EL CONDADO El Condado (Spanish for “county”) is primarily a middle to upper class community. It is located east of the historic colonial district of Old San Juan. It is one 40 “sub-districts” of Santurce district. The eastern border is marked by De Diego Avenue and its straight extension towards the Atlantic coast. On the […]
Museo la Casa (199 Callejón de la Capilla, Old San Juan) — Dedicated to the artistry of the printed word, this museum counts among its holdings approximately 400 books printed before the 15th century—one of the larger such collections in the Western hemisphere. It also owns two royal decrees from King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella […]
Museo Felisa Rincón de Gautier (51 Caleta de San Juan, Old San Juan) — This tiny but fascinating museum honors Felisa Rincón de Gautier, who served as San Juan’s mayor from 1946 to 1968. Throughout her life, “Doña Felisa” worked tirelessly on various public causes, including women’s voting rights and health care for the poor. […]
Museo de San Juan (150 Calle Norzagaray e/Calle MacArthur, Old San Juan) — A bustling marketplace in 1857, this handsome building now houses the small San Juan Museum. You’ll find rotating exhibits of Puerto Rican art, plus tableaux and audiovisual shows that present the island’s history. Concerts and other cultural events take place in the […]
Museo del Niño (150 Calle Cristo, Old San Juan) — This three-floor, hands-on “museum” is pure fun for kids. There are games to play, clothes for dress-up, a mock plaza with market, and even a barbershop where children can play (no real scissors here). There’s also an immense food-groups pyramid, where children can climb to […]
Museo de las Américas (Calle Norzagaray e/Calle del Morro) — On the second floor of the imposing former military barracks, Cuartel de Ballajá, this museum houses four permanent exhibits: Popular Arts, African Heritage, the Indian in America, and Conquest and Colonization. You’ll also find a number of temporary exhibitions of works by regional artists. A […]
Galería Nacional (98 Calle Norzagaray, Old San Juan) — Built by Dominican friars in 1523, this convent—the oldest in Puerto Rico—once served as a shelter during Carib Indian attacks and, more recently, as headquarters for the Antilles command of the U.S. Army. The beautifully restored building contains the Galería Nacional, which showcases the collection of […]
The Cuartel de Ballajá (Ballajá Barracks or Ballajá Quarters) housed Spanish soldiers and their families in the late 1800s, the building could accommodate up to 1,000 people. The construction began in 1854, the main building was completed in 1863 and the chapel was added in 1881. Originally conceived as a solution to the lodging needs […]
The Ruinas de Caparra (Caparra Ruins) are those of an ancient fort where Ponce de León founded the first settlement on the island in 1508. The Museum of the Conquest and Colonization of Puerto Rico at the ruins offers historical documents, exhibits and artifacts. Open daily 9am – 4pm, (787) 781-4795.
The Casa de Ramón Power y Giralt is the headquarters for the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico, it also serves as a conservation resource center, in which critical environmental issues can be explored through an interactive multimedia exhibition entitled OJO-ISLA. Located at 155 Tetuán Street. Open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10am to 4:00pm, (787) 722-5834.