San Juan

---

TRAVEL GUIDE

Puerto Rico's capital, which radiates out from a bay on the Atlantic, is most commonly associated with the colonial streets and forts of Old San Juan, but that's only part of the picture. This major metropolis may be rooted in the past, but it has its eye on the future. Locals go about their business surrounded by colonial architecture and towering modern structures.

By 1508, the explorer Juan Ponce de León had established a colony in an area now known as Caparra, southeast of present-day San Juan. He later moved the settlement north to a more hospitable peninsular location. In 1521, after he became the first colonial governor, Ponce de León switched the name of the island—then called San Juan Bautista, in honor of St. John the Baptist—with that of the settlement of Puerto Rico, or "rich port."

Defended by the imposing Castillo San Felipe del Morro (El Morro) and Castillo San Cristóbal, Puerto Rico's administrative and population center remained firmly in Spain's hands until 1898, when it came under U.S. control after the Spanish-American War. Centuries of Spanish rule left an indelible imprint on the city, particularly in the walled area now known as Old San Juan, an area filled with cobblestone streets, brightly painted colonial-era structures, and fortifications that have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Old San Juan is a monument to the past, but most of the rest of the city is planted firmly in the 21st century and draws migrants from all over the island and beyond to jobs in business and industry. The city captivates residents and visitors alike with its vibrant lifestyle as well as its balmy beaches, creative cocktail bars, globe-spanning restaurants, and world-class museums. Once you set foot in this city, you may never want to leave.