Casa Rosa
Ad
related to: San JuanExclusive Savings - Free to Book & Cancel - Compare Car Rental Discounts!
Search results
San Juan (/ ˌ s æ n ˈ hw ɑː n /, Spanish: [saŋ ˈxwan]; Spanish for "Saint John") is the capital city and most populous municipality in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2020 census, it is the 57th-largest city under the jurisdiction of the United States, with a population of 342,259.
- Explore the Forts of Old San Juan. Standing guard over the Old City, two major landmarks make up the San Juan National Historic Site — a great place to get your footing in the city’s captivating history.
- Stroll Through 500 Years of History. The so-called walled city will give you time-capsule vibes as you walk up and down the cobblestone streets. Charming pastel buildings blend harmoniously with cultural landmarks and striking monuments that tell the story of Puerto Rico.
- Immerse Yourself in Puerto Rican Culture. There is no better way to explore the breadth of the Boricua experience than by visiting one (or more!) of San Juan’s many museums.
- Hit the Beach. Some of the most popular and picturesque beaches in Puerto Rico are located right in the city of San Juan. Three main beaches: Condado Beach, El Escambrón, and Ocean Park Beach, offer everything from swimming and stand-up paddleboarding to jet-skiing, diving, and snorkeling.
Plan a great vacation in San Juan, the capital city of Puerto Rico, where Old World elegance and modern Caribbean meet. Explore the historic district of Old San Juan, the stunning beaches, the natural wonders, the fun activities, and the vibrant culture of this exciting destination.
- Walk the Streets of Old San Juan. If you only have a day in Old San Juan, tour one of the forts and then simply walk the colorful streets of Old San Juan.
- Relax & Play at San Juan Beaches. You’re planning a Caribbean vacation, so of course, you want beaches. Grab a lounge chair, put on sunblock, and lay under the sun so you can return home with the perfect tan.
- San Juan National Historic Site. The forts of Old San Juan are must-see attractions, where you’ll step back 500 years in time. Navigate these massive and magnificent fortifications and explore their tunnels, dungeons, ramps, and barracks.
- Cruise Along the San Juan Bay. A romantic way of seeing Old San Juan is aboard a sailboat, especially during sunset. As the sailboat turns around the San Juan Bay, you’ll get to see the most spectacular views of the walled city, and sights of the most impressive UNESCO landmarks that protected the city; La Fortaleza, and Castillo San Felipe del Morro.
- Overview
- History and architecture
- The contemporary city
San Juan, capital and largest city of Puerto Rico, located on the northern coast of the island, on the Atlantic Ocean. A major port and tourist resort of the West Indies, it is the oldest city now under U.S. jurisdiction. Originally, the settlement was known as Puerto Rico and the island as San Juan, but common usage over the centuries brought abou...
In 1508 the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León founded the original settlement, Caparra, on the almost landlocked harbour just to the west of the present metropolitan area. In 1521 the settlement was moved to a rocky islet at the harbour entrance. Casa Blanca (“White House”) was begun that same year and was owned by Ponce de León’s family until the late 18th century. In 1533 the Spanish began construction of massive fortifications in response to attacks by native Taino and by rival European powers. The bulwark-palace known as La Fortaleza, built near Casa Blanca, was the first of the new defenses (it now houses the governor’s mansion). San Felipe del Morro castle (also called El Morro) was constructed next, on a high bluff overlooking San Juan Bay.
In the early 16th century San Juan was the point of departure for Spanish expeditions to unknown parts of the New World. Its fortifications repulsed the English navigator Sir Francis Drake in 1595 as well as later attackers, but George Clifford, 3rd earl of Cumberland, captured it briefly in 1598, and a Dutch force took the city from the landward side in 1625. In response, the fortress of San Cristóbal, the largest Spanish fort in the New World, was built to the northeast, and, from 1634 to 1638, walls were erected across the southern part of the city, facing the harbour. The bastions existing today were largely added during the period 1765–83. In May 1898 the guns of San Cristóbal engaged a U.S. fleet that bombarded the city. Puerto Rico became a U.S. territory under the terms of the Treaty of Paris that same year.
In the 20th century San Juan expanded rapidly beyond its walled confines (now known as Old San Juan) to incorporate suburban Miramar, Santurce, and Condado, along the coast, as well as industrial Hato Rey, with its large sports stadium and modern financial district, and the town of Río Piedras, immediately to the southeast. By 1980 the San Juan metropolitan area included the surrounding municipalities to the east and west and had about one-third of Puerto Rico’s total population; that proportion has grown to two-thirds of the population. In a move to decentralize the old city, many government offices and agencies were moved across the bay, but the governor’s palace has remained in use. Traffic congestion became a serious problem as the city grew, and, in an effort to reduce automobile use, the first line of a regional rapid-transit rail system opened in 2004.
The San Juan metropolitan area is the largest industrial and processing centre of the island, with facilities for petroleum and sugar refining, tobacco processing, brewing, and rum distilling. Cement, pharmaceuticals, metal products, and clothing are also produced. San Juan is the island’s financial capital, and many U.S. banks and corporations maintain offices or distributing centres there. Tourism is a major component of the local economy, visitors being drawn to the extensively restored Old San Juan district and the area’s luxury resort hotels (particularly in Condado). The port of San Juan handles both cargo and a large number of cruise ships, and the city’s international airport (named after Luis Muñoz Marín, the island’s first elected governor) is just outside Old San Juan; both facilities are among the busiest in the Caribbean.
Special offer for students! Check out our special academic rate and excel this spring semester!
Learn More
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
People also ask
What are the major tourist attractions in San Juan?
What is the history of San Juan?
What is the population of San Juan?
Why was San Juan fortified?
San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico and its largest city, with 342,000 (2020) inhabitants in the municipality and 2,203,000 in the metropolitan area. Founded in 1521 by the Spanish conquistadors, San Juan is the oldest city under the jurisdiction of the United States.
San Juan is the capital and cultural center of Puerto Rico, with a rich history, vibrant nightlife, and diverse dining options. Explore the colonial architecture, the fortresses, the shopping malls, and the beaches of this island city.
