History, Museums & Sightseeing in San Juan

Good to Know

• A single $10 USD ticket grants 24-hour access to both Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristóbal, representing excellent value for exploring two major fortifications.
• Old San Juan's cobblestone streets are lined with restored colonial buildings stretching back 500 years—the Caribbean's largest collection of historic architecture.
• Walking is the primary way to navigate Old San Juan's narrow, traffic-filled streets; the historic district is compact and can be covered in less than a day.
• Many museums are housed in restored historic buildings themselves and feature bilingual (Spanish-English) exhibits.
• National Park passes (America the Beautiful, Annual, Senior, etc.) are accepted at the two major forts.
• Check local news before visiting La Fortaleza (governor's mansion) as organized protests may occur depending on political events.
• Early morning visits to major sites like El Morro help you avoid peak crowds.
• Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico's lush gardens are worth visiting even if you don't go inside the museum proper.
• Children under 15 receive free admission to the major forts.