Hotels in Puerto Rico - Attractions

When you arrive to Puerto Rico, the air becomes warm and wet the sky is more blue and the smell of the sea is everywhere. You are in the middle of the caribbean sea, and that is a very exciting sensation.

The Old San Juan is the old district of the capital, and it was founded about 500 hundreds years ago by the spanish conquerors . Ity was built as a forth to take care of defence from english , dutch, french, and all kind of pirates. The architectonic style looks like the small villages from the south of Spain, narrow streets of colored houses full of flowers. Nowadays, this is a tourist district where you can find every kind of shopping and restaurant places.

When you re driving to Arecibo, the road becomes a snake, up and down, left to right, the trees fall over you as if they where gonna swallow you. te rain is almost permanent in this place. Then, suddenly a strange and huge artifact appears slowly in front of you. The Arecibo Radiotelescopy is one of the great wonders I've ever seen.

Ponce was founded in 1692 by Juan Ponce de León's great-grandson - Loíza Ponce de León.
Ponce is also known as the "Ciudad Señorial" (majestic city), because of its many beautiful neoclassical buildings and facades. It's the second city of Puerto Rico and the capital of South District.

This hot spot is like a magnet for those seeking a fun night out. It's one of the most successful clubs in all of Old San Juan, predominantly frequented by a younger crowd. The club has an 'energized' urban setting with modern décor and lighting. This is definitely an eclectic nightspot that makes you want to dance! Here, they boogie the night away to 'New Age' sounds. There is a full bar providing a wide assortment of tropical drinks. From Tuesday to Saturday the nightclub opens at 5:30p.

Located within the Radisson Ambassador Plaza Hotel on Ashford Avenue, this is one of the more sophisticated Italian restaurants in San Juan, catering to discerning diners who appreciate the nuances of fine cuisine and service. The decor includes neutral colors, stucco arches and murals that accent the Italian setting. Music is offered on the weekends and the interior design, from the art to the lighting, is very well thought out. Specialties include fresh halibut cooked in parchment, rigatoni with shiitake mushrooms and ricotta, and rack of lamb in a red wine sauce.

Located in the southern tip of Old San Juan, this stylish promenade hosted a former Spanish prison, which now houses the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. It offers breathtaking views of the San Juan Bay and is bordered by a huge colonial wall. Several cultural activities are held here throughout the year. Walking the full promenade also offers views of Isla de Cabras, a beautiful small island located in the bay. The Paseo is the place for an afternoon 'Piragua', a traditional Puerto Rican sweet concoction made from ice and tropical fruit syrups.

This plaza, built in 1992 for the commemorate the Fifth Centenary of the discovery of America, extends from the San José Church and the rebuilt Ballajá Barracks. The 'Tótem Telúrico', an impressive, contemporary sculpture made by the local artist Jaime Suárez graces its center. The Plaza provides an excellent view of the El Morro grounds, the old San Juan cemetery, and the Atlantic Ocean. Teenagers can be found at the plaza, on weekends, skating and having fun; while, tourists like it as a place to relax, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Located on Calle Cristo and built in 1540 and restored several times, this Cathedral is the 'must-see' of the San Juan Archdiocese. Declared an official 'Minor Basilica' by the Vatican in Rome, the Cathedral is on most walking tours in and around Old San Juan. Learn about famous Spanish conquistador, the first Governor of Puerto Rico and Juan Ponce de León, whose remains are interred on the premises.

City Hall (Casa Alcaldía) stands imposingly in front of the Plaza de Armas in Old San Juan. It houses the city's Mayor and his staff. Its arches are flanked by two towers, very similar in design to Madrid's City Hall in Spain. Construction was accomplished in stages between 1604 and 1789. Today, the building contains a tourist information area downstairs and an exhibit and art gallery on the first floor. Visitors are welcome to tour and admission is free.

Refurbished in 1992, in time for the celebration of Columbus' discovery of the Americas in 1492, the Cuartel de Ballajá was once a military barracks. Today, it houses the Museum of the Americas where crafts and other exhibits detail the cultures of the Americas. Exquisite colonial architecture provides a handsome backdrop for the cultural events often celebrated in the building's central patio. Admission is free.

Located in the northern sector, this is one of Old San Juan's most famous boulevards. It is the major venue for local celebrations, including the annual January festival, the Puerto Rican equivalent of Mardi Gras. This is a classical colonial street. Also it is a must-see for visitors and the thoroughfare where one can find the well-known El Patio de Sam and Amadeus Café.

This century old plaza is host to the colonial-style Iglesia de San José, the San José Church, which stands on the corner of Calle de San Sebastián and Calle Cristo. Several annual events occur here and it is a hang-out for the San Juan youngsters on weekends. During the day, it is an oasis of tranquility and offers pleasant views of the Cristo Street, to the south.

If you're interested in politics, you'll want to visit the Capitol building which houses Puerto Rico's lawmakers. Built on a hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, El Capitolio is in the Puerta de Tierra district near Old San Juan and contains both chambers; the Senate and the House of Representatives. Members of both houses have offices in respective annexes to the main building. The rotonda features the original copy of the Constitution of Puerto Rico, signed in 1952. Visitors are welcome and tours are offered.

Located on the southern tip of Old San Juan, this small, charming Plaza is frequented by locals. This is a great respite area for conversation and relaxation. It houses a small building dating back to 1937, now a Puerto Rico Information Center where you can pick up maps and tour information. This is a good starting point for a walking tour of Old San Juan.