Puerto Rico is a popular tourist spot with many perks, including not needing a passport since it’s a U.S. territory. The island boasts a rich blend of history, culture, and tropical beauty, but for those of us with mobility challenges, it also presents a few “misadventures” that require some strategic planning.

The Charm and Challenge of Old San Juan

Old San Juan is the “crown jewel” of the island, famous for its colorful colonial buildings and 16th-century forts. However, it’s a place where history and accessibility often clash.

The Cobblestones: The blue-gray cobblestones (adoquines) are beautiful but can be a literal headache for wheelchair users. Many sidewalks are narrow or lack consistent curb cuts, meaning you might find yourself navigating the street alongside traffic.

The Forts: Surprisingly, Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristóbal are quite accessible. Because they were designed with ramps for moving heavy cannons, many levels are reachable by chair. Just be prepared for some steep inclines—you may want a companion or a motor with some kick!

Accessible Escapes
If you need a break from the bumpy streets of the old city, there are some fantastic accessible alternatives:

Luquillo Beach: Home to the “Sea Without Barriers,” this beach features ramps leading directly to the water and offers amphibious wheelchair rentals so everyone can enjoy the Caribbean waves.

Paseo de la Princesa: This historic promenade is a much smoother ride. It offers stunning views of the San Juan Bay and is perfect for a sunset stroll without the cobblestone struggle.

Casa Bacardí: For a taste of local culture (and rum!), the distillery tour is fully wheelchair-accessible, including transport between facilities.

Rolling over the cobblestone

During a cruise excursion in Old San Juan, we were exploring the shops, restaurants and quaint buildings found in this historic part of San Juan. There’s charm and history everywhere. However, my mobility scooter did not enjoy the rutty cobblestone streets.

But for several blocks, this is all there is. At one point there was a slight angled grade with the cobblestone and my scooter wheel caught in a rut and my scooter flipped sideways. Now, this was a gentle lay down by the driver (me) more than anything serious. It left me laughing in the middle the street. My travel companions rushed to make sure I was fine and help me get back upright.

Thankfully, I’m ambulatory, so this was nothing more than a funny memory, but for someone who isn’t ambulatory, those streets and lack of ramps on the curbs can pose a problem. I would give Old San Juan a lower score when it comes to accessibility.

Puerto Rico is a place where “patience is a virtue” and “planning is a necessity.” While the old architecture presents hurdles, the warmth of the people and the beauty of the coast make it well worth the (mis)adventure.