If youve got your own wheels then I suggest parking in La Puntilla Parking lot. Puerto Rico has a tropical climate and its hot and humid year-round. A street thats really a staircase. A great starting point is the Plaza del Quinto Centenario at the north side of the city. might not use our travel credit card benefits at all this year. Hitting all these spots will log 8-10 miles on your Fitbit. Doa Ana was its first mother superior, and many say she never left. Its on par with smaller US cities in terms of the cost of everything. 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. Items to bring with you A guided food tour is an excellent way to experience Puerto Rico. A cup of Puerto Rican coffee and a mallorcacovered in powdered sugar. Castillo de San Cristbal is El Morros sister fortress that was build to protect the city from land attacks. Its not big and will only take a few minutes. 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. Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linkedin Address: Calle Tiburcio Reyes + Calle Lucila Silva + Calle San Miguel + Calle Bajada Matadero. Great deal on a sunset sail in San Juan Bay: Hostos was an avid supporter of the independence movement for Puerto Rico and Cuba. In those months its very possible to have a day where three cruises stop at San Juan. And theyve done a hell of a job restoring the city to its original charm. Old San Juans original entry gate is found at Puerta de San Juan. If you love rum, visiting a distillery gives you the opportunity to learn about this spirits history, how its made, and, of course, to sample a drink or two. It rises seven stories from the water below and includes multiple fortifications and lookouts. The roast, though slightly different from an espresso, brings out all the complex flavors of the Arabica beans without burning off its fragrances. 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). On weekends youll see families flying kites on the lawn. San Juan Island Foodie Road Trip The Museo de las Americas promotes the history and culture of the Americas through permanent and seasonal exhibits. Its delicious. Meander toward San Juans most beautiful promenade, El Paseo de la Princesa. Mofongo: the most Puerto Rican dish of them all. I would recommend taking some time to explore all that is there. Look out toward the ocean and you will see El Morro Fort in the distance. 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. It is one of the most popular options, since there are plenty of tour companies and packages to choose from. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Ive been using the Tep Wireless Pocket WIFI device, called a Teppy, for a while and love the peace of mind it gives me. Your email address will not be published. Across the street from La Rogativa, theres a sign that says limbers.. But perhaps the most spectacular of these old towns can be found in the US territory of Puerto Rico. Consider this about future travel: To this day, many of Puerto Ricos most prominent citizens are laid to rest here. Paseo de la Princesa is a beautiful promenade lined with fountains, lamp posts, and trees all accompanied with stunning views of the San Juan Bay. The sculptures represent the affirmation of life. El Convento Hotel is on the diagonal corner of the cathedral. amzn_assoc_title = "Shop Related Products"; Outlet shops, Puerto Rican handcrafts, unique souvenirs, high-quality jewelry, and artwork can be found here. You may have noticed youve been walking on blue stones. Boulevards and Byways is a participant in the Amazon Services, LLC Associates, and Partner Viator Programs. One block away from Hotel El Convento is the Americas second oldest cathedral, Catedral Baslica Metropolitana de San Juan Bautista, also known in English as theMetropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Saint John the Baptist. I check the website along with the Hopper app to determine the best time to buy tickets. 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. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Youll learn how this family was and still is pivotal in Puerto Rican education and advocates for art. It was built about 100 years after San Felipe and meant to protect San Juan from land attacks. The Teppy provides 3G-4G WiFi for at least 6 hours and works in 100+ countries. National Historic Landmark La Fortaleza (The Fortress) was built in the mid-1500s for military defense. These two places are great spots for after-sunset ventures. WebStroll the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan and taste some of the local cuisine during this 3-hour food and walking tour. San Juan Island Foodie Road Trip A guided food tour is an excellent way to experience Puerto Rico. Its essentially mashed fried plantains served with some sort of meat. 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. During one of my visits, the umbrellas were all camouflage patterned to represent the military. Outside of the old town I like the Hyatt House or the Hyatt Place. 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. Old San Juan is a perfect place for a self-guided walking tour. Continue to the Bacardi Factory by taxi. The fountain celebrates Puerto Ricos rich cultural diversity and historical heritage with Amerindian, African, and Spanish peoples represented. