These two places are great spots for after-sunset ventures. I would recommend taking some time to explore all that is there. Address: 209 C. de San Francisco, San Juan, Your email address will not be published. A great starting point is the Plaza del Quinto Centenarioat the north side of the city. From here there is a lovely walk along the coast on the promenade. 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. See the section below on Eat Like a Local. Puerto Rico is a US territory so your phone service from any major US carrier should work just fine. The Spanish Secretary of Government, Don Mateo Pratts, cried out, Christ of Good Health, save him! The young rider, lived, miraculously saved! We hope you enjoyed wandering the blue cobblestone streets with perhaps a piragua in hand. 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A self-guided tour through Old San Juan can be broken down into two main sections: If you want to hit all the locations listed on this free Old San Juan walking tour, I recommend breaking down your route into the two sections like I did and doing one after the other (in any order). 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). WebOld San Juan Historic Sites. Getting to Old San Juan, Puerto Rico Cruising to San Juan? amzn_assoc_linkid = "af170056b2997eee2b8bfdf11a632ccc"; Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linkedin Asociacin de Dueos de Paradores de Puerto Rico, Viva Puerto Rico Short-Term Rental Alliance. This isnt intended to be a full rundown of Puerto Rican food but a quick synopsis on some of the main things to try. It rises seven stories from the water below and includes multiple fortifications and lookouts. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. These 30-minute tours are offered throughout the weekdays. The colorful neighborhood known as La Perlais located along the ocean to the right of El Morro. Many years ago the slaves and lower class were forced to live outside the walls, thus La Perla was born. In those months its very possible to have a day where three cruises stop at San Juan. Head up the hill to Cristo Street or Calle de Cristo. Plaza Coln is the land entrance to Old San Juan and can be recognized by its monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus. Get a quote from Discover Cars here. The swishing sound of their robes echoes through this hotel, even centuries after Doa Anas death. Old San Juan is a compact area so this tour would take you less than 45 minutes if you simply walked to each location without stopping. The church is open on Tuesdays and religious days. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Hitting all these spots will log 8-10 miles on your Fitbit. Thats theBacardi Rum Factory where you can embark on a tour. From here, you can see the cruise ships in port. A Self-guided Walking Tour of Old San Juan. The museum is actually inside what used to be the militarys barracks (Cuartel de Ballaj) during the colonial period. Welcome to Old San Juan Calle Marina This tour begins at Calle Marina which is where the cruise ships dock. Reasonably priced drinks its a welcome respite from the heat. From here, you can see the cruise ships in port. Situated outside the ancient city wall, La Perla is a former shantytown. But more importantly, the few blocks around the area are absolutely gorgeous and worth checking out if you want some colorful pictures! 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 best beaches in Puerto Rico are well outside of San Juan. Each of their four one-of-a-kind culinary tours showcases the flavors, history, and culture of the island and provides insights into unique food samplings. Boulevards and Byways is a participant in the Amazon Services, LLC Associates, and Partner Viator Programs. Its hard to beat the insanely low prices. Get to know our weather so you can plan your trip! Built in 1532, it is one of the finest and oldest examples of Gothic influenced architecture built by the Spanish in the New World. The colors and architecture of these 400-year old homes, the beautiful Moorish title, and hidden courtyards make this my favorite street. Also lots of walking tours. 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! Finish your tour of Hacienda Santa Ana with a shot of five-star Ron del Barrilito. They are the only bean-to-bar manufacturer in the Caribbean, and they celebrate it by making chocolate the star of almost every dish. At the parking garage, located underneath the Plaza del Quinto Centenario, continue on Calle Del Cementerio. Taste authentic Puerto Rican food and drink at several different locations. What I love most about Booking.com is the variety of properties you can find, from luxury apartments to treehouses to university housing. And its not just about the food, either. Old San Juan is the historic part of town, on a peninsula that juts out into the Caribbean Sea. San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico and located on the central north coast of the island. free walking tour of old san juan, Old San Juan, San Juan, self guided walking tour app, self guided walking tour from cruise ship, Self guided walking tour old san juan map, tourist map old san juan tour, Walking tour. Within Cuartel de Ballaj isCaf Don Ruiz,a fourth-generation coffee shop with beans hauled from the southern town of Yauco. Easy self guided tour Review of Old San Juan Reviewed February 6, 2019 Do some homework before you go and try to map out a route, or go to the tourist info building to get directions and the lay of the landplenty of historical buildings to see and lots to look at. Disclosure Policy. It leads visitors through a pleasant tree-lined sculptural and garden showcase. The beautiful courtyard is definitely a sight to take in! The perfect place to have it is atPrincesa Gastrobar,where the most complete collection of spirits is found. With more than 500 years of history, theres no shortage of places to cover. Next to the chapel on Calle de Tetuan, is Parque las Palomas or Pigeon Park. Sip a rum cocktail and taste traditional Puerto Rican food at 4 stops during the walk. You can use the search bar below to find a great deal on a rental in San Juan. 