Even cruisers need to take a break from sea life. While staying in a marina is Salinas, Puerto Rico, we left Pura Vida behind for a few days of playing tourist in Old San Juan. To describe it words will not do it justice, so this blog is primarily a photo essay of Old San Juan and its majestic architecture, historic sites, cultural activities, and vibrant colors. If you have not been here, add it to your list of must-see places!
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We chose a boutique hotel called the Gallery Inn based on a friend’s recommendation and we were not disappointed.
The Gallery Inn – Our room was on the rooftop terrace
View from our private terrace
Our Private Terrace
Hotel owner’s art studio
Hotel pool designed around original walls
Hotel Pool – you can swim among the art
Enjoying a late afternoon dip
A mermaid in the pool
You can even view the adjacent room and chandelier
View from the pool
The hotel is full of lush spaces
Cozy nooks full of art are all over the property
Hotel has several talkative birds
This one bites!
Kimberly found new friends in the gardens – these frangipani caterpillars were everywhere
The streets and buildings of Old San Juan reminded us of our beloved French Quarter in New Orleans, but with steep hills. Public art is everywhere you turn in the city.
Streets signs look a lot like the French Quarter
Most streets are made of this iridescent cobalt blue brick
Commemorating a Papal visit
Sculptures are everywhere
Capilla Del Cristo de la Salud, built mid 1700s
A private garden
View from the street in front of our hotel
Lots of green spaces all over Old San Juan
Beautiful fountains along Paseo de la Princesa (the Princess Walkway)
Even the trees look like art
We also stumbled across a cat sanctuary where the cats literally climb out of the trees by the dozens to greet you.
They started climbing out of the trees just to get affection
Feeding time is very popular
They were all extremely docile
The most impressive sites in the city are the massive fortifications that the Spanish built in the 1500s to defend the city from attackers.
The many sentry posts have become a symbol of Puerto Rico. They’re even on their license plates.
View of Fuerte San Felipe del Morro – locals love to spend the weekend enjoying the grounds and flying kites
Impressive walls protecting the city
The hot walls also serve another purpose
The internal structures are massive and expansive
City view from one of the many levels of the fortress
This place is great for hide-and-go-seek
The above ground cemetery is very similar to those in New Orleans
She’s always in charge!
Barracks have not changed much in 500 years
The inside of the buidings were remarkably cool and spacious
Corridors everywhere connecting this maze of a fortress
Going down to the dungeon
A prison cell
Wall drawings by a Captain held prisoner for years
And, of course, no tour of San Juan would be complete without sampling the rum, cocktails, and food that the city has to offer.
Our favorite bar, “Aqui Se Puede” (Here You Can)
Best bartender in San Juan, Ivan Torres Lespier
So many delicious cocktails, what should I order?
A glass holding cinnamon smoke for a rum old fashioned
Almost ready
So delicious, this was my second one
Andres, at Casa Melaza Rum Boutique
A flight of local rums
Relaxing at La Taberna Lupulo after a day of walking up and down hills
Met up with fellow cruisers Crystal and Rob from s/v Kairos (www.LetItBreeze.com) who are spending hurricane season in San Juan
At the Carthage Express diner, food is delivered to you by train
Wise advice at a rooftop wine bar playing on the varied meanings of the word “vino”: He who *came* to this world and didn’t drink *wine*, why the hell did he *come*!?
Three days was not enough! We will likely return to this amazing city in the future to further explore its treasures.
Fabulous isn’t it!!❤️
BJ, we had such a great time! It was over way too soon.
That looks fantastic!
What an interesting place.
It’s really a gem. Y’all would love it.
Looks amazing ~ love all your Beautiful Photos!
Thanks Catherine! You and Charlie would love it! Hugs and kisses to you and the boys!