WebOld San Juan Historic Sites. Within Cuartel de Ballaj isCaf Don Ruiz,a fourth-generation coffee shop with beans hauled from the southern town of Yauco. El Convento Hotel is on the diagonal corner of the cathedral. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Learn about the history of Old San Juan as you walk A great starting point is the Plaza del Quinto Centenario at the north side of the city. In the dungeon, you can see some of the prisoner drawings on the walls. The Spanish Secretary of Government, Don Mateo Pratts, cried out, Christ of Good Health, save him! The young rider, lived, miraculously saved! The characteristic blue color comes from age and moisture. After lunch, we continued our self-guided tour to Paseo de la Princesa and around the city wall along a trail called Paseo del Morro. WebStroll the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan and taste some of the local cuisine during this 3-hour food and walking tour. By making a purchase through one of the links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Price: General Admission- $6; Under 12 and over 65 years old- $4, Need to rent a car while in Puerto Rico? Food tours is the best way to try several of the great restaurants in Old San Juan. might not use our travel credit card benefits at all this year. A guided food tour is an excellent way to experience Puerto Rico. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Up the hill, by theCaleta de las Monjas, is the Catedral de San Juan where, if you stand right outside, aligning yourself with the altar, youll be standing in the exact spot where a compass would mark true North, South, East, and West of San Juan. A Self-guided Walking Tour of Old San Juan. Just be careful at night, as there have been recent reports of violent crime aimed at tourists. Ive never seen it anywhere else in the world. Getting to Old San Juan, Puerto Rico This modern square was built in 1992 to honor the 500-year anniversary of Colombus first voyage to the Americas. We were there on a summer day with no cruises and felt like we had the city to ourselves! The top places where you can experience the history of the Island. If you make this walking and tasting tour withSpoon,you can ask to try their garbanzada de mero, a grouper and chickpea stew that showcases the very base of every Puerto Rican dish, thesofrito. Its delicious. WebOld San Juan Walk & Taste Tour Adults $ 129 Kids (3-12) $ 109 Non-Participant Kids (under 3) Free Quick Details Category: Food Tour When: Daily 10 a.m. AST Duration: Approximately three (3.25) hours Group Size: 12 guests maximum Meeting Point: Old San Juan near El Morro Fort (exact meeting point provided with booking confirmation) He dedicated his life to educational causes and advocating womens rights to higher education. Old San Juans original entry gate is found at Puerta de San Juan. Ive been using Skyscanner since I studied abroad in Spain back in 2012. Casa Blanca is now a museum, but centuries ago this house belonged to famed Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon. Consider this about future travel: At this build-your-own-bowl eatery, patrons can choose from a wide and delicious selection of bases, protein, sauces, and toppings. Get a quote with Insubuy here. After you have your information and maps, head outside and enjoy the Bahia de San Juan (San Juan Bay). There are a lot of domestic flights into San Juan and a few international flights. Camera you can use your phone camera, but a DSLR will capture those picturesque streets so much better! In Puerto Rico, we call ourselves Boricua, a unique name honoring our Island heritage and the vibrant spirit of our people. WebStroll the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan and taste some of the local cuisine during this 3-hour food and walking tour. Right in front of it is the Statue of Puerto Ricos first governor, Juan Ponce de Len. Continue to the Bacardi Factory by taxi. amzn_assoc_linkid = "af170056b2997eee2b8bfdf11a632ccc"; WebOld San Juan Historic Sites. The Old Town is not large but there is a lot to see and do. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Now that youve had breakfast, step out of the colonial headquarters where youll come upon the majestic castle ofSan Felipe del Morro, simply known asEl Morro, a smashing fortress at the north-west tip of Old San Juan that carries over 500 years of Puerto Rican stories. Just be mindful of when cruise ships stop in the port, because if you can avoid a cruise day that would be best. All the streets are lined with charming houses of eclectic, bright colors. Puerto Rico speaks Spanish, but in Old San Juan just about everyone will be bilingual and speak English too. You can also create your own self-guided walk to visit By this time, the midday sun will be at its peak and that only means its time for a snack. Simply amazing. You can reasonably expect San Juan to be hot, humid and sunny. And its not just about the food, either. For centuries it remained a small Spanish port city, never expanding beyond the original city walls. WebSelf-Guided Walking Tours to Explore San Juan, Puerto Rico. Spectacular views and interesting historical items make this a fascinating place to visit. self guided walking tour from cruise ship, Self guided walking tour old san juan map, BacardRum: Where to Try it in Puerto