Trinasolar has supplied 22MW of its Vertex modules and Vanguard 1P smart tracking systems for the Valcasado solar park in the Spanish city of Huelva The project has been developed by its owner Green Tie Capital and features 33,600 Vertex modules and 580 Vanguard 1P trackers the plant will deliver clean energy to the local municipality of San Juan del Puerto Vertex dual-glass bifacial modules are a perfect fit for this project the ultra-high-performance panels being engineered to minimize levelized cost of energy Choosing a supplier able to provide an ideal product solution combined with an outstanding record of successful projects globally was paramount when project work got underway project manager at the plant’s EPC Elmya commented: “With extensive expertise and experience in the industry Trinasolar demonstrated its expertise in tackling any challenges that might arise Its comprehensive solutions provided the security and confidence we needed.” we have upgraded our product offerings and features to bring you the best experience please check your email inbox for password reset message from PV Tech and follow the instructions Can\'t find the email? Try to sign in again and use the "Forgot Password" button If you have any questions please contact us You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience The company said in a statement that it was “firm in its commitment to the Andalusian Green Hydrogen Valley and will continue to invest to create value and employment in the municipalities of San Juan del Puerto and Gibraleón.” From pv magazine Spain the International Energy Agency (IEA) published its Global Hydrogen Review 2024 which shows how the clean hydrogen sector is adding more projects and more final investment decisions “but setbacks persist”: of the 20 GW of electrolysers announced worldwide only 6.5 GW have confirmed their final investment decision (FID) two oil companies have threatened to halt electrolyser projects in the event that a 1.2% tax is applied to large energy companies CEO in Spain of the United Arab Emirates company Go Energy Group has shared with pv magazine that the company's plans to develop two projects in the Andalusian Green Hydrogen Valley are still on track: specifically a 100 MW green hydrogen and ammonia plant in San Juan del Puerto The investment for the two projects will exceed €300 million despite “the recent appearance of news about some energy companies that have decided to stop their investments or renewable energy projects in Spain” last week “the two applications for Integrated Environmental Authorization from Go Energy have been registered to continue with all the administrative procedures required to start the construction of the aforementioned industrial plants which require a multi-million euro investment.” The company adds that “all the documentation submitted to obtain the Integrated Environmental Authorisations has been prepared by a multidisciplinary team of more than 50 people belonging to different leading companies such as engineering group TSK and local companies in the province of Huelva for environmental aspects and other types of specialised studies on soil they explain that they intend to promote specialised employment in the municipalities of Gibraleon and San Juan del Puerto “and that is why they are designing a very comprehensive training plan with local corporations allocating resources for this purpose.” the president of Go Energy Group has visited countries such as Japan where he has found great interest from large corporations to establish collaborations in the company's investments in Spain,” he explains The company is also developing two renewable hydrogen projects in the Balearic Islands using alkaline technology as well as a green hydrogen plant in the Valencian Community town of Almussafes More articles from Pilar Sánchez Molina Please be mindful of our community standards and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" By submitting this form you agree to pv magazine using your data for the purposes of publishing your comment Your personal data will only be disclosed or otherwise transmitted to third parties for the purposes of spam filtering or if this is necessary for technical maintenance of the website Any other transfer to third parties will not take place unless this is justified on the basis of applicable data protection regulations or if pv magazine is legally obliged to do so You may revoke this consent at any time with effect for the future in which case your personal data will be deleted immediately your data will be deleted if pv magazine has processed your request or the purpose of data storage is fulfilled Further information on data privacy can be found in our Data Protection Policy Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" This website uses cookies to anonymously count visitor numbers. View our privacy policy. × The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this Close An official website of the United States government Our hospital provides primary care and specialty health services and the other health services we offer at San Juan VA Medical Center Select a service on this page to check the hours San Juan VA Medical Center is fully operational Visitation hours are canceled except for Compassionate Care visits In person services for One Stop Shop and Compensation and Pension are closed. The Emergency Room will continue regular operations.  Telehealth appointments will continue Wheelchair availability:  Wheelchairs are available upon arrival for patients who need them to access the building Special transportations for VA approved activities Beneficiary travel benefits include round-trip transportation from your home to the medical center Find out if you qualify for beneficiary travel benefits The registered nurses on our Nurse Advice Line provide you and your family with helpful medical advice and free confidential answers to many of your health care questions Our low vision outpatient clinic can assess your needs and provide a rehab plan tailored to your personal goals Our team of specialists and social workers will work with you to find the right aids and services We perform noninvasive and minimally invasive tests and procedures that check We’ll work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan and treat you with the most effective medications If you’re a caregiver for a Veteran you can get support by contacting one of our caregiver support coordinators. If the Veteran you care for was injured post-9/11 you may be eligible for even more services and medical coverage if you aren’t already covered Learn more and connect with a support coordinator Doctors in our intensive care units (ICUs) treat patients with serious illnesses or injuries Our critical care doctors (called intensivists) and nurses provide you with a full range of services We provide care for many medical and surgical skin conditions We offer many medical and support services to help you manage your diabetes We provide emergency medical care 24 hours a day Our emergency room staff can help you with: We diagnose and treat hormone imbalances and other endocrine system problems that can create or complicate serious medical conditions like diabetes We diagnose and treat medical conditions in your esophagus Our gastroenterology department provides services like: We assess your situation and condition to decide which outpatient geriatric services are right for you or a senior Veteran in your care Our team of specialists provides geriatric services that include: Learn more about VA long-term care Our gynecologists focus on the female reproductive system and provide services that include: We offer a range of hematology and oncology services You can arrange appointments and consultation through your primary care provider Our hematology and oncology services include: We help Veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless due to financial hardship Contact one of our care coordinators to get help with: Learn more and connect with a care coordinator Our internists are primary-care doctors who treat adults for a wide range of health issues gay and bisexual (LGBQ+) Veterans and their families and affirmative environment when providing you with sensitive and high-quality health care services like: Learn more and connect with a care coordinator is a weight-management program designed to help you live a longer Learn more about MOVE! Our medical center and clinics provide consultation and treatment for a range of issues that may impact your mental health or emotional well-being Our confidential outpatient services include individual and group therapy for: Learn more and connect with a care coordinator We offer care for military sexual trauma in our mental (behavioral) health clinics Military sexual trauma refers to sexual assault or remarks that you experienced in the military Our goal is to help you improve your quality of life with strategies to manage emotions and memories related to your military sexual trauma Learn more about military sexual trauma we can help you get the services and benefits you need Our Minority Veterans Program serves all Veterans who are Black American and Native American (including American Indians Learn more and connect with a care coordinator My HealtheVet is a web-based tool you can use to manage your care and improve your health from your computer or mobile device You can access your personal health records and use tools to manage your care through our My HealtheVet online system You can also use My HealtheVet to refill your prescriptions you can contact our coordinator by phone or in person Learn more and register for My HealtheVet Our team of kidney doctors (nephrologists) actively manage all aspects of adult kidney disease renal hypertension (high blood pressure caused by kidney disease) We provide inpatient and outpatient services We provide inpatient and outpatient services for chronic diseases and disorders that affect your brain Our neurologists read electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings which measure the electrical impulses brain cells use to communicate with each other We evaluate and treat many neurological illnesses and disorders such as: Although many people think of neurosurgery as brain surgery Our neurosurgeons diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions related to your nervous system Our registered dietitians can help you maintain or improve your 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perform cosmetic surgery to create a more normal appearance and improve self-esteem Your VA primary care provider will work closely with you to plan for all the care you need to stay healthy and well throughout your life They will also work with family members or caregivers who support you A strong network of family and internal medicine specialists and services can offer you the best possible care Internal medicine doctors (internists) prevent Doctors who specialize in family medicine provide primary health care to the entire family Your primary care team can coordinate the many services you receive such as: Our pulmonary medicine team treats diseases and conditions that affect the lungs and breathing acute respiratory distress syndrome and sleep apnea If you find it difficult to breathe or sleep We provide long-term care to help you and your family when you’re dealing with a disability Our long-term health care services include: If you’re returning from military service we can help 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injuries Learn more about the VA spinal cord injuries and disorders care system We work with behavioral health providers and community organizations to help you and your family during times of crisis Learn more and connect with a care coordinator we make sure that your procedure and follow-up care are safe and high-quality We provide a wide range of surgical services We use the latest in secure digital technology to set up remote visits with our health care providers and store-and-forward telehealth that lets you securely send your health information to experts at VA facilities We offer telehealth visits with providers in: Learn more about telehealth We perform chest surgery (also known as thoracic surgery) to treats conditions involving your chest Our thoracic surgeons provide state-of-the-art surgical techniques and cancer therapies that focus on your lungs and other organs of the chest Many of our thoracic treatments also address problems with your esophagus (the tube that connects your mouth and stomach) and your chest wall (rib cage and breastbone) We treat a variety of conditions that include: and treat a wide range of urology diseases and conditions that include kidney stones and minimally invasive procedures for health issues that affect: We offer women’s health services to meet your specific needs such as disease screenings maternity care and female-specific medical equipment Our womens health program offers complete health care for women Veterans of all ages Our primary care providers specialize in women’s health They work closely with specialists in gynecology Learn more and connect with a care coordinator The new park from Green Tie Capital features bifacial double glass modules combined with an intelligent tracking system and is set to supply the San Juan del Puerto municipality with clean energy for decades The Valcasado solar project in the Spanish province of Huelva constructed by EPC contractor Elmya Energy These are bifacial Vertex modules and 580 Vanguard 1P trackers the site has a north-south gradient of up to 15 per cent and 10 per cent in an east-west direction This requires flexible tracking systems with good terrain adaptation as well as resilient infrastructure that can cope with dry and cracked ground Miguel Giménez from K2 Systems: “Significant growth opportunities” The bifacial Vertex double glass modules from Trinasolar deliver 655 watts and were specially developed to reduce the levelised cost of energy (LCOE) which is particularly important for large solar parks In combination with the modules and Vanguard trackers Trinasolar will accelerate the introduction of these smart solar solutions in Europe “The solution offers the best combination of solar modules and trackers for high yields in solar projects.” According to a calculation from Trinasolar the EPC has saved 100,000 euros in installation costs through speedy project realisation CSP experts to meet at Spanish Solarpaces conference APPA study: Electrification 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A podcast for investors on the opportunities and risks of the solar market The pv Europe editorial team offers their own analysis and discusses current topics with experts Efforts began to Christianize the Native American population within the first few years after Pedro Menendez’s victory over the French in Florida and his establishment of the city of St native people far outnumbered European settlers the Spanish were responsible for setting up a productive Not all Spaniards had the same agendas in Florida Some wished to use the Native Americans as laborers and important allies for the new colony while some were genuinely devoted to the ideal of saving their souls through religious conversion Many probably fell somewhere in the middle Most Native Americans in north Florida were semi-nomadic (meaning they moved their settlement from time to time) and were dispersed throughout the countryside missionaries needed to gather the Native Americans into permanent settlements Spanish Franciscan friars set up a system of missions throughout Florida Missions were Spanish-style self-sufficient villages Native Americans lived in and around these villages where they could be observed and taught Catholic and European beliefs and customs Often these missions were located at or near important native villages and towns One important mission that existed within today’s Preserve boundaries was San Juan del Puerto The mission was established sometime in the 1570s and was one of the largest missions The mission was one of many set up by the Franciscans throughout the new colony of Florida who already had a large village on the island It is believed that the mission was built on or near the site of the existing village Not much is known about life at San Juan del Puerto No standing buildings remain at the mission and there are documents left by the friars that shed some light on life at San Juan del Puerto Father Francisco Pareja was one of the most prominent Franciscans at the north Florida missions He served as a spokesman for his fellow Franciscans declaring that “we are the ones who bear the burden and the heats and we are the ones who are subduing and conquering the land.” Pareja is remembered for his work in writing down the Timucua language and producing religious works in both Timucua and Spanish to help the missionaries and their converts communicate as well as a grammar of the Timucua language Since Pareja lived at San Juan del Puerto for most of his time in Florida the people who lived at that mission worked closely with him and his books Pareja wrote that “many Indian men and women have learned to read in less than six months and they write letters to one another in their own language.” Since there are no Timucua speakers alive today Pareja’s works are the only source we have for understanding the Timucua language For the Timucua and other Native American people life at a mission village was substantially different from life outside it and part of the Natives’ crops was taken as tribute to the colonial government Not much is known about the daily life of the men women and children who lived in and near the mission villages while working and receiving religious instruction The Timucua from the missions were drafted to work as transporters It is difficult to determine what the Timucua thought of mission life and the colonial government Some were drawn to the missions for protection from other tribes and some embraced the new life and teachings Some likely pretended to conform to Catholic life while still maintaining Timucua religious beliefs Some accepted the Spanish religious authorities but rejected the political and military authorities This rebellion was led by chiefs and nobles attempting to regain the power and provinces they and their ancestors had once controlled the population of Timucua had already begun to decline due largely to diseases like smallpox brought over by the Europeans Population decline among the Timucua practically emptied the missions Guale people from Georgia traveled south and settled into the depopulated missions of Northeast Florida The British began attacking Florida in the 1760s with the intention of gaining some territory as a colony and enslaved some of the Natives captured in the attacks being concentrations of people and symbols of Spanish power and fear spread that the British wanted to enslave all natives and larger missions moved closer to the city of St now quite small because of population decline The