This is our third time visiting, but the first time we come that my daughter is old enough to enjoy…read moreand remember. Everything was as it's always been, with the difference that this time around the roof of the lighthouse was inaccessible. Unfortunately, it is still closed for repairs from damages caused bu Maria. That's where the four stars come in. This is not something they warn you about at the time of the reservation. The grounds are well taken care of and our guide was friendly and knowledgeable of the area. This is a great place to visit and one of the few in the island were the resources are protected. Even with the top deck closed, the view itself it's worth the visit. They also do night tours of the bio-bay. Paths and tour are kid friendly.

Faro de las Cabezas de San Juan, or Fajardo Lighthouse, is located in north-eastern Puerto Rico,…read more just north of the port of Fajardo. The lighthouse is within the Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve, and is managed by the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico. The lighthouse was constructed by the Spanish in 1880, and officially lit on May 2, 1882. This location is on Cape San Juan, which was "the reference point of those who regularly navigate these islands" as described in 1782 by Fray Iñigo Abbad y Lasierra, writer of the first formal history of Puerto Rico. The original lantern had a range of up to 18 miles, and displayed a fixed white light which flashed red every three minutes. It was changed after the United States invaded Puerto Rico in 1898 after the Spanish refused an offer of $160 million to purchase the territory. The building is of neo-classic architectural style and looks like a small castle. Inside the main entrance a corridor leads to a stairway ascending into the lighthouse tower, with an elaborate cast-iron stairway. They don't let you up to the lantern though, which is what I really wanted to see. The lighthouse is part of the tours run by the Conservation Trust, including the evening tour of the bio bay. (See separate review of Reserva Naturel Las Cabezas De San Juan). You go inside the building to see nature displays and watch a movie about the lighthouse and the bio bay. Then you go up to the deck and admire the view from the highest point of Cape San Juan. Day tours of the nature reserve and lighthouse are scheduled at 9:30am, 10:30am and 1:30pm. Our evening tour started around 7:00 pm. The nature reserve is open to the public during the day on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, but you need a reservation. Call the Conservation Trust at 787-722-5882 and 787-860-2560 on the weekends. Watch for the entrance gate with the guard building on the north end of a beach on the left side - its real easy to drive right by. In 1981 the lighthouse was listed in the U.S. National Register for Historic Places.

So here's the story. This lighthouse is old. Like real old. It was build by the Spaniard's in 1863…read more It has clearly recognizable bro classical design at top. Look up - you'll see it. It has been closed for a long time cause it's structurally unsound. Why come here? There's no light on the top. It's an old crumbling structure. You can't go it. Why come? You can walk around it. And you can read about it. (I posted signage) learn the role it played protecting the island of Puerto Rico when Spain owned it. And afterwards. So, learn some history. And when you come here you will be on a C L I F F. Y O U W I L L. L O O K. OUT ON A F I E R C E B O D Y. OF W A T E R. And feel the water blowing on your face. Your sunglasses. Your camera. Take pictures. Of the lighthouse. Of yourself. Sit down on the ground. Get sand on your butt. Smell the air. Relax. And look at the incredible vista. And think what the Spanish must have experienced on this very plot of land back in the late 1880's. Oh, I won't tell you about the secret path to the beach cause it's a secret. If you find it, don't leave garbage. Don't toss cigarette butts. Don't leave water bottles. Don't play your damn radio. Take pictures. Swim nude. Walk. Collect rocks. Wood. And leave. And shake your head and say in whatever your language is "wow, now that's incredible"

What a wonderful time we had!…read more NOTE: To anyone with small children that do not mind - this is located on a cliff, a very steep cliff! With lots of rocks and water below. Keep that in mind if you are taking children there. Also - you cannot go off the trail. You will see signs stating that there are unexploded bombs left over from when the Navy was there. Stay on the trail and you'll be fine. It sounds scarier than it really is. My recommendation would be to go but leave small children and pets at home. Take your camera - you'll be sorry if you don't.

This is the other I heart PR sign on the island. Great photo…read moreopportunity! There was a line to take a picture both times we passed it. It's a popular spot!

This Sign is located at the San Juan Airport. Last thing you see as your heading into the airport…read moreto head home it's gets very nostalgic. Literally crying like I should have got one more Bacalaitos. Smh but lol all at the same time. My Puerto Rico I don't want to leave you.

Castillo San Cristóbal…read more First time I saw it was from a cruise ship cutting into San Juan and that's the way to do it. From the water, it doesn't look like a tourist stop... it looks like it's still on duty. Up close, it's a different story. This isn't just a fort it's the largest Spanish-built fortress in the New World, layered with tunnels, lookout points, and defenses built to stop invasions before they even got started. The history is wild too this place helped fend off a full British attack back in the 1700s. Walking it feels like stepping into a giant, strategic maze with ocean views. It's impressive, a little eerie, and way more intense than you'd expect just looking at it from the outside.

Castillo San Felipe del Morro is easily one of the most incredible places I've ever visited. The…read moremoment you walk up and see the massive fortress overlooking the ocean, it honestly feels like you've stepped into another era. The scale of the place is unbelievable -- huge stone walls, tunnels, lookout towers, and cannons pointed straight out toward the Atlantic. Walking through the fortress was an experience in itself. Every level had something new to explore, and the views from the top were absolutely breathtaking. You can see the ocean stretching forever on one side and the colorful buildings of Old San Juan on the other. It's the kind of place where you just want to stop every few minutes to take photos. At one point it actually started raining briefly, but it almost made the experience better. The rain cooled everything down and gave the whole fortress this dramatic, cinematic atmosphere with the clouds rolling over the ocean. Within minutes the sun came back out and the stone walls looked even more amazing. The history here is incredible too. Knowing that this fortress defended the island for centuries while you're literally walking along those same walls is just surreal. If you're visiting Puerto Rico, this place is an absolute must-see. Between the views, the history, and the sheer size of the fortress, Castillo San Felipe del Morro completely lives up to the hype. I'd go back in a heartbeat.

