Located in the Caribbean Sea, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States of America. Formerly a colony of Spain, this beautiful island territory offers a unique blend of European, African and indigenous cultures. Therefore, this massive mix of culture makes for a ton of history. As a result, there comes a need to preserve it. The following is a comprehensive and complete guide to the national parks in Puerto Rico.
As of 2021, there are 423 official National Park Service sites in the United States. Of these 423 national parks, there is one site on the list that is found in Puerto Rico.
National Parks in Puerto Rico
List of the National Parks in Puerto Rico
- San Juan National Historic Site
San Juan National Historic Site
Closest City: San Juan, PR
Located in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, San Juan National Historic Site protects and preserves San Juan’s Spanish colonial-era history. For example, colonial-era forts and three fourths of the old city wall are the main attractions. Also, several bastions and powder houses are some of the other features found in this national park.
Features of San Juan National Historic Site include:
- Castillo San Felipe del Morro
- Castillo San Cristóbal
- Fortín San Juan de la Cruz
- City Walls of Old San Juan
In addition to being a national park in Puerto Rico, San Juan National Historic Site holds another distinction. Together with La Fortaleza, San Juan National Historic Site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. It was placed on the World Heritage List for its outstanding universal value under the cultural category.
La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site in Puerto Rico is one of the national park sites in the United States that has been given World Heritage recognition.
Official NPS Website for San Juan National Historic Site: https://www.nps.gov/saju/index.htm