Old San Juan - East
Old San Juan East - Puerta de Tierra, Capitolio y Escambron
Old San Juan East aka Puerta De Tierra
Facing East from Castillo San Cristobal (Bottom Left) over Puerta de Tierra to Condado on the Isle of Santurce across Laguna Condado. El Capitolio is in the middle of the picture, Playa del Escambron, a popular city beach, at left jutting into the bay, and the modern condos of Condado across the Lagoon, top right. Just about everything in this picture was built after 1900, under American rule, except the Castillo which was built in the 1600s.
Puerta de Tierra
The Layout
Old San Juan East refers to the "Puerta de Tierra' subbarrio that makes up the Eastern 2/3 of La Isleta de San Juan. It is technically outside of the Viejo San Juan District, that makes up the Western 1/3 of the Isleta, but became a historic neighborhood as recently as 2019 and today the entire Isleta is a historic community. We may use La Isleta, Antiguo San Juan, Viejo San Juan and Old San Juan interchangeably in this article but we are referring to this Islet itself, while most people refer to just the Walled City.
This outline highlighted a Crab with claws at top right, created by building a Fort on either side of the bay and then landfilling the bay with boulders to stop ships from landing, where they were easy picking for both forts. Puerta de Tierra is everything East of the City Gates but is also the name of the 3rd of 4 neighborhoods in the area, the residential center, with Bahia Urbana (Ports), Capitol Hill (Capitolio) & Escambron (Beaches, Parks, Resorts).
The historic City of San Juan, pre-1950's expansion, consisted of La Isleta de San Juan, and a nearby man-made island, about 4x its size, that was divided from the mainland by a canal. This island was known as Santurce and contained the original suburbs of San Juan. Santurce was the FIRST Barrio/Borough.
Old San Juan is totally separated from the island of Puerto Rico by the Laguna Condado, El Boqueron, Cano de San Antonio & Bahie de San Juan. San Juan city continues off La Isleta into the suburbs of Santurce. The first subbarrio upon arriving is Condado (The County, but today refers to Condos). Santurce stretches along the coast to Carolina at SJU airport. Today, the city limits include an area about 16 times the size of La Isleta or about 50 times the original walled city.
La Isleta is considered the Historic City Center, Walled Fortress & State Capitol section, and is densely packed inside of the Fortress and spread out widely outside of the City Walls.
Santurce has the closest suburbs and is much denser and has the only Walmart in San Juan.
Condado, directly across from Puerta de Tierra at the NW Coast of Santurce, is a hip trendy place with nightclubs, beaches, tree-lined streets, boutique shops & luxury condos,
This modern realtor's map shows some of the neighborhoods they identify. Old San Juan top left, Puerta de Tierra shows Capitol Hill and Escambron (Labeled as WeCo? West Condado?) Far right is Isla Verde in Carolina at SJU Airport. Everything else in the center of the picture is Santurce. Coastal shores like Condado, Parque, Ocean Park & Punta Las Marias, and the denser "County" outside of Old San Juan, from Convention Center to Sagrado Corazon (Sacred Heart).
For the purposes of this article, just acknowledge that La Isleta de San Juan is Historic and disconnected from the mainland where most of the heavily populated areas are, and that Puerta de Tierra was outside of the City Gates and was used as strategic defenses until the City Walls were torn down in late 1800's.
European Settlement
Settlement of Viejo San Juan can be dated back to the 1500's, with various Spanish architecture spanning 500 Years, including some beautiful Art Deco Hotels & historic Castillos y Catedrals.
However, San Juan East was historically outside of the Walled Fortress, and was severely underdeveloped until the later 1800's. It consisted of some 'Strategic Lines of Defense" like Fortin San Antonio, Fortin Escambron and Fortin de San Geronimo de El Boqueron (St. Jerome's Fort, my namesake!)
