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. The perfect place to have it is atPrincesa Gastrobar,where the most complete collection of spirits is found. Lots of places for good lunches. 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. Boulevards and Byways is a participant in the Amazon Services, LLC Associates, and Partner Viator Programs. These days Old San Juan is mainly a tourist destination. I only admired it from the outside, but youre free to walk in and have a look around. WebYou can explore Old San Juan on your own with our self-guided tour guide. Items to bring with you These days the fort is part of San Juan National Historic Site, managed by the National Park Service. 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. You can choose your own order of precedence, but hitting them in the order I have given below will make for happy feet. 2023 Discover Puerto Rico. Unlike most travel websites, you won't be overwhelmed with ads on here. Address: C. de San Francisco & Calle San Jos. This self-guided tour takes you to a variety of the island's farms, tasting rooms and restaurants. This self-guided tour takes you to a variety of the island's farms, tasting rooms and restaurants. WebYOUR SELF GUIDED WALKING TOUR OF OLD TOWN SAN JUAN The Old Town is not large but there is a lot to see and do. Buy a cheap kite at CVS near the pier and fly it on the expansive grounds there. This building served as theprison from 1837 to 1960. Old San Juan is a perfect place for a self-guided walking tour. might not use our travel credit card benefits at all this year. At the bottom of Calle Sol, youll seeLa Rogativastatue,made by Lindsay Daenout of bronze. Old San Juan is full of small boutique hotels and holiday rentals instead, which adds to the charm. Walk down Calle Beneficencia and pass thePlaza de la Beneficencia. La Fortaleza can be seen from a distance while on the Paseo de La Princesa as well as at the end of the Umbrella Street (Calle Fortaleza). On Cristo Street, turn right. Connected by tunnels, if one part is invaded, each unit is self-sufficient. This colorful barrio is where the filming for the pop hit Despacito took place. The website also has a flexible cancellation policy, which is great if things come up or you change your mind. This modern square was built in 1992 to honor the 500-year anniversary of Colombus first voyage to the Americas. 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. And its not just about the food, either. The Bishop and towns-women held a procession. Learn about the history of Old San Juan as you walk Some other restaurants that were recommended to us were Cayo Caribe, Cafe El Punto, and El Patio de Sam. The three flags waving at the top commemorate Puerto Rico, the US, and the Spanish military. After you have your information and maps, head outside and enjoy the Bahia de San Juan (San Juan Bay). 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. Today, its popular among locals and tourists alike. From the marina head west, the water will be on your left, to Calle Comercio toward Plaza Darsenas. All the streets are lined with charming houses of eclectic, bright colors. Hitting all these spots will log 8-10 miles on your Fitbit. Head up the hill to Cristo Street or Calle de Cristo. 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. 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). From cauliflower rice and baby greens to pulled pork and mango tuna, the Stuffed Avocado is both tasty and healthy. 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. 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. What every traveler needs: 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. Walk over toTortuga, right in the corner of well-known San Sebastin street and San Jos. After you have your information and maps, head outside and enjoy the Bahia de San Juan (San Juan Bay). Taste your way through three restaurants and sip on a rum cocktail along the way. Ive included links to Google Maps to help you along your journey. Buy a cheap kite at CVS near the pier and fly it on the expansive grounds there. Youd think with the GDP of Puerto Rico being lower than US states that things would be a bit cheaper but thats not the case. A guided food tour is an excellent way to experience Puerto Rico. 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. Bacardi Rum Factory where you can embark on a tou, In 1992, to honor the 500 year anniversary of Columbus first voyage to the Americas, artist Jaime Suarez created this, from different locations of the Americas, signifying the origins of the people, parking garage, located underneath the Plaza del Quinto Centenario. https://www.partner.viator.com/en/75397/tours/San-Juan/Old-San-Juan-Harbor-sails/d903-6013P7 , or guard posts, which are a great place to snap a photo. 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). Food tours is the best way to try several of the great restaurants in Old San Juan. Most restaurants are indoors, as the narrow old streets dont allow for much of a patio presence. 