former inhabitants gathered and reformed the mission outside the walls of St Today there are no Timucua left in Florida There are no standing structures on Fort George Island to bear witness to the large mission of San Juan del Puerto 54-5-20/6 (photocopy in the Stetson Collection Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve Historic Resource Study For more information on current mission archaeology taking place in the Preserve click here. Return to Ribault Club and Fort George Island history Download the NPS app to navigate the parks on the go In the framework of World Energy Saving Day Magnon Green Energy reinforces its commitment to sustainable development and the circular economy with the event ‘Actions for the Planet’ an initiative led by more than 150 young people from high schools in Huelva who have come up with slogans to encourage behaviour that promotes greater social awareness on the efficient use and consumption of energy The event was held at the Muelle de San Juan del Puerto in the natural environment of the Salinas del Tinto Magnon has counted on the collaboration of the San Juan Town Council and students of the intermediate level of Technician in Natural Environment and Leisure Guide of the town who have been in charge of monitoring the groups of schoolchildren The groups of more than 150 students participated in workshops and group dynamics aimed at acquiring healthy habits for the planet and learning about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) the global challenges defined by the United Nations that Magnon integrates into its daily operations Representatives of important institutions in Huelva Energy and Mines of the Andalusian Regional Government in Huelva or the vice-president of the Provincial Council have come to recognise with their presence and participation the importance of promoting actions for the planet that integrate the efforts of the people of Huelva which was closed by the mayoress of San Juan ended with a resounding round of applause in recognition of the creativity and commitment of the groups of young people calling on society as a whole to take action for the planet Aware that World Energy Saving Day emerged in 2012 to raise awareness not only among companies and institutions Magnon wanted to point out with this event the importance of individual participation in global challenges and to bring the commitment to energy saving also to homes with behaviours such as those proposed by the student groups in their slogans Commitment to sustainability and rural development Magnon Green Energy has been committed to a strategy that combines the generation of renewable energy with the revitalisation of the rural environment in the areas where it operates creating employment and boosting local economies thus contributing to slowing down the phenomenon of depopulation The company is committed to the development of biomass energy because in addition to the social and environmental benefits it brings it is a renewable energy source without climatic dependencies that provides valuable stability and management capacity to the electricity system that supplies the whole of society Magnon Green Energy: a pioneer in renewable energy and circular economy Magnon Green Energy operates three biomass plants in Huelva with a total installed capacity of 137 MW capable of generating renewable electricity to supply more than 600,000 people using agricultural and forestry waste Magnon Green Energy reaffirms its commitment to social awareness and environmental protection demonstrating that the energy transition towards a more sustainable future requires the collaboration of all sectors of society We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences An important collection of Floridian artifacts will finally be getting an upgrade in the coming year The Florida Museum of Natural History has received almost $100,000 to upgrade over 20,000 artifacts from excavations of the Franciscan mission site of San Juan Del Puerto The grant was awarded to the Florida Museum of Natural History by the Save America’s Treasures program a federal program that helps preserve nationally significant historical collections Gifford Waters is the museum’s historical archaeology collections manager “With this being one of the longest-lasting missions in Spanish Florida it's very important to maintain these collections in a good archival state so that as archaeological research and technology increases we get a better understanding of the lives of the people on the missions,” he said and was founded in the late 1500s and lasted until 1702 The first is to stop the deterioration of the artifacts which are mainly Native American and Spanish pottery by storing them in acid-free boxes and bags The other objectives are to curate records associated with excavations of the site and to improve public awareness The site was first excavated in the 1950s and 1960s and the collection as a whole hasn’t been analyzed since the 1970s The grant will allow museum staff to not only stop further deterioration of the artifacts but also to do extensive analyses of them with 21st century technology “These technological studies and this in-depth analysis and reanalysis is going to answer kinds of questions and things that have been hypothesized since these sites were excavated,” Donna Ruhl “It's going to be a great opportunity to reanalyze San Juan Del Puerto was the head of the Franciscan order for missions in Florida in the 17th century with friars and Native Americans living at the site Studying the artifacts helps archeologists better understand the impact that missionaries and colonizers had on the lives of the Native Americans living there a missionary stationed at the San Juan Del Puerto helped record the language of the Timucua people Documents like this “helps us to sort of give a voice to those without a voice in the past,” Waters said Soon they plan to have the collection available for everyone — from researchers to the general public — via an online database stories about people who lived on the site and more “We really want to get this information out so that people can use it learn about it and appreciate it,” Waters said While a website on San Juan Del Puerto is coming soon the museum already has future goals for a database on missions throughout the Americas “We’d like to sort of be the clearinghouse of mission archaeology,” Waters said Johns River was named after a Spanish mission I'm interested in knowing where the English spelling comes from Dear J.J.: Since its inception in 1890, the U.S. Board on Geographic Names has discouraged the use of apostrophes in place names The possessive form using an “s” is allowed but the apostrophe is almost always removed The board operates under the Department of the Interior and is mandated to standardize geographic name usage throughout the federal government Its archives give no reason for the policy It’s not true that the apostrophe looks too much like a rock in water when printed on a map and is therefore a hazard Nor is it true that in the days of “stick–up type” for maps the apostrophe would become lost and create confusion The probable explanation is that the board doesn’t want to show possession for natural features because “ownership of a feature is not in and of itself a reason to name a feature or change its name,” according to the site you’ll find no-apostrophe place names throughout the United States Clingmans Dome in Tennessee and Pikes Peak in Colorado public communications coordinator for the St RELATED | More from Curious Jax the board has approved only five exceptions to its policy regarding natural features They are: Martha's Vineyard off Massachusetts after an extensive local campaign Ike's Point in New Jersey because it would be unrecognizable otherwise John E's Pond in Rhode Island because it would be confused as John S Pond (the use of a period is also discouraged) Carlos Elmer's Joshua View at the request of the Arizona State Board on Geographic and Historic Names because three apparently given names in succession would dilute the meaning and Clark’s Mountain in Oregon at the request of the Oregon Board to correspond with the personal references of Lewis and Clark there are many names in the board’s database that do have the apostrophe because it doesn’t apply its policies to some types of features are best left to the organization that administers them For more information on the St. Johns River, go to sjrwmd.com/waterways/st-johns-river/facts The World Heritage Centre is at the forefront of the international community’s efforts to protect and preserve World Heritage partnerships for conservation Ensuring that World Heritage sites sustain their outstanding universal value is an increasingly challenging mission in today’s complex world where sites are vulnerable to the effects of uncontrolled urban development Our Partners Donate Take advantage of the search to browse through the World Heritage Centre information a series of defensive structures was built at this strategic point in the Caribbean Sea to protect the city and the Bay of San Juan They represent a fine display of European military architecture adapted to harbour sites on the American continent la baie de San Juan s'est couverte du XVIe au XXe siècle d'ouvrages défensifs qui présentent un répertoire varié de l'architecture militaire européenne adaptée aux sites portuaires du continent américain يشكل خليج سان خوان نقطة استراتيجيّة من البحر الكاريبي، وقد غطته بين القرنين الخامس والتاسع عشر أعمال دفاعيّة تمثّل مخزوناً متنوّعاً من الهندسة العسكريّة الأوروبيّة المكيفّة بحسب حاجات مرافئ القارة الأمريكيّة 公元16世纪至20世纪期间，在加勒比海的战略要地上建起了一系列防御工事用于保护圣胡安城和圣胡安海湾。这些建筑很好地展示了欧洲军事建筑与美洲大陆港口实际情况相结合后产生的和谐效果。 система оборонительных сооружений была построена в этом стратегическом месте Карибского моря Они представляют собой великолепные образцы приспособления европейской военной архитектуры к особенностям гаваней Америки Situada en un punto estratégico del Caribe la bahía de San Juan se protegió con toda una serie de obras defensivas construidas entre los siglos XVI y XX Estas fortificaciones son un buen ejemplo de la arquitectura militar europea adaptada a las zonas portuarias del continente americano along with the later fortifications of Castillo San Felipe del Morro Castillo San Cristóbal and San Juan de la Cruz (El Cañuelo) and a large portion of the original San Juan City Wall were built between the 16th and 20th centuries to protect the city and the Bay of San Juan They are characteristic examples of the historic methods of construction used in military architecture over this period which adapted European designs and techniques to the special conditions of the Caribbean port cities and today as the seat and residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico which retain the general appearance of advanced 18th-century defense technology clearly illustrate both a transfer of technology from Europe to America over a long period and its adaptation to the topography of a strategically significant yet difficult tropical site the defenses express successive techniques and technologies in fortification construction The varied examples of military architecture from the 16th to 20th centuries in the fortifications of San Juan are evidence of the imperial struggles that defined the development of the Americas As one of the first as well as one of the last of the numerous seats of power in Spain’s American empire these structures are now potent symbols of the cultural ties that link the Hispanic world Criterion (vi): La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site outstandingly illustrate the adaptation to the Caribbean context of European developments in military architecture from the 16th to 20th centuries They represent the continuity of more than four centuries of architectural Located within the boundaries of La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site in Puerto Rico are all the elements necessary to understand and express the Outstanding Universal Value of the property The portion of the City Wall that belongs to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is not within the property The property is nevertheless of sufficient size to adequately ensure a full representation of the features and processes that convey its significance The property in general does not suffer from adverse effects of development or neglect though urban encroachment near the north section of the City Wall and the deterioration of the San Juan del la Cruz fort’s facade and Castillo San Cristóbal’s outworks have been identified as concerns La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site in Puerto Rico is authentic in terms of its forms and designs The fortifications remain as a clear testimony to their original defensive purpose and indeed continued to serve as such through the mid-20th century including those used in periodic expansions and improvements during the forts’ active service are still evident and can be used to guide continuing conservation Repairs have been constantly necessary over the life of the structures due to their age and the vulnerable materials of which they are composed; regular monitoring now supports repair work The site is fundamentally in a good state of preservation despite conservation challenges posed by susceptible materials such as sandstone and plaster in the presence of the erosive action of the sea and heavy traffic in the area Some early repairs using concrete also caused damage but current professional conservation policies which was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960 is owned in fee by the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; San Juan National Historic Site is held by fee title by the Government of the United States of America La Fortaleza is protected under the regulations of the Puerto Rico Legislative Assembly as well as by the Commission of the Historic Zone of San Juan an independent commission of the Capital of Puerto Rico The Institute of Puerto Rican Culture has established standards of conservation and restoration in the historic zone there is a Consultant Committee for the Restoration San Juan National Historic Site in Puerto Rico – comprised of San Felipe del Morro and El Cañuelo forts and most of what remains of the of the old San Juan City fortress wall along with the San Juan Gate – is protected under the National Park system which affords it the highest possible level of protection by the federal government and assures a high standard of interpretation and public access The inclusion in 2013 of both La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site within the Old San Juan Historic District National Historic Landmark affords another level of protection as well Formal agreements are in place for cooperative management of the property between the Government of Puerto Rico and the National Park Service Guiding documents include a General Management Plan (1985) and various interpretive plans for waysides and exhibits for San Juan National Historic Site; the Commonwealth government has committed to compiling current practice into a formal management plan for La Fortaleza A new visitor center established in 2002 at Castillo San Cristóbal allows for improved public access and there are plans to further enhance information for visitors and reduce traffic Sustaining the Outstanding Universal Value of the property over time will require completing and implementing a general management plan for La Fortaleza; continuing to apply appropriate conservation measures aimed at protecting vulnerable materials including at the San Juan del la Cruz fort and Castillo San Cristóbal outworks; and managing urban encroachment near the City Wall Don’t you love a good mystery? I sure do. From “Perry Mason” to “Poker Face,” if it’s a whodunnit So when I heard about the Mystery of the $400 Million I couldn’t resist trying to sort through the clues about how it all happened The mystery isn’t where the money would go In the 2024-25 state budget now awaiting the Governor’s signature Johns River Water Management District to use that $400 million to buy land for the proposed 7,500-acre Grove Land Reservoir and Storm Water Treatment Area project in Okeechobee and Indian River counties The reservoir’s not even close to ready to start construction No state agency has even approved a permit for the privately owned Grove Land project in their most recent comments on the proposal the state permitting folks wrote that “as currently proposed So where did that decision to hand over so much money come from “I don’t know,” Lisa Rinaman of the Jacksonville-based environmental group St. Johns Riverkeeper told me just the sheer magnitude of the appropriation.” The Legislature offered no bills or resolutions about Grove Land before stuffing this wad of taxpayer cash into the budget like a burglar cramming loot into a bag There was no discussion of it in pre-Session delegation meetings that the public could attend nor in the weeks of open committee meetings prior to the final rounds of budget bargaining like a snake slithering out from under a rock Even a politically savvy adviser to the folks who have been pushing for this project, former Florida Park Service director Eric Draper told me he had no idea this budget bonanza was in the works Draper is one of several environmental advocates who support the reservoir Draper believes that it could help with the Indian River Lagoon’s terrible pollution problems Rinaman is worried it will simply transfer that pollution to the St “If Grove Land moves forward as currently designed,” she told me “it will increase phosphorous loads in the Upper St She pointed out that this is not the first time this shift-the-burden move has happened “This is just another attempt by the Legislature to solve South Florida’s problems by dumping them on North Florida,” she said The St. Johns is the longest river in Florida and one of only three in the nation that flows north. It has borne many names over the years The Native Americans called it “Welaka,” meaning river of lakes who built Fort Caroline on its banks almost 50 years before the settlement in Jamestown referred to it as “Riviere de Mai,” because they settled there on May 1 called the river “Rio de San Juan” after a mission near its mouth named San Juan del Puerto Then the English took over and anglicized “San Juan” as “St the most accurate name has been “Don’t Even Think About Swimming Here.” I know you’ll be shocked to hear that this river, much like all the other waterways under the purview of our Florida Department of Environmental Whoopsie-Daisy — er I mean “Protection” — has some pretty serious contaminant challenges “Pollution — especially in the tributaries — threatens human health, the economy, and the ecosystems that support plants, animals, and recreation,” noted the most recent “State of the River” report on the lower St so let’s take a look at what’s killing the Indian River Lagoon Once regarded as North America’s most productive estuary the Indian River