The Forts were ultimately built to protect San Juan from foreign invasion by the Dutch & British, not against native uprisings, which they had quelled long ago. For more information on the History of the Spanish Forts & Spanish Wars Click Here.
Natives
El Taino upon the arrival of the Spaniards, depicted in the background.
The Tainos were a group of Arawak natives, originally from Amazonia in Brazil. They would travel from island to island in canoes and make trips to what we call North, Central & South America. Their name for the island of Puerto Rico was "Borinquen", which is where we get "Boricua" from. Modern Puerto Ricans use Taino & Boricua as expressions of Native pride against their Spanish & American occupiers.
The Tainos inhabited different islands at different times and avoided certain islands altogether. There were islands of Giants, dog-headed men, cyclopes, etc but this could have been Spanish explorers telling tall tales. The Tainos believed they were created by the Huracan Gods and spawned in a cave on a Sacred Mountain on Hispaniola (D/Haiti)
They were at odds with another group of Amazonians named the Caribs. The Taino natives introduced several words to the Spanish & English languages like "Juracan" (Hurricane) & Barbacoa (Barbecue). They referred to the Caribs as Cannibales, people who wanted to eat them for Barbacoa.
The term Taino is possibly a Spanish word for "Good Guys". Either the Natives told the Spaniards they were "The Good Guys" when describing the bad guys "Cannibales", or the Spanish were "The Good Guys" and either called themselves Tainos to convince them, or the Natives called them Tainos (Good Guys) to thank them.
A Native Taino village as depicted before Columbus. It is very possible the Tainos lived in villages like this outside of the Spanish settlements right up until the American occupation in 1898. They may have had villages like this on Puerta de Tierra before the City Gates were torn down in 1867 and Shanty Towns stretched across the land as people moved towards the opened city and forced the Natives inland. Notice the domesticated dogs at bottom right, and the way they used rocks to line their "city squares" at bottom left.
It is estimated that the Tainos & other Caribs lost about 90% of their population through various diseases, slavery, colonization, famine etc. after the Europeans arrived.
Eventually that 10% developed immunity to these diseases and the Spaniards "accepted" them. It is very likely that most of the Natives died from disease, rather than total genocide, because when the first European colonizers came over to attack San Juan, they would lose about 90% of their men to disease also.
La Encomienda would play a major role as well, because it allowed Spaniards to treat "Non-Christians" as subhuman and to use them for slave labor. Bartolomeo De Casas estimated that between his arrival in 1508 and his return in 1560 over 3 Million Natives had perished, leaving behind only 60,000 Natives on the island of Puerto Rico.
However, the Tainos trusted the Spaniards enough that they lived right outside of their city walls and traded with them, and the Spanish tolerated them enough that they were allowed to live right on La Isleta. The Caribbean Islands have no animals bigger than a dog, and have various lizards and birds, and toxic berries etc so the Natives couldn't hunt for game. They preferred to live off of the Sea, compared to the tough terrain of the jungles and mountains inland. Here they could pick fruit from the trees, or when it washed up on shore, and they could trap lobsters, oysters and more while fishing and crab-picking. Some brave souls would get in the water and wrestle with manatees and giant sea turtles after spearing them.
Taino Libraries
Taino Language has 29 characters (26 plus CH, LL and (N~)
One thing never mentioned about Native Americans is that these "savages" had written language before the "civilized" Europeans arrived. During an early battle at San Juan, a city library dating back to BEFORE EUROPEAN ARRIVAL was burned to the ground during an attack at La Fortaleza. WRITTEN LANGUAGE IN A LIBRARY BEFORE 1492!
We could have lost written records of journeys throughout the Caribbean, up the Amazon & Mississippi Rivers, and even portage across Panama to the Pacific, long before Europeans even realized there was a continent there at all. There could have been records of Aztecs, Mayans, Incas, Seminoles, Mississippians, Choctaws, Apaches and more. What a shame. This is why I am such a fan of preserving history.
