San Juan National Historic Site (Sitio Histórico Nacional de San Juan)
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San Juan National Historic Site (Sitio Histórico Nacional de San Juan)
San Juan National Historic Site (Sitio Histórico Nacional de San Juan)

San Juan National Historic Site (Sitio Histórico Nacional de San Juan)

501 Norzagaray St,Castillo San Cristobal, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00926

Ways to visit San Juan National Historic Site (Sitio Histórico Nacional de San Juan)

Travelers can learn about historic battles that took place against the English and Dutch while visiting the restored lighthouse, chapel, and vintage cannons at Castillo San Felipe del Morro (nicknamed El Morro for short). History buffs will also love Castillo San Cristóbal, located near the gate of Old San Juan. While El Morro protected Puerto Rico from sea attacks, Castillo San Cristóbal was designed to stop intruders approaching by land. With grounds stretching some 27 acres (11 hectares), it’s Puerto Rico’s largest fortification site, as well as the biggest built by the Spanish after arrival in the New World.

Guided tours of Old San Juan include visits to the San Juan National Historic Site, plus you can catch views of El Morro while riding around on a Jet Ski tour of the bay.

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Recent reviews from experiences in San Juan

A must book tour
star-5
A must book tour
Shirette_G, Apr 2023
The Old, The New and the Now: An Updated Private San Juan City Tour
Angel and his wife Annie are very nice, knowledgeable, patient and safe driver. Our tour was very personable we had all the attention.
Fantastic tour!
star-5
Fantastic tour!
Megan_W, Apr 2023
The Old, The New and the Now: An Updated Private San Juan City Tour
This tour was our favorite in Puerto Rico! The tour guides were amazing, and we learned a lot. I highly recommend this tour!
Great Way to See the Real San Juan
star-5
Great Way to See the Real San Juan
Lauren_B, Apr 2023
The Old, The New and the Now: An Updated Private San Juan City Tour
Angel was very knowledgeable and provided a lot of history we knew nothing about. Didn't matter that it was raining - he also had some nice big umbrellas! Cool to see more than just Old San Juan and stopped at the mercado for a delicious melon drink and empanada. Ani was a very patient and friendly driver.
Great tour
star-5
Great tour
Jeniece_c, Mar 2023
The Old, The New and the Now: An Updated Private San Juan City Tour
Angel & Annie were amazing! They explained a lot of history, made stops whenever we requested, and recommended a great place for lunch! I would definitely recommend them for a tour here in San Juan.
Wonderful time and we will do this again!
star-5
Wonderful time and we will do this again!
29qrygqj9r, Mar 2023
The Old, The New and the Now: An Updated Private San Juan City Tour
This was the best tour that we’ve ever been on! Our guide, Angel, was very knowledgeable, and Annie was too. Annie was the best driver, being very careful on turns and the occasional pothole. They are native Puerto Ricans, so they could tell us things that we couldn’t just look up on the internet. My husband and I will book this tour again when we return to Puerto Rico!
Absolutely amazing and informative!!
star-5
Absolutely amazing and informative!!
Khadene_S, Feb 2023
The Old, The New and the Now: An Updated Private San Juan City Tour
This tour was absolutely amazing!!! Angel and his partner were absolutely amazing!! They were so welcoming, warm and informative!! It’s a great way to learn about the city of San Juan!!!!
Learn about the people of Porto Rico
star-5
Learn about the people of Porto Rico
Michael_F, Feb 2023
The Old, The New and the Now: An Updated Private San Juan City Tour
Our tour of San Juan was the best. Our tour guide was so knowledgeable about the history of Porto Rico. He was amazing, and was so interesting. We learned so much. We highly recommend this tour.
Great tour
star-5
Great tour
Tina_M, Jan 2023
The Old, The New and the Now: An Updated Private San Juan City Tour
This was a wonderful tour. Angel was our guide and he was very informative on the history of Puerto Rico. This was a driving tour but we had many stops where we could take pictures. I would definitly recommend this tour.
Amazing Tour
star-5
Amazing Tour
Kimberly_V, Jan 2023
The Old, The New and the Now: An Updated Private San Juan City Tour
Angel and Annie were amazing tour guides. We enjoyed the history and the current events commentary on this tour. This was one of the best tours we have experienced. 5 Stars!
Best San Juan tour!
star-5
Best San Juan tour!
MaryBeth_S, Dec 2022
The Old, The New and the Now: An Updated Private San Juan City Tour
Angel and his wife gave an awesome tour through San Juan. It rained the first hour, so they added extra stops to make up for the time we didn’t spend getting out to see the sights. The extra neighborhoods they added were tailored to what we had conversed about - so thoughtful! Angel is extremely knowledgeable about San Juan and its history. This is the only tour you need in San Juan!
Excellent tour guides
star-5
Excellent tour guides
Dawn_W, Dec 2022
The Old, The New and the Now: An Updated Private San Juan City Tour
We had a great time on our tour with Angel & Annie! They were very knowledgeable and patiently answered all of our questions. We highly recommend this tour!
Great overview of San Juan!
star-5
Great overview of San Juan!
stephrr, Nov 2022
The Old, The New and the Now: An Updated Private San Juan City Tour
Our tour guide, Angel, was amazing. So was our driver Anna. They picked us up at our hotel in Old San Juan in a timely fashion in a clean well-appointed vehicle. Both were quite knowledgeable and enthusiastic. We were given time to take pictures and/or tailor our experience. We loved all aspects of our private tour. It really gave us an overview to decide our plans for the rest of our vacation. Highly recommend!
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Things to know before you go to San Juan National Historic Site (Sitio Histórico Nacional de San Juan)

  • History buffs and military enthusiasts will enjoy exploring San Juan National Historic Site.

  • In addition to exploring the forts, you can also walk along the Paseo del Morro trail, which follows the city wall from the San Juan Gate to Castillo San Felipe del Morro.

  • Be aware that the surfaces of the historical structures are uneven and rugged, and the ramps and staircases are steep and sometimes narrow.

  • Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

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How to get to San Juan National Historic Site (Sitio Histórico Nacional de San Juan)

The San Juan National Historic Site is an easy walk from the pier where most cruise ships dock; head north past Plaza Colón from there. Free trams depart every 20 to 30 minutes and travel three different routes around Old San Juan, including past the historic site. Taxis are also available.

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Trip ideas

How to Spend 2 Days in San Juan

How to Spend 2 Days in San Juan


When to visit San Juan National Historic Site (Sitio Histórico Nacional de San Juan)

In February, over the course of several days, the San Juan National Historic Site celebrates its anniversary with special programming. Park staff and volunteers dressed as uniformed soldiers conduct cannon-firing demonstrations from Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Fort San Juan de la Cruz in the morning and afternoon. In general, the site attracts the most tourists and locals on the weekends.

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El Yunque Rain Forest

Located about 30 miles (48 kilometers) from San Juan, El Yunque Rain Forest is a popular attraction for first-time and returning visitors to Puerto Rico and a must-see for nature lovers. Although it is relatively small in size, it is the only tropical rain forest in the United States Forest Service and boasts plenty of biodiversity.

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Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What are the nearest attractions to San Juan National Historic Site (Sitio Histórico Nacional de San Juan)?
A:
Attractions near San Juan National Historic Site (Sitio Histórico Nacional de San Juan):
Q:
What else should I know about attractions in San Juan?
A:
As well as visiting the San Juan National Historic Site (Sitio Histórico Nacional de San Juan), check out these trip ideas to make the most of your visit: