Visitor Insights
Visiting San Juan Puerto Rico Temple
The San Juan Puerto Rico Temple offers a peaceful, reverent atmosphere amidst lush tropical landscaping in San Juan. While interior participation in sacred ordinances requires a valid temple recommend, visitors of all backgrounds are welcome to explore the landscaped grounds and central fountain court.
Highlights
- Elegant Spanish Colonial Revival architecture featuring hand-troweled white stucco and terracotta barrel tiles.
- Custom art glass depicting the Flor de Maga, Puerto Rico's official national tree flower.
- Serene exterior plaza with paved stone walkways and tropical gardens.
Things to Know
- Interior admittance is reserved for members holding a current temple recommend.
- Patrons are encouraged to schedule appointments in advance due to single-room ordinance capacity.
Location
Calle Ronda #123, Urb. Villa Andalucía, San Juan, PR 00926
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday by appointment for patrons; grounds open daily during daylight hours.
Getting There: Located near Expreso Trujillo Alto (PR-181) in San Juan, approximately 20 minutes drive from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport.
Get DirectionsTips for Your Visit
Grounds Access
The surrounding gardens, arrival center, and fountain plaza are open to the general public for quiet contemplation.
Ordinance Reservations
Endowment and sealing sessions should be reserved through the Church online portal before arrival.
About
Rooted in the ancient Judeo-Christian tradition of consecrated sanctuaries, the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple serves as a holy sanctuary dedicated to divine worship and spiritual progression. Across biblical history, dedicated temples provided a sacred space for humanity to seek communion with God, make solemn vows, and receive divine instruction away from worldly concerns.
Building upon this biblical heritage, Latter-day Saints revere temples as literal houses of the Lord. Unlike standard chapels used for Sunday congregational meetings, the temple is reserved for sacred ordinances, including the endowment and eternal family sealings that unite generations across time.
Dedicated on January 15, 2023, the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple eliminated the need for island Saints to embark on long, costly sea or air journeys to Santo Domingo. Standing in the Villa Andalucía neighborhood, this sacred structure anchors the spiritual life of Latter-day Saints across the Caribbean.
Gallery
Symbolic Elements
The temple's exterior features intricate carvings, each rich with spiritual meaning:
Domed Spire
The 74-foot central domed tower draws the eye heavenward, echoing historic Caribbean ecclesiastical architecture.
Flor de Maga Stained Glass
Custom art glass panels incorporate Puerto Rico's official national tree flower into sacred interior design.
Baptismal Font on Twelve Oxen
Twelve cast-bronze oxen supporting the baptismal font symbolize the Twelve Tribes of Israel carrying the Gospel worldwide.
Sealing Room Mirrors
Parallel mirrors facing each other reflect an endless image chain, representing eternal family ties.
Caribbean Blue and Amber Palette
Interior textiles and carpets employ warm ocean blues and sunlit ambers reflecting God's creations in the Caribbean.
Spanish Colonial Tile Roof
Terracotta roof tiles align the sacred edifice with Old San Juan's centuries-old architectural heritage.
Central Courtyard Fountain
The exterior stone fountain symbolizes the living water promised by Jesus Christ to all believers.
Interesting Facts
It is the third Latter-day Saint temple completed in the Caribbean region, following Santo Domingo and Port-au-Prince. (Tier A)
President Russell M. Nelson announced the temple just five weeks after visiting San Juan following Hurricane Maria. (Tier A)
Groundbreaking occurred on May 4, 2019, the exact same day ground was broken for temples in Cape Verde and Guam. (Tier A)
The temple stands on ground previously occupied by the Trujillo Alto meetinghouse and mission administrative offices. (Tier B)
Encompassing 6,988 square feet, it utilizes a highly efficient single-story design engineered for island communities. (Tier A)
Its completion eliminated a 250-mile trip across the Mona Passage for local members seeking temple ordinances. (Tier B)
The structure features heavy reinforced concrete designed to withstand severe Caribbean hurricanes and seismic activity. (Tier A)
The dedicatory prayer and services led by Elder D. Todd Christofferson were delivered entirely in Spanish. (Tier A)
Common Questions
Can non-members visit the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple?
Visitors of all faiths are welcome to walk the exterior grounds, central fountain plaza, and arrival center.
What architectural style is used for the temple?
The temple is constructed in a Spanish Colonial Revival style with Caribbean regional design accents.
What ordinances are performed inside the temple?
Sacred ceremonies include baptisms for the dead, the washing and anointing, the endowment, and eternal family sealings.
How far is the temple from the main airport in San Juan?
The temple is approximately 20 minutes by car from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport.
Featured Stories
Comfort After the Storm
September 2018
In the wake of Hurricane Maria's devastation, Church President Russell M. Nelson traveled to San Juan to offer comfort and spiritual support to struggling islanders. Speaking to thousands at the convention center, he promised that the Lord had great blessings in store for Puerto Rico. Just five weeks later during General Conference, he announced the construction of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple.
Source: The Church News
A Triple Island Groundbreaking
May 4, 2019
May 4, 2019, marked an unprecedented day in modern church history as ground was broken for three separate island temples across the globe simultaneously. Latter-day Saints gathered in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Praia, Cape Verde; and Yigo, Guam, to dedicate construction sites for their local houses of the Lord. Elder Walter F. González presided over the San Juan service, celebrating a new chapter of Caribbean faith.
Source: Official Church Newsroom
Dedication in the Spanish Tongue
January 15, 2023
On a warm January Sunday, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple in three inspiring sessions. Delivered entirely in Spanish, the dedicatory prayer offered heartfelt praise for the resilience and faith of the Puerto Rican Saints. The landmark occasion permanently anchored temple worship in the heart of the Spanish-speaking Caribbean.
Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Timeline
First Latter-day Saints Arrive
U.S. military personnel stationed in Puerto Rico establish the first regular member gatherings on the island.
EventFirst Spanish-Speaking Branch
Elder Gordon B. Hinckley organizes the first Spanish-speaking branch in San Juan to expand local missionary efforts.
EventPuerto Rico San Juan Mission Organized
The Church establishes a formal mission headquarters in San Juan to supervise regional proselytizing.
EventSan Juan Stake Created
The first stake in Puerto Rico is organized, establishing local priesthood leadership self-reliance.
MilestoneProphetic Ministry Visit
President Russell M. Nelson ministers to thousands of Puerto Rican Saints following Hurricane Maria.
EventTemple Announcement
President Nelson officially announces plans to construct a temple in San Juan during General Conference.
MilestoneSite Preparation Begins
The Trujillo Alto Ward chapel is closed and removed to clear the site for temple construction.
EventGroundbreaking Ceremony
Elder Walter F. González presides over the groundbreaking services for the new temple.
component.timeline.groundbreakingPublic Open House Begins
Over 20,000 community members tour the interior during a two-week public open house.
EventTemple Dedication
Elder D. Todd Christofferson dedicates the temple in three sessions as the Church's 176th operating temple.
DedicationHistory by Decade
1940s–1960s — Early Pioneers and Military Branches
Latter-day Saint history in Puerto Rico began in 1947 when military personnel established informal gatherings across local bases. By 1964, the first official English-speaking branch was organized in San Juan. In 1970, Elder Gordon B. Hinckley organized the island's first Spanish-speaking branch, accelerating outreach among native islanders.
1970s–1990s — Stake Organization and Growth
The Puerto Rico San Juan Mission was established in 1979, leading to rapid congregation growth across municipalities like Mayagüez and Ponce. In December 1980, the San Juan Puerto Rico Stake was organized as the island's first stake. Local members regularly sacrificed to travel to temples in the United States and later Santo Domingo.
2000s–2010s — Hub of Administration and Disaster Relief
The Trujillo Alto property in San Juan served as the administrative core for the Church in Puerto Rico, housing mission offices and meetinghouses. Following the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Maria in 2017, local Saints mobilized extensive humanitarian relief. President Russell M. Nelson visited in September 2018, announcing the temple shortly thereafter.
2020s — Construction, Dedication, and Operations
Despite global supply challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, construction advanced steadily following the May 2019 groundbreaking. The open house in December 2022 welcomed over 20,000 visitors and leaders. Elder D. Todd Christofferson dedicated the temple on January 15, 2023, establishing the 176th operating temple.
Architecture & Facilities
The San Juan Puerto Rico Temple represents a refined expression of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture tailored specifically for the Caribbean environment. It features smooth hand-troweled stucco surfaces, decorative plaster cornices, rounded archways, and a clay-tiled hipped roof. A single attached end tower rises to a domed spire that harmonizes with historic ecclesiastical buildings found throughout Old San Juan.
Building Materials
Exterior Facade
Painted hand-troweled stucco over hurricane-resistant reinforced concrete structure engineered for tropical climate resilience.
Roofing
Traditional terracotta-colored clay barrel tiles providing thermal protection and classic Spanish colonial visual identity.
Flooring
Imported white marble tiling paired with custom tufted wool carpets with tropical floral patterns.
Art Glass
Insulated glass panels with geometric leaded tracery featuring subtle floral designs inspired by Puerto Rican flora.
Interior Features
Instruction Room
A single instruction room accommodating approximately 30 patrons for endowment sessions in an intimate setting.
Sealing Room
A sacred room equipped with custom mahogany altars and infinite reflection mirrors for eternal family sealings.
Baptistry
Features a central baptismal font resting upon twelve cast-bronze oxen beneath decorative glass fixtures.
Celestial Room
A serene reflection room illuminated by crystal chandeliers, muted gold trims, and soft ocean-blue carpets.
Temple Grounds
The 2.97-acre site features manicured lawns, native palm trees, flowering tropical shrubs, stone paved walkways, and a central court fountain.
Additional Facilities
An arrival center and Church Distribution Services store operate on site to assist visiting patrons and church leaders.
Religious Significance
In harmony with traditional Christian theology regarding holy places, the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple is revered as a sanctuary consecrated to the worship of God and Jesus Christ. Latter-day Saints consider the temple to be a literal house of the Lord where heaven and earth meet.
To provide a sacred space for administering essential priesthood ordinances, making eternal covenants, and uniting families forever.
Sacred Ordinances
Baptism for the Dead
Vicarious baptisms performed on behalf of deceased ancestors, offering them the choice to accept gospel covenants.
The Endowment
A ceremonial sequence of instruction and solemn covenants binding the believer to divine obligations of discipleship.
Eternal Marriage Sealings
Priesthood ordinances uniting husbands, wives, and children into family relationships that endure beyond death.
The House of the Lord
The temple represents the highest place of worship in Latter-day Saint theology, consecrated entirely away from worldly pursuits to focus life on Jesus Christ.
Vicarious Service
Through vicarious temple ordinances, Latter-day Saints demonstrate love for departed family members by offering them access to salvation covenants.
Sources & Research
Every fact on Temples.org is backed by verified Sources & Research. Each piece of information is rated by source tier and confidence level.
View All Sources (3)
| Field | Source | Tier | Retrieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture & Interior Design | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org (opens in a new tab) | C | 2026-02-15 |
| Architecture & Interior Design | TempleDB (opens in a new tab) | C | 2026-02-15 |
| Visitor Insights | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (opens in a new tab) | A | 2026-02-15 |