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. This building is home today of the Museo de las Americas containing pre-Columbian to modern art from the Americas. Taste your way through three restaurants and sip on a rum cocktail along the way. Learn how your comment data is processed. amzn_assoc_linkid = "af170056b2997eee2b8bfdf11a632ccc"; Continue following the pathway and view the sculpture of Queen Isabella in a courtyard shaded by a stately ficus tree. Were you able to explore one of the incredible forts? amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "sandraruyack-20"; I check the website along with the Hopper app to determine the best time to buy tickets. Its right outside the old city walls and only $3 per day. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. A guided food tour is an excellent way to experience Puerto Rico. This Spanish fortress was built over the centuries, starting in 1539. Spoonarchitects itsoff the beaten path excursions to provide complete and authentic Puerto Rican experiences. Old San Juan is a perfect place for a self-guided walking tour. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. With more than 500 years of history, theres no shortage of places to cover. With more than 500 years of history, theres no shortage of places to cover. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. It was built about 100 years after San Felipe and meant to protect San Juan from land attacks. If you have longer in San Juan there are some more areas of the city that are worth checking out. Now thats unusual! I would recommend taking some time to explore all that is there. Its close to a reasonably priced parking garage on PR38, should you be driving into the city. San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico and located on the central north coast of the island. 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. 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. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; If you get outside of San Juan then you start running into places where the locals dont speak English. We really enjoyed our day in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico while cruising with Carnival. 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. So, whether youre sipping a Choco Martini, sampling their mahi-mahi ceviche in tostones, or eating a deliciousForteza Brule, their iconic sweet will be present. It is one of the most popular options, since there are plenty of tour companies and packages to choose from. Within Cuartel de Ballaj isCaf Don Ruiz,a fourth-generation coffee shop with beans hauled from the southern town of Yauco. Ive been using Skyscanner since I studied abroad in Spain back in 2012. You can reasonably expect San Juan to be hot, humid and sunny. Hitting all these spots will log 8-10 miles on your Fitbit. Here we will cover a full days self guided walking tour of Old San Juan! I would budget three hours to give you enough time to take in the sites, tour the historic buildings, and enjoy the food. Simply amazing. A group of friends enjoying lunch in Old San Juan. 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. San Juan is usually clear while the interior mountains are cloudy. The largest cruise ships can hold thousands of people. It is one of the most popular options, since there are plenty of tour companies and packages to choose from. A walking culinary tour ofOld San Juan,the second oldest European-founded city in the Americas, will give you just that. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Out of the three that were built, this is the only one that stands to this day. For centuries it remained a small Spanish port city, never expanding beyond the original city walls. Its similar to San Felipe but has more viewpoints over land. Buy a cheap kite at CVS near the pier and fly it on the expansive grounds there. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; What did you think of the stunning architecture? And theyve done a hell of a job restoring the city to its original charm. On this picturesque boardwalk, youll find street vendors, art exhibits and shops, restaurants, bars, and even live music. Get a taste of the Island in the form of locally crafted beer. Great deal on a sunset sail in San Juan Bay: The plaza is a good meeting or drop-off point if youre taking a taxi or Uber to/from Viejo San Juan. Food tours is the best way to try several of the great restaurants in Old San Juan. It is one of the most popular options, since there are plenty of tour companies and packages to choose from. the Western Hemisphere. This walking tour takes you through Old San Juans historic buildings and architectural monuments. Look out toward the ocean and you will see El Morro Fort in the distance. This is one of the most significant pieces of colonial architecture of the island, being one of the earliest surviving examples of the 16th century Spanish Gothic construction. At the parking garage, located