Castillo San Felipe del Morro (El Morro) in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a magnificent military structure guarding the entrance of San Juan Harbor and one of the most recognized images of Puerto Rico.
And it is breathtaking.
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A Quick History of El Morro, Old San Juan.
Here is a brief walk down memory lane of your favorite history class.
In 1493, the most famous Spanish explorer, Christopher Colombus, discovered Puerto Rico and claimed the island for Spain. Pirates continuously invaded the island to steal the riches and claim Puerto Rico as their own. Therefore, in 1539, to adequately protect the harbor, a fort was constructed to sit at the Northwest tip of Old San Juan.
In the late 1500s, buccaneers from England continued to attempt to conquer the island. Therefore, the fort needed further fortification.
And then in 1625, a briefly successful invasion from the Dutch occurred where they approached the island from the land side. However, the Dutch only ruled for about six weeks. But the experience was enough to require further protection; therefore, they built the walls that surround the city of San Juan.
After 150 years of enlargements and enhancements beginning in the 1700s, the fort now stands at six levels of defense.
General Information on Your Visit to El Morro, Old San Juan.
The entry fee is $7 for adults; kids are free. Operating hours are 9 AM-6 PM. Grab a map at the entrance and begin your self-guided tour of all six levels of the fort. There is a park movie every fifteen minutes that is definitely worth your time.
Touring six levels of defense of El Morro will take you about 1-2 hours. It’s hot, so be sure to hydrate (you can purchase water in the gift shop). And wear sunscreen.
Climb the stairs, ramps, and tunnels. Explore the barracks, the dungeons, the kitchen. Walk into the garitas, the small enclosures where the guards stood watch. Take in the picturesque, instagrammable view. Imagine what the men saw while protecting their land. This job must have been quite lonely, but wow, what a view of the Atlantic.
Do It for the Gram: Captivating Spots for Photos in El Morro, Old San Juan.
- Cannons and cannonballs are still present in the fort for the perfect photo-op. Kids love it.
- Garitas are small enclosures where the guards stood watch. What a view.
- The spiral staircases. They are narrow, so be careful.
- Three flags are flying: the Puerto Rican flag, the United States Flag, and the Cross of Burgundy Flag (Spanish military flag).
- The lighthouse in El Morro was the first lighthouse built in Puerto Rico. After damage from the Spanish-American war in 1898, the lighthouse was rebuilt in 1899. In 1906 the lighthouse had to be demolished after discovering structural damage. And rebuilt again in 1908.
- The Main Plaza is where the troops would assemble for inspection and many daily living activities.
- Strangely enough, the view from the restrooms is spectacular, so don’t forget your camera.
- And don’t miss the unforgettable coastal cemetery view from the top level of El Morro.
The Enchanting Grounds of El Morro, Old San Juan.
The inside of Castillo San Felipe del Morro is genuinely astounding. But, in my opinion, spending time exploring the outside grounds of El Morro is a must.
Become a kid again, and fly a kite.
Set aside time to fly a kid on the grounds of El Morro, a most beloved pastime for families. Time to relax, take a deep breath, turn into a kid again, and fly a kite. Or even have a picnic.
Next, head over towards La Puerta de San Juan (the San Juan Gate) and begin your tour of the outside of El Morro, a hike with spectacular views and even more photo-ops.
Once you walk through the gate, you will discover Paseo del Morro to the right. Walk alongside the majestic walls of the fort toward the entrance of San Juan Bay. It will be hot and sunny. Wear sunscreen and bring some water no matter what time of year you visit.
You may also book this sailing tour aboard The Amazing Grace that will provide yet another astonishing view of El Morro from the San Juan Harbor.
Continue Paseo del Morro, toward San Juan Bay, around the majestic structure. The path ends in a picturesque coastal cemetery with incredible views of Old San Juan and La Perla, the site of the music video for the song, “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi, a famous Puerto Rican singer.
Now it is time to grab a Piragua from the closest Piragüero and cool off.
These children couldn’t get enough of this cold sugary treat!
Have a seat in the Plaza del Quinto Centenario, relax for a minute, and watch the kids play in the fountain. You may wish to bring a change of clothes for them as they may not be able to resist.
I think she dared him to run through!
Tour inside and out El Morro in Old San Juan, capture fascinating images, get some exercise, immerse yourself in history, and spend quality time with your family. The scenery is phenomenal. It is always one of our favorite things to do in Puerto Rico.
I have created The Top Ten Must-See Attractions in Puerto Rico if you wish to see what else Puerto Rico has to offer. You and your family will love it. Make sure to rent a car for convenient sightseeing.
Strolling around Old San Juan after your tour of El Morro will complete a historical and cultural day in Puerto Rico.
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Great post, this looks cool!
This looks like a wonderful place to visit! With all of the additional thing to do around El Morro, I could definitely see making a day it. Great photos!
Puerto Rico is beautiful! Your photographs capture the beauty of the place perfectly!
Thank you. It is easy to get amazing pictures when you have such beauty to work with.
Beautiful pictures! Sounds like a lovely place for a family adventure.
This is such a beautiful place and lots of fun to do with family. Your images are stunning as well.
I like visiting historical sites like these shared in this article. Thanks for sharing.
I hope one day I will visit Puerto Rico, Thanks for sharing
Hi! I don’t know too much about the destinations in PR, so this was fun and informative to read for if I ever get to visit some day.
I think I’ve been watching too many films but all I could think was the PuertoRico Documentary! Amazing pictures of what looks like a memorable trip.
It is so beautiful and a special trip, for sure.
What a great shot of the Iguana!! I love PR. Can’t wait to get back there someday!
Thank you. They are everywhere. Cats, too!
We love visiting places like this. Looks like your family had a fun day!! Great pictures!!
It is always our favorite place to visit when we are in Puerto Rico. The kids have grown up visiting this beautiful area.
I love guides like this that have so many photos! Excellent work! Although travelling from Europe to CA is not so cheap so I hadn’t yet the chance to visit Puerto Rico! But I wish I visit it someday!
You can fly from Madrid to Puerto Rico (I think one stop) in 14 hours! Probably not cheap, though!
We just went to San Juan in February and loved it! We didn’t get to go inside the fort, but loved spending time on the grassy area outside and just enjoying the wind and beautiful views!
It is really two (actually three) adventures in one. The outdoor grounds are peaceful and fun. We go there every time we travel to Puerto Rico and it never gets old!
So fun, Puerto Rico is on my list to visit!
You will love it!
It looks huge!!! I like your family like up picture 😀 and the one of the… Lizard? Jumping is impressive! Great shot! 😮
The iguanas are everywhere! And Yes, El Morro is enormous and impressive.