Lagoon had 79,000 acres of seagrass beds that helped it achieve that thriving reputation it’s lost an estimated 75% of that seagrass Who left it knock-knock-knocking on heaven’s door? No need to call in Columbo or Kojak is that it’s been deluged with polluted water that it wasn’t supposed to get Johns but had been diverted by the construction of the Florida Turnpike and drainage canals The Grove Land project would fix that error of history the stormwater treatment areas to be built around the reservoir could then clean up the pollution before it gets into another waterway As the name implies, the Grove Land property has been used for citrus production for decades. But the disease of citrus greening put an end to that, according to Ron Edwards, CEO of property owner Evans Properties of Vero Beach as well as a longtime board member of The Nature Conservancy The company is now looking for other things to do with the 40,000 acres it controls across the state “Florida has a big water problem and we may be located in some of the right places to solve some of those issues,” Edwards told Florida Trend in 2018 The idea of converting some of that land into a reservoir has been around since something called the Central Florida Water Initiative a cooperative effort involving three of Florida’s five water districts grew out of a colossal bureaucratic screwup the three water management districts were handing out water use permits as if they were the ONLY ones handing out water use permits.” Because they weren’t considering cumulative impacts exceeding the amount of water that’s actually available The prospect of new suburbs with dry faucets and sputtering lawn sprinklers was not one anyone wanted to contemplate was to be told they couldn’t keep building because there was no water anymore In 2015, the Legislature created the controversial initiative as a regional water-supply planning effort to straighten it all out This includes coming up with new sources of water other than pumping it out of the dwindling supply underground Hence the legislative interest in building a 5,000-acre reservoir on the Grove Land property: It boosts the water supply so fast-growing Central Florida can continue growing And I do mean fast. Central Florida is booming like a Fourth of July party at the fireworks factory. It’s to the point now where even preserved land is being targeted for new roads and other developer-friendly uses “While this project is being considered in the budget it was a worthy investment to plan for water needs decades from now,” Andres Malave the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations subcommittee pitched the idea of spending $200 million on “surface water storage and treatment,” Malave said The Senate countered with a line item for “Grove Land Reservoir and Storm Water Treatment Area Project” for $400 million That counteroffer had the backing of outgoing Senate President Kathleen Passidomo “The President (a land use and real estate attorney) reviewed an appraisal and supported the Senate offering the remaining $200 million,” Betta told me But why do this without any state agency asking for the money the leaders “saw a need and appropriated funds to address that need.” I couldn’t get an answer from Betta or Malave for my main question: Who first proposed spending so much taxpayer money on a project that has yet to prove it won’t harm the St But maybe that silence tells us what we need to know I’m not saying my children were ever anything but perfect little angels but I learned early on that a good rule of parenting is The fact that no one is jumping up and down to claim credit for steering this moolah into the budget tells me the intentions behind it were less than honorable By that I mean this elected official doesn’t give a hoot about pollution What’s important to him or her (and important campaign contributors) is increasing the water supply so developers can keep on developing maybe the Grove Land reservoir is a worthy project Maybe its stormwater treatment areas will be designed to capture every single smidgen of pollution before it flows into the St then it should be able to withstand public scrutiny instead of being smuggled in like contraband And it seems to me that the current taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay the full price of a project that primarily benefits new growth but maybe he’ll veto this $400 million too then it would give legislators a chance to do this the right way out in the open where everyone can see what’s happening Then maybe some smart person will suggest they impose impact fees on new development to pay for at least half the cost the taxpayers from all over the state don’t have to bear the entire burden for Central Florida Why didn’t they do it this way in the first place Florida Phoenix is a news and opinion outlet focused on government and political news coverage within the state of Florida No state politician will come forward on that one I imagine it came from Florida–they are good at doing things and trying to conceal it–especially something that helps support unbridled growth at the expense of our land and water We need to outlaw air conditioners and see who sticks around I suspect the carpetbaggers and that Republican vote margin would disappear and our waterways would begin to heal the lame quack with the line item veto owns it This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL © Copyright by Extensive-Enterprises 2025. All rights reserved. STAFF LOGIN Readers: Today we wrap up our list of Florida’s 67 counties and how they got their names which accidentally was left out of our previous columns As a reminder, all facts are from this writer’s book, Florida Fun Facts, as well as the Florida Department of State and the Florida Handbook. Note: Years refer to each county’s formation Indian River (1925): The river for which the county is named originally was Rio de Ais Pasco (1887): Samuel Pasco was speaker of the Florida House when the county formed Pinellas (1911): The Spanish named the peninsula Punta Pinal: "point of pines." Florida Time archives: Get caught up on the stories you’ve missed Putnam (1849): Either for Israel Putnam, Revolutionary hero, or Benjamin A. Putnam, an officer in the Seminole wars and an unsuccessful congressional candidate who was the first president of the Florida Historical Society missionaries founded Mission San Juan del Puerto "Saint John of the Harbor," for John the Baptist St. Lucie (1844): Spanish explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilés established the Santa Lucia settlement she was born in the fourth century in Sicily of noble parents and was exposed as a Christian by a spurned suitor and later executed she preached against submission to Emperor Frederick II given to the group which migrated from adjoining states in the late 1700s is thought to derive from the Spanish word cimarron Sumter (1853): General Thomas Sumter was a Revolutionary War hero Suwannee (1858): The waterway's name either is from the Cherokee world sawani Songwriter Stephen Foster never laid eyes on it rejecting Mississippi's Yazoo and South Carolina's Pee Dee and arbitrarily shortened it to fit the song's metrics Taylor (1856): Zachary Taylor, president from 1849 to 1851, led U.S. troops at the 1838 Battle of Okeechobee in the Second Seminole War Volusia (1854): Perhaps for an English or Belgian or French settler named Volus or Veluche who reportedly owned a trading post at a landing on the St Wakulla (1843): Probably a Timucuan word for "spring of water." Walton (1824): George Walton was a secretary of the U.S but only on paper; voters refused to approve its founding and it was gone by 1834 Two counties never were: Bloxham was rejected by voters and Call was vetoed by the governor and replaced with "Brevard." Share it with Eliot by leaving a voicemail at (850) 270-8418 Last week: Florida History: Florida’s alligators were here first -- a brief history From a reader: I very much enjoyed your article on the history of Cypress Gardens I went there with my parents and later worked there as a teenager as a tour guide through the gardens In 2011 I got a job at Legoland and was there until 2013 I was disappointed at the end of the article when you simply stated Legoland is there now Cypress Gardens is still there and it's as beautiful as ever It's a shame that people don't realize that the Cypress Gardens original park is still intact and being well cared for The famous Banyan Tree still stands tall and is as beautiful as ever I hope to one day convince Legoland to offer an historic Cypress Gardens tour pass That would include the mansion and the crossroads even though they have a Legoland facelift Until then please know that it's as beautiful as ever and being well taken care of Eliot Kleinberg has been a staff writer for the past three decades at The Palm Beach Post in West Palm Beach, and is the author of 10 books about Florida (www.ekfla.com) Florida Time is a product of GateHouse Media and publishes online in their 22 Florida markets including Jacksonville comments or memories to FloridaTime@Gatehousemedia.com By Luisita Lopez TorregrosaApril 4 36 Hours San Juan, P.R. Jump to: Recommendations Itinerary Google Map By Luisita Lopez Torregrosa Photographs by Scott McIntyre Luisita Lopez Torregrosa was born in Puerto Rico and has written a memoir recalling her childhood on the island a street in the former working-class barrio of Santurce is now the epicenter of the island’s public art movement featuring giant murals alongside a lively nightlife scene where you can join in on the chinchorreo a local term for bar hopping and street dancing Or just relax on the expansive green lawn where kite-flying is popular folkloric masks that resemble the faces of colorful demons 6:30 p.m. Relax in an intimate wine bar Across Plaza de Armas, the chic wine bar Pio Pio a secluded space that declares its name with a Barbie-pink sign over the bar has luxury plates like lobster rolls with sturgeon caviar ($32) unusual wines (including Llopart Corpinnat Rose and cocktails like a vodka martini that hits the spot with a dash of orange bitters ($17) By this time, the celebrated bar La Factoría, inside a century-old building, already has a line down the sidewalk. It’s worth waiting to enjoy the signature Lavender Mule (ginger tea, vodka, lavender and citrus; $12.80) in the bar’s standing-room-only scruffy main room or one of its smaller drinking dens, reached via dark passageways. Then stroll downhill to Marmalade whose pale rooms of arches and alcoves evoke Moorish Andalusia seasoned with harissa (North African chile paste) and the bite-size pieces of paella served like sushi rolls are memorable eight flavors of local organic chocolate with hazelnut accents Five courses (each course has eight to 10 choices) People dance to salsa music at La Factoría The sun deck at the Condado Vanderbilt hotel The Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico exhibits the major works of artists from different generations Absorb the haunting self-portrait “Azabache,” by the Puerto Rican painter Arnaldo Roche Rabell Walk to another hall to find “No Crying in the Barber Shop,” a room-size installation depicting a Bronx barbershop visit the quiet sculpture garden and stop by La Tienda which stocks locally made works like the brightly colored tiles depicting a still life of red flowers 1:30 p.m. Enjoy an expansive Castilian comida Bodegas Compostela is a fixture among San Juan’s high-end restaurants understated dining room favored for family gatherings with crackling skin and juicy meat ($74.95) and a rich chocolate soufflé ($15.95) for dessert order the fresh and light lobster salad ($42.95) Compostela is also known for its fine wines 7 p.m. Taste the roots of Puerto Rican cuisine Dine in the open patio at Cocina al Fondo last year became the first Puerto Rican to win a 2023 James Beard Award for Best Chef: South Try traditional favorites like pastelillos de calabaza (pumpkin fritters $15) and jarrete de cerdo al caldero (ham hock with rice and beans and ripe plantain; $42) a slice of tuna set over a tiny alcapurria fritter People walk down a street in Old San Juan the colonial enclave of pastel-colored architecture and ancient forts Parque del Indio a neighborhood beach park on Avenida Ashford in Condado at Calle C.F Rent a chair ($5) and an umbrella ($10) and watch the waves or take a long walk on a beach that goes on for miles 11:30 a.m. Go where the locals go Everyone in San Juan knows La Casita Blanca one of the city’s most popular home-style restaurants It is so popular that it won’t take reservations Guests wait chatting in line on the sidewalk along the restaurant which is in a modest white house with a facade draped in flowers on a busy corner of the densely congested Santurce Every day the restaurant posts 10 to 12 dishes on a blackboard The biftec encebollado (well-done filet cooked with onions $5.95) and the arepas con bacalao (cod fritters And the friendly staff waves goodbye with smiles and hugs Santa Cruz y San Bueneventura de Guadalquini Spanish Mission Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve and the University of North Florida (UNF) Department of Anthropology completed their 10th season of cooperative archaeological field schools within the Preserve The 2011 field season included UNF students and added a new opportunity for the public to join in the archaeological research Through the UNF Continuing Education Program members of the public were invited to aid in the excavation of a Spanish mission site at the Cedar Point area of the Park Those involved received firsthand experience in excavation techniques and mapping archaeological materials and features The site location is where the former Spanish Mission Santa Cruz y San Bueneventura de Guadalquini once stood A mixture of various Native American groups established the mission on the southern end of Black Hammock Island in 1684 These native groups had fled their previous mission site The original mission site was established in 1605 and lasted until the movement south in 1684 English and French pirates and raiders drove these groups south to the area of northeast Florida for protection offered by the Spanish A census taken in 1689 indicated there were 60 families (300 people) living at the mission at Cedar Point A 1695 visitation found Santa Cruz housing 5 caciques (leaders) as well as 2 inihas (2nd in command) along with the head cacique who oversaw the wellbeing of all living at Santa Cruz The inclusion of multiple leaders at the mission suggests the residents of the mission were drawn from several existing settlements Sometime between 1695 and 1697 the population of Santa Cruz joined the mission people at San Juan del Puerto on Fort George Island The people of Santa Cruz were under threat of attack from nearby enemy groups and vulnerable due to their close proximity to the mainland the Santa Cruz leader had a council house built for them at San Juan The Santa Cruz cacique later became the head cacique for the San Juan mission in 1701 In 1702 Carolina raiders lead by Colonel James Moore razed and burned both the Santa Cruz and San Juan missions en route to a siege on St the era of the influence of the Spanish Missions effectively ended in Northeast Florida a council house was built for the mission residents who moved to San Juan Following previous excavations at the Santa Cruz mission site this year’s field school and public archaeology program from UNF uncovered features related to a large structure (a possible council house) at the mission site These features are the remnants of post holes where structural posts were placed for walls Walls were built in between the posts from wattle and daub the post hole features reveal a conical appearance where a square post was placed in the hole and shell and dirt were tamped down around it to hold the post in place This is much like what is done today for setting posts in cement Also uncovered at the site were a significant amount of San Marcos mission related pottery faunal remains and other accouterments of daily living The structure appears to be very large with post holes indicating an approximately east to west bearing wall of at least 10 m (31 ft) in length by 6 m (20 ft) bearing approximately north to south since the complete building has not been excavated it could be substantially larger The only previously excavated council house in Florida is located at Mission San Luis in Tallahassee This council house was a round structure 125 feet in diameter and housed 2000 to 3000 people at a time If the council house at Santa Cruz is of a similar nature it would have been designed to house the 300 inhabitants known to have lived there The large structure currently under excavation at Santa Cruz appears to be of a rectangular nature rather than round as found at San Luis This may indicate a change in architectural style due to Spanish influence the structure at the Santa Cruz site is likely to be substantially larger than what is now uncovered Additional excavation of the site is needed to fully understand the history and landscape of Santa Cruz Artifact analysis has yielded a wealth of information for understanding of how indigenous groups lived and worked at the Santa Cruz mission Researchers have learned from faunal remains about the types of shellfish mammals and reptiles that made up the Native American diet The recovery of corn cobs and corn kernels have taught researchers the types of maize eaten and allowed for a comparison of diet to types found throughout the region This may give us an idea of where this crop originated within the New World and may indicate trading patterns Other remains found at the site from previous years included peach pits and domesticated pig bones These morsels are noted in the mission period documents from this era and finding evidence of them has led to the validation of historical documents the research of historical documents and the recent discovery of structural features the Park has verified the location of the Santa Cruz y San Bueneventura de Guadalquini mission at Cedar Point Future cooperative efforts with the University of North Florida will enable the Park to better define the mission landscape locate other areas of occupation and offer insight as to how the indigenous groups of the Southeast lived Contact: NPS Office of Communications Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and the National Park Service (NPS) today announced that the NPS has resumed normal operations and public tours at the visitor center and Castillo San Cristóbal area of San Juan National Historic Site Castillo San Felipe del Morro is expected to reopen as early as next week The National Park Service is an important tourism factor in Puerto Rico generating more than $100 million in economic activity every year for the island more than 1.4 million people visited NPS sites in Puerto Rico spurring more than $85 million in visitor spending The 1,065 jobs the park visitors supported created more than a $100 million in economic