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News / Discover Puerto Rico invites travelers to celebrate the 500th anniversary of San Juan
The oldest city in the United States marks the milestone this September with special activities and events that will last through June of 2022
Discover Puerto Rico, the Island's non-profit Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), is excited to partner with the city of San Juan for its 500th year celebration. Through June 2022, events across the city will mark this momentous milestone with concerts, festivals, tours and much more. Visitors can refer to a dedicated section of Discover Puerto Rico's website for updates on the exciting calendar of events.
For 500 years, the blue cobblestone streets of the walled city have hidden countless stories and mysteries. Visiting Old San Juan is a feast for history buffs and explorers alike, with impressive fortifications, towering walls, open plazas, and hidden patios that are just the ticket to travel in time. Built by the Spaniards, this historical gem is the oldest city in the United States and its territories, and the second oldest city in the Americas.
Structures, objects, monuments, and landmarks hold traces of the past frozen in time. Old San Juan has five centuries of history and it still holds the magic and charm of yesteryear – attracting visitors worldwide. As a part of the celebration, the Museum of San Juan inaugurated two special exhibits: 'Image, Art and Devotion: San Juan 500 Years' and 'The City in Time: Five Centuries of Artistic Representation of San Juan'. The city also created a new walking tour of Old San Juan that allows visitors to travel back to the 16th century and visit the most emblematic places of the oldest city in the United States and its territories. The two-and-a-half-hour tour will take groups up to 20 people beginning at 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. respectively. Additional events will be announced throughout the year, and festivities will include Puerto Rico's longest Christmas celebration, a "Welcome to 2022" event, the San Sebastián Street festival in January 2022, and a regatta in the summer of 2022 to close the festivities.
Puerto Rico has one of the highest vaccination rates in the United States and its territories. As of September 14th, 84.6% of eligible residents have at least one dose and 74% are fully vaccinated. As the Island continues to encourage travelers to follow local safety measures, it is recommended that visitors check Travel Guidelines for the most updated entry requirements and protocols in place. Follow Discover Puerto Rico's social channels on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to stay up-to-date on the latest, and for more information about Puerto Rico and things to know ahead of time as you plan to book, visit DiscoverPuertoRico.com.