The Fab 5’s Tour of the Town
Saturday, May 19th



5:30pm: PA girls pick up walking tour brochures from
La Casita – down at Pier 1
6 pm: Fab 5 finally meet at Sheraton
6:15 – 9:15 pm: Tour Highlights
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
Plaza de Colon
Castillo de San Cristóbal (smaller fort)
Plaza del Quinto Centenario (2-tiered plaza w/ giant obelisk)
Cementerio de Santa María Magdalena (red dome)
Fort (preview)
Casa Blanca (family home of Ponce de Leon)
◦ Cathedral de San Juan
◦

9:30 pm: Supper
Dinner spots???
The best way to begin our exploration is to
take a 2 hour walking tour of Old San
Juan. We will pick up a copy of this selfguided walking tour map at La Casita, the
tourist information center, located next to
Pier 1, right on the waterfront.

Plaza de Colón (Columbus
square) was originally
called St. James Square
was renamed in 1893 to
honor Christopher
Columbus on the 400th
anniversary of his
discovery of Puerto Rico;
bronze tablets at the
pedestal of the Columbus
statue record important
episodes in the explorer's
life.
Plaza de
Colon

Castillo de San
Cristobal
Castillo de San Cristóbal is El Morro's partner in the city's defense. Built in 1634
(completed in 1771), it was considered the Gibraltar of the West Indies. San
Cristóbal was supported by a massive system of outworks which provided
defense in depth and is is one of the largest defenses ever built in the
Americas. It rose 150 feet, covering 27 acres of land. As if its size and height
weren't sufficient to intimidate enemies, its intricate modular design was sure
to foil them. A strategic masterpiece, it features five independent units, each
connected by moat and tunnel; each fully self-sufficient should the others fall.
It's a World Heritage and National Historic Site, administered by the U.S.
National Park Service. Open daily from 9am to 6pm.

Cementerio de San Juan (San Juan Cemetery) is located between El
Morro and the rocky cliffs above the Atlantic is considered one of
the most picturesque of burial grounds anywhere. The cemetery is
particularly noteworthy for its elaborate tombstones and the
circular neoclassical chapel dedicated to Mary Magdalen. The most
notable piece is a circular, red-domed chapel, which dates back to
the late 19th century.
Open daily 9am – 6 pm. Admission is
$3
With a history that dates
500 years, this stone
structure truly deserves
its place of honor in the
National Historic
Register. The English
and the Dutch attacked
the Morro repeatedly in
its time. Located on the
San Juan Bay, the sixstory fort was originally
constructed in 1540,
although its exterior
walls were not erected
for another 200 years.
Inside the walls is a
veritable labyrinth of
chambers, barracks,
hallways and prison
cells. The fort was given
a complete facelift in
1992.
Walking the wall of the fort will
provide amazing views of the
ocean. I’m seeing a serious
photo op!!
Walk down the street with Plaza de Beneficencia on the left. At the
southwest corner of the plaza is the entrance to Casa Blanca, the
original home of the Ponce de León family. Juan Ponce de Leon
was the guy looking for the fountain of youth and found Florida
instead. He served as governor of Puerto Rico for a bit, but was
removed from office because of his brutality to the natives.
The Catedral de San Juan (San Juan Cathedral) was built in the 1520's, the
original church on these grounds had wooden walls and a thatched roof. It was
destroyed by hurricane in 1526 (October 4th), rebuilt in in 1540, looted in 1598,
and damaged by another hurricane in 1615. This Cathedral is an authentic and
rare New World example of medieval architecture. The cathedral contains the
marble tomb of the island's first governor Juan Ponce de León and the relic of
San Pio, a Roman martyr. San Juan Cathedral still holds religious services on a
regular schedule. It is also open for tours daily from 8:30am to 4pm.
Rest of the tour…
If you are running out of time, take the street on the south side of the plaza (the
Catedral is on the east) and walk downhill past La Fortaleza and through the Puerta
de San Juan. Turn left and follow Paseo de La Princesa, past the Raíces fountain
and the La Princesa building (the executive office of the Puerto Rico Tourism
Company). Go to the end of the Paseo, and walk to the water on your right. La Casita
will be in front of you.
THE FULL TOUR
From the Plaza de la Catedral, continue down Cristo Street one more block to San
Francisco Street and take a left. A block down San Francisco is the Plaza de Armas.
This is the original main city square as evidenced by the Casa del Ayuntamiento (City
Hall). Retrace your steps to Cristo Street, and turn left. You will find yourself in one of
the major shopping areas of Old San Juan. When you reach the part where the street
is blocked off, turn right and walk to La Fortaleza (the executive mansion for the
Governor of Puerto Rico). Tours are available in both English and Spanish. Go back
to Cristo Street and turn right. At the very end of the street is the Capilla del Cristo
and (on your right) the Parque de las Palomas. Go left around the Capilla del Cristo
and you are now on Tetuán St. Continue down Tetuán until you reach San Justo
Street (your 3rd right). Turn right on San Justo and walk to the water. La Casita is on
your left.
Most of the shopping in Old
San Juan is done in the
numerous shops along Cristo,
Fortaleza and San Francisco
streets. The best spots to buy
high-quality crafts are the two
craft markets.
For a casual, family-run place
in Old San Juan with good local
food —mofongo, or mashed
plantain, is a Puerto Rican
specialty but children will
probably prefer the sugary
plantain version — try El
Jibarito (280 Calle Sol, Old San
Juan, 787-725-8375;
www.eljibaritopr.com), where
you can expect to pay about
$30 for two for dinner.