Puerto Rico Then & Now

Known for its exotic exports, including sofrito, rum, coffee, and Rita Moreno, Puerto Rico exudes Old World charm. Experience this captivating Caribbean island in Puerto Rico Then and Now. Through pairs of past and present photographs, you'll see Puerto Rico's beloved landmarks like you've never seen them before. Puerto Rico is rich in colonial architecture--note the city walls, fortifications, cobblestone streets, hanging balconies, and plazas found throughout Old San Juan, Puerto Rico's distinctive, historical center. Tour La Fortaleza, which once housed Puerto Rico's stores of gold and silver. Over the years, it survived an attack by Sir Francis Drake, earthquakes, tsunamis, and many hurricanes. Today, La Fortaleza is the governor's mansion--the world's oldest such residence in continuous use. Visit Casa Blanca, the ancestral home of Juan Ponce de Leon, Puerto Rico's first governor. The Ponce de Leon family lived here for more than 250 years; today its patio and gardens are highlights of the Casa Blanca museum. Revisit the beloved Castillo Vald z, built by the founders of Cerveceria India--one of Puerto Rico's favorite breweries. Legend has it that Se or Vald z passed out cold beers to locals when the Castillo was demolished to make way for a modern Hilton hotel.