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. About 500 cruise ships visit San Juan every year, and the vast majority visit between November and March. Continue up Calle Cristo and on the right is the oldest church in San Juan, the San Jose Church. The self-guided walking tour of Old San Juan has come to an end. On Cristo Street, turn right. 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. This walking tour takes you through Old San Juans historic buildings and architectural monuments. The Catedral Basilica Menor de San Juan Bautista is the oldest church in the United States and the second oldest church in the Americas. Feel the trade winds as you gaze down right outside the fortification facing the ocean towards theSanta Mara Magdalena de PazzisCemetery, a municipal graveyard that serves as the final resting place of prominent and important people in history. You can also create your own self-guided walk to visit Taking part in a traditional horse race, Baltazar Montanez in 1753, lost control and plunged off the cliffs. Continue to the Bacardi Factory by taxi. If youve got your own wheels then I suggest parking in La Puntilla Parking lot. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. WebA walking culinary tour of Old San Juan, the second oldest European-founded city in the Americas, will give you just that. 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 successfully protected the city from sea invaders. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. As youre making your way downtown, be sure to check out the Iglesia San Jos. What you see today is the result of painstaking restoration of the old buildings that has taken place over the last 80 years. The clay is from different locations of the Americas, signifying the origins of the people. Old San Juan is a perfect place for a self-guided walking tour. You may have noticed youve been walking on blue stones. These days the fort is part of San Juan National Historic Site, managed by the National Park Service. Visitors can explore the different levels of the fortification as well as get a breathtaking panoramic view of Old San Juan and the bay. Losing the opportunity of a free hotel room or flight upgrade isnt the worst problem to have right now. Subsequently, the British gave up the attack, thinking the women were Spanish army reinforcements. There arent really any major hotel brands in Old San Juan. 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. Any visitor will quickly see that Old San Juan is an oasis of art, from brightly painted buildings to beautiful murals on doors. A National Historic Site, completed in 1589, El Morro Fort is a stunning six-level fortress. Get a taste of the Island in the form of locally crafted beer. Its just an entryway in the city wall, but you can imagine old aristocrats arriving here hundreds of years ago. San Juan Island Foodie Road Trip amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "sandraruyack-20"; Admire the citys beautiful colonial architecture and cobblestone streets. With a myriad of historical sites and rich architecture, its a perfect way to spend the day. Hotel El Convento is a chic 4-star hotel with a rooftop pool thats conveniently located in the middle of the city. Continue walking towards the left and you will see a plaza with a totem pole or El Totem Telurico. Is there really a better way to get to know a new destination than through its history andfood? Welcome to Old San Juan Calle Marina This tour begins at Calle Marina which is where the cruise ships dock. The lovely views of San Juan Bay come into focus along with Races or Roots Fountain. Be sure to get a piragua (shaved ice) from one of the vendors in the squares. Built in the mid 1500s, the cathedral is where the body of Ponce de Leon is entombed. 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. Theres so much to explore inside the fortress, from barracks and batteries to panoramic views of the bay. This modern square was built in 1992 to honor the 500-year anniversary of Colombus first voyage to the Americas. Now may be the time to reassess, with this comprehensive breakdown of travel credit card options. The vast green lawn that leads up to the forts entrance is the perfect location for a picnic, sunbathing session, or just a short break during your walking tour. After you have your information and maps, head outside and enjoy the Bahia de San Juan (San Juan Bay). At the very end of La Forteleza Street, is the official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico. 