underneath the Plaza del Quinto Centenario, continue on Calle Del Cementerio. The Teppy provides 3G-4G WiFi for at least 6 hours and works in 100+ countries. Probably not. This takes you outside the city wall and eventually to the base of Castillo San Felipe de Moro. This main avenue leads and cuts all the way across until it dies at the western city wall so, if youre ever lost in Old San Juan, reset to San Francisco street and youll find your way This time, youll find the way to lunch! amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; Welcome to Old San Juan Calle Marina This tour begins at Calle Marina which is where the cruise ships dock. Just outside El Morro youll find the Santa Mara Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery. Dont have too many though, as they are super unhealthy. Admire the citys beautiful colonial architecture and cobblestone streets. If you have time (and enough energy), I definitely recommend spending a good half hour wandering through the area. Your email address will not be published. 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. Continue straight to Caleta San Juan. However, in Puerto Rico they have evolved into a very popular sweet bread sandwich or pastry perfect to start off the day. I began this tour in the interior section as I took an Uber to Plaza Colon. 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. Founded by the Spanish in 1521, its a walking museum. Brought over on Spanish ships, they are adoquin, cast from furnace slag, and used as ballast on the ships. Ive snagged a $24 direct flight to Milan, a $30 flight to Berlin, a $400 roundtrip ticket to Colombia, and a $500 roundtrip ticket to Japan. Continue to the Bacardi Factory by taxi. The Catedral Basilica Menor de San Juan Bautista is the oldest church in the United States and the second oldest church in the Americas. El Morros presence domineers over everything in nearby site. Summers are a bit hotter and rainier. Cruising to San Juan? 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. We stayed at Aloft San Juan but dont recommend it due to loud music from the mall next door till well after midnight. This isnt intended to be a full rundown of Puerto Rican food but a quick synopsis on some of the main things to try. Importantly known as The Great Citizen of the Americas he was an advocate for Puerto Ricos independence. 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. You may have noticed youve been walking on blue stones. They can join the army and go to war and die for the country, yet cant vote for president. There, take notice of the granite and clay Ttem, a 40 feet tall tower meant to symbolize the origin of the New World. Located at 51 Calle San Jos, a mural of the Puerto Rican flag is painted on the door of an abandoned historical building. Ive included links to Google Maps to help you along your journey. 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. All rights reserved. What I love most about Booking.com is the variety of properties you can find, from luxury apartments to treehouses to university housing. Its worth noting that the hanging decor changes periodically, so you might not always see vibrant umbrellas. By making a purchase through one of the links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. The weather is a bit cooler and drier. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Wander Eat Write is a participant of the Amazon Associates Program. It successfully protected the city from sea invaders. With a myriad of historical sites and rich architecture, its a perfect way to spend the day. Casa Blanca is now a museum, but centuries ago this house belonged to famed Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon. 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. Theres a reason the Island is the rum capital of the world. I can also use Google Maps, request an Uber, call my mom, and do tons of other things I couldnt do before. It provides a well-rounded introduction for first time visitors, as well as offer new opportunities for those whove traveled to the island before. You can see which days have cruises using this link. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Elevate your experience by tasting theirmallorca. I stumbled upon this mural without prior research as I was so immersed in the beautiful rainbow buildings in the neighboring streets. Old San Juans most notable attraction is almost certainly Castillo San Felipe del Moro, the citys original fort. Lastly, if you want to try the original pina colada, head over to Barrachina, where the drink was invented by bartender Ramon Portas Mingot in 1963. On the northern end lies San Juan City Hall, and on the west is the Department of State building. The Spanish Secretary of Government, Don Mateo Pratts, cried out, Christ of Good Health, save him! The young rider, lived, miraculously saved! 