San Juan, Puerto Rico La Ciudad Amurallada

SAN JUAN

Called "La Ciudad Amurallada", San Juan was founded
in 1521. In 1508 Juan Ponce de León founded the original
settlement, Caparra, now known as Pueblo Viejo, behind
the almost land-locked harbor just to the
west of the present metropolitan area.

Attractions & Sights

Botanical Garden
www.upr.clu.edu
787-763-4408, 787-767-1710, 787-751-6808FX
Daily 8am-5pm.
The National Botanical Garden of Puerto Rico. Affiliated
with the University of Puerto Rico. Collections of palms,
heliconias and orchids in the south garden and
collections of native and endangered plants on the north side.
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Centro de Bellas Artes L.A. Ferré
www.cba.com.pr
787-724-4747, 787-721-2223FX
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm.
Inaugurated in 1981, the Center is one of the key cultural
resources of Puerto Rico. A beautiful facility, it features
on going workshops for local artists & the presentation
of internationally renowned artists from around the world.
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Fundación Luis Muñoz Marín
www.munoz-marin.org
787-755-7979, 787-755-4506, 787-755-0240FX
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat-Sun-Hol 10am-3pm.
The life and times of the late Governor Luis Muñoz Marín,
Puerto Rico's first elected chief executive, come alive
at his 4-acre private residence in rural San Juan.
Photography, memorabilia and beautiful grounds.
Tours Mon-Fri at 10am & 2pm, Sat-Sun at 10:30am & 1pm.
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Museo de Arte Contemporaneo
www.museocontemporaneopr.org
787-268-0049, 787-727-5249
Permanent collection of contemporary art and temporary
exhibits of Puerto Rican, Caribbean and Latin American plastic arts.
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Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico
www.mapr.org
787-977-6277, 787-977-4441FX, 787-977-4444FX
Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Wed 10am-8pm, Sun 11am-6pm.
This major museum opened in the spring of 2000. The
exhibits feature masterpieces produced by Puerto Rico's
world-class artists over the last 500 years. In addition
to 4 major exhibits per year, the museum also
presents Puerto Rican Art from the 17th to 21st century.
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Museo de Historia, Antropología y Arte
787-763-3939, 787-764-0000 ext. 2452 or 3752, 787-763-4799FX
Mon, Tue, Fri 9am-4:30pm, Wed-Thu 9am-9:45pm.
The UPR museum represents a truly authentic Puerto Rican
cultural legacy. The painting, print, and drawing
collection presents a panoramic view of the development
of Puerto Rican art from the 18th century to the present.
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Parque Central
This open-air park has tennis courts, soccer fields and play areas for children.
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University of Puerto Rico
www.rrp.upr.edu
787-764-0000, 787-763-3799, 787-763-7377FX
The beautiful university in the center of San Juan.
Call the Office of Communications in
advance to schedule tours or visits.
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Beaches
Condado to Isla Verde Beaches
The major beaches adjacent to the accommodations from Condado to Isla Verde.
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Playa de Ocean Park - San Juan
One of the most beautiful beaches in the metro area with
lots going on during the weekends. A windsurfer's and kitesurfer's paradise.
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Events