I was 11 years old when I first visited this house. I remember the beautiful garden and the very…read moresmall 16th century bed displayed in one of the rooms. We were told it was the type of bed used during the times of Spanish Conquistadors. After all, the house was originally built (a wooden structure) for Juan Ponce de Leon. Although, he never got to live in it. His descendents lived in the rebuilt stone structure for 250 years until they sold it to the Spanish government. It was then transitioned to the US Military after the Treaty of Paris (1898). It became a museum in 1974. Today, it's also an event space for weddings and celebrations. I have to be honest. I was a little disappointed during this last visit. The garden and pathways are not being maintained regularly. I wanted to step down into the area overlooking the ocean, but there wasn't a clear enough pathway due to overgrown shrubs. I was fully prepared to pay the $5 admission fee to go inside, but decided not to after seeing the condition of the public garden in the front and back of the house. We visited on a Saturday, so it's not like it was some off day for lawn services. It's a highly anticipated touristy day. Looking back at it, we probably should have paid the fee and given an extra donation for a clearer path to the ocean view. I've read that the money is needed for restorations of this historical safe haven. Don't let this review discourage you. Just pick a day to visit before or after a wedding or garden event. Then you'll be sure to see it at its best. Because... why would you have your wedding here otherwise?

Historic buildings in Old San Juan. It is call the White House. Is was belong to the captain who…read moreguide the fort nearby. His residence is this White House that can see the port entrance to Puerto Rico. The room is suitable for small family. The main bedroom can see the port easily. This house kind located at the edge of the hill. So the house has some slope with up and down. This make the garden more pleasing. It is a great home at the water.

This was another huge sign/landmark that was used a lot for photo opportunities by people getting…read moreoff the Carnival Cruise boat we were on as well as other tourists. The sign is just outside the Port of San Juan, a bit down from the I Love (Heart) PR Sign. Not a boricua, but I can certainly appreciate the sign.

It's iconic! It may not be a big deal for someone living here, but that view of the harbor when…read morewalking up or down is absolutely stunning. It's way better in person than in pictures. Our walking tour started from Blackbeard's Castle. Fortunately, it is much easier walking down than up. They've added more sturdy hand rails which makes it so much safer. It had been closed for a while due to ongoing structural repairs. The Danes constructed it some time in the 1700s. The steps were needed to get from the harbor to the higher parts of Government Hill. The bricks come from the ballast used to balance the weight of cargo in the hull of merchant ships. Many Caribbean structures and even some cities on the US coastal mainland were built with these yellow bricks. They did a good job restoring it while keeping its historical look. It's a cool local experience that shouldn't be missed. A highly recognized landmark in Charlotte Amalie.

Tour guide, Anna Monica Villa, lead us up and down Step Streets like little mountain goats. Her…read morefriendships with neighbors and businesses ensured special access to historic villas, renovated historic hotels and inside the Government House. We learned about St. Thomas history, culture, foliage, and architecture. We ended at a fantastic Italian Restaurant--Virgilios. It was a perfect way to spend our day in Charlotte Amalia! Thank you, Anna Monica.

The "Three Queens of the Virgin Islands" statue is located on Government Hill at the foot of the…read morestairs leading down from Blackbeard's Castle. The bronze plaque shows the following incription: "In 1878 three former slave ladies on St. Croix led an insurrection against the Danish Government for improved working and living conditions. During this action, a major portion of Frederiksted was destroyed by fire. This revolt is known today as "FIREBURN" and the ladies are renowned as "Queen Mary, Queen Agnes and Queen Matilda" - The Three Queens of the Virgin Islands." It was cool to see it during Women's History Month. It was also interesting to hear that slavery was abolished in the Danish West Indies back on July 3, 1848, although they were still bound to plantations by yearly contracts. Is that really free? Flash forward to the Fireburn protest after 30 years of contracts. It was led by the Three Queens on Contract Day (October 1, 1878) in St. Croix due to poor working conditions, unfair treatment, and low wages. These ladies are memorialized in this sculpture by Richard Hallier. It depicts Queen Agnes lifting a lantern, Queen Mary holding a torch and a cane knife, and Queen Matilda raising the torch high and strong. A great symbol of strength & resilience! Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time to contemplate the image of it. We did get a thorough summary of the significance of this rebellion against the Danes. It's all very meaningful, and a great tribute. I'm so glad that we were able to see it on this beautiful day in Charlotte Amalie.

I've always wondered of what that the 3 queens were ( I've seen the sign by 99 steps and government…read morehill) and didn't know that it was a statute monument that is on the way to Blackbeard's Castle. If you are hiking from 99 steps and government hill this is quite a steep trek. I work out almost every day and this hike always makes me work up a good sweat. You might need to stop to catch your breath for the few moments so you might as well take a look at the monument before heading up to Blackbeard's Castle, it is in a very pretty setting that has grown back after the hurricanes. The reason of why it's called is 3 queens is because of the three women that lead a rebellion during the Danish colonial times due to the mistreatment of plantation workers after slavery was abolished. The women in the statues are holding machetes and torches because they burned down 50 plantations on St. Croix. Overall it's a nice tribute erected by the government and gives travelers a little insight into St. Thomas history. #St.Thomas #USVI