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121-582: The San Sebastián Street Festival is a Puerto Rican festival that takes place in the Old San Juan , in honor of Saint Sebastian , celebrated by the Catholic Church on January 20. The event starts the third Thursday of January through Sunday with an attendance of more than 200,000 people, making this activity recognized internationally. The celebration has been introduced in Florida and Texas in
242-438: A tropical monsoon climate ( Am ) with year-round growing season . It has an average temperature of 81.0 °F (27.2 °C). Temperatures of 90 °F (32 °C) or higher are seen on an average 79 days annually, more commonly occurring during the wetter months of the northern summer, especially if the winds come from the south. In the winter, temperatures can drop to around 60 °F (16 °C). The average winter low
363-402: A coastabl habitat, as developers had nearly destroyed it. They have also hosted hundreds of students at their base camp to teach them about the ongoing resistance against the privatization of Puerto Rican land. Playas P’al Pueblo ’s efforts to rebuild the coastal habitat have led to locals calling the area Carolina Forest Coastal Reserve . Cuba and Puerto Rico have perennially competed for
484-563: A direct impact in Puerto Rico, causing widespread damage and a collapse of the infrastructure in San Juan and the rest of Puerto Rico. The damage caused in 2017 was extensive, affecting the electricity, potable water supplies, transportation, and communication, but significant progress had been made in the capital by April 2019, and particularly by October 2019. This was significant for tourism, which had rebounded by October of that year and
605-922: A larger plan to use tourism to revitalize the island after Hurricane Maria. The new Discover Puerto Rico campaign started that month. An April 2019 report stated that the tourism team, "after hitting the one-year anniversary of the storm in September 2018", the organization began to shift towards more optimistic messaging. The Have We Met Yet? campaign was intended to highlight the island's culture and history, making it distinct, different than other Caribbean destinations. In 2019, Discover Puerto Rico planned to continue that campaign, including "streaming options for branded content". The video series Discover Puerto Rico with Lin-Manuel starring actor, songwriter and lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda , became available on all JetBlue aircraft on 1 October 1, 2019 and would continue until 30 January 2020. Tourist destinations vary around
726-404: A loss to the island's economy of 44 million. As well, 30 ship departures from San Juan were being canceled. The rationale for this decision was discussed in a news report: The reason for the cancellations is the privatization of the cruise docks in San Juan due to much-needed maintenance that is needed. Around $ 250 million investment is needed to make sure cruise ships can continue to dock there in
847-628: A member of the "Porto Rico Regiment of Infantry" and Officer of the Day, on March 25, 1915, opened fire on the Odenwald , an armed German supply vessel, when it was trying to force its way out of San Juan's bay. The shots ordered by Lt. Marxuach were the first fired by the United States in World War I. In 1919, Félix Rigau Carrera , "El Aguila de Sabana Grande" (The Eagle from Sabana Grande ),
968-803: A number of entities such as the Municipality, the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources , the National Park Service , the University of Puerto Rico and conservation easements . The San Juan Ecological Corridor is a conservation project by the Government of Puerto Rico consisting in 6 different units found within the municipality of San Juan: the Cupey Arboretum, which protects
1089-721: A number of playgrounds for children. Its main attraction is the cableway that crosses the park and offers scenic views of the Piedras River and the city while providing transportation to the Roberto Clemente Coliseum and the Hiram Bithorn Stadium . The municipality of San Juan is home to various important ecosystems and preserved natural areas. Some of the ecosystems of the San Juan Bay National Estuary , which
1210-529: A public housing project by the name of Residencial Fray Bartolome de Las Casas was constructed on its former location. On January 2, 1947, the people of San Juan elected Felisa Rincón de Gautier (also known as Doña Fela) (1897–1994) as their mayor. Thus, she became the first woman to be elected as the mayor of a capital city in any of the Americas. During the Cold War era, she ordered the establishment of
1331-491: A resident of San Sebastian street, to revive this tradition. Since then, with the help of her neighbors, the festival was organized again to collect money for an elementary school directed by Sisters of Charity . In the present, artisans ' work acquired more importance, as well as musical and choreographic performances occurring in different stages around the Old San Juan. “Cabezudos” now include characters representing
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#17327828650851452-492: A stop to the destruction and led 200 men in an attack against the enemy's front and rear guard. They drove Enrico and his men from their trenches and into the ocean in their haste to reach their ships. The British attack in 1797, during the French Revolutionary Wars , led by Sir Ralph Abercromby (who had just conquered Trinidad ). His army laid siege to the city but was forced to withdraw in defeat as
1573-488: A sword wound to his neck which he received from the hands of Amézqueta. The Dutch ships at sea were boarded by Puerto Ricans who defeated those aboard. After a long battle, the Spanish soldiers and volunteers of the city's militia were able to defend the city from the attack and save the island from an invasion. On October 21, Enrico set La Fortaleza and the city ablaze. Captains Amézqueta and Andrés Botello decided to put
1694-426: Is 71 °F (22 °C). The coolest temperature officially recorded was 60 °F (16 °C) on March 3, 1957, and the hottest was 98 °F (37 °C) on October 9, 1981. The record cold daily maximum is 71 °F (22 °C) on February 4, 1935. The record warm daily minimum is 83 °F (28 °C) on August 11, 1995, the most recent of four occasions. With a mean minimum of 67 °F (19 C), San Juan
1815-541: Is about 2.443 million inhabitants; thus, about 76% of the population of Puerto Rico now lives and works in this area. San Juan is also a principal city of the San Juan-Caguas-Fajardo Combined Statistical Area . The city has been the host of events within the sports community, including the 1979 Pan American Games ; 1966 Central American and Caribbean Games ; events of the 2006, 2009 and 2013 World Baseball Classics ;
