Los Hermosos Arcos de San Juan Puerto Rico~

Feb18

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Entrance to our hotel, El Convento, originally a Carmelite convent built by Spain in 1646.

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Evening, central Courtyard Hotel El Convento.

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Central Courtyard, Instituto de Cultura Puertorriquena. Puerto Rico was founded by the Spanish in 1521 and is full of stunning, historic-buildings. (Click to enlarge).

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More views of the Instituto Cultura…….

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Front facade Instituto de Cultura.

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La Fortaleza (Governors Mansion). This is the oldest, continuously occupied governors mansion in the Americas. We toured inside and I will post photos for you soon! It is a gorgeous, stunningly-situated, old mansion and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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El Palacio Rojo. (Now Administrative Offices).

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Museo De Las Americas.

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Typical tourist shop, Calle Fortaleza in the glorious old-buildings of historic San Juan.

Cheers to you from the very old, y muy hermoso, San Juan!

179 thoughts on “Los Hermosos Arcos de San Juan Puerto Rico~”

    • It is quite a change for me to be in a convent…..I’m trying not to swear. Don’t want to annoy the lingering souls. It’s said to be haunted but I see no signs. The courtyard is full of fruit bats at night though 100’s of them…..quite amazing!

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    • Off the top of my head I would guesstimate that Spain, Italy (Cinque Terre), and all of Latin America make this joyous use of color. I’m sure more that I am not remembering….When I return to the US, everything looks so beige!

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  24. Stunning, Cindy. Absolutely magnificent. It’s a crime we don’t do more to restore and cherish our historic buildings. Fort Ord is a perfect example. Millions of dollars were being spent to build new roads, additional housing, a $350,000 daycare and on and on. The funds had been allocated by Congress before Fort Ord hit the base closure list. We listened to jackhammers and other construction for two years while we bought our own office supplies. The old Officer’s Club looking over Monterey Bay was a beauty and instead of shoring her up, they shoved her over the cliff into the bay.

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    • Oh how sad. San Diego of course has all these gorgeous old bases the original MCRD, NTC, North Island Officer’s Club. They are precious and need to be protected both for their historical significance and their beauty. I love what they have done with the Officers housing on the other side of SF Bay. It’s a hotel now. Quite lovely. You know, I stayed alone at Treasure Island Officers Club? Skeletal staff on site. The Navy sent me up to do a survey of the needs of military families in the Bay Area. Treasure Island had closed, but they housed me there in the female Officers Barracks. I remember walking around the island at night in heaven! My daughter just was there. Now it houses some HIV+ folks….so glad it is being put to good use!

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  39. Let me get this right…., you’re staying in a convent…, is there something you haven’t told me about??? 🙂 Hahaha !!! The pics are beautiful and interesting enough to make me want to visit PR one day too. Be safe…, have fun ! Hugs.

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  47. splendid Hispanic architecture… your pix have reminded me of my Spanish favourite cities: Madrid, Sevilla, Valencia, Barcelona, Bilbao, etc… btw, I live at about 3h-drive from Barcelona, olé! 🙂

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    • Lucky you!! I love Barcelona and Cartegena (both Cartagenas!) I so want to go to Madrid and El Prado…..Valencia and Seville sound wonderful too! And yes, I love Spain’s architectual footprints all over the world! So distinctive and beautiful. Cheers to you~

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    • Yes. This happens a lot with cruises, I know. Old San Juan is definitely worth lingering in. This was my fourth visit but first time actually staying in Old Town and I would like to go again with my kids!!! This is what happens with my bucket list. I keep re-adding places to it. More time, more time in the wonderful places!! Cheers to you~

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  49. Lovin the inspiration of color from your post! I must wet my brush and add some vibrancy to my paper today THANKS CINDY! My world is mostly WHITE

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