​📜 Puerto Rico's Historic Churches and Cemeteries

Puerto Rico’s sacred landscapes offer a deep glimpse into the island’s colorful history, spirituality, and artistic heritage. From centuries-old cathedrals standing tall in Old San Juan to serene cemeteries overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, each site tells a story of faith, colonial legacy, and local tradition. Whether you're a history enthusiast, an architecture lover, or a spiritual traveler, Puerto Rico’s churches and cemeteries provide a timeless journey through the soul of the island.​

🏰 Journey Through Puerto Rico's Sacred Sites

​🕍 Notable Churches in Puerto Rico
⛪ 1. Catedral de San Juan Bautista

• 📍 Address: 151 Calle del Cristo, Old San Juan, PR 00901
• 📞 Phone: (787) 722-0861
• ✉️ Email: [email protected]
• 🔗 Website: catedralsanjuanbautista.org

Overview:
Dating back to 1540, this stunning cathedral is one of the oldest in the Americas and houses the tomb of the explorer Juan Ponce de León.

⛪ 2. Iglesia de San José

• 📍 Address: Calle del Cristo, Old San Juan, PR 00901
• 📞 Phone: (787) 918-3800
• ✉️ Email: [email protected]
• 🔗 Website: iglesiasanjosepr.org

Overview:
Built in 1532, this gothic-style church is a rare example of 16th-century Spanish architecture in the New World.

🕯️ 3. Capilla del Santo Cristo de la Salud

• 📍 Address: Calle del Cristo, Old San Juan, PR 00901
• 📞 Phone: (787) 628-6099
• ✉️ Email: [email protected]
• 🔗 Website: capilladelcristo.org

Overview:
This charming 18th-century chapel is renowned for its miraculous legend and stunning cliffside location.

🛐 4. Porta Coeli Church (Museo de Arte Religioso Porta Coeli)

• 📍 Address: Calle Rama, Pueblo, San Germán, PR 00683
• 📞 Phone: (787) 892-5845
• ✉️ Email: [email protected]
• 🔗 Website: Discover Puerto Rico - Porta Coeli

Overview:
One of the oldest surviving religious structures in the Americas, dating back to 1609, now home to a religious art museum.

⚰️ Notable Cemeteries in Puerto Rico
⚰️ 1. Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery

• 📍 Address: Calle Tiburcio Reyes, Old San Juan, PR 00901
• 📞 Phone: (787) 480-4617
• 🔗 Website: Santa María Magdalena Cemetery

Overview:
A stunning cemetery by the sea where Puerto Rico's most distinguished citizens are laid to rest, offering breathtaking ocean views.

⚰️ 2. Cementerio Municipal de Mayagüez

• 📍 Address: Calle Post, Mayagüez, PR 00980
• 📞 Phone: (787) 832-8676
• 🔗 Website: Find a Grave - Cementerio Municipal

Overview:
A historic 19th-century cemetery renowned for its architectural beauty and cultural importance in western Puerto Rico.

⚰️ 3. Puerto Rico National Cemetery

• 📍 Address: 50 Avenida Cementerio Nacional, Bayamón, PR 00961
• 📞 Phone: (787) 798-8400
• 📠 Fax: (787) 785-7281
• 🔗 Website: VA National Cemetery Puerto Rico

Overview:
This cemetery honors U.S. military veterans with reverence and solemnity, with beautifully maintained grounds.

⚰️ 4. Sabana Grande Masonic Cemetery

• 📍 Address: Junction of Highway 121 and Street 1, Santana barrio, Sabana Grande, PR 00637
• 🌎 Coordinates: 18.07930°N, 66.967136°W
• 🔗 Website: Sabana Grande Masonic Cemetery - Wikipedia

Overview:
A unique cemetery known for its Masonic symbolism and historical burials in southern Puerto Rico.

✈️ Plan Your Sacred Journey:

• 🕰️ Check visiting hours — Some churches and cemeteries have limited hours.
• 🧢 Dress modestly — Especially when visiting active churches.
• 📸 Photography tips — Respect signage; some areas may restrict photography.