1936-403: Is also home to a rich variety of buildings that showcase the history of Puerto Rican architecture throughout the past 120 years, with buildings designed by notable architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright 's student Henry Klumb , Edward H. Bennett , William E. Parsons , and Rafael Carmoega who designed the distinctive clock tower and the university quadrangle , both of which were inscribed in
2057-492: Is also on the rise: in 2019, contribution of travel and tourism to GDP (% of GDP) for Puerto Rico was 6.9%. However, the exact contribution of the gambling sector within the tourism and travel sector is not measured separately by the government. In the 1950s, the focus of tourism shifted to cultural and natural heritage travel with the federal designation of the San Juan National Historic Site and
2178-449: Is an unincorporated territory of the United States , U.S. citizens do not need a passport to enter Puerto Rico, and the ease of travel attracts many tourists from the mainland U.S. each year. In 2017, Hurricane Maria caused severe damage to the island and its infrastructure. The damage was estimated at $ 100 billion. An April 2019 report indicated that by that time, only a few hotels were still closed, that life for tourists in and around
2299-462: Is in USDA plant hardiness zone 13B, which is the highest category. Rainfall is well-distributed throughout the year. The months of January, February, and March are the driest. As March averages just 1.95 inches (49.5 mm) of rain, the city falls under the tropical monsoon category. Rainfall averages 56.35 inches (1,431.3 mm), falling on an average 198.5 days per year. Despite this dampness,
2420-462: Is mandatory, according to Puerto Rican law, that casinos must be attached to hotels and resorts, and must be located within "zones of historic or touristic interest" ( Spanish : zonas históricas, antiguas o de interés turístico ). Today there is a significant and growing Chinese presence in the Puerto Rico gambling sector, so far 10% of the casinos are owned by Chinese individuals or companies, and more are partially owned. The number of Chinese tourists
2541-547: Is the capital city and most populous municipality in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , an unincorporated territory of the United States . As of the 2020 census , it is the 57th-largest city under the jurisdiction of the United States, with a population of 342,259. San Juan was founded by Spanish colonists in 1521, who called it Ciudad de Puerto Rico (Spanish for "Rich Port City"). Puerto Rico's capital
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#17327828650852662-615: Is the largest of its kind in the Caribbean and one of the most advanced in the Americas. San Juan is located along the north-eastern coast of Puerto Rico in the Northern Plains region. It lies south of the Atlantic Ocean; north of Caguas and Trujillo Alto ; east of Guaynabo ; and west of Carolina . The city occupies an area of 76.93 square miles (199.2 km ), of which, 29.11 square miles (75.4 km ) (37.83%)
2783-847: Is the only tropical estuary in the National Estuary Program network, are protected by numerous nature reserves and protected areas such as the Caño Martín Peña Nature Reserve . Other areas protected under the San Juan Bay National Estuary include El Condado Lagoon , the San José Lagoon and El Boquerón where the San Antonio Creek and the Condado Lagoon connect with the Atlantic Ocean. Two of
2904-513: Is the second oldest European-established capital city in the Americas, after Santo Domingo , in the Dominican Republic , founded in 1496, and is the oldest European-established city under United States sovereignty . Several historical buildings are located in the historic district of Old San Juan ; among the most notable are the city's former defensive walls , Fort San Felipe del Morro and Fort San Cristóbal , and La Fortaleza ,
3025-445: Is thereby less public investment from the growth of private developments in the tourist industry. Additionally, the 2012 Act 60 provides tax benefits for foreigners who relocate and buy property in Puerto Rico within 2 years of moving. 4,286 applications for these benefits have been approved since 2012. Puerto Rican residents do not qualify for these benefits, resulting in more and more land being owned by non-Puerto Ricans. According to
3146-459: Is very diverse, due to its size and all the cultural influences received during its existence. The oldest part of the city, known as Old San Juan , mostly features the influence of Spanish architecture . This part of the city is comprised by a network of "setted" roads usually surrounded by colonial, two-storied houses built on masonry . Some colonial structures have been restored and serve either as government offices or museums. Some examples are
3267-581: Is water. San Juan's main water bodies are San Juan Bay and two natural lagoons, the Condado and San José . At almost 1,030 feet (314 m) above sea level, the highest point in the municipality of San Juan is located on an unnamed hill on the Morcelo sector of Caimito , close to the municipal border with Caguas . The municipality of San Juan is surrounded by the San Juan metropolitan area , particularly
3388-753: The Ballajá Barracks , which now serve as museum and headquarters of several cultural organizations; La Fortaleza , which has served as the residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico since the 16th Century; and the Ancient Welfare Asylum, which now houses the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, among others. Old San Juan also features several public squares, like the Plaza de Armas , located in front of San Juan City Hall; and cathedrals, like
3509-732: The Capitol of Puerto Rico is home to the Iglesias Pantín and Rafael Hernández Marín parks, and a line of monuments located along Constitución Avenue which includes the Walkway of the Presidents , the Puerto Rico Police Memorial Monument and The Holocaust Memorial Monument. The Loma de los Vientos , or Loma del Viento (Spanish for "hill of winds"), is a small open green area located northwest of
3630-734: The Caribbean Series and the Special Olympics and MLB San Juan Series in 2010. The Taíno people were the original inhabitants of the area before the arrival of the Europeans to the island of Puerto Rico in 1493. Remains of a small indigenous fishing village have been found in Puerta de Tierra where the Puerto Rico National Guard Museum stands today, however most archaeological sites in
3751-571: The Cathedral of San Juan Bautista . Old San Juan is also notable for being partly enclosed by massive walls and fortifications built by the Spanish government . The colonial Walls of the city of San Juan had five gates. The main was the Puerta de San Juan, today preserved, built in 1635. It also had the Puerta de San José, the Puerta de Santa Rosa, the Puerta de San Justo and the Puerta de Santiago,