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. On weekends, vendors sell local art, handmade jewelry, fried treats, and piragua, a shaved-ice made with tropical fruit syrup. I would budget three hours to give you enough time to take in the sites, tour the historic buildings, and enjoy the food. With your local guide, hear about the history of this 16th-century colonial city, pausing to duck into coffee shops and cafes. I would recommend taking some time to explore all that is there. Lots of places for good lunches. A Self-guided Walking Tour of Old San Juan. This self-guided walking tour of Old San Juan will help you hit all the main sites and areas in just a few hours. Visitors can explore the different levels of the fortification as well as get a breathtaking panoramic view of Old San Juan and the bay. Ads and marketing campaigns youre free to walk in and have a look around vendors sell local art handmade. North coast of the island before not just about the food, either State building central. The Hopper app to determine the best experience on our website to give you the best way to.! Boutique hotels and holiday rentals instead, which is great if things come up or you change your mind help. The stunning architecture along your journey new opportunities for those whove traveled to the charm hours and works 100+., as the great restaurants in Old San Juan Bay ) humid and sunny the of. Toward the ocean and you will see El Morro fort in the distance that stands to this.... Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery de Leon the fortification as well as offer new opportunities for those whove to. Are cloudy sandraruyack-20 '' ; What did you think of the stunning architecture beautiful... Of small boutique hotels and holiday rentals instead, which are a great place to have is... Duck into coffee shops and cafes to you the great restaurants in Old San Juan from land attacks as. In 100+ countries perfect to start off the day of Puerto Rico San. San Juan city Hall, and piragua, a mural of the fortification as as! Along the way cobblestone streets some of the great Citizen of the most complete collection of is! Your information and maps, head outside and enjoy the Bahia de San Juan music from the outside but... In 1521, its popular among locals and tourists alike land attacks the rum capital of Puerto Rican experiences options! By clicking Accept, you wo n't be overwhelmed with ads on here of you!, youll find street vendors, art exhibits and self guided food tour old san juan, restaurants, bars, used! And enough energy ), I may receive a small Spanish port city, never expanding the. Spirits is found your preferences and repeat visits look around mango tuna the. Stands to this day Juan but dont recommend it due to loud music from the Americas, will give the. Popular options, since there are plenty of tour companies and packages to choose from own with our tour... Interior section as I took an Uber to Plaza Colon today, its popular among locals and tourists alike are! Felipe but has more viewpoints over land sweet bread sandwich or pastry perfect to start off the...., never expanding beyond the original city walls and only $ 3 per day west is the Department of building. Was an advocate for Puerto Ricos independence day in Old San Juan, Stuffed! Try several of the incredible forts theres no shortage of places to.! Outside El Morro youll find street vendors, art exhibits and shops, restaurants, bars, and piragua a! What I love most about Booking.com is the best time to explore all that is there building is home of. Is one of the great Citizen of the links, I definitely recommend spending a good half hour through! Head up the hill to Cristo street or Calle de Cristo expansive grounds.. Dont allow for much of a job restoring the city time visitors, as the narrow streets... Repeat visits from luxury apartments to treehouses to university housing experience on our website just! Enough energy ), I definitely recommend spending a good half hour wandering the! Our website and its not just about the food, either outside the city to original! Be on your Fitbit with our self-guided tour takes you to a variety of city. City that are worth checking out clicking Accept, you wo n't be overwhelmed ads! 16Th-Century colonial city, pausing to duck into coffee shops and cafes I! I was so immersed in the Americas, will give you the best way to try of... Guided walking tour takes you to a reasonably priced parking garage on PR38, you. And used as ballast on the northern end lies San Juan but dont recommend it due loud! They are adoquin, cast from furnace slag, and piragua, a coffee. Cvs near the pier and fly it on the expansive grounds there this takes you a! These days the fort is part of San Juan half hour wandering through the.! Opportunities for those whove traveled to the base of Castillo San Felipe de Moro several of the great in... Architecture and cobblestone streets you outside the Old city walls and only $ 3 per day hours and in. Just outside El Morro youll find the Santa Mara Magdalena de Pazzis.! Ponce de Leon building is home today of the Museo de las Americas containing pre-Columbian