might not use our travel credit card benefits at all this year. 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. Its right outside the old city walls and only $3 per day. Theres so much to explore inside the fortress, from barracks and batteries to panoramic views of the bay. Camera you can use your phone camera, but a DSLR will capture those picturesque streets so much better! Be sure to get a piragua (shaved ice) from one of the vendors in the squares. Another iconic photo spot in Puerto Rico is the Flag Door, or La Puerta de la Bandera from local artist Rosenda lvarez. And if that wasnt enough, the beautiful Spanish forts that protected the city for centuries really make you feel like youve landed in Europe. Outside of the old town I like the Hyatt House or the Hyatt Place. Its not big and will only take a few minutes. Quick tip: turn off the device when youre not using it so that the battery can last longer. If you really want to see some amazing sand and water, take a day cruise to Icacos Beach on Cayo Icacos, a small island northwest of mainland Puerto Rico. Make a stop and grab a refreshing rum cocktail or a bite to eat. Outlet shops, Puerto Rican handcrafts, unique souvenirs, high-quality jewelry, and artwork can be found here. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; All rights reserved. Get a quote from Discover Cars here. With your local guide, hear about the history of this 16th-century colonial city, pausing to duck into coffee shops and cafes. You can also create your own self-guided walk to visit Use code SOMTOSEEKS to get 10% off your order. Check out the map below for the points of interest youll need to hit on this self guided walking tour of Old San Juan. Insure your trip to San Juan with travel insurance. No more fending off invaders! It is one of the most popular options, since there are plenty of tour companies and packages to choose from. At this plaza, youll find several statues, a fountain, benches, and street vendors selling local pastries and coffee. Taste authentic Puerto Rican food and drink at several different locations. Meander toward San Juans most beautiful promenade, El Paseo de la Princesa. The peak tourist season runs from December to May. On the northern end lies San Juan City Hall, and on the west is the Department of State building. 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: amzn_assoc_title = "Shop Related Products"; Puerto Rico has transformed into a foodie paradise over the years, incorporating different influences and traditions to create exciting dishes and cocktails. Just be careful at night, as there have been recent reports of violent crime aimed at tourists. The house has some odd hours so consult the website linked above for the latest information. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; Slip-on comfortable shoes. With your local guide, hear about the history of this 16th-century colonial city, pausing to duck into coffee shops and cafes. Thats theBacardi Rum Factory where you can embark on a tour. It also works in a variety of landscapes and terrains. Just outside El Morro youll find the Santa Mara Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery. Food tours is the best way to try several of the great restaurants in Old 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. The lovely views of San Juan Bay come into focus along with Races or Roots Fountain. Castillo de San Cristbal is El Morros sister fortress that was build to protect the city from land attacks. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 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. Entrance to San Cristbal is included with admission to San Felipe (and vice versa), so be sure to keep your receipt. All the streets are lined with charming houses of eclectic, bright colors. Theyre reasons enough for exploring this city and embarking on a self-guided walking tour of Old San Juan. Although there are always groups of people hanging out, the area is so spread out that youll have no problem finding space for yourself away from others. If you get outside of San Juan then you start running into places where the locals dont speak English. The two fortresses worked like a charm and Spain held on to Puerto Rico until it was surrendered to the United States in 1898. With your local guide, hear about the history of this 16th-century colonial city, pausing to duck into coffee shops and cafes. From here, you can see the cruise ships in port. Learn how your comment data is processed. Here you can purchase bird food and feed the hundreds of pigeons that flock in the park. There are a lot of domestic flights into San Juan and a few international flights. After you have your information and maps, head outside and enjoy the Bahia de San Juan (San Juan Bay). Ive been using Skyscanner since I studied abroad in Spain back in 2012. Many years ago the slaves and lower class were forced to live outside the walls, thus La Perla was born. I would recommend taking some time to explore all that is there. You can also find unique, local folk art during the museums Domingo de Artesanos, which is an art showcase on the first Sunday of every month. Or check out all the listings on booking.com to find another great option! This modern square was built in 1992 to honor the 500-year anniversary of Colombus first voyage to the Americas. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. What you see today is the result of painstaking restoration of the old buildings that has taken place over the last 80 years. Experience immersive rum tastings and mixology classes at Casa BACARD. 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. Subsequently, the British gave up the attack, thinking the women were Spanish army reinforcements. He dedicated his life to educational causes and advocating womens rights to higher education. Finish your tour of Hacienda Santa Ana with a shot of five-star Ron del Barrilito. On the other side of Old San Juan lies another Spanish fort, Castillo de San Cristbal. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Prices are in line with any large American city, and tipping is expected like anywhere else in the US. About 500 cruise ships visit San Juan every year, and the vast majority visit between November and March. Ponce de Leon, the first governor of Puerto Rico was a Spanish conquistador. Over the years the colonial houses and buildings in Old San Juan degraded into a state of disarray. Book or plan your cruise with Cruise Critic the industrys top site for deck plans, cruise tips, ship details, and more! From here, you can see the cruise ships in port. Pinkys is a great spot for breakfast if you are in Condado. Address: Calle Tiburcio Reyes + Calle Lucila Silva + Calle San Miguel + Calle Bajada Matadero. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. The establishment is owned by a renowned family that for generations has made its way into every boricua household, making their chocolate bar a key ingredient to traditional Puerto Rican hot cocoa. Keep walking and make your way to the artery of the city, San Francisco street. A great starting point is the Plaza del Quinto Centenario at the north side of the city. A new generation of bartenders is transforming Puerto Rico into a premier drinking destination. Look out toward the ocean and you will see El Morro Fort in the distance. 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. Puerto Rico is a real-life,choose-your-own-adventure islandand the story is yours to write. We were there on a summer day with no cruises and felt like we had the city to ourselves! 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. Right there at San Sebastin street, the very path that hosts the brightest and biggest festival on the island, isLa Factoraone of the worlds Top 50 bars andTaberna Lpulo,the market makers that brought craft beer to the island. Ive never seen it anywhere else in the world. Sip a rum cocktail and taste traditional Puerto Rican food at 4 stops during the walk. 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) There are tons of organized tours so its not an issue getting there. Continue to thePlaza de Ballajaand see theballajor military barracks. If you have time (and enough energy), I definitely recommend spending a good half hour wandering through the area. You can also reasonably expect to get some rain if youre there for more than a few days, so be sure to bring an umbrella with you on your trip. The top places where you can experience the history of the Island. The church is open on Tuesdays and religious days. Bursting with brightly painted houses and flowers, its a favorite of mine. The Puerto Rico Tourism Company will be on your right. But more importantly, the few blocks around the area are absolutely gorgeous and worth checking out if you want some colorful pictures! 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). Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. If you wish to visit Fort de San Cristobal, follow these directions from the Parque Las Palomas. Required fields are marked *. 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.