Notes About The Community Para espanol, haz clic AQUI
Old San Juan is referred to as VSJ by locals, in reference to Viejo (Old) San Juan. Old San Juan is a small island connected to the main island of Puerto Rico by bridges. VSJ protects a bay where people have docked ships for hundreds of years.
Native peoples, including the Taino, have lived on the island for thousands of years. The recent history of Old San Juan is dated from the Spanish conquest and fortification of Old San Juan 500 years ago. Named for San Juan Bautista (Saint John the Baptist), the cathedral is the second oldest in the Americas.
VSJ is marked by its colorful buildings, plazas, and blue cobblestone streets. The plaza just down the hill from you on the east end of VSJ is named for Cristobal Colon (Christopher Columbus).
La Perla (The Pearl) is a small community down by the ocean on the north side of the walls. La Perla was founded by slaves and domestic servants who historically were not allowed to live inside the walls. This is the location where Luis Fonsi’s Despacito was filmed. Notice the basketball court built by NBA player Carmelo Anthony. La Perla was hit especially hard by Hurricane Maria in 2017.
Cage Free 