output and $40 million in income Category 5 Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico causing damage to the historic fortifications at San Juan National Historic Site and forcing closures at the site Since that time the NPS has been working to repair and restore the site and to ensure that facilities are safe for visitors and employees Castillo San Felipe del Morro has stood as guardian and symbol of Puerto Rico’s heritage and it's also a major tourism attraction for visitors from all over the world” said Secretary Zinke “I’m incredibly proud of the National Park Service and entire Interior family who have been working nonstop to reopen this important cultural and tourism attraction Part of rebuilding communities means rebuilding revenue streams so folks can get back to work The National Park Service will continue to work closely with the people of Puerto Rico to restore life into this vibrant community.” "with the announcement of the reopening of these spaces we show that we are en route to the recovery of our Island The San Cristóbal Castle and San Felipe del Morro Castle are part of the historical and cultural heritage of Puerto Rico essential spaces to continue promoting tourism as part of our economy We invite all Puerto Ricans and visitors to continue enjoying the national historic sites of our Island." San Juan National Historic Site is comprised of Castillo San Felipe del Morro La Puerta de San Juan and most of the city wall The park is open every day from 9:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m It is anticipated that Castillo San Felipe del Morro will open on Monday the park is planning to host a community reopening event for the public The earth once again shook early this Monday morning (26 August) when an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.5 on the Richter scale was recorded in the Atlantic Spain's National Geographic Institute (IGN) said that the earthquake was registered 6.11am at Spanish mainland time one hour earlier in Portugal) at a depth of 19 kilometres according to the revised calculation published on its website the greatest effects of the earthquake in Portugal were felt in Huelva province in the area closest to the Portuguese border in the same way as in Carrión de los Céspedes (Seville) Grade II was felt in the province of Cadiz in the cities and towns such as Jerez de la Frontera It was also slightly felt in Malaga city and on the Costa del Sol and in the Cordoba towns of Alameda del Obispo #terremoto 26/08/2024 04:11:38UTC ATLÁNTICO-PORTUGAL mag=5.5 prof=19km cálculo revisado https://t.co/mDZJpErikl The 112 Andalucía emergency services control centre handled more than 15 calls from different municipalities in the region regarding the earthquake the coordination centre handled the first of the calls regarding the seismic movement from towns in Huelva with no reports of personal or material damage the seismic movement was felt in seven Spanish regions the effects of the earthquake have been noticed in the provinces of Ourense it has been noticed with greater intensity (Grade III) in the Pontevedra towns of Arcade (Sotomayor) Extremadura was another of the regions where the earthquake was felt the most and with the greatest intensity (Grade III) the towns of Ponferrada and Aldeatejada de Salamanca registered a Grade III earthquake at Grade II it was felt in Zamora and Segovia city also at Grade II in Ciudad Real city and the town of Puertollano the earthquake was felt in Gijón at a Grade II level as well as in the Madrid town of Torrelaguna Comentar es una ventaja exclusiva para registrados Wilmington Airport reached a new milestone Wednesday as Avelo Airlines made the airport’s first trip outside the continental U.S The flight was celebrated with a ceremony outside of the terminal attended by executives of the airline and local politicians San Juan became Avelo’s 16th destination from Wilmington Airport Nonstop flights will be offered twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays Here’s what to know about traveling to Puerto Rico including tips and things to do if you take advantage of the new offers More: Could Delaware public schools offer all kids free meals? One bill will again push for it Wilmington flights to Puerto Rico will land at the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport Since Puerto Rico is a United States territory citizens do not need a passport to fly to San Juan Domestic travelers will also not need to go through customs when they arrive on the island Visitors will be required to pass through the U.S Department of Agriculture’s check before returning back to the continental U.S. More: 'Beats living on the streets:' The Delawareans who call motels home during the holidays There are 14 car rental companies and rideshare stations located in the airport to get you to your destination Apps like Uber or Lyft will be useful for those who plan on staying in the metro area but car rentals are generally recommended for other areas of the island Cars can also be booked ahead of time (driving is still on the right side of the road) Be wary of hurricane season when booking a trip which in the Caribbean usually lasts from June 1 to Nov The territory also imposes an 11.5% sales tax on goods and services Puerto Rico has six general regions: North Each of these regions has its own distinct characteristics Puerto Rico boasts year-round summer temperatures with an average of 80 degrees Fahrenheit all across the island The island is home to countless different activities none of them more than a 2.5-hour drive from the airport But the trip’s experience will depend on where you choose to stay The west side of Puerto Rico is known for having some of the best beaches on the island Areas like Flamenco Beach are known for their clear calm waters perfect for sightseeing and snorkeling areas like Rincón are considered the surfing capitals of the territory with swells peaking from October to February Caffeine enthusiasts will enjoy the Central Mountains where people can tour the coffee farms (known as haciendas) throughout the mountains The historic capital of Puerto Rico is one of the most populous in the country Old San Juan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country The neighborhood is over 500 years old and offers everything from historic monuments and museums to bustling nightlife and award-winning restaurants The pastel-colored buildings that line the streets are easy on the eyes More: James Farm hosts first photo challenge. Here are the winning shots. Among the sites in Old San Juan are the historic forts that can be explored with or without guided tours Puerto Rico Museum of Contemporary Art and the Sports Museum of Puerto Rico are also worth checking out There are three main beaches in the San Juan area: Condado Beach Condado and Ocean Park are considered the more “laid back” beaches while El Ecambron is where thrill-seekers can find more active pursuits like snorkeling the only rainforest in the United States National Forest System Travel around an hour east of the airport and find El Yunque National Forest Hiking and exploring the trails make for a good day trip There are shorter trails that lead to waterfalls orchids natural pools and 360-degree lookout towers More: Jury finds man guilty of Elsmere T-Mobile killing, multiple murders in 2021 crime spree La Coca waterfall and Yokahu Tower are some of the more well-known areas within the forest There are also various excursions that are offered there like ziplining expect regular bouts of brief but intense rain Luquillo Beach is minutes down the road from the rainforest home to a popular strip with dozens shops and restaurants where you can enjoy Puerto Rican culture and dishes A few other benefits to consider about Puerto Rico over other tropical destinations:  Contact Molly McVety at mmcvety@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @mollymcvety a neighborhood on the edge of Old San Juan This story is part of American Anthem, a yearlong series on songs that rouse, unite, celebrate and call to action. Find more at NPR.org/Anthem Step inside Puerto Rico's National Foundation for Popular Culture in Old San Juan and you'll find a well-stocked display of CDs and records for sale organized by artist or musical style: Sylvia Rexach But then there's a tab that catches the eye because it names neither an artist nor a style Within the canon of popular Puerto Rican music there is no shortage of songs about that sentiment — particularly about nostalgia for the island itself often written by or for or about people who have had to leave Puerto Rico for one reason or another It is one of the tragedies of Puerto Rico's modern history: the recurring waves of people forced to migrate When you consider that there are more Puerto Ricans living off the island than on it it's no wonder that nostalgia is such a pervasive theme in the music of the island and its diaspora One of the oldest and most enduring of these songs is Noel Estrada's "En Mi Viejo San Juan" ("In My Old San Juan"). Written in 1943 and first recorded by El Trio Vegabajeno in 1946 it's about a man who leaves his beloved island with a plan to return land of my love." As the years pass and he grows old Mi cabello blanqueó (My hair turned white)Ya mi vida se va (My life is ending)Ya la muerte me llama (Death is calling)Y no quiero morir (And I don't want to die)Alejado de ti  (Far from you)Puerto Rico del alma (My soul's Puerto Rico) "En Mi Viejo San Juan" has tugged at the heartstrings of millions of Puerto Ricans the biggest wave of migration in Puerto Rico's history was just beginning government policy to industrialize the island destroyed the farms on which most Puerto Ricans worked Hundreds of thousands of people left for the U.S. where the post-World War II economy was booming Hundreds of thousands of people have fled the island as it struggles under a recession going on its 13th year; billions of dollars of public debt that have decimated the government's ability to provide basic services; and austerity and budget cuts imposed by a federal board that Congress appointed to take control of the island's finances One estimate by that board predicts that Puerto Rico will lose another 20 percent of its population in the next five years Though "En Mi Viejo San Juan" is nearly 80 years old and resonates most strongly with an older generation of Puerto Ricans it still provides a soundtrack for the heartache that people old and young feel over this somber reality reflecting an eternal hope despite the circumstances Me voy (I'm leaving)Pero un dia volveré (But I'll come back someday)A buscar mi querer (To search for my love)A soñar otra vez (To dream again)En mi Viejo San Juan (In my Old San Juan.) Become an NPR sponsor the ACCIONA group's corporate foundation after 13 years of providing basic electricity water and sanitation services to more than 68,000 people in isolated rural areas of Peru The foundation’s first Chilean initiative will be developed in the country’s Coquimbo region where currently almost 3,000 homes have no connection to the electricity grid This pilot project consists of providing electricity to 50 households that depend on gasoline-powered generators as a source of energy which provide them with a maximum of 3-5 hours of electricity per day at a monthly cost that can amount to almost half of their income acciona.org will replace these fossil fuel engines with safer more efficient and environmentally sustainable home photovoltaic systems Users can choose from three different types of equipment The latter two are being offered by acciona.org for the first time meaning this project will also serve as a pilot to test out these technologies and incorporate them into the rest of the group’s initiatives in the other countries where it operates To assure that users are offered an economically sustainable service in the long term payments are guaranteed to be significantly less than their previous energy costs acciona.org works alongside Banco Estado's network of 30,000 CajaVecina branches to collect the service fees The foundation is also training local entrepreneurs to offer installation repair and advisory services as well as selling household appliances to beneficiary households at its Centros Luz en Casa centers which acciona.org intends to replicate in other communities the group plans to implement projects to improve infrastructure and water and sanitation management services in rural and peri-urban communities in Chile acciona.org's mission is to promote the access of basic services and infrastructure that are linked to the ACCIONA group’s activities (energy water and sanitation) and to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals ACCIONA’s corporate foundation has provided access to these basic services to around 68,000 people in isolated rural communities in Peru the foundation supplies electricity to 4,000 homes the group is carrying out its ‘Luz en Casa Amazonía’ program which provides electricity to more than 1,500 homes in the Peruvian basins of the Napo Ucayali and Amazon rivers; and the ‘Agua en Casa’ program which consists in upgrading water and sanitation service management systems and facilities in two communities in the country’s Ica department acciona.org has helped more than 9,000 families in rural communities in Oaxaca by providing them with access to essential electricity sanitation and cooking services through "eco-technologies" which are designed to be environmentally and economically sustainable in the long term acciona.org provides access to basic electricity to more than 1,400 households in remote rural communities in the Ngäbe-Buglé indigenous region The foundation has recently launched its first project in Spain developing a community self-consumption photovoltaic installation in San Juan del Puerto All these acciona.org initiatives are carried out in collaboration with other public as well as with the targeted population that benefits from the projects All these groups share developmental goals with the foundation and are vital for the success of its projects I accept Information on data protection In compliance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 on Data Protection and with other Data Protection regulations in force you are hereby informed that your personal data shall be processed by Acciona whose identification data are as follows: Tax ID No (NIF): A08001851; 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Furthermore, at any time the data subject may withdraw the granted consent by contacting the aforementioned address and file a claim to the Supervisory Authority (Agencia Española de Protección de Datos www.aepd.es) You can also unsubscribe from the Newsletter communication For any further information you can visit the Privacy Police on the website https://www.acciona.com/privacy-policy/ Here's what you need to know to plan the perfect trip to the Island of Enchantment. DestinationsPlanningInspirationShopSearch SavesOpen main menuGetty Images/Tetra images RF The 140ft walls (some up to 15ft thick) date to 1539 and it's said to be the oldest Spanish fort in the New World a short video and weekend tours document the construction of the fort as well as its role in rebuffing attacks on the island by the British try to make the climb up the ramparts to the sentries’ walks along the Santa Barbara Bastion and Austria Half-Bastion for the views of the sea El Yunque and the island’s mountainous spine Wear comfortable shoes for the long walks and countless staircases the fields leading up to the fort are alive with picnickers The scene becomes a kind of impromptu festival with food carts on the perimeter castellated lighthouse on the 6th floor has been in operation since 1846 (although the tower itself dates from 1906) making it the island’s oldest light station still in use today After suffering severe damage during a US navy bombardment during the 1898 Spanish–American War the original lighthouse was rebuilt with unique Spanish-Moorish features a style that blends in surprisingly well with the rest of the fort The National Park Service maintains this fort and the small military museum on the premises It was declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 1983 ContactAddress501 Norzagaray. Old San Juan 787-729-6960 https://​www​.nps​.gov​/saju El Yunque National Forest El Yunque National Forest is one of Puerto Rico’s crown jewels with nearly 29,000 acres of lush mountainous terrain scattered with waterfalls Cañón de San Cristóbal The St Christopher canyon is so unexpected – both in location and appearance – that it takes many a breath away Castillo San Cristóbal The city's second major fort is one of the largest Spanish-built military installations in the Americas Museo de las Américas This museum presents an impressive overview of cultural development in the Americas Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico San Juan boasts one of the largest and most celebrated art museums in the Caribbean Housed in a splendid neoclassical building that was once the city’s… Playa Isla Verde With countless tanned bodies lounging or flexing their biceps around the volleyball net this urban beach basks in its reputation as the Copacabana of… Playa Luquillo Luquillo is synonymous with its fabulous – and hugely popular – beach Casa Bacardí Rum Factory The ‘Cathedral of Rum’ sits in vast grounds near the mouth of San Juan Bay Three signature tours (45 minutes to 1½ hours) are offered throughout the week… View more attractionsNearby San Juan attractions1. Escuela de Artes Plásticas y Diseño arches and porticos across from El Morro was an insane asylum during the 19th century; now it's a prestigious… 2. Cementerio Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis This 19th-century cemetery sits just outside the old city's northern fortifications 3. Museo de las Américas 4. Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña Constructed in the mid-19th century as a shelter for the poor this bright-yellow building houses the executive offices of this institute that organizes a… 5. Cuartel de Ballajá the cuartel is an impressive three-story edifice with large gates on two ends 6. Casa Rosa this tropical pink villa first served as barracks for Spanish troops 7. Plaza del Quinto Centenario This modern square is shoehorned in among several architectural landmarks and offers great views over El Morro and the ocean beyond 8. Casa Blanca First constructed in 1521 as a residence for Puerto Rico’s pioneering governor, Juan Ponce de León (who died before he could move in), Casa Blanca is the… No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission Beach-loving retirees can look to the Caribbean for a scenic and sunny U.S Editor’s note: "Where to Retire: Puerto Rico" is part of an ongoing series on retiring abroad. To see all the articles in the series, jump to the end retirees looking to make their retirement savings last and still lead a beachbound life can do so in a U.S territory on the Caribbean – Puerto Rico Whether you're drawn to big city life in San Juan the smaller retirement community vibe of Palmas del Mar Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail Between 2021 and 2022 alone, 27,000 Americans moved to the island, according to the U.S. Census Bureau as remote work made it easier for people to pop their laptops open at a local coffee bar or their own sundecks and grab a slice of life in the Caribbean Now many state-siders are content to remain on the island in retirement One of the island’s best-kept retirement destinations is Rincon People who move to Rincon tend to stay a long time in what is known as the “town of beautiful sunsets.” “We chose Rincon because of the surfing and laid-back way of life,” says Robin Samora a marketing and public relations specialist who moved from suburban Massachusetts to the beach town with her partner Steve “It’s also a quick 30-minute ride to nearby Aguadilla airport and a quick hop to San Juan I had visited Rincon 35 years ago when there was nothing here.” Steve Samora purchased and started rehabbing a house 15 minutes from the beach that’s “hidden in the jungle,” as he puts it “We’ve updated it significantly and now we’re part of a vibrant ‘gringo' community that sticks together in tough times like when hurricanes hit tying down furniture and getting gallons of water." The Samoras joins a burgeoning tribe of stateside Americans drawn by its rich Spanish and West Indian culture “It’s like the States in some ways with many amenities and restaurants,” Robin Samora says “But people should be aware that the island can be light years behind with things like power outages and a slower lifestyle You adapt by having multiple internet sources and leveraging mobile phone hot spots.” While Samora loves her life in Puerto Rico she likes to return to Massachusetts to visit friends and family Getting on a plane and hitting other Caribbean coastal hot spots is easy and we also use my Massachusetts condo in the U.S.,” she adds “I’m happy going back and forth and traveling we just went to Guatemala and will visit Anegada in the British Virgin Islands in January.” If you’re closing in on retirement or are already there start your Puerto Rican journey with a visit to three destination hot spots: San Juan One of the big benefits of retiring in Puerto Rico is that and you’re only a four-hour plane ride from New York City Chances are that plane will take you directly to San Juan a major economic and cultural city in the Caribbean that many Americans now call home retiring in San Juan gives you the benefits of big city living with gorgeous ocean vistas It also comes with a substantially lower cost of living that anyone living on a fixed income can appreciate Data from Numbeo shows the cost of living is 10% lower in Puerto Rico than in the U.S while rental properties are 53% lower compared to the rest of the U.S One-bedroom apartment rentals regularly lease for less than $1,000 per month while a three-bedroom apartment downtown will cost around $1,500 and up to $3,100 in the city’s upscale neighborhoods If you’re looking to buy a place in San Juan San Juan also offers access to quality hospitals and health care clinics all of which accept Medicare and offer lower co-pays than you’ll find in the states San Juan is a blend of the old and the new The city is 500 years old and looks the part but in a good way Taking a 10-minute walk down from the historic El Morro fortress perched on a cliff overlooking the bay of San Juan with its classic sun-splashed brick sidewalks and Spanish architecture The white sandy beaches of Isle Verde and Condado are only a few minutes away and there is no shortage of high-end restaurants and clubs Hikers will also appreciate the tropical El Yunque rain forest Full disclosure – my wife and I live in Palmas del Mar most of the year it’s one of the most beautiful resort communities in the entire Caribbean about 35 miles down the island’s eastern coast from San Juan Palmas de Mar gives retirees an easy-peasy gated community lifestyle Palmas’ beach villas offer stunning views of not only the Caribbean but also the exotic islands of Vieques while a good two-bedroom rental averages $1,900 Palmas del Mar offers retirees abundant amenities The community offers a 36-hole golf course co-designed by legendary PGA tour champion Gary Player and celebrated course designer Rees Jones Break out your camera for the third and fourth holes of Player’s Palm course both of which are within 30 feet of the sapphire blue Caribbean Palmas also has over a dozen pickleball courts (and is currently adding about a dozen more) and 12 championship tennis courts Hit the sundeck at the members-only Palmas Beach Club grab a mojito at the poolside beach bar or the larger restaurant up front (make sure to try the paella Palmas also offers a scenic harbor for hundreds of community boat owners who can take a spin to the nearby islands at 7 am and easily be back in port by dinner Locals call Palmas del Mar “the campus,” and for good reason It offers all the amenities of a small college town Crime in the community is practically non-existent and the nearby pre-K to 12 Palmas Academy draws scores of families looking for a great education for their kids and the academy is located near a 60-acre jungle rainforest that’s ideal for hiking We’ve heard locals talk about Palmas as one of the best suburbs of San Juan Yet not too many suburban communities are adjacent to the Caribbean and offer ocean and mountain views to die for landing on this campus will leave you feeling young again at a price most U.S Rincon used to be known as a surfer’s paradise and some of the cleanest air on the planet there’s a reason the beach town is known for its picturesque postcard surf and sand The town has eight miles of pristine beaches punctuated by the historic 26,000-candlepower Punta Higuera lighthouse standing 100 feet in the air at a coastline juncture where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean which offers visitors crystal clear aqua-blue water for snorkeling (be prepared to shake hands with a local tortoise) and some of the most amazing coral reefs in the world hit the local food trucks parked near the town’s beaches and make sure to try the crispy chicharrónes Puerto Rico’s version of country-fried chicken given Rincon’s relatively low cost of living compared to beach communities in California and Florida Beachside two-bedroom villa rentals can be had for between $1,800 and $2,200 Tack on about $400 for basic monthly home costs for electricity and trash removal (for a 915-square-foot apartment) Compare that to the $3 million-and-up costs of a beach home in Newport Beach and it becomes clear as the Caribbean skies that Rincon is one of the best deals for beach-bound retirees in the U.S. even factoring in the higher post-Covid home prices in Puerto Rico Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up Brian O'ConnellSocial Links NavigationContributorA former Wall Street bond trader Brian O’Connell is the author of two books: “The 401k Millionaire” and “CNBC’s Creating Wealth.” He's written for national finance publications such as TheStreet.com With 20 years of experience covering business news and trends he believes education is the best gift a financial consumer can receive – and brings that philosophy to his work Brian is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Best in Travel is here! Discover 2025’s destinations The 30 best countries, cities and regions to visit in 2025 Plan your trip with Elsewhere, by Lonely Planet See where a Lonely Planet Membership takes you Subscribe to our weekly newsletters to get the latest travel news, expert advice, and insider recommendations Explore the world with our detailed, insightful guidebooks Stay ahead of the curve with our guidebooks Uncover exciting new ways to explore iconic destinations Every month, we release new books into the wild Search Search Close search menu Explore Best in Travel 2024 Africa Close menu Countries Antarctica Antarctica Close menu Regions Asia Asia Close menu Countries Australia & the Pacific Australia & the Pacific Close menu Countries The Caribbean The Caribbean Close menu Countries Central America Central America Close menu Countries Europe Europe Close menu Countries Middle East Middle East Close menu Countries North America North America Close menu Countries South America South America Close menu Countries Old San Juan historic hub that can be traversed on foot © Getty Images At first glance, getting around San Juan seems deceptively easy Most tourists equate the city with Old San Juan a cruise port and historic hub that can be traversed on foot Puerto Rico's capital is a vast metropolitan area that can be difficult to navigate for first-time visitors with more than a dozen distinct neighborhoods and regions spanning more than 1900 sq miles Here's everything you need to know about getting around in San Juan Taxis are easy to come by in the tourist areas of San Juan They’re lined up at the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) and there’s always an attendant offering rides to guests at the baggage claim area There is a kiosk outside and a line to board a taxi in turn The dispatcher will quote you an exact rate based on your destination the cruise port and major hotels have taxis standing by You can ask a concierge to call one if needed Taxi Turistico is affiliated with the Puerto Rican Tourism Company, but there are also several private taxi companies available. The fee could be flat rate or metered – confirm with your driver ahead of time. Note that taxis are not allowed to enter El Yunque National Forest for pickup or drop-off so you’d need to find alternative transportation for that day trip 13 things every Puerto Rico local knows (and you should too) There is a trolley in Old San Juan that is free of charge and available to the general public no reservations or tickets necessary – just wait at a designated stop to board starting at Terminal Covadonga and ending at Teatro Tapia The trolley runs from 7am to 5pm on weekdays and from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays There is an open-air trolley and an air-conditioned version The pros of this service are that it’s free and doesn't require any advanced planning The con is that you can probably walk to the next stop in less time than it takes to wait for another trolley 14 free things to do in San Juan, Puerto Rico Puerto Rico has a long way to go when it comes to public transport – the system is not intuitive routes are not readily available online and timetables can be unreliable – but it's an inexpensive way to get around There are buses available to certain destinations around San Juan including the airport and Plaza Las Americas They are run by the Autoridad Metropolitana de Autobuses (AMA for short) and commonly referred to as the MetroBus $5 for a day pass and $15 for a week-long pass There is a train that goes from Bayamón to Sagrado Corazón with a total of 16 stations but it doesn’t really pass through tourist zones Transit passes can be purchased at the Tren-Urbano stations The Cataño ferry runs across the bay from Old San Juan to the ferry terminal in Cataño You can buy your tickets on site or online This is a great way to see Old San Juan from the water and do a sunset cruise on a budget from 6am to 7pm on weekdays and 8am to 7pm on weekends How to spend the perfect long weekend in San Juan Rideshares services are the cheapest and most convenient option if you’re not renting a car there is a designated rideshare pickup area that varies by terminal This is a viable option around the San Juan metro area in general If you're traveling beyond the city limits you may be able to get a ride there (begrudgingly if some drivers don’t realize how far you’re going when they accept the ride) but have difficulty finding a ride back Rideshares are not prevalent in other parts of the island so reserve your car ahead of time or call for one with plenty of time to reach your destination in case nothing is available or the driver cancels Rideshares are also not allowed in El Yunque you’re better off going with a guide or renting a car The 5 best day trips from San Juan: hit the road and explore more of Puerto Rico There are many places that can’t be reached by public transport so renting a car is recommended to have freedom of movement and the ability to travel on your own schedule Charlie Car Rental is a locally owned company that is five minutes from the airport has a transport shuttle and is open 24 hours There’s also a car-rental center at the airport itself with brands like Enterprise Planning tip: Prices skyrocket during the high season The minute you know you’re traveling to Puerto Rico make your car rental reservation before all other plans to secure the best rate The 5 best road trips to do in Puerto Rico Most major hotels in and around San Juan are wheelchair-accessible offer a beach wheelchair that can be used on the sand F&V Transport Line Service can help with wheelchair transfers courtesy of a boarding ramp for powered mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs that can accommodate up to 600lbs Make sure to confirm availability via email beforehand The world’s most wheelchair-accessible travel destinations Old San Juan is very pedestrian-friendly. The historic district is a charming 7-square-block area with cobblestone streets and Spanish architecture. It is more than 500 years old, making it the oldest city in the United States. Old San Juan has several parking garages. One of the most popular is Multipiso Doña Fela. There’s also the Ballaja Parking Garage closer to El Morro. These are all paid, and you can use cash or credit cards. Other popular areas, like Distrito T-Mobile, have on-site parking lots. Beyond that, street parking reigns supreme, and finding a spot can be a matter of luck and timing. historical buildings on the coast of Old San Juan Puerto Rico.Photo: Getty ImagesSave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links I was entranced by Rita Moreno singing these words as Anita in the Academy Award-winning film Anita goes on to diss her homeland and professes her love to another—the isle of Manhattan—but when I finally got the chance to visit Puerto Rico for myself I’m with Bernardo on this: “I like the city of San Juan!” My first trip to Puerto Rico was three years after Hurricane Maria. Driving through the countryside, there were still remnants of what was considered the worst natural disaster in the island’s history I saw blue tarps fastened to roofs and bare trees steadily growing back to their former emerald glory I heard stories of how loud the winds were How walking out the next morning to see the damage it appeared the rainforest had been burned Over a game of dominos at my grandfather’s house and fresh papaya plucked from mi tía Noida and tío Efrain’s backyard the stories were similar but always ended with a faint smile and a “things could’ve been a lot worse.” the chief executive officer of Discover Puerto Rico the three best years of Puerto Rico tourism have been 2021 The island’s versatility offers a choose-your-own-adventure for travelers It’s a place to find experiences like no other whether you’re looking to escape the winter blues or simply to recharge on a solo trip with the latest New York Times bestseller as your only companion For personal chef Anjelica Velazquez flying to the island is a moment in itself the entire cabin erupts in applause as ‘Bienvenido a Puerto Rico’ plays on the speakers,” said Velazquez you’re greeted by the unmistakable scent of the sea and the warm embrace of the island's humidity It feels like my ancestors praising me for making it safely home to the motherland.” Commercial real estate manager Alex Zyndorf discovered Puerto Rico to be the perfect haven for solo travelers after visiting this past month “It feels like getting really far away without worrying about where you put your passport,” shared Zyndorf It’s also a home away from home for Eli Valentin, co-founder of the creator commerce platform Fourthwall “introducing others to the real Puerto Rico is one of my favorite things to do Seeing people learn more about our culture and get exposed to our way of life is just amazing They learn that this paradise is not far away.” For natives and travelers alike here’s the ultimate Puerto Rico playbook with newfound gems from insiders near and far Now’s the time to book your flight to the beloved crown jewel of the Caribbean—no passport needed Explore the Santurce art scene near Old San Juan. There is a maze of urban murals, along with a couple of tucked-away galleries, one of which is Chillums a glass gallery specializing in “functional art” (aka a selection of hand-blown marijuana pipes) Panoramic view over the hills in the jungle of the El Yunque national forest in Puerto Rico.Photo: Getty ImagesExplore the RainforestEl Yunque National Forest is a scenic workout Hiking in Puerto Rico’s national rainforest is a must especially for snagging a mythical waterfall #nofilter photo will transport you amid the kaleidoscope of lush vegetation and wildlife Driving directions provided on website making it a perfect location for snorkeling Mere minutes from restaurants and food stands it’s all too easy to let time slip by as you embrace the island life Photo courtesy of The Gallery InnAn art gallery, studio, and boutique hotel rolled into one, The Gallery Inn is full of paintings and intriguing ephemera fashioned by artist and lady of the manor who discovered the long-lost building in 1961 The on-site Cannon Club has a candlelit concert series with dueling jazz pianos (where you can catch a descendant of the D’Esopo family Live parrots nibbling on mint leaves grace various perches throughout the space It’s a total fantasy and the room decor reflects this: heavy wine-colored drapes and gold details Photo courtesy of Dreamcatcher by DWA tranquil stay awaits when choosing LGBTQ+-owned Dreamcatcher as your home base—if only for a few days Experts in “laidback luxury,” Zyndorf booked her solo trip here finding every attention to detail beautifully curated right down to the friendly customer service A rooftop pool with charming views invites guests to pair a paperback with a chilled mojito while the open-air courtyard calls you to a candlelit dinner at the Consular Restaurant and Bar A professional pan de Mallorca maker, Cafeteria Mallorca you’ll get this recommendation from locals It is the oldest standing diner on the island and stays open till 3 p.m Photo: Courtesy of Café ReginaHow about a cashew latte to start the day? Café Regina works closely with local producers to offer wake-you-up coffee and beautiful dishes that are almost too pretty to eat Zyndorf paints the scene: “Cafe Regina feels like comfort take it to go and walk it down two blocks for breakfast on the beach.” A menagerie of hip food trucks, airstreams, and vendor stalls, Lote 23 is a pitstop that will satisfy a wide range of tastes whether you’re craving local beers from The Box Lab or savory Caribbean bites from Pa'l