Discover The History

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History
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A Brief History of Puerto

Rico
Puerto Rico's vibrancy derives from more than
500 years of rich history and the subsequent
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blending of different cultures.
This fusion extends to almost every aspect of the Island's

identity. From the interweaving of the Taíno, African, and Spanish
traditions emerged the Puerto Rican, a new identity composed of
traits from all three groups. You’ll get to explore Spanish colonial
architecture and prominent centuries-old buildings, savory dishes
and dance moves rooted in African heritage, and lingo that locals
still use from the Taínos. Puerto Rico's identity is the very
definition of a well-blended melting pot.
The Island's cultural identity is something you'll experience in every

sight, taste, and sound during your stay. Read on to learn more
about the history of Puerto Rico.
JUMP TO THE DIRECTORY OF HISTORIC SITES

JUMP TO THE DIRECTORY OF HISTORIC SITES
Taíno
Beginnings
Puerto Rico’s first
inhabitants were
the Taínos, a group of
indigenous people who
lived on the island for
Parque Ceremonial Indígena de Caguana, an important hundreds of years before

Taíno ceremony site.
the Spanish arrival.
Organized in small clans
and villages led
by caciques (chiefs), they
survived by fishing,
hunting, and basic
agriculture. The Taínos
were governed by
Agüeybaná and called the
island Borikén (Borinquen)
– which means “Land of
the Valiant and Noble
Lord.”
The arrival of the

Spaniards in 1493 marked
the beginning of
the Taíno extinction.
Already at war with the
Caribs, another
indigenous group
migrating to the Antilles,
the Taínos began to lose
territory, and under
Spanish rule, the
original Boricuas ceased
to exist.
EXPLORE THE TAÍNA ROUTE

AND INDIGENOUS CULTURE
IN PUERTO RICO
EXPLORE THE TAÍNA ROUTE
AND INDIGENOUS CULTURE
https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/island/history#!grid~~~random~1
IN PUERTO RICO Page 3 of 14
IN PUERTO RICO
European
Arrival
Christopher Columbus arrived
in Puerto Rico in 1493 during
his second voyage to the New
World. Initially, Columbus
christened the Island San Juan
Bautista (St. John the Baptist).
Garitas, or sentry boxes, line the forts of
Old San Juan. The name was soon changed
to Puerto Rico, or “rich port,”
when the Spaniards realized
the impressive amount of gold
found in its rivers. When the
capital city was established, it
took the name of San Juan.
Under Spanish governance,

the Island developed an even
more sophisticated
agriculture system than what
the Taínos had founded. Sugar
cane, coffee, and tobacco were
among the Island’s major
exports. Due to the increasing
demand for products and the
decreasing number of local
inhabitants to work the land,
Spain brought African slaves
to Puerto Rico.
Given its location and richness,

Puerto Rico became an
important military outpost for
Spain and was attacked by the
Dutch, French, and English in
a series of failed attempts to
conquer the Island. Forts and
castles like El Morro and San
Cristóbal were originally built
to protect the strategically
significant Island. The
impressive citadels were never
defeated, and you can still visit
them today.
DON'T MISS THESE LANDMARKS

IN SAN JUAN
DON'T MISS THESE LANDMARKS
IN SAN JUAN
icas in Cathedral Basilica of Saint John the Baptist, or The historic Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis
La Catedral. Cemetery in Old San Juan.
Brief Puerto Rican Autonomy

In the late 1800s, the desire for independence from the Spanish
crown boiled over in Puerto Rico. While the Spanish soldiers quickly
suppressed the rebellion in San Juan, outbursts and uprisings
erupted throughout the Island, which led the Spanish crown to
grant autonomy to the government on the Island. This change
opened trade channels with other European colonies and the
United States.
Becoming a
U.S. Territory
The autonomous government
granted by Spain didn’t last
long. After the Spanish-
American War ended in 1898,
Puerto Rico and Guam were
Puerto Rican pride is on full display in Old ceded to the United States as
San Juan.
part of the terms of the Treaty
of Paris, and Puerto Rico
maintains its provincial status
to this day.
With Puerto Rico’s colonial

state came several changes –
mainly in currency,
government, and education –
with civil rights and political
status being decided by U.S
Congress, a power it still holds
over a century later.
During the first three decades

of its rule over Puerto Rico, the
U.S. Congress approved a new
Puerto Rican Constitution that
made the Island an
autonomous U.S.
commonwealth while the
islanders retained full
American citizenship.
Even after becoming a U.S.