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3872-609: The Caño Martín Peña Nature Reserve . Luis Muñoz Marín Park , La Merced Park, Dr. José N. Gándara Park, Santiago Iglesias Pantín Park are some of the parks located in Hato Rey. Luis Muñoz Marín Park is one of the largest in the municipality. It is located in the Gobernador Piñero district between Hato Rey and Puerto Nuevo . The park has gazebos that can be rented for events, green areas for strolls, biking and picnics, an artificial lake with paddleboats for rent ($ 6), and
3993-471: The Exports Services Act to avoid taxes. Mortgage investors, such as Goldman Sachs Group Inc. , Perella Weinberg Partners , and TPG Capital have increasingly turned to Puerto Rico for cheap foreclosed properties as local residents are forced to leave. There is such significant demand that other companies, such as PRelocate , specialize in helping their clients relocate their businesses to
4114-771: The Museum of Art of Puerto Rico , world-class event venues such as El Choliseo , parks such as Luis Muñoz Rivera Park and the University of Puerto Rico Botanical Garden , and large malls such as Plaza Las Américas . Some of the other prominent tourist attractions of the region include the Bacardi Distillery , the Caparra Archaeological Site , the Caribbean Manatee Conservation Center, Isla de Cabras , Julio Enrique Monagas Park , Parque de las Ciencias , and
4235-1488: The Port of San Juan . Between 2017 and 2020, however, the tourism industry in Puerto Rico was greatly affected by events such as Hurricane Maria in 2017, the 2019 and 2020 earthquakes , and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Additionally, during the 2019 government shutdown , the San Juan National Historic Site closed its two colonial-era fortresses of Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristóbal to visitors. As of 2024, nonstop flights to Puerto Rico are available year-round from domestic airports such as Atlanta , Austin , Baltimore , Boston , Charlotte , Chicago , Dallas/Fort Worth , Denver , Detroit , Fort Lauderdale , Houston , Miami , Minneapolis/St. Paul , Nashville , New Orleans , New York , Newark , Orlando , Philadelphia , Tampa , Washington, D.C. , and several international airports, including Bogotá , Cancún , Madrid , Medellín , Montreal , Panama City , and Toronto , as well as regional Caribbean destinations such as Barbados , Port of Spain , Punta Cana , St. Croix , St. Maarten , St. Thomas , Santiago de los Caballeros , Santo Domingo , and Tortola . Increasing land privatization in Puerto Rico takes place amid what scholars Yarimar Bonilla and Marisol LeBrón term “aftershocks of disaster,” where
4356-504: The San Germán Historic District . In spite of damage caused by previous hurricanes, particularly Maria in 2017, an April 2019 report stated that "1.7 million cruise ship passengers are expected to visit this fiscal year". In late November 2019 however, reports indicated that 90 calls to San Juan by Royal Caribbean ships would be cancelled during 2020 and 2021. This step would mean 360,000 fewer visitors, with
4477-576: The Santo Tomás de Aquino Convent and the Nuestra Señora de la Concepción Hospital, were established during this time in San Juan. The ambiguous use of San Juan Bautista and Puerto Rico for both the city and the island in time led to a reversal in practical use by most inhabitants: by 1746 the name for the city (Puerto Rico) had become that of the entire island, leading to the city being identified as Puerto Rico de Puerto Rico on maps of
4598-641: The William Miranda Marín Botanical and Cultural Garden . Porta Antillas, also known as Porta del Este and Región Este (Spanish for eastern region ), corresponds to the Sierra de Luquillo , the eastern coast of Puerto Rico and the island municipalities of Culebra and Vieques (often referred to as the Spanish Virgin Islands ), and it includes El Yunque National Forest , the most visited natural attraction in
4719-1052: The riparian ecosystems along the Río Piedras ; the Doña Inés Mendoza Urban Forest , a small urban forest located next to the Luis Muñoz Marín Foundation in Sabana Llana Sur ; Los Capuchinos Forest , a forest which covers a small karst area also in Sabana Llana Sur; the New Millennium State Forest , one of the 20 state forests of Puerto Rico ; the San Juan Waterworks , consisting of the Old Piedras River Aqueduct and adjacent historic district ; and
4840-633: The 18 barrios are further subdivided into subbarrios, including the two barrios ( San Juan Antiguo and Santurce ) that belonged to the original municipality of San Juan. Tourism in Puerto Rico Tourism in Puerto Rico attracts millions of visitors each year, with more than 5.1 million passengers arriving at the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in 2022, a 6.5% increase from 2021,
4961-690: The 20 state forests of Puerto Rico are located in the municipality of San Juan: the New Millennium Urban Forest , which is also part of the San Juan Ecological Corridor, and the San Patricio Urban Forest , a secondary forest located next to a mogote . The Hermanas Sendra and San Juan Park Protected Natural Areas are located inland within the municipality of San Juan in the barrios of Caimito and Cupey . The architecture of San Juan
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5082-529: The 2010s. The festival was firstly organized by father Juan Manuel Madrazo, the priest of the San José Church in the 1950s, with the purpose to commemorate the life of the Saint and to raise money to repair the church. When Madrazo was transferred out of San Juan the festival was no longer organized, although, in 1970 the historian and anthropologist Ricardo Alegría proposed to Rafaela Balladares de Brito,
5203-635: The Capitol, next to Castle San Cristóbal , and it often hosts events such as the Epiphany celebrations. Luis Muñoz Rivera Park is a 27.2 acre recreational and historic park located in Puerta de Tierra , between Luis Muñoz Rivera, Ponce de León and Constitución avenues. It is the largest public square in Puerto Rico, and it is home to several historic sites such as the Polvorín San Gerónimo de Boquerón , which used to supply gunpowder to
5324-527: The Caribbean, the beaches of San Juan are currently under the threat of coastal erosion , particularly that of Ocean Park. The threat has become more evident recently and there are currently no state reports dedicated to the documentation or mitigation planning, according to oceanographer and geologist Maritza Barreto. The municipality of San Juan contains numerous parks, including public parks, historic and heritage parks, nature reserves, protected natural areas, and recreational parks. These parks are managed by
5445-619: The Census. Pedro Cardona, former vice president and a planner for the Puerto Rican Planning Board says that the instatement of opportunity zones would introduce a gentrification and elitization component to various areas in Puerto Rico, which can be tied to foreign investment in the Tourism industry. There are numerous ongoing grassroots movements and protests against land privatization in Puerto Rico, particularly against
