Garita
A stone sentry box with a domed roof and narrow windows, set into the walls of San Juan. It became the visual symbol of Puerto Rico and shows up on logos, license plates and tourism signage. The best known is the Garita del Diablo at the far end of San Cristóbal, with its legend of the vanished sentry.
Example
The silhouette on the souvenirs is not a generic tower. It is a sentry box from the San Juan wall.
Best tours and tickets
Curated from Viator. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
San Juan Guided Turtle Snorkel Tour and Complimentary Videos
★★★★★ 4.9 · 18,453 reviews
From $39View tour
Top Rated El Yunque Rainforest & Waterslide - SmallGroup Tour
★★★★★ 4.9 · 16,427 reviews
From $45View tour
Half-Day Yunque Rainforest Waterslide & rope swing Guided Tour
★★★★★ 4.8 · 8,008 reviews
From $25View tour
Related terms
History
Murallas de San Juan
The sandstone defensive belt that ringed the old city, largely preserved on the seaward side. The red painted Puerta...
History
Castillo San Cristóbal
The largest Spanish fortification built in the Americas, raised to defend San Juan by land while El Morro faced the...
History
Castillo San Felipe del Morro
A sixteenth century fortress raised on the headland commanding the entrance to San Juan Bay, with six levels and a...
History
Viejo San Juan
The historic core of San Juan, founded in the sixteenth century on an islet and still partly ringed by its walls. It...
Frequently asked questions
Can I step inside one?
Inside the fort grounds, yes, in several of them. They fit one or two people and show you the angle a sentry covered.
What is the Garita del Diablo legend?
That a sentry vanished from his post without a trace. It is folklore rather than documented history.