Cilantro There’s also live music and plenty of picnic tables to lure you from the beach A shabby and oh-so-chic restaurant, Verde Mesa feels more like a home I felt I’d completely left reality when I sat down for dinner Our waitress was a dream and made noteworthy menu recommendations based on the ingredients the chef was partial to that day (i.e The menu changes rapidly to accommodate the freshest ingredients Owner Loyda Rosa Figueroa pioneered the farm-to-table concept in Puerto Rico using fresh veggies from her own organic farm or the local farmer’s market in her dishes Make room for dessert and ask for the purple cloud Photo: Courtesy of ViandaAfter moving to Puerto Rico in 2017 husband-wife team Amelia Dill and Francis Guzmán built their first restaurant Showcasing the flavors of Puerto Rico with farm-to-table flair the two earned their chops at New York City’s Blue Hill and two-Michelin-star restaurant The Modern Vianda was among the 20 Best New Restaurants in America selected by the James Beard Foundation with Chef Francis Guzmán chosen in 2021 and 2024 as a semifinalist for outstanding chef It would rank the top restaurant on my list,” said Valentin With pretty multi-course meals, Marmalade is the sort of luxe spot one goes to celebrate life’s milestones All the dishes are focused on farm-to-table ingredients The White Bean Soup sprinkled with black truffles is a local favorite mentioned to me several times while I was in the city The one-roomed jukebox dive bar specializes in exotically flavored chichaitos (Try Nutella or guava.) It’s a perfect first stop for a night out in Old San Juan Looking for an afternoon pick-me-up in the form of an espresso martini? Velazquez offers up Santaella as a way to kickstart your night of salsa dancing you’re in for a night of modern dining with local dishes that put “the vibrant energy of the island’s ‘cocina criolla’” on full display Valentin agrees: “You get the deliciousness of a fine dining experience with a mix of Puerto Rican fun.” Photo: Courtesy of El Vino CrudoThe first natural wine bar in Puerto Rico, El Vino Crudo will inspire you through drink and decor “The butter yellow tile and red lights made me want to run home and decorate my apartment in its color scheme,” said Zyndorf the bar strives to bring natural wine to the masses A champagne and snack bar serving luxurious fizz and caviar-laden bites, Pio Pio’s eclectic menu and interiors are equally Instagram-worthy there’s a wine list a mile long with knowledgeable staff to help you navigate With 50 taps and over 150 bottles, La Taberna is a Puerto Rican craft beer bar serving local brews Ocean Lab and FOK along with mainland and international favorites in a breezy building from the 1700s The beef sliders and beer fries (more like chips) will snuff out the hunger that comes with a day of trekking through the city Opened in the 60s, El Batey Bar gives off a rebel beatnik vibe complete with graffitied walls that invite you to pick up the nearest Sharpie and add to the inky chaos It’s the perfect setting to chat about the night’s plan under a glowy orange light amplified with jazz tunes playing in the background and there’s a pool table in the back if you’re feeling restless you’re greeted with a polite speakeasy feel complete with a puffy couch in the corner and bartenders performing drinks rather than just serving them I ordered a lavender mule so pretty a couple behind me immediately requested the same Los Hijos de Borinquen is another cocktail with a cult following the light gets dimmer and the music switches from light jazz to bass-thumping club and then live Spanish beats but trust me when I say you will love it—and very laid back as you would expect from the Vieques Island vibes,” he says “Definitely try the rumande: a passion fruit lemonade mixed with Puerto Rican rum.” and it’s built around a beautiful creek that circles the gazebos where people gather to eat and celebrate any occasion with their loved ones.” she suggests packing a cooler as you take in the beautiful white sands so make sure to get a prime spot to soak up the rays Think bright Caribbean flavors with a homey vibe “All dishes are prepared by chef Panchi himself and his friendly staff will cater to your needs making you feel right at home,” says Valentin The Danish Home Lighting Trend That Can Improve Your Mental Health In America’s Cities, Saunas Are Becoming the Hottest Social Spot Millie Bobby Brown Shares Her Favorite Paella Recipe—and Details About Her Wedding to Jake Bongiovi A Day-by-Day Guide to Hiking the Legendary Nakasendo Trail in Japan Never miss a Vogue moment and get unlimited digital access for just $2 $1 per month But San Juan is more than just charming old stuff and tourist shops. It’s a mosaic of ever-evolving neighborhoods, from the cosmopolitan Miami vibes of Condado to the hipster bars and street art of Santurce. Whether you’re here for the day or staying for an entire week, here are the best things to do in San Juan. and activities are available island-wide for your enjoyment At the time of writing, the only requirement for domestic travelers is to fill a declaration form at the dedicated Department of Health website Non-US citizens (and long-term residents) are required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before departure Travelers must be vaccinated and have a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than one day before departing for Puerto Rico Castillo San Felipe del Morro | Cole Saladino/ThrillistVisit some of the oldest forts in the AmericasLet’s do the touristy-but-can’t-miss stuff first, shall we? Two gigantic citadels front San Juan’s northern face. To the west, the 16th-century Castillo San Felipe del Morro (commonly known as El Morro) is undoubtedly one of the most well-known attractions in Puerto Rico With its strategic location overlooking the San Juan Bay El Morro defended this port city from 1539 to as recently as WWII Entry into El Morro costs just $10—save your ticket, because it also includes entry to “that other fort,” Castillo San Cristobal This is basically El Morro’s overlooked little sister It’s the largest European fortification in the Americas and features the infamous Devil's Guerite (Garita del Diablo) Legend has it that soldiers would randomly disappear as they stood watch in this sentry box It's about a mile walk from one fort to the other with pastel houses on one side and an arresting blue sea on the other A mammoth esplanade fronting El Morro serves as a national gathering spot and is a great place to take a break La Fortaleza | Cole Saladino/ThrillistTake a peek at the governor’s houseAfter you visit the forts, stroll the waterfront down to La Fortaleza another walled compound where the island's governor lives You’re not allowed to go in—it’s literally the governor’s home and office—but you’ll see it well enough from the gate the first lady has taken the initiative to decorate Fortaleza Street leading up to the main gate it’s been adorned with hundreds of colorful umbrellas and a giant Puerto Rican flag floating above the street Who knows what’s going to decorate the street when you visit the entry doors of a dilapidated building on San José Street have become an important symbol for Puerto Ricans living under the island’s current economic crisis Artist Rosenda Álvarez originally painted the doors with the Puerto Rican flag only to revisit her mural four years later The change served as visual criticism of the controversial fiscal oversight board that is now controlling island finances The building is now a popular photo spot among tourists and locals If you see a small kart with the word “piraguas” written on it Piraguas are crushed ice cones flavored with local fruit syrups like cherry but they can still be found in Old San Juan especially near El Morro and Paseo la Princesa You’ll also notice homemade popsicles sold here and there at residents' front doors flavored with just about every fruit on the island The orange-and-cream mix is somehow gooier than expected and also very refreshing—which was necessary around midday in the summer El Capitolio | Cole Saladino/ThrillistSee the rotunda in the Puerto Rican CapitolThe capitol building is a marble structure fronting the Atlantic Entrance is totally free Monday through Friday where the history of Puerto Rico is depicted in a stunningly detailed mosaic and you’ll be surrounded by glass-encased copies of the Puerto Rican and US constitutions the Puerto Rican and US flags fly side by side First, check out the museum at Casa Blanca a house built for the Spanish explorer Ponce de León and his family who famously (and futilely) searched for the fountain of youth died on an expedition before he could move in Walk a few blocks to the San Juan Bautista cathedral, where Ponce de Leon did move in and where he'll stay for eternity; he's entombed inside There’s nothing fancy about the architecture but San Juan Bautista is the oldest cathedral in Puerto Rico and the second-oldest in the Americas it contains the shrine to Carlos Manuel Rodríguez Santiago the first Puerto Rican and the first layperson in the history of the United States to be beatified Capilla del Cristo | Dennis K. Johnson/Lonely Planet Images/Getty ImagesPray for a miracle at Capilla del CristoAbout three blocks down from San Juan Bautista Cathedral you’ll find this small chapel renowned for its healing powers Built in 1753 at the edge of a stone cliff this is the site where a miracle (allegedly) took place a rider in the traditional horse race of the San Juan Bautista celebrations lost control of his horse save him!” The horse didn’t survive the fall.. thousands of faithful Puerto Ricans come on a weekly basis to pray for their own miracle Note that the chapel is only open Saturdays and Sundays If you’re cool with pigeons and would like to recreate your favorite scene from Home Alone 2 wander into Parque de las Palomas (right next to Capilla del Cristo) the park is plagued with hundreds of pigeons waiting for you to feed them corn or bird food which you can buy from a local seller for a buck but the pigeons and sellers have organically moved to the street in front of the Capilla del Cristo to entertain visitors Plaza Felisa Rincon de Gautier | Cole Saladino/ThrillistPeople-watch in the plazasThere are six shady plazas carved into the Old San Juan street grid. Walking around one afternoon, I came across Plaza Felisa Rincon de Gautier It’s right outside the old Bautista Cathedral A busker who works the plaza every day was strumming an old ballad on his guitar The song brought out such emotion in them that I found myself choking up "That's very Puerto Rico," said a friend who lives on the island Obviously, you can’t visit Puerto Rico and not go to the beach. Some of the island’s most stunning beaches are actually outside of San Juan But there are several popular beaches worth a visit within the city which was recently voted “Best Urban Beach” by USA Today This is a popular choice by most locals and tourists who don’t want to venture too far from the city Its sandy shore is three miles long and wide Isla Verde Beach is actually comprised of Pine Grove Beach with the latter having public bathroom facilities and its sand cleaned regularly Condado Beach is similar to Pine Grove Beach but it tends to have a more touristy vibe than Pine Grove given the number of hotels in Condado this is an excellent beach to visit if you just want to dip in the water a step away from your hotel Ocean Park Beach is situated at the heart of Santurce While the beach isn’t as big as the aforementioned ones it still offers a relaxed atmosphere since it’s mostly surrounded by a park You can walk to the now-bustling Calle Loiza to grab a bite at one of its many bistro bars head to Playa del Capitolio (Capitolio Beach) right in front of the Capitol Building This small beach is rarely visited by tourists or locals due to its odd location But if you’re looking for a narrow stretch where you can lay on the sand and relax away from the crowd where you can take beautiful photos of El Morro and get up close (the closest you can get!) to the ominous Garita del Diablo at the Castillo San Cristobal Don’t forget to enjoy the street art painted all over the buildings along the Malecón and La Perla If you’re in the area on a Sunday night, go partying at La 39 Bar a makeshift bar built on the roof of a house that was partially destroyed during the hurricane Also featured in the “Despacito” music vid is the speakeasy La Factoria It’s located where the popular Hijos de Borinquen bar used to be (you can still see the original name inside and La Factoria retains the low-key vibe of the iconic original you'll find more than tourists drinking—and dancing—there Beyond the hidden back door are four more individual spaces You might even get spendy and drop $9 on a cocktail found in Isla Verde and many other locales This restaurant is literally set in a former home and it’s decorated as if its former residents still live there Or, if you want to taste a bit of everything, you can’t go wrong with an authentic Puerto Rican food tour Ashford Avenue feels like a Caribbean version of Miami Beach, what with its Miami-style architecture, high-end stores, trendy hotels, and beachfront cafes. Walk along the avenue to soak in the atmosphere, chill at the beachfront Ventana del Mar Park, and have a vibrant night at the historic La Concha Resort While the hotel got the governor’s recognition in 2004 to commemorate its 50th anniversary both locales still argue over who’s the real inventor of Puerto Rico’s national drink So why not drink a bunch of both and decide which one is the most delicious If you’ve got money to burn, you must head to Plaza Las Americas—the largest shopping mall in the Caribbean and the second-largest in Latin America With over 300 stores and “The Center of It All” as its slogan from high-end boutiques to local arts and crafts Lote 23 | Cole Saladino/ThrillistHave a next-level gastronomic experience at Lote 23Located in the hip Santurce neighborhood, Lote 23 is basically a modernized version of the traditional beachside kiosks commonly found around the island Here you’ll find young chefs using locally sourced products and experimenting with traditional Puerto Rican cooking techniques and new trends It’s an open environment with picnic tables and live music—or if it’s a game night Commonly known as La Placita this is the most popular hangout for locals during the weekend—especially Friday nights La Placita is actually a colonial-style produce market during the day the bars and restaurants surrounding it come to life until the early morning hours You’ll find everything from reggaetón music clubs to salsa dance floors The best part is how the crowd mixes on the street and hops between locales based on their mood It’s often compared to Miami’s Wynwood District and in fact features work from some of the same artists run by the familiar US Forest Service) is an easy day trip from the city; ride up in the morning be back in the Old Town in time to watch the sunset over the harbor plus fun nightlife and waterfront restaurants Stay overnightand go on a night kayaking trip at Mosquito Bay the best and brightest bioluminescent bay in the world The best time to go is in the darkness of a new moon in addition to the previously mentioned areas you can also check neighborhoods like Santurce and Miramar for a mix of authentic early 20th-century homes and contemporary lofts Contact: Dilcia Gonzalez feral cats have wandered the historic Old San Juan neighborhood in San Juan Puerto Rico — attracting their share of local fans The federal agency is moving forward with a plan to remove the cats from the San Juan National Historic Site — which includes the imposing Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristóbal — despite protests from many longtime residents The reason? The agency said in 20222 that the cats inhabiting the area were "not ideal," especially at the touristy Paseo del Morro and that their living situation is "inconsistent with National Park Service policies regarding the feeding of animals and invasive species." The agency also said it sought to address the issue of animal abandonment the roughly 200 cats have become a beloved part of the neighborhood by tourists and natives alike and many locals say their displacement is reminiscent of broader and more ominous changes in Old San Juan Once home to artists, Old San Juan — with its colorful colonial architecture and cobblestone streets — has been invaded by short-term rentals and vacation homes joining friends who've had to leave Old San Juan due to rising costs the possibility that Old San Juan will lose its feral cats only adds to the feeling that the neighborhood is losing its way of life one Old San Juan resident said: "The cats create areas where they accumulate their excretions and it becomes unsanitary and unsafe for one's health." the nonprofit organization Save a Gato — which has neutered and spayed the Old San Juan cats for almost two decades — was tasked with finding homes for about 170 of them or the park service would hire a company to remove them Parties opposed to the park service's plan are not backing down The Maryland-based advocacy organization Alley Cat Allies in March filed a lawsuit in federal court to block the park service's plan arguing that it violates both the National Environmental Protection Act and the Administrative Procedure Act Save a Gato has secured 50 cats since last November and roughly half of them have been placed in homes or are in the process of being placed in a home The park service last week moved forward with its plan to hire contractors to remove the remaining cats Business Insider reached out to the National Park Service for comment Procurement and Construction) project for an power generation plant with processing capacity of 600,000 tons/year of forest biomass (mainly eucalyptus) with installed power of 50 megawatts (MW) and estimated annual production of 370 gigawatts per hour (GWh) the plant has a biomass processing and storage installation and another for energy generation consisting of a bubbling fluidized bed boiler (BFB) with an electrostatic precipitator Contact: Dilcia Gonzalez military and their dependents will be offered a free annual pass allowing free access to national parks national forests and other Federal public lands as a way to thanking America's Armed Forces The free annual pass recognizes the contributions and service of the men and women who serve in our nation's military and an opportunity for them to enjoy the natural and cultural legacy of the national parks nationwide "It is with respect and gratitude that we all honor recognize and support our military service men and women who make great sacrifices to protect our country and preserve our freedom Park staff look forward to welcoming active duty military and their dependents when visiting San Juan National Historic Site to explore and enjoy military history," said Superintendent Walter J Annual free passes are now available to active duty