Colon y Ponce
Painting depicting Columbus landing at Puerto Rico and the Natives giving him gold while someone is being kidnapped top left and men at top right chase other Natives off the shore to clear for landing of the Spanish ships.
Columbus and his follower Ponce De Leon were able to colonize much of the Caribbean for Spain, because wherever the Caribs/Tainos would journey to a new island, they would follow.
The island of Puerto Rico has one of the biggest Columbus Day celebrations in the world, along with Cuba, where majority of Columbus' remains ended up after being spread across the Spanish Empire. Very interesting to note is that while Ponce was very much celebrated in San Juan before the Americans came over, very little was celebrated of Columbus at all until 1893, the 400th anniversary of his landing on Puerto Rico, when they unveiled the Colon Statue and turned Plaza Santiago into Plaza Colon.
Much of the modern Columbus idolism is from the Americans, who would divide Old San Juan into 2 Historic zones. The west end where Ponce De Leon lived and is buried, is the Ponce District, and the east end where the Puerta Santiago was torn down is the Colon District, highlighted by Plaza Colon & Castillo San Cristobal
In 1993, for the 500th Anniversary of Colombus sailing to Puerto Rico, the city unveiled a new Colon monument on the West Side in Ponce District. Plaza del Quinto Centenario was built directly behind Plaza de San Jose which holds the Juan Ponce de Leon statue.
Eventually the French, Dutch, British & more would colonize the entire Caribbean, as well as Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Guam, Philippines, Greenland, Iceland, Las Canarias and any other new islands or continents they could find.
1800's
By the 1800's, many countries all over the world were feeling rebellious, after the American, French & Haitian Revolutions were successful, and Nationalism spread far and wide. The Puerto Ricans were no different and were actively lobbying for independence from Spain after 300 years of Colonization.
Unfortunately for them, they were the Crown Jewel of the Spanish Empire and 1st Line of Defense for the Spanish Main, which still consisted of most of everything west of the Mississippi River and everything west of Brazil.
They were granted premier status and allowed to govern themselves locally while observing protection from the Spaniards in the event of invasion. It was the best situation they could hope for, for now.
The Walled City held mostly upper-class Spaniard socialites and government class, while the "Boricuas" in the San Juan area lived in various settlements across the northern coast of the main island, or inland along the rivers. Many of them moved to Puerta De Tierra to be near the city for trade and commerce, and opportunities. They built various shanty towns and drove out most of the Taino Native who lived there previously.
"Puerta de Tierra" aka Land Gate closed off the Walled City of San Juan and its Castillo San Cristobal to the rest of the Isleta, through 20-foot thick walls.. Just on the other side of the gate is Plaza de Colon, known then as Puerta de Santiago, Gate of St. James, opposite of Gate of St. John at Bahia de San Juan on the West side of the Isleta. One could imagine all sorts of vendors lined up for business, much like today's Brooklyn Bridge in NYC hosts dozens of vendors. Citizens could venture outside of the gates for cheaper prices than those inside the gates.
The 1867 Virgin Islands Earthquake severely damaged the Southeastern section of the wall.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, the locals destroyed this section of the wall and removed the gate, opening the city of mostly upper-class Spaniards to outsiders for the first time in over 200 years.
La Puerta de Santiago (St. James Gate) was removed and turned into a public square, Plaza Santiago, and the locals put up a statue of their founder, Juan Ponce de Leon. In 1893, it was turned into Plaza Colon for the 400th Anniversary of Columbus landing at Puerto Rico, and Ponce was moved to the NW Side at Plaza San Jose near La Ballaja & El Morro.
Plaza SantIago, featuring Ponce De Leon, seen here in the later 1800's, was created at the spot of Puerta Santiago aka Puerta De Tierra (Land Gate). In 1893, it would become Plaza Colon and feature Christopher Columbus. We can see Castillo San Cristobal just above the Plaza, and part of its wall. The Gate would have been just offscreen right along the wall and there would have been Bastions & Garitas here along the wall to defend El Camino Real from within the City.
