When you visit, you'll find that spirit in yourself, too. I'm Chris and together with my wife Nimarta we seek out some of the lesser known incredible travel destinations in the world and well known destinations in the off-season. It leads visitors through a pleasant tree-lined sculptural and garden showcase. These two places are great spots for after-sunset ventures. Its full of colorful houses and right on the water, but you can tell the residents are not quite as rich as those inside the wall by one walk through the village. 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. WebSelf-Guided Walking Tours to Explore San Juan, Puerto Rico. Doa Ana was its first mother superior, and many say she never left. I explain how to avoid cruise days in a section below. Thank you for your support and for helping me keep this blog up! This sweet fruit-flavored ice is a nice treat on a hot day. Built in 1854 for the Spanish troops and their families. Follow these 4 expert-designed self-guided walking tours to explore San Juan, Puerto Rico on foot at your own pace. This museum houses the largest collection of Puerto Rican paintings from the eighteenth century to the 1960s. 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). Historic sites, culinary experiences, outdoor adventures, and beautiful beaches. If youre thirsty, stop into El Bate, a little gem, with graffiti-covered walls and business cards hanging from the ceiling. You can choose your own order of precedence, but hitting them in the order I have given below will make for happy feet. Its delicious. Skyscanner.com is my go-to website to search for flights. Spoonarchitects itsoff the beaten path excursions to provide complete and authentic Puerto Rican experiences. Its hard to beat the prices! At this build-your-own-bowl eatery, patrons can choose from a wide and delicious selection of bases, protein, sauces, and toppings. Prices are in line with any large American city, and tipping is expected like anywhere else in the US. But perhaps the most spectacular of these old towns can be found in the US territory of Puerto Rico. Its close to a reasonably priced parking garage on PR38, should you be driving into the city. San Juan is usually clear while the interior mountains are cloudy. The flan was also to die for. Welcome to Old San Juan Calle Marina This tour begins at Calle Marina which is where the cruise ships dock. An immense red gate or La Puerta de San Juan, built between 1634 and 1638 turned the city of San Juan into an impregnable fortress with its 15 feet thick walls. 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 self-guided walking tour of Old San Juan will help you hit all the main sites and areas in just a few hours. This walking tour takes you through Old San Juans historic buildings and architectural monuments. Finish your tour of Hacienda Santa Ana with a shot of five-star Ron del Barrilito. I would budget three hours to give you enough time to take in the sites, tour the historic buildings, and enjoy the food. The two fortresses worked like a charm and Spain held on to Puerto Rico until it was surrendered to the United States in 1898. 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. Your email address will not be published. Built in 1532, it is one of the finest and oldest examples of Gothic influenced architecture built by the Spanish in the New World. Boulevards and Byways is a participant in the Amazon Services, LLC Associates, and Partner Viator Programs. In 2021, the umbrellas were replaced by a large banner with the Puerto Rican flags design. Its a historical landmark that was previously used to protect the city during colonial times. Located at 51 Calle San Jos, a mural of the Puerto Rican flag is painted on the door of an abandoned historical building. Discover the best oceanfront resorts in Puerto Rico and enjoy some beach time. Your email address will not be published. We were there on a summer day with no cruises and felt like we had the city to ourselves! 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. A National Historic Site, completed in 1589, El Morro Fort is a stunning six-level fortress. It was last used for military purposes during WW2 and since then has been solely a tourist site. We had lunch there and dinner at Raices, which was recommended by the bartender at our hotel. In the dungeon, you can see some of the prisoner drawings on the walls. Taste your way through three restaurants and sip on a rum cocktail along the way. Continue straight to Caleta San Juan. 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. The three flags waving at the top commemorate Puerto Rico, the US, and the Spanish military. During one of my visits, the umbrellas were all camouflage patterned to represent the military. 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. amzn_assoc_linkid = "af170056b2997eee2b8bfdf11a632ccc"; In fact, you won't find any! Go up Las Monjas Street to Cristo Street. You can also create your own self-guided walk to visit 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. With a myriad of historical sites and rich architecture, its a perfect way to spend the day. It provides a well-rounded introduction for first time visitors, as well as offer new opportunities for those whove traveled to the island before. With more than 500 years of history, theres no shortage of places to cover. This modern square was built in 1992 to honor the 500-year anniversary of Colombus first voyage to the Americas. Enjoy skip-the-line benefits as you visit must-see restaurants and the food scene around the city. If no one is at the window, just knock loudly or call out a greeting. In the plaza is astatue in honorofEugenio Maria de Hostos. amzn_assoc_default_category = "All"; Its the perfect place to start your self guided walking tour of Old San Juan. It also works in a variety of landscapes and terrains. The house has some