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Connected by tunnels, if one part is invaded, each unit is self-sufficient. The fort itself is an impressive structure. There have been numerous sightings of ghosts in the guest rooms over the years at El Convento Hotel. This building is home today of the Museo de las Americas containing pre-Columbian to modern art from the Americas. Whether you want to play or get away, you'll find the perfect spot in Puerto Rico. In 1992, to honor the 500 year anniversary of Columbus first voyage to the Americas, artist Jaime Suarez created this totem with clay. Book or plan your cruise with Cruise Critic the industrys top site for deck plans, cruise tips, ship details, and more! amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "sandraruyack-20"; A year later the settlement was moved to what is now San Juan and the name was officially added in 1521, which is the year the city is considered to be founded. When you visit, you'll find that spirit in yourself, too. El Morros presence domineers over everything in nearby site. This isnt intended to be a full rundown of Puerto Rican food but a quick synopsis on some of the main things to try. With more than 500 years of history, theres no shortage of places to cover. That same year Montanez built the small chapel on the exact spot where he fell over the cliff face. 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. From here, you can see the cruise ships in port. WebYou can explore Old San Juan on your own with our self-guided tour guide. Learn about the history of Old San Juan as you walk The Bishop and towns-women held a procession. 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. Buy a cheap kite at CVS near the pier and fly it on the expansive grounds there. Welcome to Old San Juan Calle Marina This tour begins at Calle Marina which is where the cruise ships dock. The Old Town is not large but there is a lot to see and do. Puerto Rico rich port was first settled in 1508 by the Spanish in a location outside San Juans city limits. Ive included links to Google Maps to help you along your journey. Its lined with hotels and restaurants and worth a stop if you have a few days in San Juan. 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. With your local guide, hear about the history of this 16th-century colonial city, pausing to duck into coffee shops and cafes. 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. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; This is Plaza del Quinto Centenario. Taste authentic Puerto Rican food and drink at several different locations. No more fending off invaders! Its right outside the old city walls and only $3 per day. This self-guided walking tour of Old San Juan will help you hit all the main sites and areas in just a few hours. WebOld San Juan Historic Sites. Price: General Admission- $6; Under 12 and over 65 years old- $4, Need to rent a car while in Puerto Rico? Unlike most travel websites, you won't be overwhelmed with ads on here. 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. The Puerto Rico Tourism Company will be on your right. While youre there, you can read their story - it is written all over the walls. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. A bust of Eugenio Mara de Hostos stands proudly. 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. Entrance to San Cristbal is included with admission to San Felipe (and vice versa), so be sure to keep your receipt. Ive included links to Google Maps to help you along your journey. This takes you outside the city wall and eventually to the base of Castillo San Felipe de Moro. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Dont have too many though, as they are super unhealthy. 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. Consult the Discover Puerto Rico website for more information. It really reminded me of the beautiful ancient forts in Malta. Condado is the main beach area for San Juan. Now may be the time to reassess, with this comprehensive breakdown of travel credit card options. And its not just about the food, either. Parque Isla Verde contains the airport and a long stretch of beach, as well as many 4 and 5-star hotels. With a myriad of historical sites and rich architecture, its a perfect way to spend the day. Simply amazing. 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. The colorful city, the historical forts, and the vast views of the Atlantic Ocean are all worth the visit. 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. San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico and located on the central north coast of the island. The colorful neighborhood known as La Perlais located along the ocean to the right of El Morro. WebOld San Juan small-group food tour. Booking.com is my go-to website for booking discounted accommodations around the world. Now imagine all those people getting off at the same time and walking around Old San Juan. However, there are many people with rewards that took a fair amount of effort and time to earnwhether through a credit card (that likely has a steep annual fee) or loyalty program membership. They are the only bean-to-bar manufacturer in the Caribbean, and they celebrate it by making chocolate the star of almost every dish. 