LAGOONS, beautiful waterfalls, numerous monuments and sculptures which constantly remind one of the past, mesmerising beaches, mouth-watering cuisine, restaurants galore, friendly people and a great tourism product!
Not even all of the above well enough describe the popular Caribbean country of Puerto Rico, where Caribbean shoppers wing their way each day to bargain hunt at some of the top United States shopping brands. While many only view Puerto Rico as an excellent destination for shopping, Puerto Rico can also be the perfect place for a fabulous vacation.
It’s impossible for me to count the number of my visits to this United States country. While I have toured Old San Juan numerous times, my recent visit fully opened my eyes to the great historic facts of this 22 square-mile long ancient city.
Thanks to the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, 11 of us recently made a three-hour tour of Old San Juan on foot. We relived the history of this bustling city where vendors abound, wonderful architecture intertwined with just a few of the more contemporary, where six cruise ships or more can dock on any given day bringing as many as 20 000 passengers and where bargains await each visitor, if time allows for shopping.
As we trekked through quiet streets, greeted alley cats which are cared for by kind residents and relived Old San Juan’s history, it was easy to understand the struggles Puerto Ricans of old faced to make the country what it is today.
It is said that it is easy to imagine you have been transported back in time when you walk the streets of Old San Juan. As your shoes clatter away on bluish cobble-stoned streets, it is not hard to imagine elegantly clad men and women gracing the balconies or walking beside you.
Originally built as a fort in 1634, Old San Juan was designed to act as a military stronghold. Though the sturdy old military fortifications still stand, this city has now developed into a charming residential area with a strong Spanish influence.
Today there are numerous plazas that act as enjoyable meeting places for locals and tourists alike. It also has many churches that visitors can view at their discretion. The most outstanding feature of Old San Juan, however, has to be the massive military fortifications.
Impressive walls still surround parts of the city and there are numerous old forts and barracks to visit. It would take you maybe all of three hours to tour this site and two to three days to tour Old San Juan altogether.
One of the most impressive forts is the 17th Century El Morro, which is located on the furthest precipice of Old San Juan. It overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and San Juan Bay and comprises six levels and a network of underground tunnels. El Morro actually stands an imposing 140 feet above the sea. You can feel the thickness of the 18 foot walls which successfully defended this city against numerous attacks and invasions. No longer in use as a fort, it is now a national historic site that is open to the public daily.
As you tour El Morro you’ll see that there are several small guard boxes situated all around the fort, which has become a national symbol. These guard boxes enabled the Puerto Ricans to always have an edge over their enemies. It may well explain why the El Morro fort was never successfully penetrated, even though it suffered attacks from Sir Francis Drake, Sir George Clifford, and General Boudewin Hendricks, among others. This amazingly fortified building now stands as a reminder of how fiercely the Spaniards defended the port and country
While it is recommended that you take a leisurely foot tour through Old San Juan on any day of the week, horse and buggy rides are available. Old San Juan also offers an attractive alternative to socialising and sun bathing and is relatively inexpensive. In fact, it is safe to say that 99 per cent of the attractions and tours are free.
Other places of interest you will find in Old San Juan are San Jose, which was constructed in 1511 and is the second oldest cathedral in Puerto Rico. The city is also home to 30 of the over 4 000 churches which exist in Puerto Rico.
There is also the beautiful Jardin de La Princess, where various species of plants can be found; a statue of the first female major Felisa Rincon de Gautier, who advocated to improve the lives of women, children and poor Puerto Ricans; the huge monument which represents where the country was and where it has come from; the mansion of the governor general, which is the oldest in the Western Hemisphere; the San Juan Cathedral, the second oldest church in the Western Hemisphere; the 27-room hotel The House, which combines art with hospitality and Casa Sol, the intimate, wonderfully designed five-room bed and breakfast which is housed in a 200-year old building.
Worthy to note, according to our tour guide, is that every beautifully designed building in Old San Juan is unique. You will never see two buildings with the same design or any two of the same colour standing side by side.
It is impossible to tell you all the fine details of this great city. Next time you visit Puerto Rico, be sure to head on down to Old San Juan, where a little bit of everything awaits.