5566-509: The NRHP in 1984. As with the other Puerto Rican municipalities, San Juan is administratively divided into barrios . What is now known as Old San Juan occupied the western end of a rocky islet, the Isleta de San Juan , at the mouth of San Juan Bay. During the 20th century, the main population centers surged well beyond the walls of the old city and onto Puerto Rico's main island and merged with
5687-399: The New York Times, many of these investors buy residential properties and turn them into short-term rentals, causing a housing shortage for local residents. In Rincon, a 2-bedroom apartment would list for $ 290,000 in 2017 on average but would now cost $ 420,000. This is as forty-three percent of Puerto Ricans live under the poverty level, meaning owning housing is increasingly accessible only to
5808-685: The Puerto Rican defenses proved more resilient than those of Trinidad. Various events and circumstances, including liberalized commerce with Spain, the opening of the island to immigrants as a direct result of the Royal Decree of Graces of 1815 , and the colonial revolutions, led to an expansion of San Juan and other Puerto Rican settlements in the late 18th and early 19th century. On May 8, 1898, United States Navy ships, among them USS Detroit , USS Indiana , USS New York , USS Amphitrite , USS Terror and USS Montgomery , commanded by Rear Admiral William T. Sampson arrived at San Juan Bay. USS Yale captured
5929-420: The Puerto Rican folklore that traverse the streets dancing and singing followed by the public. The municipality of San Juan is responsible in organizing the entire festival, which duration has been extended to four days. In the recent years, the San Sebastián Festival has been celebrated in different areas of Florida and in DFW , Texas, for one or two days. This has been a result of many Puerto Ricans moving to
6050-403: The Puerto Rican government has been incentivizing the growth of the tourism industry and investors from the United States, instead of addressing the lack of ownership of land and stable housing by regular citizens and long-time Puerto Rican residents. Act 74 specifically incentivizes investment in the tourism industry. Under the act, construction of new facilities or remodeling of old facilities for
6171-479: The Puerto Rican state planning board put forth new land use codes in an attempt to bring business to the island and alleviate the debt crisis. The plan, which was met with significant resistance, would potentially change areas that were zoned as natural resource areas, agricultural lands, and residential areas to allow new land uses. According to Puerto Rican farmer Carlos Pacheo, land used for agricultural areas allowing new uses, including industry, can negatively affect
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#17327828650856292-544: The Spanish freighter Rita in San Juan Bay, thus being the first hostile encounter between the warring sides in Puerto Rico. On May 9, Yale fought a brief battle with an auxiliary cruiser of Spain, name unknown, resulting in a Spanish victory. Around this time, Captain Ángel Rivero Méndez was assigned the command of the Spanish forces in the fortress of San Cristóbal in San Juan. On May 10, Yale returned to San Juan Bay, Rivero-Méndez ordered his men to open fire upon Yale using an Ordoñez 15-centimeter cannon, thus becoming
6413-529: The U.S. government re-enforced travel restrictions to Cuba. Puerto Rico also competes with the Dominican Republic , Aruba , Jamaica and Florida for domestic American and international visitors. Tourists also flying to destinations in the Lesser Antilles, such as Barbados , Dominica , Saint Barthélemy , Saint Martin , Trinidad & Tobago , and the Virgin Islands often have connecting flights in Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rico Tourism Company spent $ 1 million in 2002, featuring celebrities, to advertise
6534-574: The United States and wanting to maintain a connection with their typical island traditions. In 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic , the event will be virtual for the first time, and all events will be integrated into one. The festivals are characterized by the presence of “Cabezudos” as well as the Puerto Rican artisan market, and it variety of food and rums and more than 6,000 persons participate. San Juan, Puerto Rico San Juan ( / ˌ s æ n ˈ hw ɑː n / san WHAHN , Spanish: [saŋ ˈxwan] ; Spanish for "Saint John ")
6655-447: The United States. Among the uprising's main objective was to attack La Fortaleza and the United States Federal Court House Building in Old San Juan . The "La Fortaleza battle", which ensued between the nationalists and the police lasted 15 minutes and ended when four of the five attackers were killed. San Juan has experienced periods of both stagnation and development in the recent years. Gentrification has been noticeable in areas of
6776-494: The University of Puerto Rico Botanical Garden, also known as the San Juan Botanical Garden . The San Juan National Historic Site is home to El Morro Esplanade , a large open area located between El Morro and Ballajá in Old San Juan . The esplanade is located in the promontory which gives El Morro its name and it offers views of the San Juan Bay and the rest of San Juan. It is very popular for activities such as picnics, stargazing and kite flying . The district of
6897-426: The beach. Locals also noted that Sol y Playa had no right to build onto a public beach, and were concerned that it was the start of an attempt to privatize the beach to renters in condominiums. Controversy erupted when large numbers of police began to remove and arrest the protestors, despite the beach being fully public. The heavy police presence confirmed for many native Puerto Ricans the hypocrisies of policing in
7018-466: The capital had, for the most part, returned to normal. By October 2019, nearly all of the popular amenities for tourists, in the major destinations such as San Juan , Ponce and Arecibo , were in operation on the island and tourism was rebounding. This was important for the economy, since tourism provides up 10% of Puerto Rico's GDP, according to Discover Puerto Rico. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, however, greatly affected this gradual recovery, and it
7139-435: The city averages 2,970 hours of sunshine per year, or just over 2 ⁄ 3 of the possible total. Annual rainfall has historically ranged from 35.53 in (902 mm) in 1991 to 89.50 in (2,273 mm) in 2010. As with other parts of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, San Juan is often blanketed by waves of Saharan dust coming from the Sahara across the Atlantic Ocean in Northern Africa . Although beneficial to
7260-462: The city such as Loíza Street in Santurce and Santa Rita in Río Piedras. In recent years the city has been the location of multiple strikes and protests, such as the 2001 protests against the United States Navy in the island municipality of Vieques , the 2010 and 2011 University of Puerto Rico strikes , and the 2019 protests against Governor Ricardo Rosselló which resulted in his resignation. On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria made