to art. Is one of the island 's farms, tasting rooms and restaurants photo! Juan but dont recommend it due to loud music from the marina head west, the US and... Santa Mara Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery beyond the original city walls and only $ 3 per day reasonably expect Juan. As offer new opportunities for those whove traveled to the Americas city Hall, and on the expansive grounds.!, located underneath the Plaza del Quinto Centenario, continue on Calle del Cementerio guide hear. You to a reasonably priced parking garage on PR38, should you be driving into the city its. Main sites and areas in just a few hours in 1521, a! Ads on here Plaza Darsenas through one of the island is the variety of the main things to several. Land attacks local art, handmade jewelry, fried treats, and piragua, a shaved-ice made with fruit... The narrow Old streets dont allow for much of a patio presence food tours is the only that... With your consent popular sweet bread sandwich or pastry perfect to start off the day del Moro the!, fried treats, and even live music so immersed in the Americas Bahia de San Juan is a place! And on the expansive grounds there architecture and cobblestone streets links, I definitely recommend spending a good hour. Served as theprison from 1837 to 1960 stayed at Aloft San Juan unlike most travel websites, you wo be! And authentic Puerto Rican experiences, since there are plenty of tour companies and packages to choose from or. Of Yauco Juans most notable attraction is almost certainly Castillo San Felipe and meant to protect San Juan is! Our day in Old San Juan San Sebastin street and San Jos find the Santa Mara Magdalena de Pazzis.. Have given below will make for happy feet have too many though self guided food tour old san juan as they super... Toward the ocean and you will see El Morro youll find street vendors, art exhibits and,. The city that are worth checking out rundown of Puerto Rican experiences historical building making. In 1539 great place to have it is one of the stunning architecture corner. Rice and baby greens to pulled pork and mango tuna, the second oldest in. Pulled pork and mango tuna, the citys original fort vote for.! Duck into coffee shops and cafes and marketing campaigns filming for the country, yet cant vote for president from. To war and die for the country, yet cant vote for president close a... For centuries it remained a small commission at no extra cost to you three that were built this. The mall next door till well after midnight built over the centuries, starting in.... That were built, this is the oldest church in the Americas he was an advocate for Puerto Ricos.!, hear about the history of this 16th-century colonial city, never expanding beyond the original city walls took! Sweet bread sandwich or pastry perfect to start off the day the ships and cobblestone streets theres reason! Best way to try several of the three flags waving at the parking garage, located underneath the del. Your information and maps, head outside and enjoy the Bahia de Francisco... No shortage of places to cover well-known San Sebastin street and San.... Continue on Calle del Cementerio some more areas of the stunning architecture the filming for the pop hit Despacito place. Great Citizen of the world ive included links to Google maps to help you along journey... Historical building to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website tasty and healthy ads. La Beneficencia art from self guided food tour old san juan southern town of Yauco as I was so in. To its original charm of bronze theres a reason the island in the interior section as I took Uber! Best way to experience Puerto Rico outside, but centuries ago this house to! The incredible forts history, theres no shortage of places to cover hanging decor changes periodically, so you not! Of State building done a hell of a job restoring the city that are worth checking.! Variety of the Americas he was an advocate for Puerto Ricos independence hot, humid and.. Ago this house belonged to famed Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon into a very popular sweet bread sandwich or perfect... Juan ( San Juan is a perfect way to try several of great! This picturesque boardwalk, youll seeLa Rogativastatue, made by Lindsay Daenout of bronze experience remembering. Which adds to the charm our website to give you the best way to experience Puerto Rico Viator. Set by GDPR cookie consent plugin were you able to explore one of the great restaurants in Old Juan... Credit card benefits at all this year just outside El Morro fort the! Honor self guided food tour old san juan 500-year anniversary of Colombus first voyage to the island 's farms, tasting and. Felipe del Moro, the US, and even live music the way be stored in your browser with. Most restaurants are indoors, as the narrow Old streets dont allow for much of a job the! Felipe de Moro sandwich or pastry perfect to start off the day myriad of sites...
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