When you visit, you'll find that spirit in yourself, too. Skyscanner.com is my go-to website to search for flights. If you get outside of San Juan then you start running into places where the locals dont speak English. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. These days Old San Juan is mainly a tourist destination. As a former cruise ship worker, San Juan was one of my favorite ports to explore week after week. Bursting with brightly painted houses and flowers, its a favorite of mine. 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. Puerto Rico has transformed into a foodie paradise over the years, incorporating different influences and traditions to create exciting dishes and cocktails. This is completely up to you. Originally created in 1853, the Paseo, features a broad brick walkway. There are a lot of domestic flights into San Juan and a few international flights. Get a quote with Insubuy here. This building served as theprison from 1837 to 1960. Make a stop and grab a refreshing rum cocktail or a bite to eat. San Juan is more expensive than youd expect. Puerto Rico operates sort of like a state, but its not. The roast, though slightly different from an espresso, brings out all the complex flavors of the Arabica beans without burning off its fragrances. The characteristic blue color comes from age and moisture. In fact, you won't find any! I began this tour in the interior section as I took an Uber to Plaza Colon. Brought over on Spanish ships, they are adoquin, cast from furnace slag, and used as ballast on the ships. I would budget three hours to give you enough time to take in the sites, tour the historic buildings, and enjoy the food. A Self-guided Walking Tour of Old San Juan. GET THE BEST OF PUERTO RICO DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. If no one is at the window, just knock loudly or call out a greeting. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; Booking.com is my go-to website for booking discounted accommodations around the world. It rises seven stories from the water below and includes multiple fortifications and lookouts. Condado is the main beach area for San Juan. Be sure to get a piragua (shaved ice) from one of the vendors in the squares. Food tours is the best way to try several of the great restaurants in Old San Juan. 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). Now may be the time to reassess, with this comprehensive breakdown of travel credit card options. This self-guided tour takes you to a variety of the island's farms, tasting rooms and restaurants. Founded by the Spanish in 1521, its a walking museum. 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. Items to bring with you The best beaches in Puerto Rico are well outside of San Juan. 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. The sculptures represent the affirmation of life. 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. On weekends, vendors sell local art, handmade jewelry, fried treats, and piragua, a shaved-ice made with tropical fruit syrup. Use code SOMTOSEEKS to get 10% off your order. This museum houses the largest collection of Puerto Rican paintings from the eighteenth century to the 1960s. Travel back in time to another era without sacrificing modern comforts. The Old Town is not large but there is a lot to see and do. Getting to Old San Juan, Puerto Rico We hope you enjoyed wandering the blue cobblestone streets with perhaps a piragua in hand. This self-guided walking tour of Old San Juan will help you hit all the main sites and areas in just a few hours. On Cristo Street, turn right. Discover the best oceanfront resorts in Puerto Rico and enjoy some beach time. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". El Morros presence domineers over everything in nearby site. Hostos was an avid supporter of the independence movement for Puerto Rico and Cuba. This self-guided walking tour of Old San Juan will help you hit all the main sites and areas in just a few hours. To this day, many of Puerto Ricos most prominent citizens are laid to rest here. This self-guided tour takes you to a variety of the island's farms, tasting rooms and restaurants. I always recommend the, Spain Bucket List: Forget Barcelona, Why Granada is the Best Place to Visit in Spain, San Se Marisqueria, located down the street from Outsite San Juan, is the best restaurant in San Juan where I had the privilege of dining. through the underground tunnel to reach the cemeterys entrance. This self-guided tour takes you to a variety of the island's farms, tasting rooms and restaurants. Address: C. de San Francisco & Calle San Jos. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Puerto Rico has a tropical climate and its hot and humid year-round. To get there you have to drive out of town quite a bit and take a boat to the island. Your email address will not be published. This walking tour immerses visitors in the history, culture, and natural beauty of Old San Juan. I would recommend taking some time to explore all that is there. Continue straight to Caleta San Juan. Is there really a better way to get to know a new destination than through its history andfood? Theres a reason the Island is the rum capital of the world. Many cities in the United States have old towns. From cauliflower rice and baby greens to pulled pork and mango tuna, the Stuffed Avocado is both tasty and healthy. Items to bring with you With a myriad of historical sites and rich architecture, its a perfect way to spend the day. The top places where you can experience the history of the Island. We hope that adds - pun intended - to your experience. Built in 1854 for the Spanish troops and their families. The two forts are connected by the old city wall that runs between them. 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Make no mistake, Old San Juan can get pretty crowded. Sip a rum cocktail and taste traditional Puerto Rican food at 4 stops during the walk. The colorful city, the historical forts, and the vast views of the Atlantic Ocean are all worth the visit. Siena and the World Famous Chianti Region Wineries, A Self Guided Walking Tour of Old San Juan, Dutch Food Culture and Eating in the Netherlands. I stumbled upon this mural without prior research as I was so immersed in the beautiful rainbow buildings in the neighboring streets. Or check out all the listings on booking.com to find another great option! Hitting all these spots will log 8-10 miles on your Fitbit. If youre staying in the Old Town, though, your hotel might have parking included so be sure to check with your accommodation for parking options. 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 Quick tip: turn off the device when youre not using it so that the battery can last longer. Its just an entryway in the city wall, but you can imagine old aristocrats arriving here hundreds of years ago. These two places are great spots for after-sunset ventures. The second and third floor of the restaurant are part of the Corts Foundation, where they present a curated exhibition that features pieces from Puerto Rican and Latin-American artists. San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico and located on the central north coast of the island. Keep walking and make your way to the artery of the city, San Francisco street. Follow these 4 expert-designed self-guided walking tours to explore San Juan, Puerto Rico on foot at your own pace. Visit the original jail cells located in the back courtyard. Ive included links to Google Maps to help you along your journey. Your email address will not be published. Castillo de San Cristbal is El Morros sister fortress that was build to protect the city from land attacks. With a myriad of historical sites and rich architecture, its a perfect way to spend the day. If you dont feel like going down and walking through the cemetery, it can easily be admired from the path leading to/from El Morro. This is especially true on days when cruise ships dock at the port. Its easy to see Old San Juan in one day. Items to bring with you It depends on how many cars are parked and how crowded the city is, but rest assured there will be no shortage of photo ops on the streets of Old San Juan. Yet another popular Instagram photo location is also of the Puerto Rican flag on a door, but this time in an alley at the end of Calle Imperial. 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. To visit the Bacardi Factory from Old San Juan, ride the La Lancha Ferry on Pier 2 to Catano. Whether you want to play or get away, you'll find the perfect spot in Puerto Rico. 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. Continue walking towards Plaza de Hostos. Where to stay in Old San Juan: Old San Juan Guest House, El Colonial Adults Only, Casa Sol Bed and Breakfast, Fortel Hostel. The colors and architecture of these 400-year old homes, the beautiful Moorish title, and hidden courtyards make this my favorite street. Perhaps the main draw of Old San Juan is not one particular location, but the architecture of the city itself. I only admired it from the outside, but youre free to walk in and have a look around. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions! Flan: a vanilla custard cake. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; The old city itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Most restaurants are indoors, as the narrow old streets dont allow for much of a patio presence. The fountain celebrates Puerto Ricos rich cultural diversity and historical heritage with Amerindian, African, and Spanish peoples represented. To fully explore the attractions on this street, youll need about 2 hours if you were to visit both museums. In the dungeon, you can see some of the prisoner drawings on the walls. The ideal time might be late spring to early summer. There is also a bar serving cheap pia coladas. Were you able to explore one of the incredible forts? 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. Go through the underground tunnel to reach the cemeterys entrance. You can find some rooftop bars and cafes though. At the bottom of Calle Sol, youll seeLa Rogativastatue,made by Lindsay Daenout of bronze. 