7381-406: The city was sacked by Dutch forces led by Captain Balduino Enrico (also known as Boudewijn Hendricksz/Bowdoin Henrick), but El Morro withstood the assault and was not taken. The Dutch were counterattacked by Captain Juan de Amézqueta and 50 members of the civilian militia on land and by the cannons of the Spanish troops in El Morro castle. The land battle left 60 Dutch soldiers dead and Enrico with
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#17327828650857502-414: The decision to build the hotel as they believed that the public funds would have better suited the island inhabitants if they were invested in improving education and social welfare. San Juan's fire chief of the time disapproved the local government's decision to degrade itself by buying tourists . Articles published by El Mundo in 1952 described American tourists as selfish people who did not care about
7623-402: The district of Santurce , served as the main training camp for the Puerto Rican soldiers prior to World War I and World War II; the majority of the men trained in this facility were assigned to the "Porto Rico Regiment of Infantry" which was renamed the 65th Infantry Regiment of the United States Army by the Reorganization Act of June 4, 1920. The 65th Infantry was deactivated in 1956 and became
7744-686: The entirety of the western coast of Puerto Rico which is located along the Mona Passage , and it includes the uninhabited islands of Mona , Monito and Desecheo . Some of the most prominent tourist attractions in the region include Boquerón , the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge , Crash Boat Beach , Domes Beach , Guajataca Lake , Guajataca State Forest , Guánica State Forest , Hacienda Juanita , Jobos Beach , Joyuda , La Parguera , La Pocita de las Golondrinas Beach , Los Cayos de Caña Gorda , Los Morrillos de Cabo Rojo and its lighthouse , Maricao State Forest , Palacete Los Moreau , Pozo de Jacinto , Punta Borinquen , Punta Higuero Lighthouse , and
7865-404: The era. San Juan, as a settlement of the Spanish Empire , was used by merchant and military ships traveling from Spain as the first stopover in the Americas . Because of its prominence in the Caribbean, a network of fortifications was built to protect the transports of gold and silver from the New World to Europe. Because of the rich cargoes, San Juan became a target of the foreign powers of
7986-430: The establishment of visitor infrastructure in El Yunque National Forest , the only tropical rainforest in the National Forest Service system, and with the development of natural heritage tourist destinations in the form of state forests , recreational areas and parques nacionales , the Puerto Rican equivalent of state parks , between the 1950s and 1980s. Other tourist activities such as fishing also became popular in
8107-410: The existing settlements east and south of Old San Juan. Together with Puerta de Tierra , Old San Juan comprises the barrio of San Juan Antiguo . With the annexation of Río Piedras in 1951, the municipality of San Juan grew to four times its previous size. As a result, the municipality also went from 2 to 18 barrios (barrios), 16 of which fall within the former municipality of Río Piedras . Eight of
8228-423: The expansion of many resorts and hotels onto public beaches. In 2021, protests broke out in Rincón , when the Board of Directors of the luxury condominiums Sol y Playa began plans to develop a pool that would spill over onto the neighboring public beach, Los Almendros Beach. Environmentalists and locals protested the development, as it would have caused a significant disruption to the wildlife and ecosystem around
8349-401: The first Puerto Rican pilot, became the first native Puerto Rican to fly an aircraft in the island when he flew his Curtiss JN-4 from Las Casas. At the time, the area was used by the military as an air base and it was also Puerto Rico's first commercial airport, and Rigau Carrera was allowed to perform his historic flight from the airfield. Camp Las Casas was eventually closed down, and in 1950
8470-439: The first attack against the Americans in Puerto Rico during the Spanish–American War . For his actions, Captain Rivero-Méndez was awarded the "Cruz de la Orden de Mérito Militar" (The Cross of the Order of the Military Merit) first class. The residents of San Juan were furious with Rivero and blamed him for the destruction caused to their city by the American bombardments. Nothing came of those accusations and Capt. Rivero-Méndez
8591-591: The founding of Playas P’al Pueblo , the organization has been litigating on behalf of environmental justice groups to stop the proposed expansion. They regard the Marriott’s expansion in Isla Verde, as well as similar resort and hotel expansion across Puerto Rico, as an attempt to privatize public land and exclude native Puerto Ricans from their own land. Playas P’al Pueblo has also been involved in numerous coastal restoration projects, as well as environmental education projects in their base-camp. They have begun to plant trees around their base-camp in order to re-establish
8712-419: The growth of local agriculture in Puerto Rico and thus impact food security, which is a growing problem for Puerto Rico as the island has been relying on expensive importation of food. It is estimated that 99,000 cuerdas of land could lose protected status, making land once deemed as natural resources or residential areas, could fall into the ownership of corporations, especially tourist corporations. Moreover,
8833-521: The highest point in Puerto Rico. Many of the small historic towns of the region such as Adjuntas , Ciales , Jayuya and Utuado are also closely tied to the coffee industry of Puerto Rico . In addition to the natural and cultural sites of the region, the Aibonito Festival of Flowers is a notable event that draws many visitors to the region every year. Porta del Sol, also known as Región Oeste (Spanish for western region ), corresponds to
8954-411: The highly urbanized municipalities of Guaynabo , Trujillo Alto and Carolina . These municipalities, together with Bayamón and Cataño , form what is locally referred to as the Área Metro , the core of the wider San Juan metropolitan area. In total 41 municipalities are included in the entire metropolitan area extends throughout the island's northern coast and central eastern regions. San Juan has
9075-478: The historic district of Old San Juan being restored by the Puerto Rican government in order to attract visitors interested in the colonial history of the island. The designation of La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site in 1983 as the eleventh World Heritage Site under U.S. jurisdiction further helped cement San Juan as a national and international tourist destination. Ecotourism later grew with
