Quick answer
- Capital: San Juan.
- Also: most populous municipality and the island’s main port and tourism hub.
- Old San Juan: walled islet with Spanish forts (San Juan National Historic Site, NPS).
The short answer
San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico. It is also the island’s most populous municipality and the center of the wider San Juan metro area that includes neighboring cities such as Bayamón and Carolina.
How old is it?
Spanish settlers founded the city in 1521, making San Juan the second-oldest European-established capital in the Americas after Santo Domingo, and the oldest under United States sovereignty. The historic district of Old San Juan preserves streets, walls and forts interpreted today by the National Park Service.
If you are visiting
- City overview: San Juan guide
- Walled district: Old San Juan
- Airport next door: SJU airport in Carolina
- Nightlife market: La Placita de Santurce
Directory: places to eat · places to stay · tours. Businesses can add or claim a listing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Puerto Rico?
San Juan.
Is Old San Juan the capital?
Old San Juan is the historic walled district inside the capital city of San Juan.
How old is San Juan?
Founded by the Spanish in 1521 — the second-oldest European-founded capital in the Americas.
Sources we checked
Checked in October 2026. Where a fact could not be confirmed against a primary source, we removed it or said so.
Originally published on PuertoRico.com (2026-10-28). Reviewed and updated October 2026: facts were checked against the sources above.