In the late 1800's, the Puerta de Tierra neighborhood became the fastest growing community in San Juan, and the first US Census in 1899 determined that even after a brutal 1899 Hurricane killed 300 people in the community, it was still the biggest community in the area with over 5,000 residents.
US Modernization
When the Americans occupied Puerto Rico in 1898, they chose to keep San Juan as its State Capitol, but in an effort to preserve the historic walled city, they decided they wanted a modern style domed capitol building outside of the walled city with its steep hills and unique blue cobblestone streets. Spain had been using La Fortaleza as the Governor's Mansion since the early 1500's.
Prior to the annexation of Puerto Rico, the strip of Puerta De Tierra had a main road, El Camino Real, which went SW from San Juan to Ponce on the other side of the Island. The Americans chose to modernize everything north of the main strip going from La Isleta to Condado.
They renamed El Camino Real to Avenue de la Constitucion and built El Capitolio on the north side.
They built Avenue Munoz Rivera, as a northern coastal drive along the shore to Condado, behind the Capitol. Then built Calle San Agustin to go parallel to the Camino Real and take people from Old San Juan directly to Playa Escambron and Fortin San Geronimo.
They built Calle Del Tren on the southern end of Puerta de Tierra and brought a streetcar line right up to the old city wall at Covadonga Terminal. The train line extended SW through 3 counties and ended in Bayamon.
The Blueprint Plans for El Tren on La Isleta highlight the 2nd & 3rd Lines of Defense outside of the City Gates (The White Object at the left of the end of the train) and the Los Castillos El Morro y San Cristobal (off screen left). The first line of defense is offscreen right and that would most likely be Fortin Escambron y San Geronimo El Boqueron near Laguna Condado. Today the Playa Escambron is the strip of land Top Right of the 2nd Line, while the 3rd Line is directly to the right of today's El Capitolio. Paseo Covadonga leads to the Covadonga Terminal & the Bahia Urbana Harbor.
Condado as seen from above El Boqueron over the Dos Hermanos (Two Brothers) Bridge. Laguna Condado at right and the Atlantic Ocean at left. The Santurce neighborhoods of Parque & Ocean Park Beach continue until Punta Las Marias, before turning inland towards the SJU Airport in Carolina at Isla Verde. Condado, Ocean Park & Isla Verde have some of the nicest beaches you will find in San Juan off La Isleta. Just 150 years ago Native Tainos lived here with Los Boricuas in Shanty Towns on this premier strip of land near Viejo San Juan.
Native Discoveries
The Tainos created thousands of intricate detailed pieces of rock art, as seen above. They may have sold these to the traders along El Camino Real on their way to Old San Juan. Imagine these beautiful pieces of rock art lined along the main road in all different shapes and colors as you approach the huge walled fortress visible before you even step foot on La Isleta. Notice the beautiful mountain ranges of Puerto Rico mainland in the background. They are definitely visible from Old San Juan in every direction that isn't open water or blocked by condos.
It wasn't up until the mid-1900's that modern governments began an effort to preserve history and create landmarks and hire people to regularly maintain them. Also, the US had a poor track record of preserving Native American history, and while Puerto Rico was one of its first attempts at colonization, most colonizers were known to destroy native cultures.
When the Americans started re-designing their new territorial Capitol, they were mostly concerned with removing the shanty towns of "poor people" and making space for their new construction, rather than honoring and preserving history.
It is unknown how much of the Native Taino settlements were destroyed when modernizing Puerto Rico in the 18/1900's but there are some discoveries documented during that time.
Taino life along the inland rivers of Puerto Rico. Note the native Puerto Rican dog at bottom right they domesticated and trained to chase off attackers. Bottom left some type of skull and bones ritual going on, while the Cacique (Chief) is at right with the headdress.
When the Puerto Rican National Guard Museum was built, excavations discovered a native fishing village, likely dating back to before the 1800's. This would be only a 15-minute walk from the Puerta de Santiago, Land Gate.