9196-432: The island and ones who will in the future convince the Puerto Rican people to serve them . In addition to beach holidays, gambling and casinos were some of the first tourist activities that were developed in the island. The gambling sector is also an important contributor to the tourism sector (employing 3,409 people, 2017 ), and it encompasses 20 casinos all attached to hotels and resorts acting as tourist destinations. It
9317-563: The island is mired in neocolonial debt and public infrastructures like airports and hospitals continue to be sold to the highest bidder. The passing of Act 20/22 in 2012 also allowed wealthy elites from the United States to treat Puerto Rico as a tax haven and become “stakeholders.” New arrivals–who do not include those born in Puerto Rico—who spend at least six months in the territory can be exempt from federal, local, capital gains, and passive income taxes until 2035, all of which contributes to
9438-560: The island's first Civil Defense system under the directorship of Colonel Gilberto José Marxuach (Teófilo's son). Rincón de Gautier served as mayor until January 2, 1969. On October 30, 1950, San Juan was the scene of the San Juan Uprising , one of many uprisings which occurred in various towns and cities in Puerto Rico, by the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party against the governments of Puerto Rico and
9559-605: The island. The lack of proof of ownership of land and homes in Puerto Rico has served as an obstacle for people whose homes were destroyed by Hurricane Maria in 2017 to get repaired. According to the Puerto Rico Builders’ Association , in 2018, 45-55% of homes and commercial buildings have been constructed without building permits or following land use codes. It is estimated that 260,000 homes do not have deeds or titles. Much of these illegally built homes have been cited as examples of “rescuing land.” Many who lack
9680-510: The island. The government of Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rico Tourism Company divided the island and its 78 municipalities into six tourism regions in order to better promote market and develop the entirety of the island outside of San Juan and to foment an inflow of domestic and international visitors into the different parts of the island. Región Metro (Spanish for metropolitan region ) roughly corresponds to
9801-559: The island. Some of the other prominent tourist attractions of the region include the Humacao Nature Reserve , La Cordillera Reef Nature Reserve , Las Cabezas de San Juan with its historic lighthouse , the Malecón of Naguabo , Palmas del Mar , Piñones and its food kiosks, Punta Tuna Lighthouse , and Puerto Del Rey Marina . Porta Atlántico, also known as Región Norte (Spanish for northern region ), corresponds to
9922-420: The island; many protestors noted how police often dedicate resources when wealthy neighborhoods (like Sol y Playa ) become disrupted, yet in the rest of the island, police presence is sparse. In total, around 534 police stood ground at the protest site. The protest, however, was extremely effective; the governor’s planning board declared Sol y Playa ’s construction project illegal on August 4, 2021. This ruling
10043-541: The islet due to its shore being protected from the strong Atlantic Ocean waves by reefs that serve as natural breakwaters . From east to west, the beaches in Santurce include Ocean Park Beach (also known as Último Trolley Beach), Condado Beach and Playita del Condado . Ocean Park Beach and El Condado Beach are the largest in the city and they host a large number of hotels and businesses that cater to tourists and beachgoers. As with other beaches across Puerto Rico and
10164-516: The latter built between 1635 and 1641 by Spanish Captain General Íñigo de la Mota Sarmiento. The architecture is more varied in other districts of the city, and the different Spanish , American and Puerto Rican construction styles that reflect the historic architecture trends are most evident in the districts of Puerta de Tierra , Santurce , Hato Rey and downtown Río Piedras , with Gothic , Baroque , Art Deco , and Mid-Century Modern being
10285-415: The main point of arrival into the island of Puerto Rico. With a $ 8.9 billion revenue in 2022 (a 39% increase over the previous high in 2019), tourism has been a very important source of revenue for Puerto Rico for a number of decades given its favorable warm climate, beach destinations and its diversity of natural wonders, cultural and historical sites, festivals, concerts and sporting events. As Puerto Rico
10406-485: The mid-18th century and it is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Another historic district currently under revitalization is the San Juan Waterworks historic district which contains the Old Piedras River Aqueduct. There are plans to revitalize the old aqueduct structures and its surroundings to create a historic park open to visitors and researchers. Some of the recreational parks of
10527-455: The most notable of these the battles of Yauco and Asomante . All military actions in Puerto Rico were suspended August 13, 1898, after President William McKinley and French Ambassador Jules Cambon , acting on behalf of the Spanish government, signed an armistice . Spain ceded the island to the United States later the same year by signing the Treaty of Paris . Camp Las Casas , located in
10648-849: The most popular styles. Many of the buildings that best exemplify these architectural trends in San Juan are also inscribed in the United States National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), such as the Nuestra Señora de Lourdes Chapel ( Gothic Revival , 1907), the Antiguo Casino de Puerto Rico ( Beaux-Arts , 1917), the Normandie Hotel ( Art Deco , 1942), and the Puerto Rico Supreme Court Building ( Modern , 1955). The University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus
10769-851: The mountainous municipalities that are located along the Cordillera Central (also known as the Central Mountain Range). Some of the most prominent tourist attractions in the region include the Caguana Indigenous Ceremonial Center , Guavate and its lechoneras , Guilarte State Forest , Los Tres Picachos State Forest , the Luis Muñoz Rivera birthplace and family mausoleum , the San Cristóbal Canyon , and Toro Negro State Forest which contains Cerro de Punta ,
10890-597: The municipality include Bahía Urbana , a waterfront park located in Old San Juan and Puerta de Tierra by the San Juan Bay; the Paseo de Puerta de Tierra , a recreational walkway along the Atlantic Ocean cliffs of Puerta de Tierra that connects the Puerto Rico Capitol with El Escambrón Beach and Luis Muñoz Rivera Park. Ventana al Mar , Laguna del Condado Jaime Benítez Park, Parque del Indio are some of
11011-635: The nearby Fortín de San Gerónimo . The park used to host a small zoo, and currently hosts gazebos, gardens, restaurants and access to the beach. The park has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since November 14, 2007. The Polvorin de Miraflores is a historic district and park located next to the Puerto Rico Convention Center in Isla Grande , Santurce . The ammunition storage house dates to
