As you may know, my husband surprised me with a wedding anniversary trip to Puerto Rico. After a few days of enjoying mojitos at the beach, my wanderlust kicked in and I took a trip to Old San Juan. As in, I left him at the beach and drove our red, Mustang convertible from Isla Verde to Old San Juan. It was a sweet ride. Too bad I didn’t take pictures of the car.
I took well over 300 pictures so expect at least one more blog post about Puerto Rico. This post covers some of the gorgeous buildings and a few attractions, but stay tuned for the pictures of the forts and the sentry towers that serve as a reminder of Puerto Rico’s history of Spanish colonial times. Just beautiful!
“En mi viejo San Juan…“
I could almost hear this old beloved song playing through my head as I walked around Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. The breathtaking blue Aquinas cobblestones, used as ballast in the ships from Spain, are still beautifully preserved.
I would have loved to go inside the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista but there was a Mass in progress. It did feel very comforting to hear the Latin “Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi miserere nobis…” that I sang for so many years as a Cantor in the Catholic Church.
One of the many stray cats in Old San Juan. This little guy just paused his scratching long enough for one picture.
B and I enjoyed Old San Juan more when the cruise crowd was gone. It was quiet, we had our pick of restaurants, and the streets were empty…perfect for sight-seeing. It was also easier for the wait staff at restaurants to have conversations with us about which places we did not want to miss.
What kind of tourist are you? The kind of traveler that sight-sees and just absorbs the culture and ambiance, or the the kind of traveler that goes the historical route to learn about the foreign land?
jackie says
gorgeous photos! especially love the bright colored buildings. I’ve never been to Puerto Rico and you’re really making me want to plan a trip there :)
Lisette says
Oh Jackie you would have a ball with your DSLR! I could’ve spent an entire day photographing only the buildings. If you fly out of Orlando the flights are really really cheap
Rachel Murphree says
I’ve always wanted to go to Puerto Rico. These photos are beautiful! There’s so much history on that island!
Lisette says
Thanks Rachel! There is so much history in Puerto Rico that I don’t think two or three blog posts will do it justice.
Brittany Ruth says
Oh how I miss this place. Looking forward to all your pics.
Rachel says
We went to San Juan last October for a family vacation and loved it! It’s such a pretty city and a great places to wander with little kiddos too! Glad you had a great time!
Linnea says
Thanks for sharing this. My husband and I will be visiting here in the fall on a cruise. Looking forward to it, your pictures look beautiful.
Michelle at Triposs says
Love your pictures! We went to Puerto Rico a few years ago and we loved it. The people were friendly, the food is great, and the buildings are beautiful :)
Bethany K says
Sooo pretty. I’ve never been to PR, but I’d love to go. Sangria…mmm..
I’m the kind of traveler who likes to map out all the important spots in a town, the cool geographical markers, historical landmarks, “the biggest burger this side of the Mississippi”, that sort of thing. But I always take at least a day to just explore without much direction. :)
Lisette says
You should go!
You’re the same type of traveler as me!
BlushandBarbells says
Great photos!
I think I’m more of a historical-route traveller.
Samantha says
So pretty and bright! I love it! What an amazing trip!
Lisa @ Sorority Life to Army Wife says
I love the old colonial feel of San Juan. Such a juxtaposition of the tropics with the European influence of architecture.
Lisette says
I love the juxtaposition of your smart comment ;) I kid (okay, really more like I FAIL at being witty) but you’re right. I guess that’s why I’ve always wanted to see Old San Juan. Now I want to go to SPAIN!
Chelsea says
So beautiful! I love adventuring out and about in a new place. I lean more towards the mojitos by the pool, but I always regret not getting out and seeing the city!
sarah @ midwest pillowtalk says
oh how i love old san juan! can’t believe we were there at the same time!
i am so eager to go back. and for longer!!! (since we were there on a cruise)
your pictures are BEAUTIFUL!!
i would love to have an eye for photography like that. we sure did take a picture of those lovely blu-ish cobblestone roads though!