One way to look at this is the Puerto Rican House of Government literally sits exactly where their native tribes were known to gather before and after Spanish colonization.
Capitol Hill
The "Capitol Hill" neighborhood, located in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a bustling district known for its political significance, historic landmarks, and vibrant atmosphere. Here's an overview:
Location: Situated in the heart of Old San Juan, Capitol Hill is centrally located on La Isleta, and serves as a focal point for government, commerce, and culture. The exact location is East of the Castillo San Cristobal & Plaza Colon but North of Paseo Covadonga, and extending East to the 3rd Line of Defense at Paseo de la Puerta.
Timeline: Established in the early 20th century, Capitol Hill has evolved into a dynamic urban center with deep historical roots.
Historic Landmarks: Casa Olimpica (1913), El Ateneo Puertorriqueno (Atheneum) (1876), Carnegie Library, Casa de Espana, Holocaust Memorial, Walkway of the Presidents, US Monument of Remembrance, Altar de La Patria, El Capitolio (Puerto Rico Capitol Building), Plaza de San Juan Bautista, Playa del Capitolio, Puerto Rican National Guard Museum, 3rd Line of Strategic Defense, Avenida Munoz Rivera, Avenida de La Constitución
Evolution: Capitol Hill emerged as a prominent district following the construction of the Puerto Rico Capitol Building, which became a symbol of the island's political autonomy and democratic aspirations.
Population: This non-residential neighborhood is home to government buildings, and doesn't even have a Hotel in the neighborhood, though there are plenty within 10 minute walk of El Capitolio.
Aerial view of El Capitolio from over the Atlantic Ocean, facing the beautiful, secluded Playa Capitolio. The tall buildings behind the Capitol are the Condominio Capitolio Plaza in Bahia Urbana and behind them the Carnival Cruise ship. Extreme top right, jutting out after the piers is La Puntilla at the SW end of La Isleta.
Capitol Hill Today
Capitol Hill has witnessed significant urban development and revitalization efforts, with infrastructure improvements, public spaces, and cultural amenities enhancing the quality of life for visitors.
The neighborhood's central location and accessibility make it a hub for business, government, and tourism, driving economic growth and cultural exchange.
Institutions such as El Capitolio serve as landmarks of historical and civic importance, attracting tourists, scholars, and dignitaries from around the world.
Capitol Hill continues to evolve as a dynamic and cosmopolitan neighborhood, with a mix of historic charm, modern amenities, and cultural diversity contributing to its allure and vitality.
Backside of El Capitolio from Plaza San Juan Bautista
El Capitolio aka Puerto Rico Capitol Building: Completed in 1929, the Capitol Building houses the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico and is an architectural masterpiece adorned with classical elements and grandeur. It stands as a symbol of the island's democratic governance and political history.
The backside of El Capitolio at Sunset, beautifully lit, as seen from Plaza San Juan Bautista. Directly behind us is the only State Capitol Beach in the US, Playa del Capitolio, directly on the Atlantic Ocean.
What other US Governor is lucky enough to look directly out of their Office Window and see this? Swim in the Ocean for Lunch, then back to work!
Playa Capitolio, as seen from Plaza San Juan Bautista (St. John the Baptist), on the backside of El Capitolio. This was an amazing quiet peaceful beach only steps from the State Capitol and 5 minute walk from San Cristobal, on a road lightly traveled.
In summary, Capitol Hill is a vibrant and iconic neighborhood in San Juan, embodying the spirit of Puerto Rico's political, cultural, and economic aspirations. With its historic landmarks, urban amenities, and cosmopolitan atmosphere, it remains a cherished destination for residents and visitors alike, offering a glimpse into the island's rich heritage and dynamic present.
