The 1961 film West Side Story might have put Puerto Rico on the map for most Americans, but the island has a history that dates much further back than the earliest records of colonial settlement in the New World. And while many tourists in Puerto Rico today go for the sun, sand and carnival atmosphere that's now naturally associated with the small nation, Puerto Rico is in fact replete with beautiful historic districts that make fabulous vacation destinations.
Old San Juan, for instance, forms the historic epicentre of Puerto Rico's capital of San Juan and, in many respects, is a unique city in itself. First established in 1509, Old San Juan is a bright walled city that's surrounded by multiple forts, first erected to protect the town. Since it managed to withstand several attacks by British and Dutch colonialists, the town is popularly considered as the "Gibraltar of the West Indies". And while some of the forts suffered damage as a result of naval bombardment during the Spanish American War of 1898, much of Old City's fortifications are still, impressively, intact.
Today, Old San Juan is a popular stop-off point for cruise ships in the Caribbean but the town actually offers much more than many cruise-goers have time to see. The San Juan National Historic Site is located in this part of San Juan and here you'll find the Castillo San Cristobal - one of the largest Spanish fortresses in the world. Moreover, you'll also be able to enjoy stunning views of the entrance to San Juan Harbor from the Castillo San Felipe del Morro citadel. Alternatively, the San Juan Cathedral (which dates back to the 1520s) and the Don Pedro open Air Museum are sure to appeal to anyone keen to sample a taste of Old San Juan's rich heritage.
With so many brightly coloured colonial buildings lining the cobbled streets of Old San Juan, one of the best ways to survey this historic quarter is undoubtedly by taking a walking tour of its environs. On the streets of Old San Juan, you'll be able to find an array of tourist shops, particularly along Calle San Francisco and near the cruise ships docks. But for some real bargains on local Puerto Rican crafts, head towards the Plazoleta del Puerto on Calle Marina where you'll be able to find hand-carved wooden religious figures, masks made from coconut husks and a variety of Spanish style metal jewellery.
Although Old San Juan is almost entirely surrounded by water, this area of Puerto Rico's capital is by no means a beach resort. If you want to find that are near the island's popular beaches, explore the vibrant Isla Verde beach district or the Condado Beach area. Hotels in Old San Juan tend to be smaller, located in old colonial buildings and offer guests a kaleidoscopic approach to d'cor.