odd hours so consult the website linked above for the latest information. Founded by the Spanish in 1521, its a walking museum. All rights reserved. It should be noted that this fort is brilliantly constructed with a number of different units. From the marina head west, the water will be on your left, to Calle Comercio toward Plaza Darsenas. A Self-guided Walking Tour of Old San Juan. Great deal on a sunset sail in San Juan Bay: https://www.partner.viator.com/en/75397/tours/San-Juan/Old-San-Juan-Harbor-sails/d903-6013P7. Built in 1521, Casa Blanca, built for Juan Ponce de Leon and his family, is the oldest house on the island. Thats theBacardi Rum Factory where you can embark on a tour. There is no single street to go for the best views. amzn_assoc_title = "Shop Related Products"; Taste authentic Puerto Rican food and drink at several different locations. Disclosure Policy. Puerto Rico has transformed into a foodie paradise over the years, incorporating different influences and traditions to create exciting dishes and cocktails. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. While youre there, you can read their story - it is written all over the walls. That same year Montanez built the small chapel on the exact spot where he fell over the cliff face. Whether you want to play or get away, you'll find the perfect spot in Puerto Rico. A Self-guided Walking Tour of Old San Juan. 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. At the very end of La Forteleza Street, is the official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico. WebJoin a mini getaway in Old San Juan on this guided walking food tour through a 500-year old Spanish colonial city. 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. This self guided walking tour is structured around one day in the old town. 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. Allow at a bare minimum of an hour to visit the fort, but more if you want to walk along the coast along the promenade back to the Puerto de San Juan, the old citys main entrance station. Youll learn how this family was and still is pivotal in Puerto Rican education and advocates for art. To get there you have to drive out of town quite a bit and take a boat to the island. The peak tourist season runs from December to May. It serves as a promotion center for the rums of Puerto Rico. From here, you can see the cruise ships in port. Its easy to see Old San Juan in one day. 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. Around the corner from La Forteleza, youll see the Capilla del Santo Cristo. Admire the citys beautiful colonial architecture and cobblestone streets. Puerto Rico has its own unique cuisine. 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. Here you can purchase bird food and feed the hundreds of pigeons that flock in the park. Food tours is the best way to try several of the great restaurants in Old San Juan. The colorful neighborhood known as La Perlais located along the ocean to the right of El Morro. There are tons of organized tours so its not an issue getting there. Empanadas: Puerto Rican empanadas are fried and scrumptious. Some other restaurants that were recommended to us were Cayo Caribe, Cafe El Punto, and El Patio de Sam. Just be careful at night, as there have been recent reports of violent crime aimed at tourists. Your email address will not be published. Self-Guided Walking Tour Suggested Routes, Museo de las Americas (Museum of the Americas), Castillo San Felipe del Morro ("El Morro), Cementerio Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzi, Catedral Basilica Menor de San Juan Bautista, La Puerta de la Bandera- Puerto Rican Flag Door, Callejon de la Puerta Bandera- Flag Door Alley, Top 50 Most Popular Japanese Food to Try in Japan, Top 15 Delicious Food Festivals Around the World, The 11 Best Walking Beaches in the Caribbean, The Best Restaurants in Playa del Carmen Locals Love, Top Restaurants in Christchurch, New Zealand, Life at the South Pole Station: Everything You Want to Know, KHL Clothing Review: Womens Hiking Shorts & Sun Protection Shirt. He dedicated his life to educational causes and advocating womens rights to higher education. We are here to provide you with all the highly detailed information you need to have the perfect vacation. Get a taste of the Island in the form of locally crafted beer. WebOld San Juan small-group food tour. Run by a local family, theyve been selling these refreshing treats for years. The clay is from different locations of the Americas, signifying the origins of the people. 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. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. WebJoin a mini getaway in Old San Juan on this guided walking food tour through a 500-year old Spanish colonial city. Dont have too many though, as they are super unhealthy. Wear comfortable shoes..the cobblestones are very uneven. A cup of Puerto Rican coffee and a mallorcacovered in powdered sugar. Now may be the time to reassess, with this comprehensive breakdown of travel credit card options. , or guard posts, which are a great place to snap a photo. This takes you outside the city wall and eventually to the base of Castillo San Felipe de Moro. With your local guide, hear about the history of this 16th-century colonial city, pausing to duck into coffee shops and cafes. 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). We hope that adds - pun intended - to your experience. Continue up Calle Cristo and on the right is the oldest church in San Juan, the San Jose Church. Down that beautiful and narrow alley is the Puerta de San Juan, the main entrance to the walled city during its Spanish colonial ruling. 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 great restaurants in Old San Juan on this guided walking tour of Hacienda Santa Ana with a of... 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