Bahia Urbana
Bahia Urbana as seen from above Bahia de San Juan and Muelles 7 & 8. Carnival Cruiselines are just offscreen left. Top left the Condo/Hotel looking buildings are the Condominio Capitolio Complex, which feature waterfront apartments & streetside dining, only 2 blocks away from El Capitolio. La Waflera aka Waffle-Era Tea Room is a highlight. The Pier on right is Muelle 8 where they offer Helicopter Tours over San Juan & Condado. The front steps of El Capitolio can be seen at the very top left, a block above the Condominios. La Puerta de Tierra (Land Gate) entrance to the city would have been a block or 2 to the left of El Capitolio.
Bahía Urbana is the newest neighborhood on San Juan. It is a waterfront development project just SE of where the old City Walls would be. Situated along the Bahia de San Juan, it's a part of the broader effort to revitalize the city's port area and connect the historical Old San Juan with the modern parts of the city.
Carnival Cruise ships stop in the area at Muelle 6 (Dock 6) and make a perfect location for a day trip in Viejo San Juan, and a 10-minute walk from El Capitolio. There is some beautiful architecture in the area including El Banco Popular HQ, Condominio Capitolio Plaza & Terminal Covadonga. Muelle Ocho (Dock 8) has a Heliport and does Helicopter Tours.
Condominio Capitolio Plaza is a multi-level mixed-use waterfront commercial center stretching the entire Pier. La Waflera, the Waffle-Era Tea House is located here and serves a delicious Puerto Rican Breakfast
Condominio Capitolio Plaza as seen from inside the Plaza from a penthouse view. Some wealthy state workers would love to be lucky enough to live here, only 1 block walk from El Capitolio.
La Waflera aka Waffle-Era Tea House (circa 2011) is on the ground floor of Condominio Capitolio Plaza and has outdoor seating right on the street along La Bahia. You can eat a nice Puerto Rican Breakfast and watch the Cruise Ships dock at port, and then walk a block to El Capitolio and hit the beach out back.
Revitalization Project: Bahía Urbana aims to transform the waterfront area into a vibrant public space that features a mix of commercial, recreational, and cultural facilities. The project seeks to boost tourism, encourage economic development, and improve the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
Features: The development includes open spaces for public gatherings, walking paths, retail spaces, restaurants, and entertainment venues. It's designed to take advantage of the scenic views of the bay and to provide a leisure and social space in the heart of the city.
Connectivity: Part of the vision for Bahía Urbana is to better connect Old San Juan with the Convention District and other parts of the city, creating a continuous and accessible waterfront experience.
Economic Growth: By attracting businesses and tourists, Bahía Urbana is intended to stimulate economic activity in the area.
Cultural and Recreational Space: It's seen as a way to enhance the cultural and recreational offerings of San Juan, providing a venue for events, performances, and other activities that can enrich the city's cultural life.
Urban Regeneration: The project is a key component in broader efforts to regenerate and redevelop underutilized areas of San Juan, turning them into active, attractive parts of the urban landscape.
Bahía Urbana reflects a trend in many cities worldwide to reclaim waterfront areas and turn them into dynamic spaces that support economic development while providing residents and visitors with beautiful, functional public spaces. As the project progresses, it will likely continue to evolve, potentially becoming a distinct and vibrant part of San Juan's urban fabric.
Puerta de Tierra (Neighborhood)
A modern bicycle path map shows us how you can ride a loop around Puerta de Tierra or continue onto Condado (Upper), or Miramar (Lower) on Santurce. Technically you can also jog this entire path AND continue on the Paseos along El Morro & La Princesa & Recinto Sur (South Wall) back to the start of the bike path at Castillo San Cristobal. The Puerta de Tierra part of the trail features the newer Paseo de la Puerta on the north shore from Escambron to El Capitolio, and back around in front of Capitolio along El Camino Real (Avenida de la Constitucion)
The modern Puerta de Tierra neighborhood is everything East of Plaza Colon that isn't part of Bahia Urbana, Capitol Hill or Escambron. This leaves everything south of El Camino Real, plus the north side of El Camino Real between 2nd & 3rd Lines of Defense. The beautiful modern Paseo de la Puerta along the Atlantic Coast is the highlight for tourists, while the rest of the area is residential and included the first Church on La Isleta outside the City Walls. There are several restaurants in the area to feed the state workers, the Navy and the beach-goers, but the area is only slightly more affordable than dining in Old San Juan.