territory, Puerto Ricans take
pride in preserving much of

the Island’s indigenous
traditions. Many of them can
be appreciated in visits to
the National Historic Site in
San Juan, where you’ll learn
more about the history of the
discovery of the Island;
the Cruceta del Vigía, a giant
cross built-in 1983 to recall the
checkpoint that sat at the top
of a hill in the town
of Ponce and was used as a
watch post by the Spaniards in
1801; and the Cabo Rojo
lighthouse, a beautiful 1882
structure on the southwest of
Puerto Rico that overlooks the
whole nature reserve.
These are just a few of the

many historical sites you’ll
discover while traveling
around the Island.
MEMORABLE HISTORIC SITES IN

PUERTO RICO
MEMORABLE HISTORIC SITES IN
PUERTO RICO
SPONSORED CONTENT
Historic Sites in Puerto

Rico
CATEGORIES SORT BY Default Search 
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Archaeological Sites
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Architectural Sites
Bridges
Castles
Cemeteries & Mausoleums
Churches & Religious Centers CONDADO MONUMENTO

City / Town Plazas VANDERBILT AL VETERANO
Fortresses HOTEL
Gardens Monuments | Photo
Accommodation Spots / Viewpoints
Historic Estates On Site | Ballrooms |
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Spas | Resorts |
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Cocktail Bars |
History Museums
Ceremony Venues |
Houses of Important Figures Health Spas /
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| Group Dining
Venues | Banquet
CHARACTERISTICS
Venues |
Conference Centers
AMENITIES
| Meeting Rooms |
Architectural Sites
REGION
SAN
TOWN JUAN/OLD CAYEY |
SAN JUAN | CENTRAL
METRO MOUNTAINS
RESET
RESET
PLAZA TEATRO
CRISTÓBAL LIBERTY
COLÓN Y
ESTATUA AL No Accommodation
5TO
on Site | U.S. National
Register of Historic
CENTENARIO Places Listings |

Theater / Show
Venues
Statues | City / Town
Plazas
AGUADA | QUEBRADILLAS
WEST | WEST
ANTIGUA HACIENDA LA
ESTACIÓN MOCHA
DEL TREN
Historical Tours |
Ruins & Abandoned Birding | Sightseeing
Places Tours | Agricultural
Tours | Agritourism |
Coffee Shops |
Cultural Tours | Small
Inns & Guest Houses |
Coffee Plantations |
No Accommodation
on Site | Reception
Venues | Nature & Eco
Tours
AGUADA | PONCE |
WEST SOUTH
US POST FUERTE DE LA
OFFICE AND CONCEPCIÓN
COURTHOUSE
Fortresses | U.S.
U.S. National National Register of
Register of Historic Historic Places
Places Listings Listings | Ruins &
Abandoned Places
MAYAGÜEZ AGUADILLA |
| WEST WEST
ALCALDÍA DE RÍO CAMUY

AGUAS CAVE PARK
BUENAS
Caverns | National
Photo Spots / Parks | Cave Tours |
Viewpoints | Town Visitor Centers | Caves
Halls | Architectural
Sites
AGUAS
BUENAS |
CENTRAL CAMUY |
MOUNTAINS NORTH
PARROQUIA RUTREX
SAN PUERTO RICO
FRANCISCO
DE ASÍS Group-Friendly
Activities & Tours |
Guided Tours | Nature
Churches &
& Eco Tours |
Religious Centers
Adventure Tours |
Historical Tours
SAN JUAN/OLD
AGUADA | SAN JUAN |
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Discover The History of Puerto Rico | Discover Puerto Rico 6/5/24, 8:49 PM

The Island Things to Do Regions

PUERTO RICO WEATHER INFORMATION

A Brief History of Puerto

blending of different cultures.

This fusion extends to almost every aspect of the Island's

The Island's cultural identity is something you'll experience in every

JUMP TO THE DIRECTORY OF HISTORIC SITES

Parque Ceremonial Indígena de Caguana, an important hundreds of years before

The arrival of the

EXPLORE THE TAÍNA ROUTE

Under Spanish governance,

Given its location and richness,

DON'T MISS THESE LANDMARKS

Brief Puerto Rican Autonomy

With Puerto Rico’s colonial

During the first three decades

Even after becoming a U.S.

pride in preserving much of

These are just a few of the

MEMORABLE HISTORIC SITES IN

Historic Sites in Puerto

Cemeteries & Mausoleums

Churches & Religious Centers CONDADO MONUMENTO

CENTENARIO Places Listings |

Venues | Nature & Eco

ALCALDÍA DE RÍO CAMUY

NON-STOP FLIGHTS No international

LEISURE MEETINGS SPORTS STUDENT & YOUTH GROUPS TRAVEL PROFESSIONALS

WEDDINGS INDUSTRY MEDICAL & DENTAL TOURISM INTERNATIONAL VISITORS 

Puerto Rico Convention Center Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce

Asociación de Dueños de Paradores de Puerto Rico

Viva Puerto Rico Short-Term Rental Alliance

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