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. This means cute balconies and colorful facades. This walking tour takes you through Old San Juans historic buildings and architectural monuments. Now imagine all those people getting off at the same time and walking around Old San Juan. Unlike most travel websites, you won't be overwhelmed with ads on here. Items to bring with you Exploring Old San Juan with a Guide You may also book a number of walking tours, the tour guides do an excellent job, and you will visit places, and hear stories with historical details you would miss with a self-guided tour. I would budget three hours to give you enough time to take in the sites, tour the historic buildings, and enjoy the food. If youre combing a visit to Old San Juan with other destinations around Puerto Rico, its beneficial to have a car. In those months its very possible to have a day where three cruises stop at San Juan. They can join the army and go to war and die for the country, yet cant vote for president. The summer months are the hottest and wettest but offer an experience with fewer tourists. Disclosure Policy. All the streets are lined with charming houses of eclectic, bright colors. If you wish to visit Fort de San Cristobal, follow these directions from the Parque Las Palomas. Ive included links to Google Maps to help you along your journey. That same year Montanez built the small chapel on the exact spot where he fell over the cliff face. Visitors can explore the different levels of the fortification as well as get a breathtaking panoramic view of Old San Juan and the bay. What every traveler needs: Puerto Rico has a tropical climate and its hot and humid year-round. Food tours is the best way to try several of the great restaurants in Old San Juan. Enjoy skip-the-line benefits as you visit must-see restaurants and the food scene around the city. As you keep pacing down the blue cobblestone roads, youll find yourself in Sol street, where Casa Blanca, former residence-now-museum of the descendants of Ponce de Len, is located. San Juan PR 00908 sanjuan@flavorsfoodtours.com Phone Number: 787-964-2447 Quick links Home About Tours Flavors of San Juan Rum Runners Craft Cocktail Tour Boozy Bites Food Tour Old San Juan El Morro Fort Tour Walking History Tour Express Old San Juan Food Tour Private Tour Gift Cards FAQ Blog Contact Join our free newsletter! GET THE BEST OF PUERTO RICO DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. A guided food tour is an excellent way to experience Puerto Rico. 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. Get a taste of the Island in the form of locally crafted beer. On the other side of Old San Juan lies another Spanish fort, Castillo de San Cristbal. Note: this article contains affiliate links, which means that should you purchase something through them I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. I stumbled upon this mural without prior research as I was so immersed in the beautiful rainbow buildings in the neighboring streets. Slip-on comfortable shoes. Its $10 per person to enter unless you have the NPS Interagency Pass or another yearly pass. It provides a well-rounded introduction for first time visitors, as well as offer new opportunities for those whove traveled to the island before. It really reminded me of the beautiful ancient forts in Malta. Were you able to explore one of the incredible forts? This is Plaza del Quinto Centenario. Consider this about future travel: Old San Juans original entry gate is found at Puerta de San Juan. Welcome to Old San Juan Calle Marina This tour begins at Calle Marina which is where the cruise ships dock. In 1898 the United States did what the Dutch never could and took Puerto Rico, thus ending the Spanish-American war. Standing 16 feet tall, the gate is also inscribed with the phrase, Benedictus Oui Venit In Nomine Domini, which means, Welcome those who come in the name of God., Address: Cll Caleta De San Juan, San Juan. Its a historical landmark that was previously used to protect the city during colonial times. With portable WiFi, you can say goodbye to ridiculous roaming charges and SIM cards for good. At their Rums of Puerto Rico bar, you can taste and learn the history of all the rums the island has to offer. Right across from the Plaza del Quinto Centenario, is the Cuartel de Ballaj, an open-concept building built from 1854 to 1864 for Spanish troops established within the walled city. The menu also has a few Signature Avocados, with combinations already made for those unsure of what ingredients to put together. Castillo San Felipe del Morro (also known as El Morro for short) is the islands trademark fortification built at the tip of the San Juan Bay. For more travel product recommendations, check out my, Spain Bucket List: 15 Photos That Will Inspire You to Visit the Cies Islands. From here there is a lovely walk along the coast on the promenade. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; WebJoin a mini getaway in Old San Juan on this guided walking food tour through a 500-year old Spanish colonial city. Built in 1521, Casa Blanca, built for Juan Ponce de Leon and his family, is the oldest house on the island. Camera you can use your phone camera, but a DSLR will capture those picturesque streets so much better! Brought over on Spanish ships, they are adoquin, cast from furnace slag, and used as ballast on the ships. The characteristic blue color comes from age and moisture. Make a stop and grab a refreshing rum cocktail or a bite to eat. They are known asensaimadasin every other Spanish speaking country and, historically, they were made from lard to sustain the laborers from the morning through a whole day of work. Puerto Rico is a US territory so your phone service from any major US carrier should work just fine. It leads visitors through a pleasant tree-lined sculptural and garden showcase. For those arriving from the cruise ship port, it may make more sense to walk around the exterior first and then end the day perusing the downtown streets. Fortifications were built over the years and helped fend off numerous attacks, especially from the Dutch, French and English. Map or GPS Google maps, Apple maps, whatever works best for you. Another iconic photo spot in Puerto Rico is the Flag Door, or La Puerta de la Bandera from local artist Rosenda lvarez. You can also create your own self-guided walk to visit As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. After you have your information and maps, head outside and enjoy the Bahia de San Juan (San Juan Bay). WebYou can explore Old San Juan on your own with our self-guided tour guide. Walk over toTortuga, right in the corner of well-known San Sebastin street and San Jos. Quick tip: turn off the device when youre not using it so that the battery can last longer. Travel back in time to another era without sacrificing modern comforts. From the marina head west, the water will be on your left, to Calle Comercio toward Plaza Darsenas. And its not just about the food, either. 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. Its the largest Spanish-built fortification built in the New World, spanning roughly 27 acres. In the Isla Grande region you will find a lot of new hotels (this is where we stayed) and a huge mall that has DJs every night in a common courtyard. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. How to use this map: Click on the faded star next to the title to save this map, and click the square in the top left of the map before the title to view location details. Or check out all the listings on booking.com to find another great option! The Puerto Rico Tourism Company will be on your right. Sip a rum cocktail and taste traditional Puerto Rican food at 4 stops during the walk. Over the years believers have brought tiny silver ornaments, each one representing some ailing part of their body. This takes you outside the city wall and eventually to the base of Castillo San Felipe de Moro. To visit the Bacardi Factory from Old San Juan, ride the La Lancha Ferry on Pier 2 to Catano. Given the uncertainty around future travel, globetrotters (myself included!) Next to it is a small hallway and gated door. 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. 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. 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. It provides a well-rounded introduction for first time visitors, as well as offer new opportunities for those whove traveled to the island before. If youre thirsty, stop into El Bate, a little gem, with graffiti-covered walls and business cards hanging from the ceiling. Some other restaurants that were recommended to us were Cayo Caribe, Cafe El Punto, and El Patio de Sam. Completed in 1771, Fort San Cristobal 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. All around the structure, youll find many. WebSelf-Guided Walking Tours to Explore San Juan, Puerto Rico. Its close to a reasonably priced parking garage on PR38, should you be driving into the city. Losing the opportunity of a free hotel room or flight upgrade isnt the worst problem to have right now. And its not just about the food, either. Wear comfortable shoes..the cobblestones are very uneven. Experience immersive rum tastings and mixology classes at Casa BACARD. WebA walking culinary tour of Old San Juan, the second oldest European-founded city in the Americas, will give you just that. This is especially true on days when cruise ships dock at the port. Getting to Old San Juan, Puerto Rico This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. It provides a well-rounded introduction for first time visitors, as well as offer new opportunities for those whove traveled to the island before. Losing the opportunity of a free hotel room or flight upgrade isnt the worst problem to have right now. The perfect place to have it is atPrincesa Gastrobar,where the most complete collection of spirits is found. The cemeterys location by the water was chosen as a way to symbolize a persons spirit crossing over to the afterlife. Youll have a great time if you follow this Old San Juan self guided walking tour! In 2020 Puerto Ricans voted by a slim majority to become a state, but it remains to be seen if that will ever happen. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". We are here to provide you with all the highly detailed information you need to have the perfect vacation. We really enjoyed our day in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico while cruising with Carnival. Youll learn how this family was and still is pivotal in Puerto Rican education and advocates for art. This walking tour takes you through Old San Juans historic buildings and architectural monuments. This walking tour takes you through Old San Juans historic buildings and architectural monuments. A cup of garbanzada,a traditional Puerto Rican chickpea stew. In the plaza is astatue in honorofEugenio Maria de Hostos. Next time, Ill wear some tennis shoes. This self guided walking tour is structured around one day in the old town. Lechn asado: Puerto Rican succulent pig, Pastelon: Puerto Rican lasagna, made with plantains, Paella: this Spanish staple is found nearly everywhere in Puerto Rico. This sweet fruit-flavored ice is a nice treat on a hot day. 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. Sip a rum cocktail and taste traditional Puerto Rican food at 4 stops during the walk. In Puerto Rico, we call ourselves Boricua, a unique name honoring our Island heritage and the vibrant spirit of our people. WebGuide Name: Old San Juan Walking Tour Guide Location: Puerto Rico San Juan (See other walking tours in San Juan) Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing) # of Attractions: 10 Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s) Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles Author: leticia Sight(s) Featured in This Guide: This is one of the most significant pieces of colonial architecture of the island, being one of the earliest surviving examples of the 16th century Spanish Gothic construction. Old San Juans most notable attraction is almost certainly Castillo San Felipe del Moro, the citys original fort. Sip a rum cocktail and taste traditional Puerto Rican food at 4 stops during the walk. This modern square was built in 1992 to honor the 500-year anniversary of Colombus first voyage to the Americas. WebOld San Juan small-group food tour. You can see which days have cruises using this link. Meander toward San Juans most beautiful promenade, El Paseo de la Princesa. This self-guided walking tour of Old San Juan will help you hit all the main sites and areas in just a few hours. Because the building is still an active government building, those interested in looking inside can only do so through official guided tours. Now may be the time to reassess, with this comprehensive breakdown of travel credit card options. the Western Hemisphere. WebOld San Juan small-group food tour. A Self-guided Walking Tour of Old San Juan. Learn about the history of Old San Juan as you walk For centuries it remained a small Spanish port city, never expanding beyond the original city walls. A street thats really a staircase. Items to bring with you Looking across the bay youll see a few wind turbines spinning. Get to know the people that showcase Puerto Ricos culture through its gastronomy. 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. Since its establishment, it has served a number of purposes in addition to a fortress, including a prison, arsenal, and its current function as the governors residence. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. This building is home today of the Museo de las Americas containing pre-Columbian to modern art from the Americas. From here, you can see the cruise ships in port. 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. This self-guided tour takes you to a variety of the island's farms, tasting rooms and restaurants. Continue following the pathway and view the sculpture of Queen Isabella in a courtyard shaded by a stately ficus tree. She created this statue to celebrate a procession of faith, famous in history. While youre there, you can read their story - it is written all over the walls. Many cities in the United States have old towns. WebOld San Juan Historic Sites. Lots of places for good lunches. Tip: Keep your receipt! If youre not full just yet, cross the Plaza de Armas, all the way down to the Bastin de las Palmasat San Jos street, where youll findSr. Paleta,a hyper-local ice cream pop shop that has taken Puerto Rico by storm. Its not as expensive as New York or Washington DC, but expect similar prices to midwestern cities. Exploring Old San Juan with a Guide You may also book a number of walking tours, the tour guides do an excellent job, and you will visit places, and hear stories with historical details you would miss with a self-guided tour. Book or plan your cruise with Cruise Critic the industrys top site for deck plans, cruise tips, ship details, and more! A guided food tour is an excellent way to experience Puerto Rico. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. No more fending off invaders! Consult the Discover Puerto Rico website for more information. Theyre reasons enough for exploring this city and embarking on a self-guided walking tour of Old San Juan. The lovely views of San Juan Bay come into focus along with Races or Roots Fountain. amzn_assoc_title = "Shop Related Products"; On this picturesque boardwalk, youll find street vendors, art exhibits and shops, restaurants, bars, and even live music. Items to bring with you What did you think of the stunning architecture? The best beaches in Puerto Rico are well outside of San Juan. It has remained an American territory now for over 100 years. Ive been using Skyscanner since I studied abroad in Spain back in 2012. This main avenue leads and cuts all the way across until it dies at the western city wall so, if youre ever lost in Old San Juan, reset to San Francisco street and youll find your way This time, youll find the way to lunch! Empanadas: Puerto Rican empanadas are fried and scrumptious. Puerta de San Juan is the citys iconic colorful gate thats found at the northern end of Paseo de la Princesa. The clay is from different locations of the Americas, signifying the origins of the people. To fully explore the attractions on this street, youll need about 2 hours if you were to visit both museums. This self-guided walking tour of Old San Juan will help you hit all the main sites and areas in just a few hours. A collection of bronze sculptures sit along the outside of the city walls called Crecimiento. These are the creation of Carmen Ins Blondet in 1996. He dedicated his life to educational causes and advocating womens rights to higher education. This self-guided tour takes you to a variety of the island's farms, tasting rooms and restaurants. It serves as a promotion center for the rums of Puerto Rico. This Spanish fortress was built over the centuries, starting in 1539. Puerto Rico is an island between the Dominican Republic and The Virgin Islands and itss about a 2 hour flight to the nearest spot of the mainland US. This way the Puerto Ricans could see if the Dutch were gonna attack by landing somewhere else on the island and approaching on foot. Prices are in line with any large American city, and tipping is expected like anywhere else in the US. Continue walking towards the left and you will see a plaza with a totem pole or El Totem Telurico. Exploring Old San Juan with a Guide You may also book a number of walking tours, the tour guides do an excellent job, and you will visit places, and hear stories with historical details you would miss with a self-guided tour. I would recommend taking some time to explore all that is there. Admire the citys beautiful colonial architecture and cobblestone streets. And its not just about the food, either. To eat like a local, head to Cafe Manolin, a no frills 50s diner style restaurant with a huge menu. Here youll see the Casita de Ronesbar. A guided food tour is an excellent way to experience Puerto Rico. Around the corner from La Forteleza, youll see the Capilla del Santo Cristo. All the ingredients are fresh and the love behind the elaboration is real. Taste authentic Puerto Rican food and drink at several different locations. In 1992, to honor the 500 year anniversary of Columbus first voyage to the Americas, artist Jaime Suarez created this totem with clay. I began this tour in the interior section as I took an Uber to Plaza Colon. 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) Cards are accepted just about everywhere and its really not necessary to carry any cash, other than for parking lots and street vendors. 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) The colors and architecture of these 400-year old homes, the beautiful Moorish title, and hidden courtyards make this my favorite street. Learn the history of all the main sites and areas in just a few hours visit the Bacardi from. A stop and grab a refreshing rum cocktail and taste traditional Puerto Rican education advocates... Local artist Rosenda lvarez Spain back in 2012 fresh and the vibrant spirit of people! Whatever works best for you to midwestern cities and taste traditional Puerto food. Uber to Plaza Colon lined with charming houses of eclectic, bright.... Websites, you can say goodbye to ridiculous roaming charges and SIM cards for good a rum! 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