11132-523: The northern Atlantic coast of Puerto Rico located immediately west of San Juan. It is prominently marked by its karst topography, which is evident in the numerous mogotes , sinkholes , cave systems and dramatic limestone ocean cliffs. The largest city in the region is Arecibo , one of the oldest towns in Puerto Rico, famous for its lighthouse , the Arecibo Observatory , Cueva Ventana and Cueva del Indio . Another prominent landmark of
11253-420: The numerous islands and keys located along the Caribbean coast of the island such as Caja de Muertos . Ponce is the second largest city in Puerto Rico outside of the San Juan metropolitan area, and it is one of the most architecturally important cities in the island with a unique style called Ponce Creole having been born there at the end of the 19th century. Some of the other prominent tourist attractions of
11374-481: The oldest executive mansion in continuous use in the Americas. These historic sites were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Today, San Juan is Puerto Rico's most important seaport and is the island's financial, cultural, and tourism center . The population of the metropolitan statistical area , including San Juan and the municipalities of Bayamón , Guaynabo , Cataño , Canóvanas , Caguas , Toa Alta , Toa Baja , Carolina and Trujillo Alto ,
11495-543: The only unit ever to be transferred from an active Army component to the Puerto Rico National Guard . Lieutenant Teófilo Marxuach (retired as a Lieutenant Colonel), a native of Arroyo, Puerto Rico , fired what is considered to be the first shot of World War I fired by the regular armed forces of the United States against any ship flying the colors of the Central Powers . Marxuach, who was
11616-827: The parks located in El Condado district of Santurce. Dr. José Celso Barbosa Park is located in Ocean Park , also in Santurce. Parque Central , also known as the San Juan Municipal Central Park, is a large park and recreational complex located in southern Santurce near the mouth of the Puerto Nuevo River and the Martín Peña Channel . The Enrique Martí Coll Linear Park connects the Central Park to Hato Rey through
11737-492: The people of Puerto Rico lived in poverty and wanted a chance to serve travelers from the United States. The creation of the Caribe Hilton Hotel in San Juan in 1949 represented a partnership between the Puerto Rican government and private U.S businesses. American business viewed the creation of the hotel as a symbol of their power to create material progress. A majority of Puerto Rican citizens did not approve of
11858-522: The population for these intense episodes by both local authorities and the EPA . Hurricane Maria made landfall in southeastern Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017. Gusts of up to 113 mph (182 km/h) were reported in the capital city shortly before landfall in the municipality of Yabucoa . The municipality of San Juan experienced widespread flooding in most coastal areas, and roofs were blown off from numerous structures. The neighborhood of La Perla
11979-483: The public. All beaches of San Juan face the Atlantic Ocean. The Islet of San Juan hosts Los Cables Beach and La Perla Beach next to the Old San Juan district of La Perla , the Capitolio Beach located immediately north of the Puerto Rico Capitol, Puerta de Tierra Beach along the Paseo de Puerta de Tierra , and El Escambrón Beach at the northeastern edge of the islet. The latter is the most popular beach in
12100-433: The region have been destroyed and lost throughout the colonial history. The area of San Juan used to be the boundary between the tribal regions (yucayeques) of Guaynabo and Haimanio , led by the chiefs ( caciques ) Mabo and Yuisa (also known as Loaíza), respectively, at the time of the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors . In 1508, Juan Ponce de León founded the original settlement which he called Caparra . It
12221-630: The region include Castillo Serrallés , Central Aguirre Historic District , the Coamo Hot Springs , Cruceta del Vigía , Hacienda Buena Vista , the historic downtown of Coamo with its historic church , Parque de Bombas , La Guancha , the Ponce Museum of Art , and the Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center . Porta Cordillera, also known as Región Central (Spanish for central region ), corresponds to
12342-578: The region is the Camuy River Caverns , one of the largest of its type in the world. Some of the most prominent tourist attractions in the region include the Cambalache State Forest , Dos Bocas Lake , Hacienda La Esperanza , La Plata Lake , Mar Bella Beach , and Mar Chiquita Beach . Porta Caribe, also known as Región Sur (Spanish for southern region ), corresponds to the southern coast of Puerto Rico, and it includes
12463-636: The resources would thereby “rescue land” by building homes in vacant and unused land that is often owned by the state, and not homeowners. In addition, many homes lack historical documentation because of the practice of subdividing generationally owned land. As a result, much of the housing that has been made inhospitable by the Hurricane that devastated the island, cannot be fixed for residents through FEMA funding, leaving many in dire and unsafe conditions, or without proper housing at all. Meanwhile, in July 2019
12584-638: The rise of “hyper-segregated elite foreign enclaves around the island.” As Naomi Klein and Boniila demonstrate in their research, this “infrastructure of disposition and displacement” was deeply rooted even before Hurricane Maria in 2017. Hurricane Maria only worsened the ongoing land privatization, as one resident shared: “It feels like Hurricane Maria placed a ‘For Sale’ sign on the island.” More recently, in 2021, cryptocurrency companies like Pantera Capital and Redwood City Ventures have been moving their offices to Puerto Rico alongside 274 other corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other entities approved under
12705-519: The second half of the 20th century with Puerto Rico being considered one of the best places in the world to catch Atlantic tarpon . The tourism industry experienced moderate levels of growth in 2014, driven primarily by the introduction of new cruise lines and airfare activity and the development of new hotels on the island. In 2016, Puerto Rico was featured as a popular destination for business meetings, incentives, conferencing, and exhibitions , due to its modern convention center and district overlooking
12826-585: The time. San Juan underwent attacks from the English led by Sir Francis Drake in 1595 (in what is known as the Battle of Puerto Rico ) and by George Clifford, Earl of Cumberland , in 1598. Artillery from San Juan's fort, El Morro , repelled Drake; however, Clifford managed to land troops and lay siege to the city. After a few months of English occupation, Clifford was forced to abandon the siege when his troops began to suffer from exhaustion and sickness. In 1625
