The Devil's Sentry Box and The Vanished Soldier

The Legend of La Garita del Diablo

According to Puerto Rican folklore, a young Spanish soldier once stood guard inside this sentry box. His post was considered one of the most isolated and dangerous along the fortress walls.

• Some say he was a romantic, meeting his lover secretly under the cover of night.
• Others believe he was a deserter, fleeing his post.
• And many claim that the Devil himself appeared, dragging him into the abyss of the sea below.

To this day, locals call it the “Devil’s Box” or Puerto del Diablo, warning that anyone who lingers too long at night may hear whispers of the vanished guard.'

The Vanishing Soldier of San Cristóbal

The legend tells us that one night, fellow soldiers came to relieve him, only to find the sentry box completely empty. No struggle, no signs of escape, no body. Just the crashing of waves against the cliffs.

Had the soldier been taken by the ocean? By enemies? Or by something darker, a devil’s guard, cursed to keep watch for eternity?

History of Castillo San Cristóbal & Its Sentry Boxes

While the ghostly legend draws visitors, Castillo San Cristóbal itself is a marvel of military engineering.

• Built by the Spanish in the 1600s to defend San Juan from land attacks.
• Largest fortress built in the Americas, overshadowing even El Morro with its vast walls.
• The garitas (sentry boxes) were essential lookout posts, giving soldiers a panoramic view of incoming enemies.

The Garita del Diablo, however, was positioned farthest along the walls — isolated, battered by ocean winds, and cloaked in darkness. No wonder soldiers feared being assigned there.

Fort San Cristóbal vs. El Morro

Many visitors recognize El Morro’s iconic garitas from postcards. But San Cristóbal holds the darker stories. Unlike El Morro, which defended against sea invasions, San Cristóbal was built to withstand land assaults. Its sentry boxes — especially the Devil’s Garita — became the setting for whispered tales of betrayal, love, and supernatural punishment.

Ghost Stories of San Juan: More Than Just Legends

Puerto Rico is a land where history and myth intertwine. From Capilla del Cristo (said to be blessed by miracles) to the oldest ghost box in the Caribbean, Old San Juan is filled with places where the past lingers.

The Devil’s Box is just one of many haunted sites. Others include:

• The tunnels beneath San Cristóbal, where soldiers claimed to hear chains rattling.
• El Morro’s dungeons, where prisoners swore they were visited by shadows.
• Abandoned colonial homes in Old San Juan, still whispered about by locals.

Visit the Haunted Sentry Box Yourself 👻

Reading the legend is one thing, but standing before the Garita del Diablo at night is something else entirely.

By day, it looks like just another turret on San Juan’s historic walls. But at dusk, when the ocean roars and shadows lengthen, you can almost feel the fear of the soldiers who once stood guard.

There are many theories behind the Devil's Sentry Box, yet there remain visitors to the Castillo San Cristobal who believe the hauntings are nothing more than a figment of the imagination. Whether there’s any truth to the tales is up for debate, but many people who spend time there still report feeling a dark or foreboding presence, almost as if the Devil himself were watching on. 

Myths and legends play a huge part in Puerto Rico’s culture and society, and you can read the sorry tale of La Llorona here.

Book Your San Juan Ghost Tour Today

If you’re ready to walk in the footsteps of the vanished soldier, join us on our San Juan Ghost Tour.

✅ Hear chilling stories of La Garita del Diablo under the stars.
✅ Explore the haunted corners of Castillo San Cristóbal and El Morro.
✅ Discover the dark legends of Old San Juan that most tourists never hear.

If you want to hear firsthand what our guests have experienced, check out our Google Business Profile Reviews and see why our tours leave a lasting impression!

👉 Reserve Your Spot on the San Juan Ghost Tour!

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