San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, is an intriguing blend of the old and the new. Founded in 1521, the city was a key port in the Spanish colonial empire, as evidenced by El Morro, the huge fortress that guards the harbor. Behind thick stone walls, Old San Juan retains its original character of blue cobblestone streets, elegant plazas and brightly colored heritage architecture. This lively center is the city’s – and island’s – cultural hub for museums, music, dining and more. The nearby Santurce district has emerged as the city’s hippest, with unique shops, cutting-edge restaurants and trendy nightlife. Just minutes from the heart of San Juan are the iconic beaches of the Condado and Isla Verde, whose stretches of palm-fringed sands are lapped by the azure waves of the Atlantic.
