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All 189 San Juan Attractions »

La Fortaleza - Palacio de Santa Catalina

Calle Fortaleza, San Juan 00902-0082, Puerto Rico
787-721-7000
Ranked #17 of 91 attractions in San Juan
4.5 of 5 stars 40 Reviews
Type: Historic Sites, Government Buildings
Activities: City walk sightseeing, Group tours/walking tour
Description: Visitors can take guided tours through this World Heritage Site, a 40-room mansion completed in 1540 that was used to defend against foreign invaders.
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40 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    21
    13
    5
    0
    1
Date Rating
Luquillo, Puerto Rico
Senior Contributor
45 reviews 45 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 May 2012 NEW

Never been inside - don't think I'd be invited anyway... However, it's a very pretty building and the Christmas light display is synced with music. More

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See 31 more reviews by Sra Y for San Juan
Houston, Texas
Top Contributor
95 reviews 95 reviews
Reviews in 19 cities Reviews in 19 cities
39 helpful votes 39 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 May 2012

We took the guided tour which is the only way to get into the grounds. You don't get to go inside much of the building but it was still interesting and only took about 35 minutes. More

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See 18 more reviews by ramonjamon for San Juan
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 May 2012

The walk on the Fortaleza street is nice. This is the Governor's mansion so you are not really allowed in so we could not see the fort but the quaint shops are nice. More

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See 6 more reviews by Jay201146 for San Juan
Derry, New Hampshire
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 May 2012

really a nice place, the views were breathtaking, very clean, lots of history, and they had a demonstration while we were there. and the trolly around town was free on sunday and went right in front of us. More

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San Juan, Puerto Rico
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 May 2012

it was closed the day we tried to enter, and the front door people didn't even talk to us when we asked their times and if they offered tours. one snorted under his breath when we turned around, which my husband found very rude. More

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See 6 more reviews by PRICANBABE for San Juan
Columbus,GA
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 April 2012

This World Heritage Site, a 40-room mansion completed in 1540 is the longest occupied Governors house under the US Flag. Tours are given on the hour, modest dress is suggested but they will offer cover-ups if needed. The tours are free and very informative. The view of the garden and the state seal in wonderful and only surpassed by the... More

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See 6 more reviews by bama74 for San Juan
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Top Contributor
84 reviews 84 reviews
Reviews in 22 cities Reviews in 22 cities
44 helpful votes 44 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 10 April 2012
2
people found this review helpful

Tours seem to happen in English and Spanish at 9:00A and 10:00A. The loveliest staff EVER! Wonderful guides show you the grounds of the property while a security guard "shadows" the group. Gorgeous vista's of San Juan Bay, beautiful Formal Sunken Gardens with Moorish Tiled fountain and their guides can answer almost any question imaginable. I've taken the tour twice... More

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See 51 more reviews by GringaGrrrl for San Juan
Keerbergen, Belgium
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
Reviews in 16 cities Reviews in 16 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 March 2012
1
person found this review helpful

Busy shopping street full of souvenir and outlet shops. Great architecture though, but much better to see these late afternoon or evening. More

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See 6 more reviews by Travelman-Tx for San Juan
Puerto Rico
Senior Contributor
30 reviews 30 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
26 helpful votes 26 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 March 2012
3
people found this review helpful

A must see. The majority of the Puerto Ricans have ever seen this magnificent palace. It is the house of the Governor, so you may imagine how beautiful it is. Schedule a visit, either with a tour guide in English or Spanish. They have the tours every hour and a donation of $3 is what they ask for. Plan for... More

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See 10 more reviews by Edwin_Almodovar for San Juan
crete
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 February 2012

i took a tour of this twice. the 1st time was very informative but seemed to drag on & on. the 2nd time i had a different tour guide and he was WONDERFUL. he gave the history . he allowed you to roam alone and see what interested you . it was wonderful old san juan is like walking the... More

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