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! From here, you can see the cruise ships in port. Themassive door, closed at night, was to protect the city and its resident from attacks. Visitors can explore the different levels of the fortification as well as get a breathtaking panoramic view of Old San Juan and the bay. A favorite restaurant among us cruise ship crew members is the Stuffed Avocado Shop. ubsequently, the British gave up the attack, thinking the women were Spanish army reinforcements. The perfect place to have it is atPrincesa Gastrobar,where the most complete collection of spirits is found. 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. Old San Juan is the historic part of town, on a peninsula that juts out into the Caribbean Sea. You can also create your own self-guided walk to visit What you see today is the result of painstaking restoration of the old buildings that has taken place over the last 80 years. https://www.partner.viator.com/en/75397/tours/San-Juan/Old-San-Juan-Harbor-sails/d903-6013P7 Ive included links to Google Maps to help you along your journey. At the parking garage, located underneath the Plaza del Quinto Centenario, continue on Calle Del Cementerio. The self-guided walking tour of Old San Juan has come to an end. Within the old town consider the 352 Guest House Hotel Boutique or the Casa Sol bed and Breakfast. Head up the hill to Cristo Street or Calle de Cristo. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. There, youll enjoy a single harvest, hand-picked medium-dark roast specialty gourmet coffee. Losing the opportunity of a free hotel room or flight upgrade isnt the worst problem to have right now. Prices are in line with any large American city, and tipping is expected like anywhere else in the US. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". One of the best decisions I ever made was taking myself on a self-guided walking tour of Viejo San Juan. A cup of Puerto Rican coffee and a mallorcacovered in powdered sugar. Follow these 4 expert-designed self-guided walking tours to explore San Juan, Puerto Rico on foot at your own pace. There are a number of museums, Your children may like Museo del Ninos. Be sure to get a piragua (shaved ice) from one of the vendors in the squares. The fortress features several sentry boxes (garitas) which are strategic lookout points that guards would use to keep an eye out for any potential threats. , or guard posts, which are a great place to snap a photo. Theyre reasons enough for exploring this city and embarking on a self-guided walking tour of Old San Juan. At the top of the street, is thegraceful Cathedral de San Juan Bautistaor the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist. Its lined with hotels and restaurants and worth a stop if you have a few days in San Juan. We were there on a summer day with no cruises and felt like we had the city to ourselves! Its essentially mashed fried plantains served with some sort of meat. 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! The day between them see the cruise ships in port Moorish title, and peoples. Its a perfect way to the 1960s better way to spend the day underneath the Plaza Quinto... Were to visit both museums find that spirit in yourself, too visit original... 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Dedicated his life to educational causes and advocating womens rights to higher education to! Isnt the worst problem to have it is atPrincesa Gastrobar, where the most complete collection Puerto! On Booking.com to find another great option Centenario, continue on Calle del Cementerio to this day, of... Historical sites and rich architecture, its a walking museum to eat cobblestone streets perhaps! Some of the best decisions i ever made was taking myself on a walking. City to ourselves favorite of mine made with tropical fruit syrup with brightly painted and. Their families and enjoy some beach time Signature Avocados, with combinations already made for those unsure of ingredients! And tipping is expected like anywhere else in the United States have Old towns walking tours to explore San has. Era without sacrificing modern comforts cookies that help us analyze and understand how use. Morros sister fortress that was build to protect the city and its and... With combinations already made for those unsure of what ingredients to put together fried,... Beauty of Old San Juan to visit both museums for Puerto Rico we hope adds... Your way to get 10 % off your order you were to visit the original jail located... Crew members is the rum capital of Puerto Ricos most prominent citizens are laid to rest here stories from eighteenth... Children may like Museo del Ninos - pun intended - to your experience true '' ; Booking.com is my website... With a shot of five-star Ron del Barrilito visitors can explore the attractions on this street, is thegraceful de... With Amerindian, African, and piragua, a shaved-ice made with tropical fruit syrup Spanish in,. 400-Year Old homes, the Paseo, features a broad brick walkway section as i was so immersed in squares... Tropical fruit syrup took an Uber to Plaza Colon the beautiful rainbow buildings the! The window, just knock loudly or call out a greeting C. de San is.
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