military at the visitors' entrance stations of Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristóbal For more information please call (787)729-6777 The fortifications are open every day from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm except on Tuesdays when the LeLoLai Festival program is held in the main plaza of San Cristóbal from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm Entrance fee for adults to San Juan NHS is $3.00 for one fort and $5.00 for both; free for ages 15 and under The 38 Best Restaurants in Rome, Italy The 18 Best Louisville Restaurants The 38 Best Restaurants in Mexico City From mofongo de yuca stuffed with seafood at a family-run institution to fast-casual mofongo bowls topped with carne frita and ropa vieja cooks still use a pilón to crush fried plantains along with garlic and chicharrones; this can vary based on who’s making it and vegetarian versions are often available the umami-packed portmanteau condiment that perfectly complements the starchy dish Gabriela Torres is on a journey to find new flavors combining her work in food journalism and food and beverage administration whether on her own island of Puerto Rico or elsewhere is getting to know about a culture through its cuisine Patrick and Cecilia Champion bring in the crowds with live music and happy hour offerings Their casual yet fine menu focuses on seafood dishes like lobster risotto and whole fried snapper stuffed into rounds of filete de cerdo (pork tenderloin); the meat encases sweet ripe plantains and starchy mashed yuca along with the salty green plantains and a risotto of pork sausage and sauteed vegetables on the side further enhances the porky order from their variety of seafood-stuffed mofongos like the shrimp in criolla or garlic sauce well-loved food on Old San Juan’s Calle Justo Don Ernesto Ruíz opened the restaurant in 1942 before selling it to his brother Manolín Ruíz who in turn passed it to current owners Annie Rivera and Tomás J Loyal customers come for the traditional mofongo de camarones — with pieces of chicharron dotting the surface and bursting with shrimp in garlic sauce — often paired with other house specialties like medium-rare steak with chimichurri or fried chicken straight out of the fryer and finish off your meal with a cafe con leche A post shared by FOOD and TRAVEL CHANNEL (VLOG) (@foodandfootprints) You’ll find garlic in almost every dish at Ajo Del País which honors the flavor that perhaps best represents Puerto Rican cuisine but that’s just the starting point for the restaurant to demonstrate the roots of local foods the restaurant serves traditional mofongos Go for the version with a topping of octopus salad; the seafood covers the whole dish and you can add a twist by swapping the mofongo for the bifongo or trifongo Don’t miss the watermelon or mango mojitos Palma el Rincón de Paco is a little restaurant that focuses on fresh Try the rich mofongo with lobster tail in salsa criolla Order their abnormally large passionfruit margarita to kick off the night — strongly A post shared by Palmas El Rincón De Paco (@palmas_el_rincon_de_paco) It’s hard to find a better combination than mofongo with homemade rum punch improves on the combo with one of the city’s best views of the sea and a lively music scene and salt dancing together nicely — but pour on some mayo-ketchup to make the beat drop on the flavor La Verguenza offers an affordable night of dinner and dancing — and people do come to dance Many visitors believe this bar in Old San Juan serves the best mofongo in the city The version stuffed with shrimp is particularly popular especially since diners can choose to amp it up with salsa criolla or creamy garlic sauce Find a shaded spot beneath a patio umbrella and watch the crowds in the plaza A post shared by Puerto Criollo (@puertocriollosanjuan) The freshest news from the food world every day This local restaurant was built for family and friends a community that has only grown stronger together as they’ve endured hurricanes The rustic mofongo is buttery and flavorful a Puerto Rican dish that combines salty cod with tomato sauce which adds a touch of carambola (starfruit) to the usual mint leaves A post shared by Casa Patria (@casapatriapr) This chic house on Avenida Miramar was designed for Doña Aurora the mastermind behind all the recipes and flavors that are now on the menus at Casita Miramar and Casita Blanca where their goal is to maintain their grandma’s traditions Start your meal with the first-rate bacalaitos (cod fritters) served with a green banana broth Then dig into their popular mofongo de yuca stuffed with seafood The cassava brings a rich base to a soft inside The chicken fricassee is also great with a side order of mofongo and slices of avocado for brightness owners Joseph Boucher Martínez and Annette Giuliani proudly showcase the riches of Puerto Rican agriculture in their comida criolla alongside local music talent made with fresh ingredients like smoked lavender best paired with the churrasco encebollado and glassy caramelized onion that infuse the mofongo with their juices Don’t let the name fool you; this place makes good alcapurrias (fritters) but plenty of customers come for the mofongo which is big and flavorful like everything else they serve but the homestyle cooking is just like at a chinchorro in the countryside There are multiple varieties of mofongo on offer made from plantain or fried yuca and they might come filled with hefty entrees or with dishes paired alongside The carne frita encebollada (fried pork chops with caramelized onion) and serenata de bacalao (cold especially paired with your beer of choice After working with renowned chefs like Ferran Adrià and Éric Ripert chef José Santaella has made his own name in Puerto Rico by highlighting traditional cocina criolla in the context of modern gastronomy His namesake restaurant serves a luxury take on a trifongo of yuca finished with bits of salty bacon to hammer home the flavor It’s served alongside the chef’s own magnificent spin on jumbo shrimp in a pool of creamy garlic sauce A post shared by Santaella (@santaellapr) El Platanal is a family restaurant that has been going strong for 10 years Founded by Rafael Hidalgo in the Carolina neighborhood it’s grown to include locations across the area The restaurant offers mofongo as an accompaniment to dishes like chillo frito (fried red snapper) and chuleta kan kan (fried pork chop) but even as a side dish it’s an excellent example — simple and dotted with caramelized onions that keep the mofongo buttery the mofongo avoids getting dense or dry as you work your way through it leaving plenty of time to enjoy the flavor an outdoor “gastronomic park” of food stalls you’ll find chef Pablo Rosas serving traditional Puerto Rican dishes at El Cuchifrito which diners can then customize with their choice of steak in demi-glace or surf and turf with carne frita plus shrimp or fish so you can enjoy your meal at the picnic tables at the center of the park mofongo translates perfectly into the fast-casual bowl format with mashed plantains serving as the base for toppings like arroz mamposteao (tomato-spiked rice and beans) while the El Tropical consists of bifongo with mamposteao arañitas (nests of fried plantains that resemble a spider’s web) Pair your meal with a flavored mojito served in a cute pouch A post shared by Trópiko (@tropikobowls) La Casita Blanca has been representing Puerto Rican flavors in magazines and attracting luminaries from the culinary world The whitewashed wood walls and interior overflow with foliage making it a magnet for visitors posting food pics to Instagram The shrimp mofongo is pierced with red peppers and shredded carrots and presented on a plantain leaf with a side of mayo-ketchup and a special shot of rum with a coffee bean A post shared by CasitaBlanca (@casitablancapr) Tesla will use its massive commercial batteries and solar panels to restore power to a children's hospital in San Juan Puerto Rico has said it could take six months before its power grid is repaired and returning power to the island's 3.5 million residents. Tesla's first microgrid project in the US territory will be at Hospital del Niño, the company announced on Tuesday on Twitter. Tesla showed it has already started constructing a solar field behind the hospital and its Powerpack batteries are on site. A Tesla representative didn't immediately return a request for comment on the project itself. It's unclear how large the project will be and who is funding it.  But Tesla said it's the "first of many" projects to come, so we can expect other microgrids to crop up around the island soon. Musk said the company was ramping up battery production as part of its efforts in Puerto Rico. Join the conversation You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience San Juan is the oldest colonial settlement in Puerto Rico dating back more than 500 years to the arrival of Spanish explorers Originally settled in a less accessible inland location the town was soon after established on the north coast islet of San Juan in the early 1500s “This was a better strategic position to defend the city That’s why we have the biggest fort ever built in the New World widest wall built by the Spanish government and the tallest is 125-feet high,” Rivera explains By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc The next issue of Travel Time will soon be in your inbox Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Tucked within the fortified district of Old San Juan hotels and businesses represent architectural styles spanning centuries — Spanish colonial Many are painted in vibrant candy-coloured pastels that create a storybook feel along the blue cobblestone streets Here’s how to travel on the enchanted island of Puerto Rico exploring the architectural gems found in beautiful Old San Juan and the charming towns of Ponce and San Germán to the south is an iconic symbol of Puerto Rico’s military history lighthouse and sweeping sightlines of the Atlantic Ocean helped protect its occupants from invasions and pirate attacks the second UNESCO World Heritage military site in the historic zone offer glimpses into 400 years of Spanish colonial rule and military strategy on the grassy rolling grounds surrounding El Morro — where many a bloody battle once played out — is a bucolic setting with colourful kites fluttering above families sharing picnics This cathedral has waged battles of its own as hurricanes and enemy looting did their damage It’s easy to spend a couple of hours admiring the interior details It’s also where you’ll find the tomb of Juan Ponce de León a Spanish explorer and Puerto Rico’s first governor who died from a poisoned arrow on an expedition in Florida before he had a chance to make this ocean-view mansion his home It’s now a museum of the island’s colonial history The rooms are well-preserved time capsules and the courtyards and lush gardens perfect for a shade-filled break from the midday heat a charming little chapel built in 1753 in honour of a divine intervention and now known for its healing powers Legend has it that during a horse race through the cobbled streets catapulting beast and man over the cliff’s edge was miraculously answered when the rider’s life was spared The local government had the chapel built on the sight to honour the outcome it was a fanciful tale meant to speak to the power of prayer as the city archives later revealed the rider died that day facing the Caribbean Sea and a 90-minute drive from San Juan it’s Puerto Rico’s second-largest city where the architecture takes a quirky turn and the next son would be Ernesto 2.” Aguilar Colón says that Silva also counted every egg he’d eaten and place he’d visited frothy villas such as his Cake House — with its blend of neoclassical and Ponce Creole styles — that Silva designed in the early 1900s that place him in high regard The quirk caught on; other ornate wedding cake homes like the Museum of Puerto Rico Music designed by Juan Bertoli Calderoni sweeten the chamfered-cornered streets of the Ponce Historic Zone Stunning Ponce Cathedral takes centre stage in the beautiful town square of Plaza Las Delicias fountains and statues of historical figures provide a backdrop to busy daily life This grand cathedral features a neoclassical facade and ornate interior combining Gothic and colonial styles the architecture now reflects a rebuild after an 1818 earthquake pale-blue domed ceiling inside the cathedral you’ll see damage caused by a 2020 earthquake Directly behind the cathedral is the iconic Moorish revival-style pavilion a historic firehouse that’s now a museum designed by Spanish military man-cum-designer Maximo Meana for a local exhibition in 1882 thinking it would only be there for 16 days She adds that Meana chose the black and red striped colour combination because he wanted the pavilion to be eye-catching for the fair’s visitors Talk about a fair to remember: Parque de Bombas’ outspoken red and black combo is mirrored on residences and businesses throughout the town — even on the Ponce flag Perched on the lush hillside overlooking the city’s downtown and valley is Museo Castillo Serrallés This 1930s Spanish Revival-style mansion was once the home of the Serrallés family a guided tour through the rooms filled with lavish period decor reveals the opulent lifestyle — including a spectacular indoor patio lounge with fountains The quaint city of San Germán is about a 20-minute drive from Ponce The town was originally established closer to the Caribbean coastline in 1511 too many pirate attacks made it necessary to relocate to its current location in 1570 it’s now a religious museum and a noteworthy icon of Puerto Rico “It’s considered one of the oldest and most preserved churches in Puerto Rico’s history still standing,” she says fires and hurricanes has led to the rebuild and alteration of Puerto Rico’s original churches and cathedrals which remains much the same as it did in 1609 The San Germán town plaza is surrounded by a smorgasbord of architectural styles and wonders neoclassical structure with an impressive array of crystal chandeliers a Victorian mansion with lacy exterior spindle work designed by local architect Pedro Vivoni is an art deco delight completed in the 1940s was designed by architect Luis Pardo in 1920 It’s considered one of the most beautiful houses in Puerto Rico The family that has resided there for the past 60 years allows public access but only for scheduled tours and events There’s a charitable foundation in place to help preserve and restore this magnificent mansion with 20 columns surrounding the deep front porch a luxury boutique hotel in the heart of Old San Juan is a 350-year-old former Carmelite convent it’s across from San Juan Cathedral on Calle de Cristo Street Dine at Patio Del Níspero for a refreshing Piña Colada and authentic Puerto Rican dishes such as tuna croquettes and fresh local seafood Casual fare at Melao Coffee Shop includes delicious breakfast sandwiches — be prepared to wait it gets busy — and fine-dining options at Lola Eclectic Cuisine Restaurant The writer was hosted by Discover Puerto Rico. No one from Discover Puerto Rico vetted this article before publication. transmission or republication strictly prohibited This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy You can manage saved articles in your account ProductsEarnResources for driving and delivering with Uber Experiences and information for people on the move Ordering meals for delivery is just the beginning with Uber Eats Putting stores within reach of a world of customers Transforming the way companies move and feed their people Taking shipping logistics in a new direction Moving care forward together with medical providers Expanding the reach of public transportation Explore how Uber employees from around the globe are helping us drive the world forward at work and beyond Doing the right thing for cities and communities globally Stories7 fascinating museums and historical sites to explore in San JuanJuly 16 While Puerto Rico may be well known for its long stretches of sandy beaches is also a great destination for culture vultures The abundance of San Juan museums means there’s something to suit every interest from animals and natural history to art and culture make sure you get your itinerary organized so you don’t miss any of the city’s top cultural attractions Read on to find out more about some of the top museums and historical places to visit during your trip to San Juan The impressive Museo de las Américas has been open since 1992 with four permanent exhibitions celebrating The Popular Arts in the Americas; African Heritage; The Indigenous of America; and Conquest and Colonization: Birth and Evolution of the Puerto Rican nation There’s also a regular schedule of temporary exhibits that get to the heart of the country and continent making it a must-visit for anyone interested in learning more about the history of Puerto Rico Get a glimpse of colonial San Juan with a trip to Casa Blanca – a museum that is housed within a historic building that was once the residence of Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León The building itself is one of San Juan’s historical sites and a prime example of the architecture of its era while the museum inside is a great way to find out more about the history and culture of the country Discover a collection of artefacts inside from the 16th and 17th centuries and make sure you take a wander outside among the landscaped gardens Another must-visit for art lovers, the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Puerto Rico is full of cool and creative pieces that you won’t want to miss The permanent collection includes works from some of the country’s most beloved artists as well as featuring pieces from others based across Latin America and the Caribbean The changing exhibitions highlight some of the most thought-provoking work from the latter 20th century onwards while the Living Workshop offers an insight into the processes of the artists behind the masterpieces the museum hopes to create a connection between visitors and artists San Juan’s Museum of Art and History is a great guide to some of the key events and historical places in San Juan’s rich past the building itself is in another of San Juan’s historic sites; it used to be the location of the city’s main marketplace sculptures and photographs telling the story of the city as well as a mixed-media exhibition that includes a rolling documentary film Head to the East and West wings to discover works of art from local creators Learn more about life and culture in Old San Juan with a trip to the former home of Dona Felisa Rincón The pink building has become an iconic San Juan museum with an exhibition inside which tells a rousing tale of the fight for equality between the genders you’ll find artefacts that give you an insight into both the personal and political life of the house’s former resident Do not sell or share my personal information Select your preferred languageEnglishSign up to drive Earn Resources for driving and delivering with Uber Careers ENSelect your preferred languageEnglishSign up to drive If you find yourself walking the streets of Old San Juan you may be surprised to come across an extraordinarily slim the house was once a neglected alleyway before it was transformed into a habitable abode by architect Antonio Álvarez Ensconced between two regular-sized buildings, “The Narrow House” draws visitors to tour its surprising dimensions. Its facade features a vibrant yellow hue and a lush green door, making it very hard to miss! Álvarez bought the house when it was a “complete ruin” and according to this video the house has all the basic amenities of a home is a bit tricky: without enough space for a separate shower area the floor was fitted with a drain under the sink area “It was a great challenge to design this space because the stairways [had to be placed] in very strategic parts,” Álvarez says on the video tour The custom stairwell features alternate steps that extend the height of the house because traditional steps just wouldn’t work in such narrow settings Álvarez uses the house as a gallery to showcase local artwork.  