Iglesia San Agustin (St. Augustine) was built in 1912 and consists of the beautiful double domed Church and the matching Convent Buildings on either side. As far back as 1867, as soon as that Earthquake knocked down the wall, a new church was planned outside of the City Gates. A small temporary chapel was built here in 1886 on San Cristobal Field, which must have included El Capitolio grounds as well, and replaced with this modern masterpiece in 1915.
Paseo de Puerta de Tierra looking West back at Old San Juan
I clearly jacked this picture from Alamy off Google Images, oh well. This beautiful view along Paseo de Puerta de Tierra faces East as you move towards Escambron, with Condado in the distance.
Escambrón
The "Escambrón" neighborhood, nestled along the picturesque coastline of San Juan, Puerto Rico, is celebrated for its pristine beaches, lush greenery, and recreational amenities.
Location: Situated along the eastern shoreline of La Isleta de San Juan, Escambrón enjoys a prime location near the historic district of Old San Juan and the vibrant Condado area. Escambrón makes up the entire NE Tip of La Isleta de San Juan, everything east of the 2nd Line of Defense and north of Calle del Tren, stretching to Laguna Condado.
Timeline: With a history dating back centuries, Escambrón evolved from the 1st Line of Defense to a tranquil coastal retreat to a popular destination for beachgoers, nature enthusiasts, and families.
Natural Attractions: 2nd Line of Defense, Navy Command Post, Penon de San Jorge (Crag of St. George), Balneario de Escambrón (Spa, also Beach), Fortin Escambrón, Playa Escambrón (Beach), Escambrón Marine Park, Parque del Tercer Milenio (3rd Millenium Park), Scuba Dogs, Paseo La Caribe, Fortin San Geronimo El Boqueron, Condado Lagoon Villas, PR Supreme Court, Luis Munoz Rivera Parque, PR National Library & Archives
Evolution: Over the years, Escambrón has evolved into a sought-after neighborhood known for its natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and scenic vistas of the Atlantic Ocean.
Population: The neighborhood is home to residents, tourists, and visitors who appreciate its pristine beaches, lush landscapes, green space parks and proximity to urban amenities.
Escambrón Beach: With its soft golden sands and calm turquoise waters, Escambrón Beach offers an idyllic setting for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. Its tranquil ambiance and scenic views make it a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike.
Escambrón Marine Park: This protected marine area is renowned for its diverse marine life, coral reefs, and underwater ecosystems. It offers opportunities for snorkeling, scuba diving, and marine exploration, allowing visitors to discover the beauty and biodiversity of Puerto Rico's coastal waters.
Paseo La Caribe
Fortin San Geronimo El Boqueron
Luis Munoz Rivera Parque
Escambrón Today
Escambrón has undergone infrastructure improvements and environmental conservation efforts to preserve its natural beauty and enhance visitor experiences.
The neighborhood's beaches, parks, and recreational facilities attract residents and tourists seeking relaxation, outdoor activities, and scenic beauty.
Escambrón remains a popular destination for beach lovers, families, and nature enthusiasts, offering a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
The neighborhood's proximity to Old San Juan, Condado, and other attractions makes it a convenient and accessible destination for visitors exploring San Juan and the surrounding areas.
In summary, Escambrón is a hidden gem along the coast of San Juan, cherished for its pristine beaches, natural landscapes, and recreational opportunities. With its tranquil ambiance, scenic vistas, and coastal charm, it invites visitors to unwind, explore, and connect with the beauty of Puerto Rico's coastal environment.
