Title: San Juan de Ulua Castle in Veracruz | Expedia.co.uk [San Juan de Ulua Castle Hotels](https://expedia.co.uk/San-Juan-De-Ulua-Castle-Hotels.0-l6166814-0.Travel-Guide-Filter-Hotels)[Flights to Veracruz](https://expedia.co.uk/Cheap-Flights-To-Veracruz.d3696.Travel-Guide-Flights)[Things to do in Veracruz](https://expedia.co.uk/Things-To-Do-In-Veracruz.d3696.Travel-Guide-Activities)[San Juan de Ulua Castle Car Hire](https://expedia.co.uk/Compare-Cheap-Car-Hire-In-San-Juan-De-Ulua-Castle.d6166814.Car-Hire-Guide)[Veracruz Holidays](https://expedia.co.uk/Veracruz.d3696.Holidays-City-Breaks) # San Juan de Ulua Castle ![San Juan de Ulua Castle showing heritage elements and a lake or waterhole](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6166814/de6c43b1-9c37-4dc4-90b2-7dff07953566.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![San Juan de Ulua Castle showing heritage elements and a lake or waterhole](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6166814/de6c43b1-9c37-4dc4-90b2-7dff07953566.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![San Juan de Ulua Castle which includes heritage elements](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6166814/b9029bcb-af07-47d7-81f0-045bef21bb48.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![San Juan de Ulua Castle showing heritage elements](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6166814/8aec1cf3-c227-4a90-8c75-026c36b04142.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![San Juan de Ulua Castle showing a square or plaza and heritage elements](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6166814/b444ebae-bf9d-4369-95b8-4708b9da772a.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ## Visit San Juan de Ulua Castle Activities [Veracruz travel guide](https://expedia.co.uk/Veracruz.dx3696) --- --- #### Once the main landing point for new arrivals to Spanish-ruled Mexico, this 16th-century fortress is shrouded in the legends of explorers and pirate attacks. Listen to stories about colonial riches, maritime expeditions and tumultuous battles at San Juan de Ulúa Castle. This imposing castle sits on an island that shares the same name, where it has operated as a fortress, gold storehouse, prison and royal palace throughout its almost 500-year history. Visit San Juan de Ulua Castle to wander around its battlements, across bridges and along corridors. Browse displays of colonial and pre-Hispanic artifacts at the castle museum. Learn about the castle’s history. The fortress dates back to 1565, when it was built to protect Veracruz, which was the main port of entry to a colonized Mexico. It controlled much of the import and export trade of New Spain and housed vast amounts of the viceroyalty’s treasures. In 1568, the castle survived a raid by an English fleet during the Battle of San Juan de Ulúa. U.S. troops captured the castle in 1848 and it went on to become a prison for infamous Mexican felons. A great way to see the castle and discover the fascinating history is on a guided tour. Cross the causeway that connects it to the mainland and enter via the northern gateway. Note the 3-foot-thick (1-metre) stone walls and rows of arches, which served as storage space for gold, silver and other valuable goods. See cannons lined up along the quay, where galleons loaded and unloaded their cargo. Look for the decaying sentry boxes and the circular observation tower. Go down into the dungeon and imagine the squalid living conditions that criminals endured. Don’t miss the remains of a chapel and a mysterious shrine to Our Lady of the Staircase. Climb onto the ramparts and enjoy views across to Veracruz’s city centre. The museum holds examples of pre-Hispanic ceramics and sculptures in addition to information about the castle’s long history. Reach San Juan de Ulúa Castle via taxi or catch a water taxi from the Malecón. The castle is open from Tuesday to Sunday and has an admission fee. English-speaking guides are available for a nominal fee. ### Popular places to visit ![Veracruz Harbour featuring a sunset, a square or plaza and a city](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6165727/19b84f78-4180-4ce4-bde7-e4c9467aab06.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Veracruz Harbour Watch the busy maritime activity, admire grand architectural structures and visit a 16th-century Spanish colonial fortress at this historic port. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Veracruz-Harbour-Veracruz.d6165727.Attraction) ![Veracruz international commerce port in Mexico](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621532977367/b9a69632-3b3f-4f6f-82a1-5ee03a5fb0ec.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Malecón de Veracruz Malecón de Veracruz is just one of the places to see in Veracruz, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? While you're in the area, stroll along the beautiful beaches. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Paseo-Del-Malecon-Boulevard-Veracruz.d553248621532977367.Attraction) ![Carranza Lighthouse which includes a city, a statue or sculpture and a square or plaza](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6322569/88f0513e-ca48-4c96-8ace-477068a163f1.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Carranza Lighthouse Overlooking the port of Veracruz is a grandiose neoclassical building featuring a lighthouse that once guided ships around the city’s bay. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Carranza-Lighthouse-Veracruz.d6322569.Attraction) ![Naval Historical Museum showing military items and a square or plaza](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6322731/46ed68eb-3061-49f0-8d7c-78b1df1cff6e.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Naval Historical Museum Artillery displays, model ships and portrayals of historic battles bring Mexico’s naval past to life at this modern and informative museum. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Naval-Historical-Museum-Veracruz.d6322731.Attraction) ![Zocalo or Plaza de Armas, the main square of Veracruz, Mexico](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621557045889/703b1989-c1c7-4d26-a576-beb980d3f90e.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Zócalo You can learn about the history of Veracruz when you stop by Zócalo. While in this family-friendly area, you can savour the top-notch restaurants. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Zocalo-Old-Town-Veracruz.d553248621557045889.Attraction) ![Bastion of Santiago Museum featuring heritage elements](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6166825/3ebc5469-599f-441e-9954-bbe699fad3b1.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Bastion of Santiago Museum Visit the sole surviving fort from Veracruz’s ancient city wall. Today, the structure houses a museum of pre-Hispanic and colonial-era relics. 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