2 Best Sights in Old San Juan, San Juan

The original structure here was a wooden house built in 1521 as a home for Ponce de León; he died in Cuba without ever living here. His descendants occupied the house's sturdier replacement, a lovely colonial mansion with tile floors and beamed ceilings, for more than 250 years. It was the home of the U.S. Army commander in Puerto Rico from the end of the Spanish-American War in 1898 to 1966. Several rooms decorated with colonial-era furnishings are open to the public. The lush garden, complete with watchtower, is a quiet place to unwind.

The restored home of 18th-century naval hero Don Ramón Power y Giralt is now the headquarters of the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico and its nonprofit, Para La Naturaleza. On-site are several displays highlighting the physical, cultural, and historical importance of land and properties on the island under the trust's aegis. The goal of the trust is to increase the amount of protected lands in Puerto Rico from (currently) 8% to 33% by the year 2033. Displays are in Spanish, but there are note cards in English for the changing exhibitions. A gift shop sells toys, Puerto Rican candies, and eco-friendly souvenirs.