Lights & Shadows is a new nighttime show that recently opened at Fort San Cristobal in Old San Juan. The show uses special lighting, sound, laser and water effects to bring important moments in Puerto Rican history to life.

The lights and shadows (or sound) show concept is not a new one. We went to the one in Philadelphia many years ago and enjoyed it. Basically, they light up old buildings with colored lights and project images or movies, accompanied by music, on the walls. This new show in Old San Juan is similar.

As we waited outside the fort, the walls were lit-up with beautiful colored lights. They also have this neat silhouette (a movie I guess) of a guard patrolling an upstairs window.

Once they get everyone inside the fort, they close the doors and the show starts. They have a number of projectors that show movies on the walls, another silhouette thing, and then a wall of water that they project onto. During this time, they have speakers set up around the area with music and narratives of the history of Puerto Rico, from the time of the original Taino Indians and the arrival of Columbus, the history of Old San Juan, with Ponce de Leon, pirates and privateer attacks on Old San Juan and the ensuing battles, up to the US invasion and today’s modern Puerto Rico.

I have to say, we went on the first night that the show was publicly offered, and they had a lot of technical problems. From the reservation process, the show schedule, the projection system, the audio system … all of it had problems. After the fact, when I contacted them about my disappointing experience, they said they are working on it and have fixed/improved all aspects. I hope so.

It is a short show (about 25 minutes). It will give you a quick, pretty history lesson of the island. As an FYI, you will be standing the whole show, so wear comfortable shoes. Also, they use strobe lights during the show. So keep that in mind if you have a medical condition for which flashing lights would cause a problem.

The show is offered two times a night, on weekends, but it sometimes changes. Check on-line for tentative schedule. The 7:45pm show is in English, the 8:30pm show is in Spanish. When you arrive in port, if there is a show that night, there will be guys dressed in old Spanish soldier uniforms/costumes giving out brochures. They should know that evening’s show schedule.

You can buy tickets over the phone, at the door or online up to 2 months in advance. Tickets can be purchased with cash and debit cards at the door; credit cards on line or via phone. There is space for hundreds, so you shouldn’t have trouble getting the night and show time you want. They do not hold the show in the rain.

Admission is $23 for adults (13 years old and up) and $13 for kids from 5 - 12 years old. Kids under 5 years old are free.

The days and times of the show varies throughout the week.

The show lasts about 25 minutes.

You can call 787-964-1011 for more information and to buy tickets.

You can visit their web site for more information and to buy tickets.