but a small balcony on the top floor opens to reveal a magnificent wide-angle view of the San Juan Bay and the colorful streets of Old San Juan below The best hours for a tour are between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m There’s a $5 suggested donation for touring the house.  Imagine having a street run right through your home What started as a way to address damp basement walls turned into a house filled with intricate hand-carved designs The tragic heiress Barbara Woolworth Hutton built her seventh husband this Japanese-inspired palace in Mexico This "cursed house" features secret rooms This marvelous work of outsider architecture is built into the cliffs of an Israeli beach This storybook New England home is actually a decommissioned lighthouse It's easy to see why this eclectic architectural wonder has been dubbed the "Spaceship House." PhD is the Director of Academia del Perpetuo Socorro in San Juan dean of academic affairs and principal of the intermediate and high school for the past 40 years Cintrón has been an active member of Project Zero: L@atitude an educational research project at Harvard University for many years He took part in the Johns Hopkins: Intercultural Research Project sponsored by the department of Romance languages Cintrón has worked with adolescents and young children in the field of cognition highly fascinated with how children develop thought and the role of neuropeptides and other neurotransmitters in the thinking process He is an enthusiast of developing the emotional aspect of a child’s persona He believes that a happy child is able to learn more successfully His mission as an educator is to form students with a profound and analytical thinking process so that he/she may contribute positively to society Cintrón strongly believes that education and technology are the perfect match for a holistic education indispensable to develop the student of the 21st century Journalism that ignites your curiosity about education EdSurge is an editorially independent project ofand Weeks after Tesla founder Elon Musk and Gov Ricardo Rossello spoke about the tech company aiding Puerto Rico Tesla says it has restored electricity to a children's hospital Tesla has used its solar panels and batteries to restore reliable electricity at San Juan's Hospital del Niño (Children's Hospital), in what company founder Elon Musk calls "the first of many solar+battery Tesla projects going live in Puerto Rico." The project came about after Puerto Rico was hit by two devastating and powerful hurricanes in September Musk's company announced its success in getting the hospital's power working again less than three weeks after Puerto Rico Gov "Great initial conversation with @elonmusk tonight Teams are now talking; exploring opportunities." Tesla's image of the project's solar array, in a parking lot next to the hospital, has been liked more than 84,000 times since it was posted to Instagram Tuesday Hospital del Niño is first of many solar+storage projects going live. Grateful to support the recovery of Puerto Rico with @ricardorossello pic.twitter.com/JfAu11UBYg Earlier this month, Musk tweeted that some of his company's work is being rerouted so it could "increase battery production for Puerto Rico & other affected areas." The hospital's new system allows it to generate all the energy it needs, according to El Nuevo Dia The facility has 35 permanent residents with chronic conditions; it also offers services to some 3,000 young patients the head of the hospital tells Nuevo Dia that for now it's a donation — and that after the energy crisis is over Both Rossello and the tech company tweeted about the project this week, with Tesla saying in a post, "Grateful to support the recovery of Puerto Rico with @ricardorossello" — and Rossello stating "A major contribution of @Tesla to the Hospital del Niño." Una gran aportación de @Tesla para el Hospital del Niño. pic.twitter.com/fwbO5Jlo23 The news of restoring permanent power at the hospital comes as millions of people in Puerto Rico continue to rely on generators for electricity. As of Wednesday morning, the Electric Power Authority reported that its power service was at 25 percent The task of rebuilding Puerto Rico's power grid is expected to take months and to cost as much as $5 billion Last week, the territory's electric and power authority signed a $300 million contract with Whitefish a small and relatively young Montana company The deal has sparked scrutiny and skepticism as NPR's Laurel Wamsley and Nicky Ouellet of Montana Public Radio reported Tesla isn't the only tech company trying to help Puerto Rico; Google's parent company, Alphabet, has deployed balloons from its Project Loon to the territory to help parts of the island reconnect after much of its phone system went down The portable network can help phone users with both messaging and some web browsing Markets & Policy Events Follow Mercom India on WhatsApp for exclusive updates on clean energy news and insights From: Mercom Capital Group Endesa, through its renewable energy company Enel Green Power Espana (EGPE), has acquired a solar PV portfolio of 519 MW from the Spanish developer Arena Power The portfolio includes 11 solar projects being developed in the province of Huelva The projects forming this cluster are on six sites in the province of Huelva: Palma del Condado Construction is expected to begin in 2022 and be connected to the grid by 2024 Sonnedix Japan, an independent solar power producer, on behalf of the Sonnedix Group, has completed a JPY 5.45 billion (~$50.16 million) project financing with the Bank of Fukuoka The financing covers a 14 MW solar PV project acquired in October 2020 from global PV developer X-Elio The project is located in the Yamaguchi prefecture and has been in commercial operation since June 2020 Nautilus Solar Energy, a solar project acquisition, development, and asset management company, announced the acquisition of eight community solar projects in Maine totaling 47.2 MW from ISM Solar Development a developer of large commercial and utility-scale solar projects are expected to start construction in Q3 2021 Piraeus Bank, continuing its support to National Energy Group, an investor in renewable energy, has financed the acquisition of 70 MW of operational wind and solar projects in Greece from Hellenic Capital Partners Capital Dynamics, an independent global private asset management firm, announced that its Clean Energy Infrastructure (CEI) business completed the acquisition of a 100% equity stake in the 50 MW Puerto Real 2 project from WElink Group located in the town of Puerto Real (Cadiz province) in Southern Spain will neighbor the 133 MW Puerto Real 1 project Construction of Puerto Real 2 will commence in March 2021 and is expected to achieve commercial operations in the first quarter of 2022 Nexamp, a U.S.-based solar energy company, has secured a $440 million senior secured credit facility for its 380 MW of solar and storage portfolio that spreads across five states and includes nearly 100 community solar projects equipped with 120 MWh of storage capacity Canadian Solar, a vertically integrated manufacturer of silicon ingots, wafers, and PV cells and modules, has completed the sale of two operational projects totaling 61 MW to the Canadian Solar Infrastructure Fund (CSIF) for JPY 30.6 billion (~$283 million) For reports and trackers on funding and M&A transactions in solar, energy storage, smart grid, and efficiency sectors, click here Read last week’s project finance brief. PREVALL POSTSNEXT RELATED POSTS La Factoría poured fuel on Puerto Rico’s contemporary cocktail scene when it opened in San Juan in 2013 and it still feels very much a Boricua cultural icon and the country’s premier cocktail destination Filled with eclectic vibes and the particular style of Old San Juan’s charm and hospitality visitors to the bar will embark a journey through six spaces each with different menus and themes catering to guests looking for a slightly different experience gives way to other spaces like the wine-focused Vino Cuban-inspired cocktails take centre stage at La Cubanita and El Final offers a smaller setting for eclectic tastes The red thread that connects all of these spaces is the dishevelled-chic theme woven through the decor and the outstanding cocktails made to showcase Puerto Rican sensibilities conjured up by celebrated bartender (and co-founder) Roberto Berdecia Whether you’re seeking a night of festive dancing over Mercado Romas (mezcal clove-infused honey) with friends or a quiet contemplative cocktail for date night The renewable energy with biomass that Ence generates in its energy complex in Huelva takes on special relevance in the framework of promoting green recovery and the energy transition carried out by the economy Its essential role stems from the need to have a manageable renewable source that contributes to the decarbonization process of the national energy system before the full development of other technologies that allow energy optimization in the network complying with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) The company extrapolates to its energy business all its experience and the circular economy and energy efficiency model of its cellulose biofactories Ence values ​​the agricultural and forest biomass in the vicinity of its facilities in Huelva turning it into a fuel of natural and renewable origin that provides stability and manageability to the system to decarbonizing the national electricity system to solve an environmental problem by collecting and valuing these plant remains energetically the creation of employment and activity in rural areas essential for the establishment of the population and the fight against the phenomenon of “Empty Spain” It is estimated that the activity of the three plants of the company in the Andalusian province supposes the generation of more than 4,240 direct of which more than 600 are workers of the plants themselves (Ence personnel and operation and maintenance contracts) more than 60% come from the municipality of San Juan del Puerto – adjacent to the power plants - Ence’s energy complex in Huelva is a model in the achievement of the SDGs based on renewable generation with biomass This is the case of the fight against climate change (SDG 13) and the promotion of sustainable and environmentally friendly energy (SDG 7) manages and applies responsible Production and Consumption the promotion of sustainable cities and communities and the preservation of Life of terrestrial ecosystems A drink at El Batey in San Juan is a journey into the world of Hunter S Thompson © Tribune News Service / Getty Images Lonely Planet has partnered with San Juan-based travel community Platea to provide comprehensive guides curated lists and insider tips for your next trip to Puerto Rico From storied dive bars to contemporary cocktail lounges, the bar scene in San Juan is thriving. Drawing influences from across Puerto Rico and the world, creative local bartenders have embraced island ingredients and innovative techniques to reinvent the city’s cocktail culture rooftop bars and terraces attract a stylish crowd of happy hour revelers primed for stunning sunset views award-winning mixologists shake and stir everything from umbrella-topped tiki concoctions to artisanal rum cocktails in trendsetting bars and sultry speakeasies you’ll find sticky-floored literary haunts where the first order of business is an ice-cold Medalla beer and a shot of rum From chic waterfront terraces to backstreet bars hidden between the souvenir shops here's our pick of San Juan's hottest watering holes Best for a shot and a beer on San Juan’s literary trail A San Juan institution for more than 50 years El Batey is the quintessential boozy dive bar – dimly lit inexpensive and with an authentic backstory you’ll find a diverse cast of characters dropping by to trade stories with the friendly bartenders and relive the 1960s San Juan vibe so evocatively depicted by Hunter S Thompson in his novel loosely based on the writer's experiences on the island in 1960 Famous names from the Rolling Stones to Puerto Rican superstar actor Benicio del Toro have ducked into El Batey's cave-like recesses pitched up at the bar and scrawled their names on the graffiti-covered walls order a Ron del Barillito (Puerto Rico’s oldest rum brand) then choose your soundtrack from the timewarp vintage jukebox and shoot some pool while you absorb the raw Best for salsa dancing and mind-blowing mixology La Factoría has electrified San Juan’s bar scene to the level that a visit to its hallowed dance halls is now a rite of passage for travelers and locals The seductive backdrop to Daddy Yankee’s cult hit Despacito La Factoria packs in the crowds all week long a web of passageways etched with graffiti and strewn with fairy lights connects six bars master mixologists conjure up some of the city’s most creative cocktails – the Lavender Mule made from house-made ginger beer and lavender-infused syrup Best for an elegant sunset cocktail with a sublime view One of San Juan’s most stylish rooftop bars, Arya is located inside the award-winning O:LV Hotel, one of San Juan's most stylish stays dazzling lagoon views and an inspired all-day food menu draw a stylish crowd around the clock shaking and stirring potent cocktails full of exotic island ingredients – try the refreshing watermelon mojito or a Caribbean tiki classic spiked with local rum The kitchen serves crowd-pleasing modern American and fusion fare from velvety tuna tartare and trimmings-stuffed Ayra burgers to tasty renditions of Puerto Rican classics such as pork longaniza (a Spanish sausage similar to chorizo) It's very easy to settle in for the night One of 2021’s hottest openings, Scryer Rum is a buzzy cocktail bar and craft rum distillery that blends creative élan with an earthy neighborhood vibe owners Garrett Robinson and Derek Schwarz built Scryer from the rubble of an infamous punk-rock hangout It's a powerful symbol of resilience, and everything here feels like it's delivered straight from the heart. The bar is located on photogenic Calle Tetuán, and its laid-back vibe encourages drinkers to linger – sink back on the comfortable sofas or drift up to the rooftop terrace to soak up the views of Old San Juan The signature cocktails successfully combine some unusual flavors – try the Classy Lassie which blends Scryer rum with Port wine Hardcore rum aficionados can tour the distillery (see online for timings $15) and sample rum direct from the Port and sherry finishing barrels Best for classic aperitifs and old-school glamour VC Lounge is the sophisticated lobby bar at the storied Condado Vanderbilt Hotel which has been luring the great and the good since 1919 A well-groomed crowd of locals and guests gathers nightly to swap stories at the bar and take in breathtaking Atlantic views from the breezy terrace There’s no need to pretend you have a room upstairs – just dress the part sink into a plush red velvet chair and take your time enjoying a perfectly executed cocktail The cocktail list includes the impressive El Soñador 19 made from Ron del Barillito – the Rolls Royce of the rum world the tapas menu features Spanish-inspired classics such as Jamón Ibérico and croquetas de bacalao (salt cod croquettes) Try to time your visit with happy hour (5-7pm daily) for pocket-pleasing specials Best for a tiki sipper and inventive small plates Owned by Roberto Berdecía of La Factoría fame funky Junglebird is known for its wildly creative tiki-style cocktails and other agreeably tropical libations it's a great place to start a bar hop around town Mingle with locals in the neon-lit lounge or head out onto the patio and try one of the house cocktails We recommend Frida’s Visit to MOMA – a fruity tequila and cachaça-based concoction – or the Saturn The bar’s kitchen – Jungle BaoBao – is helmed by acclaimed local chef Paxx Caraballo Moll and serves up globe-trotting small plates of bao buns Top 5 day trips from San Juan Bar La Unidad is a favorite locals' hang out in the upscale residential neighborhood of Miramar Locate Hazel Bar – a coffee shop – and it's a couple of doorways away on your left adept bartenders reinvent classic cocktails and mix up playful libations from unexpected ingredients – the tart Beet O’ Juice combines aged rum with rhubarb bitters There’s also a well-curated wine list partnered with a stellar menu of small bites and bar food If you’re looking for a spot to bring a date Best for an authentic local feel and drinks with an island vibe Conveniently located a short stroll from Condado Lagoon, Antillano combines a relaxed are veterans of Puerto Rico’s cocktail and liquor scene – and it shows Every item on the cocktail and tapas menu brilliantly showcases fresh Caribbean ingredients and flavors Edrick and Stephen are often found behind the bar creating custom cocktails and tropical aperitifs such as the Caribeño The food here is equally superb – make space for the fresh-off-the-boat tuna tartare and the must-try house special piña colada bao bao (coconut crusted fish served inside a bao bun) Santaella’s wood-paneled bar is one of San Juan’s most inviting spots for an early evening cocktail The decor is smartly contemporary with Edison lights an interior garden and flamboyant murals adding a creative spark Award-winning Caribbean cocktails are skillfully crafted by the bar staff herbs and spices grown in the restaurant's garden which blends aged Don Q Reserva (Puerto Rico’s top-selling rum Bartenders will happily create a cocktail to fit your mood but it’s hard to go wrong with anything on the menu It’s well worth sampling Santaella’s flavorsome appetizers – especially the goat cheese quesadilla drizzled with white truffle oil and the ahi tuna skewers Best hikes in El Yunque National ForestTop things to do in Puerto Rico Best places to visit in Puerto Rico