Fodor's Expert Review Fortaleza de Santa Barbara

Shortly after Italian explorer Christopher Columbus landed here on his fourth voyage for the Spanish crown in 1502, Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés ordered construction of this base, named Santa Barbara in honor of the patron saint of artillerymen. Native people supplied the labor, and the walls they built still stand, along with some of the original artillery guns. There is full view of the bay, which was mandatory for defenses against pirates back in the day, but is simply a lovely vista for today's visitor.