Old San Juan

History come alive in the El Castillo San Cristobal in Old San Juan as you peek in to its tunnels and dungeons. The fort was actually a Spanish colony and it had space to house 500 soldiers. The construction was started in the 1630s and wasn’t finished until 150 years later. This is the twin of the El Morro fortress, built to protect the entrance of the harbor.

The forts have valiantly guarded the island against Spanish, English and Dutch invasions, all of whom have tried to gain control of the island.

The island was a strategic spot and a good defense system was needed. This is where ships would stop before arriving in the new world. Here they would load up on water, wood, and food – all of which were in rich supply (Puerto Rico means “Rich Port”). It was also the last stop ships would have before heading out on their long voyage back to Europe.

The wall of these fortifications range in thickness from 12 to 20 feet and the sentry boxes that look out seaward (kept in excellent condition) offer strong defense against enemy attack.

Look for the Rogativa statue; dedicated to the bishops and nuns who unknowingly saved the city when the British troops saw their lighted procession and fled the city, assuming enemy reinforcements had arrived.

Wander through the shops, past the old gate and along the river walk of this 500-year old city. The old town has changed little over the past couple of centuries, except for the addition of fast food chains cleverly disguised to blend in with the surroundings of wrought iron balconies, shaded plazas, cobbled streets and flower-filled patios. Boutique shops are fun to stroll through as you absorb the sights and sounds of the city.

Art Evening

If you’re in Old San Juan at the right time – the first Tuesday night of the month, in fact -- you might come across the art evening with local artists selling their wares – anything from hand-made soaps to jewelry or fabric crafts. As many as 20 galleries and museums are open after hours for Noches de Gallerias and the public is invited to view examples of Puerto Rico’s rich artistic tradition. You won’t be able to go home without buying something – the deals are too good to miss!

Kayaking

Relaxation is the name of the game and it’s worth taking an easy kayak tour of the Pinones Forest Natural Reserve with Eco Quest. Look for the wildlife as you kayak through the lush red mangrove trees.

Food and Lodging

When dinnertime rolls around head to that San Juan classic, the Parrot Club, established in 1996. The restaurant specializes in Nuevo Latino cuisine and tropical cocktails. It boasts an open kitchen, a warm and colorful dining room and bar, and a lovely Old San Juan courtyard for outdoor dining

In order to be near everything we wanted to see, we stayed at the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, located in the Condado area of San Juan – a quiet residential area only a stone’s throw from the heart of Old San Juan. The San Juan Marriott is home to the newly expanded Stellaris Casino, one of the biggest on the island. Check out the hotel's Northern Italian restaurant, Tuscany. Recently renovated, at a cost of $38 million, the hotel has 512 guest rooms & 13 Suites and is one of the premier hotels in San Juan Puerto Rico.

But if all that walking makes you feel exhausted, or you just simply want to unwind--and let’s face it, why shouldn’t you--then it’s time you took it easy with a massage. You won’t do any better than the Ocean Club at the San Juan Marriott.

The history, the warmth of the people, the culture and the climate are all here to welcome you to beautiful San Juan, the island they call the Caribbean’s shining star. I call it, simply, heaven on earth.

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