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). 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: Most major US cities on the east coast fly to San Juan. Next time, Ill wear some tennis shoes. YOUR SELF GUIDED WALKING TOUR OF OLD TOWN SAN JUAN, CATEDRAL BASLICA MENOR DE SAN JUAN BAUTISTA, Catedral Basilica Menor de San Juan Bautista. The characteristic blue color comes from age and moisture. It was last used for military purposes during WW2 and since then has been solely a tourist site. Keep walking and make your way to the artery of the city, San Francisco street. Soak up the sun, ride the waves, explore underwater life, and find your favorite beach. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions! Since youre still in the US tipping is still a thing. And if that wasnt enough, the beautiful Spanish forts that protected the city for centuries really make you feel like youve landed in Europe. After you have your information and maps, head outside and enjoy the Bahia de San Juan (San Juan Bay). This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Its not a huge area but it is an extremely popular place for American tourists. From here there is a lovely walk along the coast on the promenade. Lots of places for good lunches. Its the largest Spanish-built fortification built in the New World, spanning roughly 27 acres. 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. Theyre reasons enough for exploring this city and embarking on a self-guided walking tour of Old San Juan. Its $10 per person to enter unless you have the NPS Interagency Pass or another yearly pass. Visitors can explore the different levels of the fortification as well as get a breathtaking panoramic view of Old San Juan and the bay. Get to know the people that showcase Puerto Ricos culture through its gastronomy. Did you marvel at the 15-foot thick gate? This is completely up to you. 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). We really enjoyed our day in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico while cruising with Carnival. Flan: a vanilla custard cake. If you have longer in San Juan there are some more areas of the city that are worth checking out. You can also create your own self-guided walk to visit What I love most about Booking.com is the variety of properties you can find, from luxury apartments to treehouses to university housing. This walking tour immerses visitors in the history, culture, and natural beauty of Old San Juan. Its worth noting that the hanging decor changes periodically, so you might not always see vibrant umbrellas. 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. Here we will cover a full days self guided walking tour of Old San Juan! A cup of garbanzada,a traditional Puerto Rican chickpea stew. 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. I would recommend their, , a signature Puerto Rican dish consisting of mashed plantains, and. 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. They represent the cause of pain for the pilgrim. Make no mistake, Old San Juan can get pretty crowded. Continue walking towards the left and you will see a plaza with a totem pole or El Totem Telurico. 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. Address: C. de la Fortaleza & C. de ODonnell. We hope you enjoyed wandering the blue cobblestone streets with perhaps a piragua in hand. Privacy Policy | GDPR FAQ | Accessibility, Five Unique Ways to Enjoy the Great Outdoors in Puerto Rico, Top Beachside Accommodations in Puerto Rico, Historic Hotels and Resorts in Puerto Rico, Now that youve had breakfast, step out of the colonial headquarters where youll come upon the majestic castle ofSan Felipe del Morro, simply known as, Right there at San Sebastin street, the very path that hosts the brightest and biggest festival on the island, is, Visit the Rum Distilleries of Puerto Rico, Plan Your Getaway in Rum-soaked Puerto Rico, A Guide to Breweries & Beer in Puerto Rico, Order Your Coffee like a Local in Puerto Rico. This self-guided tour takes you to a variety of the island's farms, tasting rooms and restaurants. 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. There are quite a few scattered around the US. A Self-guided Walking Tour of Old San Juan. I stumbled upon this mural without prior research as I was so immersed in the beautiful rainbow buildings in the neighboring streets. Just outside El Morro youll find the Santa Mara Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery. Be sure to get a piragua (shaved ice) from one of the vendors in the squares. A walking culinary tour ofOld San Juan,the second oldest European-founded city in the Americas, will give you just that. Its a big, dense city and youre likely to get more beautiful skies further outside the city. Continue walking towards Plaza de Hostos. These small Milagros, decorate the walls. Theres a reason the Island is the rum capital of the world. We hope you enjoyed wandering the blue cobblestone streets with perhaps a piragua in hand. 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. 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