telluric Totem sculpture by Jaime Suárez that is really the main focal point here. It's definitely hard to miss. It tells the story of the indigenous American people (Taino) who once lived here. The broken pieces of simulated ancient pottery sticking out from the concrete pole symbolizes the struggle between the Spanish settlers and the Taino people. It totally looks like it's made out of wood, but it's mostly made out of pottery and ceramic. You have to zoom up closely to see it. That's when you truly see its beauty. The plaza, as a whole, combines the Taino with the Spanish influence to make it a symbol of Puerto Rican heritage. Well, that's kind of how I saw it. Others may interpret it differently. I just wish that the plaza looked better than it did on the day we were there. It may look brighter on dry days. There was a little rain shower that may have affected the way it looks from the other side of the plaza with the steps. It was still a great area to stop for a breather before continuing on with sightseeing.

open space in Old San Juan that's easy to spot because of the massive Tótem Telúrico rising above…read morethe plaza. I was just passing through, but the monument and large stairway caught my attention. The area has a unique look compared to the surrounding historic streets and offers a nice place to stop, take photos, and appreciate another piece of history.