Puerto Rico: Paradise Ruined, Its Aftermath
This portfolio features 20 selected photographs from the ongoing documentation series, which began in December 2017. The first image in the series, “Home Ruins” La Perla, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, taken on Tuesday, December 19, 2017, at 11:45 AM, 82°F), marks the starting point. The final photograph, “Home Ruins” (captured four years later in the same location on Sunday, March 21, 2021, at 5:55 PM, 81°F), shows the same structure in its current state.
All homes and businesses featured in this series were photographed consistently from 2017 to the present. None have been demolished, renovated, or reconstructed. This ongoing documentation highlights the persistent state of abandonment and deterioration that remains today.
The aftermath of Hurricane Maria led to severe displacement, with countless lives lost and many residents forced to relocate, leaving homes abandoned. Between 114,000 and 213,000 Puerto Ricans are estimated to have relocated annually to the U.S. mainland since the hurricane.
1. “Home Ruins” La Perla, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Tuesday, December 19, 2017. 11:45 AM. 82 Degrees.
©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel
A bathroom typically lacks exterior walls, making it one of the safest rooms for shelter if going underground isn't an option. With few or no windows, it reduces the risk of damage from falling debris or outside elements. This bathroom, still standing, is shown in photograph #20, taken in December 2021, capturing its current state of decline.
2. “Home Ruins” La Perla, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Friday, December 20, 2019. 2:03 PM. 80 Degrees.
©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel
Only the oldest structures, built during the 1940s and 50s, were most resilient to the hurricane's forces. However, their roofs were mostly blown away and destroyed.
3. “Building Ruins” La Perla, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Thursday, December 20, 2019. 2:28 PM. 82 Degrees.
©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel
This former business remains in ruins to this day.
4. “Home Ruins” Vieques Island, Puerto Rico.
Tuesday, December 24, 2019. 10:26 AM. 84 Degrees.
©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel
A wheelchair (a sign of a former life) and the bathroom walls are the only remnants left.
5. “Boat” Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.
Sunday, December 22, 2019. 7:18 PM. 79 Degrees.
©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel.
Since October 2017, this boat has remained on the edge of a highway.
6. “Basketball Court” (High School) Ciales, Puerto Rico.
Monday, December 16, 2019. 3:36 PM. 77 Degrees.
©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel.
This is the basketball court of a high school that has still not been reconstructed, seven years later.
7. “Billiard” (Restaurant/Bar) Loiza Aldea, Loiza, Puerto Rico.
Thursday, December 26, 2019. 11:55 AM. 82 Degrees.
©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel.
This restaurant/bar billiard never resumed business.
8. “Home Ruins” Vieques Island, Puerto Rico.
Tuesday, December 24, 2919. 9:37 AM. 84 Degrees.
©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel.
This home has remained in ruins and abandoned since Hurricane Maria in 2017.
9. “Home Ruins” La Pesa, Ciales, Puerto Rico.
Friday, December 13, 2019. 3:52 PM. 79 Degrees.
©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel.
This home has remained in ruins and abandoned since Hurricane Maria in 2017.
10. “Food Truck” Vieques Island, Puerto Rico.
Monday, December 23, 2019. 5:50 PM. 78 Degrees.
©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel.
Seven years after Hurricane Maria, this food truck remains in the same condition.
11. “Puppy San Miguel Residence Ruins” (My Cousin)
La Pesa, Ciales, Puerto Rico. Friday, December 13, 2019.
2:37 PM. 79 Degrees. ©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel.
This home has been completely demolished, and seven years later, no new construction has taken place.
12.“Home Ruins” La Pesa, Ciales, Puerto Rico.
Monday, December 16, 2019. 12:21 AM. 77 Degrees.
©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel.
This home remains in ruins.
13. “Home Ruins” Juguas, Ciales, Puerto Rico.
Friday, December 13, 2019. 4:08 PM. 79 Degrees.
©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel.
This former home remains in ruins.
14.“Home Ruins” (Vernacular Residence)
Vieques Island, Puerto Rico . Monday, December 23, 2019.
2:32 PM. 78 Degrees. ©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel.
This beautiful vernacular home was demolished, and no construction has taken place yet.
15. “Home Ruins” Vieques Island, Puerto Rico.
Monday, December 23, 2019. 5:10 PM. 84 Degrees.
©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel.
The debris from this home was removed, but the site remains empty.
16. “Home Ruins” La Perla, Old San Juan , Puerto Rico.
Friday, December 20, 2019. 12:06 PM. 80 Degrees.
©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel.
Of all the thousands of homes documented in this series, this is the only one that has been rebuilt, now standing as a one-bedroom apartment.
17. “Home Ruins” Vieques Island, Puerto Rico.
Tuesday, December 24, 2019. 8:48 AM. 84 Degrees.
©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel
This vernacular home was demolished after its inhabitants perished. The debris has been cleared, but no new construction has taken place.
18. “Restaurant Ruins” La Pesa, Ciales, Puerto Rico.
Monday, December 16, 2019. 2:59 PM. 77 Degrees.
©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel
This restaurant was demolished, and the debris was cleared. The site remains vacant.
19. “Waiting For FEMA” La Perla, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.
December 20, 2019. 3:43 PM. 80 Degrees.
©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel
This woman was waiting for FEMA assistance. Years later, her home remains unrebuilt, and she has since moved in with her siblings.
20. “Home Ruins” (4 years later) La Perla, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Sunday, March 21, 2021. 5:55 PM. 81 Degrees.
©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel
This is the same home ruin depicted in photograph #1. Four years later, the bathroom wall facing the Atlantic Ocean collapsed, leaving it exposed like an open portal to the sea. It remains unchanged today, with no demolition or new development.