Amateur Basketball
04/24/2003 - 08/15/2003
www.bsnpr.com
787-620-2910, 787-726-2076FX, 787-620-2914FX
9am-5pm.
Eighteen local amateur (superior) league teams
battle it out during the season in an equal
number of courts throughout the Island.
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Baseball Season, Professional
11/01/2003 - 01/28/2004
787-765-6285, 787-765-7285, 787-767-3028FX
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Casals Festival
01/18/2003 - 02/01/2003
www.festcasalspr.gobierno.pr
787-721-8370, 787-268-0657 Info. & Tkts., 787-723-7442FX
8pm-10:30pm.
Annual, internationally renowned classical music
festival honoring Pablo Casals. PR Symphony orchestra,
chamber groups and others. Guest
conductors and other artists and soloists.
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Festival de Orquídeas
03/16/2003 - 03/16/2003
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Nutcracker Suite Ballet
12/11/2003 - 12/13/2003
home.coqui.net/balletpr/
787-724-7032, 787-725-5642FX
Classical ballet performance by Ballet Concierto de
Puerto Rico at the Luis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center in San Juan.
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Orchestra's Gift for Children
01/05/2003 - 01/05/2003
www.sinfonicapr.gobierno.pr
787-721-7727, 787-726-4009FX
Free concert held at the Luis A. Ferré
Performing Arts Center in San Juan.
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Puerto Rico Heineken Jazz Fest
05/29/2003 - 06/01/2003
www.prheinekenjazz.com
866-994-0001, 787-277-0552FX
8pm-midnight.
In 12 years, the Fest has become the premier jazz event
in the Caribbean and one of the most respected among
musicians. Every night features the local favorite: Latin Jazz
- but in its four nights' run it covers every style of jazz under the stars.
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Puerto Rico Symphony
09/01/2003 - 05/31/2004
www.sinfonicapr.gobierno.pr
787-721-7727, 787-726-4009FX
The season starts in September and ends in May.
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San Juan Bautista Day
06/23/2003 - 06/23/2003
Celebration in honor of San Juan's patron saint. The capital
and other coastal cities celebrate with festivities
near or at the seashore or in swimming pools,
beginning in the afternoon and on past midnight.
Traditionally, at midnight merrymakers walk backward
into the ocean (or nearest body of water) three times
to renew good luck for the coming year
. Starts at midnight and goes all day.
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World Salsa Congress
07/25/2003 - 08/03/2003
www.salsacongress.com
787-274-1601, 787-274-1641FX
Daily 10am-7pm.
Salsa dance convention and exhibitions
by professional and international dancers.
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World's Best 10k Race
02/23/2003 - 02/23/2003
www.worldbest10k.com
787-767-2000, 787-767-9199, 787-767-9199FX
A full weekend of sport activities. Join top runners from
all over the world and run or walk the 10k course
starting at the Teodoro Moscoso Bridge in San Juan.
World's best prizes for a 10k race: $200,000 in total.
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Info-Regional PRTC Office - San Juan
PRTC/2LMM International Airport Tourism Office - San Juan

www.gotopuertorico.com
787-791-1014, 787-791-3443, 787-791-8033FX
Daily 9am-10pm Dec-Mid Apr, 9am-8pm Mid May-Nov.
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Taxi Federation
787-253-3260, 787-253-3260FX
9am-5pm.
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Taxis
Taxis Turísticos have fixed rates from the airport to I
sla Verde $8, Condado & Miramar $12, Piers/Old San Jua
n $16. Fixed rates from piers to Old San Juan $6, Puerta de Tierra $8,
Condado $10, Isla Verde $16. Metered rates: $1 plus $.10
per 1/13 mile plus $.50 per piece of luggage for the first 3 pieces
($1 per piece thereafter and $1 for a trunk or kennel).
Reservation charge $5. Rental charge $30/hr. Night surcharge
(10pm-6am): $1. Dispatchers at the airport and the piers.
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Shopping Centers

El Señorial Plaza
www.manleyberenson.com
787-795-6490, 787-795-6566FX
Mon-Thu 9am-7pm, Fri-Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 11am-5pm.
45 Stores.
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Montehiedra Town Center
www.montehiedra.com
787-720-6165, 787-795-6490, 787-720-6167FX
Mon-Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 11am-5pm.
110 Stores.
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Plaza de Diego
Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-5pm.
A 1-block section of this street has
been set aside as a pedestrian mall.
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Plaza Las América
www.plazalasamericas.net
787-767-5202, 787-767-1525, 787-759-9354FX
Mon-Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 11am-5pm.
300 stores, 21 movie theaters, 30 restaurants.
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