Rico, 8 Things to do in New York City for the Holidays, Ultimate Puerto Rico Travel Guide in the Time of Covid-19, Pirate Snorkelings Stand-up Paddleboard Rentals, Boulevards & Byways Travel Blog for Home Page. Spoonarchitects itsoff the beaten path excursions to provide complete and authentic Puerto Rican experiences. Perhaps one of the most Instagrammable locations in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, Fortzaleza Street is home to the iconic and colorful hanging umbrellas. Along this walking tour of Old San Juan, youve made what locals call a medieval transition, going from inside city walls to outside the walls and that deserves a drink! What every traveler needs: Its the perfect place to start your self guided walking tour of Old San Juan. Your email address will not be published. At their Rums of Puerto Rico bar, you can taste and learn the history of all the rums the island has to offer. The Catedral Basilica Menor de San Juan Bautista is the oldest church in the United States and the second oldest church in the Americas. With a myriad of historical sites and rich architecture, its a perfect way to spend the day. There is no single street to go for the best views. The self-guided walking tour of Old San Juan has come to an end. WebOld San Juan Walk & Taste Tour Adults $ 129 Kids (3-12) $ 109 Non-Participant Kids (under 3) Free Quick Details Category: Food Tour When: Daily 10 a.m. AST Duration: Approximately three (3.25) hours Group Size: 12 guests maximum Meeting Point: Old San Juan near El Morro Fort (exact meeting point provided with booking confirmation) They can join the army and go to war and die for the country, yet cant vote for president. Puerto Rico is a US territory so your phone service from any major US carrier should work just fine. So do yourself a favor and plan around the cruises. Its closed at night but there is free street parking at night nearby. The peak tourist season runs from December to May. the Western Hemisphere. After lunch, we continued our self-guided tour to Paseo de la Princesa and around the city wall along a trail called Paseo del Morro. He led a European expedition for gold, traveled to the southeast coast of the United States, and explored a small island to be later named, Puerto Rico. From the airport you can take a bus, taxi, Uber, or rental car to the Old Town, which is about 12km (7.5 miles) from the airport. If you have time (and enough energy), I definitely recommend spending a good half hour wandering through the area. A favorite restaurant among us cruise ship crew members is the Stuffed Avocado Shop. This helps keep the site running with up to date information. WebThe Visitors Center (phone 787-722-1709) is located across from the Plaza de la Darsena and is open everyday from 9:00am until 5:30pm. Keep walking and make your way to the artery of the city, San Francisco street. I wore sandals and was mostly fine, except when it came to climbing steep concrete. The buildings are nearly all colonial-era Spanish architecture. WebSelf-Guided Walking Tours to Explore San Juan, Puerto Rico. El Morros presence domineers over everything in nearby site. Its not as expensive as New York or Washington DC, but expect similar prices to midwestern cities. Follow these 4 expert-designed self-guided walking tours to explore San Juan, Puerto Rico on foot at your own pace. The Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery is the final resting place of many of Puerto Ricos most prominent natives and residents. Some other restaurants that were recommended to us were Cayo Caribe, Cafe El Punto, and El Patio de Sam. Its a long walk, about 3/4 of a mile, but worth it for the fantastic views and photo ops (plus a little walk didnt hurt after indulging in such a big meal). WebJoin a mini getaway in Old San Juan on this guided walking food tour through a 500-year old Spanish colonial city. Or check out all the listings on booking.com to find another great option! If you get outside of San Juan then you start running into places where the locals dont speak English. In 2021, the umbrellas were replaced by a large banner with the Puerto Rican flags design. San Juan Island Foodie Road Trip amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; Tip: Keep your receipt! Its hard to beat the insanely low prices. might not use our travel credit card benefits at all this year. Its close to a reasonably priced parking garage on PR38, should you be driving into the city. Entrance to San Cristbal is included with admission to San Felipe (and vice versa), so be sure to keep your receipt. These can loosely be defined as colonial era towns that have kept their historical charm. Doa Ana was its first mother superior, and many say she never left. WebYOUR SELF GUIDED WALKING TOUR OF OLD TOWN SAN JUAN The Old Town is not large but there is a lot to see and do. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Fun fact: the statue is located right in front of the church where he is buried, and it is pointing towardsCaparra, where Mr. Fountain of Youth wanted to establish the city. Old San Juan Walking Tour | One Day Puerto Rico Itinerary. We stayed at Aloft San Juan but dont recommend it due to loud music from the mall next door till well after midnight. Across from El Morro Fort on Calle Norzagaray, continue walking toBeneficencia. Originally created in 1853, the Paseo, features a broad brick walkway. How To Experience the Day of the Dead in Oaxaca, Mexico (2019), El Morro was one of the original fortifications built by the Spanish to protect San Juan from foreign invaders. You can find some rooftop bars and cafes though. Reasonably priced drinks its a welcome respite from the heat. Empanadas: Puerto Rican empanadas are fried and scrumptious. Disclosure Policy. Sip a rum cocktail and taste traditional Puerto Rican food at 4 stops during the walk. They are the only bean-to-bar manufacturer in the Caribbean, and they celebrate it by making chocolate the star of almost every dish. Address: Calle Norzagaray & Route 25R (Avenida Luis Muoz Rivera). Its an impressive structure and was used to fend off attacks, most notably from the Dutch in 1625. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This self-guided tour takes you to a variety of the island's farms, tasting rooms and restaurants. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Community leaders have been making efforts toward the growth and development of what has for generations been one of the most underserved and economically disadvantaged sectors of San Juan. WebThe Visitors Center (phone 787-722-1709) is located across from the Plaza de la Darsena and is open everyday from 9:00am until 5:30pm. Youll learn how this family was and still is pivotal in Puerto Rican education and advocates for art. Its easy to see Old San Juan in one day. Now thats unusual! amzn_assoc_title = "Shop Related Products"; I stumbled upon this mural without prior research as I was so immersed in the beautiful rainbow buildings in the neighboring streets. The largest cruise ships can hold thousands of people. Old San Juan is a perfect place for a self-guided walking tour. About 500 cruise ships visit San Juan every year, and the vast majority visit between November and March. Many years ago the slaves and lower class were forced to live outside the walls, thus La Perla was born. WebSan Juan Island's agricultural history is still visible in its landscape, dotted with weather-worn barns and farmhouses, fields of hay, cattle, horses and market gardens. I explain how to avoid cruise days in a section below. This means cute balconies and colorful facades. WebYOUR SELF GUIDED WALKING TOUR OF OLD TOWN SAN JUAN The Old Town is not large but there is a lot to see and do. Outside of the old town I like the Hyatt House or the Hyatt Place. Given the uncertainty around future travel, globetrotters (myself included!) The house has some odd hours so consult the website linked above for the latest information. Enjoy skip-the-line benefits as you visit must-see restaurants and the food scene around the city. In 2020 Puerto Ricans voted by a slim majority to become a state, but it remains to be seen if that will ever happen. And its not just about the food, either. San Juan Island Foodie Road Trip But the stuffed avocado was excellent and worth the wait. There, you can grab your sweet and refreshing frozen treat and take a break to enjoy the view at the Bastin, a resting stop that used to be a defensive system of San Juan. Probably not. And theyve done a hell of a job restoring the city to its original charm. The affiliate advertising program provides a means to sustain this blog by linking to affiliate sites at no extra cost to you. Though I would say that I dont recommend a beach vacation in San Juan city even though there are plenty of beach resorts due to the possibility of smoggy skies. Historic sites, culinary experiences, outdoor adventures, and beautiful beaches. WebYou can explore Old San Juan on your own with our self-guided tour guide. Admire the citys beautiful colonial architecture and cobblestone streets. Continue to thePlaza de Ballajaand see theballajor military barracks. Sip a rum cocktail and taste traditional Puerto Rican food at 4 stops during the walk. Map or GPS Google maps, Apple maps, whatever works best for you. After lunch, we continued our self-guided tour to Paseo de la Princesa and around the city wall along a trail called Paseo del Morro. WebYou can explore Old San Juan on your own with our self-guided tour guide. Head up the hill to Cristo Street or Calle de Cristo. Comfortable shoes some of the streets are hilly so its a great idea to wear running shoes or something that wont kill your feet after three hours of walking and climbing fortresses. WebA self-guided tour through Old San Juan can be broken down into two main sections: The coastal perimeter (marked in black on the map)- Where most of the historical landmarks are located The interior streets (marked in burgundy on the map)- Where most of the photo spots, restaurants, and shops are found Fortifications were built over the years and helped fend off numerous attacks, especially from the Dutch, French and English. , or guard posts, which are a great place to snap a photo. What did you think of the stunning architecture? Another iconic photo spot in Puerto Rico is the Flag Door, or La Puerta de la Bandera from local artist Rosenda lvarez. La Perla was first established as the location of a slaughterhouse as both slaughterhouses, cemeteries, and homes of former slaves and non-white servants were required to be outside of the main city center in the late 19th century. 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