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San Juan forum: Old San Juan Cemetery

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   Bethany Beach, Delaware
   Joined: Feb 2003
   Forum posts: 27
   Travel map pins: 51 

Posted on: 7:53 pm, August 25, 2008

Loved Old San Juan so much when we were there two days in the spring that we are returning for a few days as a stopover on our way to the BVI. We stayed at the Sheraton and thoroughly toured Fort San Cristobal, the streets around the Sheraton, and the waterfront are past the tourism building. This time around I want to see what I missed the first time. A few questions:

El Morrow - Felt that San Cristobal actually had more to explore in the way of exhibits, etc. I keep feeling that I missed something at El Morro. Admittedly I didn't ask anyone while I was there as we had met another couple who didn't really want to walk around as it was so hot. Are there museum-like exhibits? Are there tunnels to explore? I will do a better job of asking once I am there, but have wondered whether we should go back to that fort.

San Juan Cemetery - Would very much like to explore this cemetery. I don't really remember giving it much thought when I was there. I just noticed the area down the hillside where tourists really shouldn't venture. It seems that the cemetery is in that area. Am I correct? Is it a safe place to go during the day? If so, what is the best way to enter the cemetery?

I keep reading about walking along the city walls. We walked along the waterfront up to the city gate. Exactly what is meant by walking along the walls?

We will again be staying at the Sheraton. I'm thinking of taking the trolley up to El Morrow and working my way back towards the waterfront. I know there are a lot of interesting things up in that area that we have not seen.

By the way, for anyone reading this who has never been to Old San Juan, that was my first visit, and I was completely impressed by how clean and beautiful the city was. My husband was a Spanish teacher many years ago, so our travels are a little easier. However, we found everyone we spoke to to be very friendly and helpful.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Judy from Bethany Beach, DE

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   Rio Grande, PR
   Joined: Apr 2007
   Forum posts: 360
   Travel map pins: 1 

destination expert  What's this?
for San Juan
RayInPR
Posted on: 8:06 pm, August 25, 2008

::: Cemetery :::

Here's a map that should help -- http://tinyurl.com/67vybm

Take a look at that map. You can see the little road (there's a big P on it on our map) that leads from Norzagaray Street down to the cemetery.

You can't drive to it. Just walk from Norzagaray.

It's safe enough during the day. We've been there. It's quite beautiful. I believe they lock the gate at night.

The area you want to avoid is immediately to the east (to the right on the map) of the cemetery. That area is called La Perla. Don't go there. Period.

::: Forts :::

San Cristobal is the larger of the two forts, especially with the tunnels, etc to explore. But I think that El Morro is more "impressive". El Morro has some displays of uniforms and maps of the the "old city". All that is on the main level you're on when you first enter.

::: Walking the Walls :::

It sounds like you've already seen some of this. It just means getting near the perimeter of the city wall, either on the outside or along to top edge, so that you can get a real feeling for the remarkable structure that it is.

::: Trolley :::

If you're able to walk, then do that versus taking any transportation. You'll see much more by walking!

::: More Info :::

Visit our travel guide -- puertoricodaytrips.com/old-san-juan-basic-in… -- for a self-guided walking tour and lots of good info on OSJ.

Hope this helps!

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   Bethany Beach, Delaware
   Joined: Feb 2003
   Forum posts: 27
   Travel map pins: 51 

Posted on: 2:22 pm, August 26, 2008

To RayInPR: Thanks for taking the time to respond to my questions. I was particularly confused about the wall as I had the feeling I should be able to walk on top of the wall along the waterfront.

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