The Old City of the Caribbean (Armando)

The Old City of the Caribbean

San Juan is the capital city of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. According to the 2010 census, the capital city had a population of 400,000 people, making the city one of the largest in the United States nation. Also, the city of San Juan is the second oldest city established by the Spanish people in the American hemisphere. To this time, within the municipality of San Juan, is what the Puerto Ricans called "The Old San Juan," which is the place where more than 500 years of history was left to us by the Spanish people before losing against the United States during the Spanish-American War in 1898. So let’s take a tour through some of the places that any tourist should visit during their stay in the capital city of San Juan.

Firstly, every tourist visiting the "Old San Juan" has to eat a typical dish of Puerto Ricans called "Mofongo," which consists of fried plantain that can be filled up with shrimp, steak, chicken, and seafood. Restaurants where you can eat this delicious dish are "Raices" and "Mojito," both of which are next to each other. In addition to the two restaurants mentioned above, if you are looking to learn and delight on the typical food of Puerto Rico, you should visit as well the restaurant known as "Cueva del Mar." “Cueva del Mar” provides a broader idea of the typical food of Puerto Rico.

Secondly, after having tasted the cuisine of Puerto Rico, and at a minimum have walked through San Juan at 90 degrees Fahrenheit and between 90% to 95% percent humidity, the next thing you should do is take a refreshing Cuban drink called "Mojito,” which is an alcoholic beverage, but can be ordered without alcohol since its purpose is to be a refreshing cold drink.After having eaten and drunk you can continue to enjoy the beauty and oldest that is the city of "Old San Juan" but if you have the opportunity to visit the city in the future, it is encouraged to visit the island between January 14 and 18. During those days is celebrated a Christmas festival which is attended by thousands and thousands of Puerto Ricans and is the most likely activity of the year for anyone born in Puerto Rico, since this event celebrates Puerto Rican Christmas, with typical food, local handicrafts, typical music of our culture among other things.

However, to have a better picture of our history and see all the old structures around in “Old San Juan,” I encourage you the most to visit the "Castillo San Felipe del Morro" (Morro Castle) and “La Fortaleza” (The Fortress). The Morro Castle was used to guard the entrance of the San Juan Bay and the port city of San Juan from seaborne enemies. The amazing thing about this structure is that it was built in 1540 and is 476 years old, and it is surprising to see how it is still standing and in good condition."La Fortaleza" structure has been the home of generations of Governors of Puerto Rico, was built in 1533, and is a beautiful house with beautiful inner courtyards, and is a unique experience that everyone who visits Puerto Rico must go to.

If you take the advice of visiting those places before leaving Puerto Rico you will learn more about our history and culture, and will get a good idea of how big and amazing the city of San Juan can be. (Armando)