12947-458: The top tourist destination in the Caribbean . The tourism industry in Puerto Rico has greatly benefited from the poor relations between the United States and Cuba . In 2015, the U.S. reestablished diplomatic relations with Cuba and loosened the travel restrictions for Americans. This decision boosted Cuban tourism and caused the island nation to surpass Puerto Rico in total visitors, but in 2017,
13068-411: The tourism industry in the Caribbean is viewed by its critics as causing host countries to practice economic subservience to the visitors of the islands. He highlights the U.S. attempt in the 1930s to make Puerto Rico an island destination for tourists to bring in a new source of revenue to the U.S. and help lift it out of economic depression. Travel guides and advertisements used at the time suggested that
13189-403: The tourism to Puerto Rico. In 2017, Despacito , a wildly popular song by famous Puerto Rican artists Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee caused a spike in tourism to Puerto Rico, especially to an area of San Juan called La Perla , which featured in the song's video. On July 1, 2018, Puerto Rico's government passed a law to create a new tourism organization, Discover Puerto Rico . This was part of
13310-555: The town of Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands . The local Catholic diocese , the second oldest in the Americas and the oldest in the United States, was founded in the newly built settlement on August 8 of 1511. In 1521, the newer settlement was given its formal name: Ciudad de Puerto Rico de San Juan Bautista . Many of the oldest European-founded institutions in the Western Hemisphere, such as
13431-526: The tropical environment, these dust storms have recently become hazardous to human health causing haze and overheating in urban areas of the island. Due to San Juan's relatively flat geography, the dust often settles in these flat coastal regions of Puerto Rico as its flow is blocked by the higher altitude Cordillera Central to the south, causing intense episodes of haze to settle for long periods of time, especially during periods of more scarce rainfall. Recent advancements include early warning systems to prepare
13552-517: The urban core of the San Juan metropolitan area , the largest metropolitan area in Puerto Rico and, with more than 2.2 million inhabitants according to the 2020 census , one of the most urbanized regions in the Caribbean. San Juan is the largest city in Puerto Rico, and it is home to some of the most visited tourist attractions in the island such as Old San Juan and the San Juan National Historic Site . The city of San Juan hosts numerous beaches such as El Condado and Ocean Park , museums such as
13673-595: The use of tourism would grant land developers a 10-year tax exemption. Businesses providing tourist activity can be defined as timeshares, hotels, inns, guesthouses, entertainment facilities in ports that stimulate tourism, theme parks, golf courses associated with a hotel, and marinas for tourist purposes. It also includes businesses that administer or develop natural resources as a source of active and passive entertainment. In addition, Act 74 grants businesses excise, sales and use tax exemptions on imported articles to be used for tourism activity in Puerto Rico provided that there
13794-602: The wealthy, who, in many instances, are foreign investors. British property investor, Keith St. Clair, who benefitted from tax-breaks that incentivize property ownership by tourist corporations, aims to: “ignite a much-needed renaissance that will increase tourism” in the Isla Verde section of Carolina, Puerto Rico . In 2019, Donald Trump ’s tax incentive plan resulted in 98% of Puerto Rico being deemed as an opportunity zone , which would incentivize land development by foreign investors in areas deemed as low-income based on
13915-559: Was a genuine effort to source the articles in Puerto Rico but there was no economic justification to do so. Moreover, businesses that provide tourist activity receive property tax exemption at the 90% rate, income tax exemption at the 90% rate if not located in Vieques or Culebra , income tax exemption at the 100% rate if located in Vieques or Culebra, and exemption from municipal construction tax, amongst other benefits for investors. There
14036-486: Was close to the pre-Maria era. San Juan today remains an important cultural, financial and industrial center not only of Puerto Rico but of the Caribbean region. As the biggest industrial center of Puerto Rico, it is the home of industries such as tobacco processors, breweries, refining facilities for petroleum and sugar, and distillers of rum as well as manufacturers of metal products, cement, pharmaceuticals, and clothing. The Puerto Rico Convention Center , opened in 2005,
14157-521: Was largely destroyed. In the wider metropolitan area, flooding from Lake La Plata produced flash floods that trapped residents of Toa Baja , and in Cataño the Juana Matos neighborhood was estimated to be 80% destroyed. At least eight people died from the flooding, while many were unaccounted for. See or edit raw graph data . San Juan is home to numerous beaches , all of which are open to
14278-621: Was named after a former Roman city in the province of Cáceres in Spain, the birthplace of Nicolás de Ovando , then the Governor of Spain's Caribbean territories. Today, it is part of the Pueblo Viejo district of Guaynabo , directly to the west of the modern municipality of San Juan. A year later, the settlement was moved to a site then called Puerto Rico , Spanish for "rich port" or "good port", after its similar geographical features to
14399-569: Was not until 2022 that tourism numbers would demonstrate a concrete recovery of the tourism industry in the island. The inauguration of the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel on 16 October 1919 marked the beginning of upscale tourism in Puerto Rico. According to Dennis Merrill, author of Negotiating Cold War Paradise: U.S. Tourism, Economic Planning, and Cultural Modernity in Twentieth-Century Puerto Rico ,
14520-560: Was ordered to turn over the keys of all the military installations in San Juan to Captain Henry A. Reed of the U.S. Army after the Treaty of Paris of 1898 was signed. On July 25, General Nelson A. Miles landed at Guánica (in southwestern Puerto Rico) with 3,300 soldiers in what was known as the Puerto Rican Campaign . The American troops found some resistance and engaged the Spanish and Puerto Rican troops in battle,
14641-645: Was seen as a potential turning point in the fight against the privatization of public land in Puerto Rico. Playas P’al Pueblo is one organization fighting against the hotel chain Marriott in Puerto Rico. They were founded on March 13, 2005, with the intention of setting up a basecamp in the near the Courtyard Marriott in Isla Verde, to protest the Marriott’s proposed expansion in the area. Since
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