Fort San Jeronimo was built in 1788 at the entrance to the Condado Lagoon to protect San Juan from invaders. A decade later, the little fortress was instrumental in turning away British forces despite being greatly outnumbered.
While considerably smaller than San Juan’s more imposing forts, El Morro and San Cristobal, Fort San Jeronimo’s history is just as fascinating. It was recently restored and now, besides the museum, there are also a variety of places to eat and excellent vantage points for views of the city. One advantage of this site over the larger forts is that it’s sometimes less crowded, however it’s still best to visit in the morning during the tourist season.
Begin your visit by climbing through the historic site and checking out the original 18th century artifacts. The canons that were used during the battle against the British are still present, facing ominously out to sea. Despite the restoration, you can still see the deterioration suffered during battle, and again during the 1899 hurricane that severely damaged the fort. All of this adds to the authenticity of the site, taking you back in time.
The fort protrudes from the property of the Hilton Caribe Hotel, and the best views are available are from the hotel itself. Enjoy a drink or meal at one of the nine bars and restaurants as you look across the fort to the Condado Lagoon and the ocean beyond.
Fort San Jeronimo is located at the entrance to Condado Lagoon and can be reached through the Hilton Caribe Hotel. Visitors arriving by car can park in the hotel car park for a fee, or there is some free street parking in the area. There is no public transportation that services the fort, however it can be reached on foot from many of the downtown hotels. Fort San Jeronimo is open daily and there is no admission fee.