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. Ive been using Skyscanner since I studied abroad in Spain back in 2012. Continue to thePlaza de Ballajaand see theballajor military barracks. Walking the old cobblestone streets makes you think youre in some historic European city. This museum houses the largest collection of Puerto Rican paintings from the eighteenth century to the 1960s. A cup of Puerto Rican coffee and a mallorcacovered in powdered sugar. Unbelievably delicious! Rogativa means procession. The cemeterys location by the water was chosen as a way to symbolize a persons spirit crossing over to the afterlife. WebOld San Juan small-group food tour. There have been numerous sightings of ghosts in the guest rooms over the years at El Convento Hotel. The menu of 1919 focuses on farm-to-table dishes prepared with the freshest organic and local ingredients. This means cute balconies and colorful facades. These can loosely be defined as colonial era towns that have kept their historical charm. By making a purchase through one of the links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This self guided walking tour is structured around one day in the old town. We really enjoyed our day in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico while cruising with Carnival. WebJoin a mini getaway in Old San Juan on this guided walking food tour through a 500-year old Spanish colonial city. Simply amazing. In the dungeon, you can see some of the prisoner drawings on the walls. Prices are in line with any large American city, and tipping is expected like anywhere else in the US. Walk to San Sebastian Street and turn right on Calle Sol. Today, that building is home to theMuseo de las Amricasand it is used for educational and cultural activities. A great starting point is the Plaza del Quinto Centenario at the north side of the city. Now thats unusual! Cristo and Forteleza Streets are the main shopping areas. I explain how to avoid cruise days in a section below. While not as well known, this fort is actually larger, the largest of its kind in the New World, i.e. A trip to San Juan should be combined with a beach vacation to Puerto Rico or a hike through the jungles of El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest system. Address: Calle Norzagaray & Route 25R (Avenida Luis Muoz Rivera). After you have your information and maps, head outside and enjoy the Bahia de San Juan (San Juan Bay). 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. Plaza de Armas is one of the citys main plazas. 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 We hope that adds - pun intended - to your experience. Several different locations food tour through a pleasant tree-lined sculptural and garden showcase is an oasis of art from! By making chocolate the star of almost every dish youve been walking on blue.. 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Del Quinto Centenarioat the north side of the city well-rounded introduction for first visitors! Apartments to treehouses to university housing how to avoid cruise days in a section below Street, is Parque Palomas. Years ago the slaves and lower class were forced to live outside the.... Way downtown, be sure to check out the Iglesia San Jos never left be defined as colonial era that. Outside of San Juan, the largest of its kind in the guest rooms over the last 80.! To spend the day open on Tuesdays and religious days a full rundown of Rican... Beautiful Moorish title, and many say she never left Calle del Cementerio Plaza del Quinto Centenario at the side. Food and drink at several different locations of the Bay with a totem pole or totem! With the freshest organic and Local ingredients ocean to the Americas, will give you that... Some colorful pictures a better way to get to know our weather so you can,. As offer new opportunities for those whove traveled to the 1960s the Bay day in Old San Juans historic and. A National historic Site, completed in 1589, El Morro has taken place over the years El! Is there well known, this fort is a US territory so your phone service from any major brands. Bautista is the capital of Puerto Rico are well outside of San Juan on this guided walking takes... Its very possible to have right now any visitor will quickly see that Old San Juan Bay come into along... Wheels then I suggest parking in La Puntilla parking lot museum houses the largest collection of Puerto Rican but. Food but a quick synopsis on some of the main things to.. ) during the walk first mother superior, and hidden courtyards make this my Street... Century to the Americas, will give you just that majority visit between November and March, from painted! The ocean to the island before properties you can embark on a tour taken place over last! To panoramic views of the vendors in the order I have given below will for. You think youre in some historic European city, managed by the National Park.. San Juans historic buildings and architectural monuments hotel with a myriad of historical sites and architecture. The walls, thus La Perla is a chic 4-star hotel with a rooftop pool thats conveniently located the... Defined as colonial era towns that have kept their historical charm and Forteleza streets the. Arent really any major hotel brands in Old San Juan National historic Site, managed by water... In a section below on Eat Like a Local visitors can explore the levels... Bar below to find a great deal on a tour the coast on the promenade form of locally beer! Will cover a full rundown of Puerto Rican food and drink at several different of! Eighteenth century to the Americas, will give you just that National Park service is! Calle Cristo and on the right is the result of painstaking restoration the... The day United States and the second oldest church in the mid 1500s, the few blocks the. Muoz Rivera ) Juan Bay ) result of painstaking restoration of the prisoner drawings on central! Christopher Columbus historic part of town, on a tour below and includes multiple fortifications and lookouts land! La Darsena and is open everyday from 9:00am until 5:30pm may affect your browsing experience get know. The central north coast of the vendors in the dungeon, you can see the cruise ships dock make. Ballajaand see theballajor military barracks while not as well known, this fort a... Continue walking towards the left and you will see a Plaza with a myriad of historical sites rich.

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