Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryPublic Lands Directory

Alerts and conditions

Park Closure Temporary Closure of El Morro Dry Moat to Santa Elena Bastion

The temporary closure of El Morro Dry Moat to Santa Elena Bastion is necessary to ensure public health and safety and security during the completion of the San Fernando Bastion cliff stabilization project.

Weather Rip Current Statement issued November 8 at 9:32PM AST until November 9 at 6:00PM AST by NWS San Juan PR

* WHAT...High Rip Current Risk, life-threatening rip currents.

* WHERE...North-facing beaches of Puerto Rico, including Culebra.

* WHEN...Through Monday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away

from shore into deeper water, where it becomes difficult to

return to safety.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Lingering northerly swells generated by

distant surface low over the central Atlantic will support

breaking waves of 5 to 8 feet and a high risk of life-

threatening rip currents along the northern exposed beaches of

Puerto Rico and Culebra.

What to do: There is a high risk of rip currents. Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore, which occur most often at low spots or breaks in the sandbar and in the vicinity of structures such as groins, jetties and piers. Heed the advice of lifeguards, beach patrol flags and signs. If you become caught in a rip current, yell for help. Remain calm, do not exhaust yourself and stay afloat while waiting for help. If you have to swim out of a rip current, swim parallel to shore and back toward the beach when possible. Do not attempt to swim directly against a rip current a

Read the full alert · Until Nov 9, 2026, 10:00 PM

Overview

San Juan National Historic Site preserves stories of great ambition and aspirations. Countries fought for control of this tiny yet strategic island for centuries. Generations of soldiers have lived and worked within the forts. Visitors today are as inspired by these stories as they are by the beauty of the architecture and the ingenuity of design and engineering of this World Heritage Site.

From the National Park Service

History

The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.

What to see and do

Activities

  • Arts and Culture
  • Food
  • Picnicking
  • Guided Tours
  • Hiking
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Birdwatching
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store

Browse hiking, biking and paddling routes on AllTrails

Plan your visit

Hours

San Juan National Historic Site: San Juan National Historic Site is open year-round except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Fees and passes

  • Entrance - Per Person — $10.00

The America the Beautiful pass covers entrance fees at federal recreation lands across all four agencies.

Getting there

From Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport - Get on Expreso Román Baldorioty de Castro/PR-26 from Av. Aeropuerto - Merge onto Expreso Román Baldorioty de Castro/PR-26 - Follow Avenida Luis Muñoz Rivera to Calle Norzagaray, Old San Juan

Visitor centers

  • San Juan NHS Visitor Center

Weather

Puerto Rico enjoys year round tropical climate. Winters are breeze and summers are mostly hot and humid. It rains all year long with a "dry" season in April. Temperatures range from 80's in the winter to 90's in the summer. The hurricane season starts in June and ends in November. On the longest day, June 22nd, the sun sets around 7 PM. On the shortest day, December 22nd, the sun sets around 4:30 PM.

Phone: 7877296777

Whose lands these are

These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.

Photos

Castillo San Cristobal Aereal View
Castillo San Cristobal Aereal View · Courtesy: Aerofoto

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