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Toa Baja
Things to Do in Toa Baja
El Cañuelo
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El Cañuelo

See all things to do
See all things to do
El Cañuelo
4.5
#4 of 12 things to do in Toa Baja
Historic Sites
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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What people are saying
static_nuance
By static_nuance
“Well worth the short drive to explore the ruins!”
Mar 2022
Definitely worth the drive over from San Juan to see. Much smaller fort than El Moro, but when combined they kept enemy ships from entering San Juan bay. Be sure to also drive past the fort and walk past where they park all of the boat trailers. There are some really cool ruins at the end of the peninsula that are well worth it and some really cool murals on the back of the police building. Note: There is a gate to get into the park, don’t let that turn you away as it’s only $4 and worth way more than that. We thought the park was closed at first but there is an attendant that will let you in.
Lolly’s Look
By Lolly’s Look
“Fort”
Mar 2020
This ancient fort played a major role in keeping the Island safe. Fortín San Juan de la Cruz, known as El Cañuelo, is on Isla de Cabras. You cannot tour inside but it was pointed out on our walking tour. The square coastal fort has massive sandstone walls that date back to the 1630s
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The area
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Restaurants
312 within 3 miles
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260 within 6 miles
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4
0.3 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
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0.4 miIslands
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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Lolly’s Look
New York City, NY12,818 contributions
Fort
Mar 2020
This ancient fort played a major role in keeping the Island safe. Fortín San Juan de la Cruz, known as El Cañuelo, is on Isla de Cabras. You cannot tour inside but it was pointed out on our walking tour. The square coastal fort has massive sandstone walls that date back to the 1630s
Written March 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Restful M
San Juan, Puerto Rico261 contributions
Don't miss it
Jun 2019 • Friends
Many persons just drive by and go straight to the shore. Although you cannot visit the inside of the fort, a walk around it gives an impression of its solidity. Small but powerful, it played a crucial role in providing cross-fire with El Morro in order to deter enemy ships.
Written July 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
static_nuance
Cottage Grove, MN99 contributions
Well worth the short drive to explore the ruins!
Mar 2022 • Friends
Definitely worth the drive over from San Juan to see. Much smaller fort than El Moro, but when combined they kept enemy ships from entering San Juan bay. Be sure to also drive past the fort and walk past where they park all of the boat trailers. There are some really cool ruins at the end of the peninsula that are well worth it and some really cool murals on the back of the police building.

Note: There is a gate to get into the park, don’t let that turn you away as it’s only $4 and worth way more than that. We thought the park was closed at first but there is an attendant that will let you in.
Written March 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mitsubishi0075
Puerto Rico3,646 contributions
Fort San Juan de la Cruz (El Cañuelo)
Jan 2017 • Family
Spain built the stone fort called San Juan de la Cruz, also known as “El Cañuelo” and Saint John of the Cross.
El Cañuelo was a critical part of how San Juan’s harbor was defended in Spanish colonial times. The cannons of Fort San Juan de la Cruz joined the cannons of El Morro to create a deadly gauntlet of crossfire. This combination of fortifications kept enemy ships from entering the harbor. With Fort San Juan de la Cruz armed and manned with Spanish troops enemy ships could not find a route into the San Juan Bay without avoiding gunfire.
El Cañuelo helped protect the entrance to San Juan Harbor. It is part of an extensive fortification system built by the Spanish over a 250 year period. The major surviving parts of these fortifications which you can visit today make up San Juan National Historic Site
Written January 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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El Cañuelo - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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