Castillo San Felipe del Morro

Driving and walking tours of Old San Juan usually include a stop at El Morro, as the fortress is commonly known, or you can zip around the site on a Segway or catch sight of it from the water aboard a boat tour. The fort’s more recent history includes the American military, which occupied the site from 1898 to 1961. The citadel occupies a picturesque spot, and when the wind blows, the lawn that connects it to town is a popular kite-flying spot.

• Castillo San Felipe del Morro is a must-visit for history buffs.

• Park rangers present a free orientation every hour.

• Most levels of the fortress are accessible via ramps.

• It takes about 1.5 hours to explore the fort and its exhibits.

• Wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring water and sunscreen.

El Morro is located in the historic quarter, which is not accessible by public transportation. However, trolleys follow designated routes around Old San Juan, including one dedicated to stopping at the various forts, and taxis are also available. Driving is not recommended because the narrow, one-way streets are difficult to navigate.

You can expect the biggest crowds at El Morro when the cruise ships are docked, as well as on weekends, when kite flyers gather on the field leading up to the fort. Food vendors also gather then to cater to tourists and locals alike. El Morro is closed on major holidays.

History and military buffs will also want to stop at Castillo San Cristóbal, another fort on the northeast edge of Old San Juan that is also part of the San Juan National Historic Site. Within walking distance of El Morro, it is typically less crowded. If you plan to visit the two sites, save money with a combination ticket that covers entry to both.

Allow about three hours to tour Castillo San Felipe del Morro. The fortress has six levels connected by ramps and stairs, views across the ocean, and a visitor center with an interpretive movie and informative plaques. You can easily explore independently or take a guided tour.

Entry to Castillo San Felipe del Morro is US$10. Kids aged 15 and under are free. Entry is free on some US public holidays, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, National Park Week, and Veterans Day. Tickets to El Morro include entry to Castillo San Cristóbal and vice versa.

Puerto Rico’s Castillo San Felipe del Morro is special because it tells Puerto Rico’s story within Caribbean and North American history. For 500-plus years, the fort has been an important military outpost—for Spain and then the US. It’s a great place to learn Puerto Rican history and enjoy the views.

Puerto Rico’s Fort San Cristobal and Castillo San Felipe del Morro are close together but represent different parts of the island’s history. Fort San Cristobal guarded the land entrance to the walled city of Old San Juan, while El Morro—the older of the two—kept watch over the sea.

Since the 16th century, Castillo San Felipe del Morro has protected Old San Juan against attacks from the sea. It was involved in many battles, from one led by Sir Francis Drake in 1595 to the US Navy’s bombardment of San Juan in 1898. The fort has never been defeated.

The circa 16th-century Castillo San Felipe del Morro in Puerto Rico is one of the oldest Spanish forts in the New World—and one of the oldest overall. There are 18th-century forts across North America, but few are as old as El Morro. An exception is 16th-century Fort Caroline in Georgia.