We hope you enjoyed wandering the blue cobblestone streets with perhaps a piragua in hand. I would budget three hours to give you enough time to take in the sites, tour the historic buildings, and enjoy the food. amzn_assoc_default_search_phrase = "travel accessories"; It was also seriously damaged by hurricane Maria in 2017. San Juan is more expensive than youd expect. It was last used for military purposes during WW2 and since then has been solely a tourist site. 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. Hitting all these spots will log 8-10 miles on your Fitbit. Taking part in a traditional horse race, Baltazar Montanez in 1753, lost control and plunged off the cliffs. Head up the hill to Cristo Street or Calle de Cristo. Its not as expensive as New York or Washington DC, but expect similar prices to midwestern cities. The Catedral Basilica Menor de San Juan Bautista is the oldest church in the United States and the second oldest church in the Americas. The colorful neighborhood is most widely known recently as the filming location for the 2017 worldwide chart-topper Despacito by Puerto Rican artists Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee. A cup of Puerto Rican coffee and a mallorcacovered in powdered sugar. Ponce de Leon, the first governor of Puerto Rico was a Spanish conquistador. A favorite restaurant among us cruise ship crew members is the Stuffed Avocado Shop. Ive included links to Google Maps to help you along your journey. ubsequently, the British gave up the attack, thinking the women were Spanish army reinforcements. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Its lined with hotels and restaurants and worth a stop if you have a few days in San Juan. It is a US territory instead, which means that US federal laws still apply, such as federal minimum wage and social security taxes, but citizens who live in Puerto Rico have no representation in the federal government. The summer months are the hottest and wettest but offer an experience with fewer tourists. Looking across the bay youll see a few wind turbines spinning. Its on par with smaller US cities in terms of the cost of everything. Wear comfortable shoes..the cobblestones are very uneven. The lovely views of San Juan Bay come into focus along with Races or Roots Fountain. These two places are great spots for after-sunset ventures. El Morro is a great stop. In just 3-4 hours, I was able to hit all of the major historical landmarks and popular photo-ops/ Instagram hotspots and so can you! WebSelf-Guided Walking Tours to Explore San Juan, Puerto Rico. This is Plaza del Quinto Centenario. A guided food tour is an excellent way to experience Puerto Rico. We really enjoyed our day in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico while cruising with Carnival. amzn_assoc_title = "Shop Related Products"; You can find some rooftop bars and cafes though. 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. WebStroll the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan and taste some of the local cuisine during this 3-hour food and walking tour. Getting to Old San Juan, Puerto Rico Situated outside the ancient city wall, La Perla is a former shantytown. Old San Juan is a perfect place for a self-guided walking tour. Go through the underground tunnel to reach the cemeterys entrance. Located at 51 Calle San Jos, a mural of the Puerto Rican flag is painted on the door of an abandoned historical building. Its not a huge area but it is an extremely popular place for American tourists. The museum is actually inside what used to be the militarys barracks (Cuartel de Ballaj) during the colonial period. El Morro is a great stop. Your email address will not be published. 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. A bust of Eugenio Mara de Hostos stands proudly. 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. A National Historic Site, completed in 1589, El Morro Fort is a stunning six-level fortress. La Forteleza, built to defend the harbor ofSan Juan is the oldest executive mansion in continuous use and a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site. Walk to San Sebastian Street and turn right on Calle Sol. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Some other restaurants that were recommended to us were Cayo Caribe, Cafe El Punto, and El Patio de Sam. It provides a well-rounded introduction for first time visitors, as well as offer new opportunities for those whove traveled to the island before. 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). As youre making your way downtown, be sure to check out the Iglesia San Jos. This self-guided walking tour of Old San Juan will help you hit all the main sites and areas in just a few hours. Enjoy skip-the-line benefits as you visit must-see restaurants and the food scene around the city. Address: C. de la Fortaleza & C. de ODonnell. Youll have a great time if you follow this Old San Juan self guided walking tour! I would budget three hours to give you enough time to take in the sites, tour the historic buildings, and enjoy the food. I only admired it from the outside, but youre free to walk in and have a look around. Squandering up a little over atChocobar Corts, a delicious lunch, dessert, and cocktails await. 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. Theres a reason the Island is the rum capital of the world. 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). Its essentially mashed fried plantains served with some sort of meat. Continue straight to Caleta San Juan. Within the old town consider the 352 Guest House Hotel Boutique or the Casa Sol bed and Breakfast. Puerto Rico is a real-life,choose-your-own-adventure islandand the story is yours to write. Its a big, dense city and youre likely to get more beautiful skies further outside the city. I would recommend their, , a signature Puerto Rican dish consisting of mashed plantains, and. There are tons of organized tours so its not an issue getting there. Required fields are marked *. San Juan Island Foodie Road Trip There arent really any major hotel brands in Old San Juan. However, in Puerto Rico they have evolved into a very popular sweet bread sandwich or pastry perfect to start off the day. With your local guide, hear about the history of this 16th-century colonial city, pausing to duck into coffee shops and cafes. WebA walking culinary tour of Old San Juan, the second oldest European-founded city in the Americas, will give you just that. This modern square was built in 1992 to honor the 500-year anniversary of Colombus first voyage to the Americas. Hey folks! https://www.partner.viator.com/en/75397/tours/San-Juan/Old-San-Juan-Harbor-sails/d903-6013P7 There are a lot of domestic flights into San Juan and a few international flights. What you see today is the result of painstaking restoration of the old buildings that has taken place over the last 80 years. A cup of garbanzada,a traditional Puerto Rican chickpea stew. Arroz y habichuelas: red beans and white rice, served as a side with many meals. They can join the army and go to war and die for the country, yet cant vote for president. But more importantly, the few blocks around the area are absolutely gorgeous and worth checking out if you want some colorful pictures! Out of the three that were built, this is the only one that stands to this day. It has remained an American territory now for over 100 years. This self-guided tour takes you to a variety of the island's farms, tasting rooms and restaurants. From here, you can see the cruise ships in port. The colors and architecture of these 400-year old homes, the beautiful Moorish title, and hidden courtyards make this my favorite street. Also lots of walking tours. 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. 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. 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. This walking tour takes you through Old San Juans historic buildings and architectural monuments. All rights reserved. Its a historical landmark that was previously used to protect the city during colonial times. Hitting all these spots will log 8-10 miles on your Fitbit. If you have time (and enough energy), I definitely recommend spending a good half hour wandering through the area. The fountain celebrates Puerto Ricos rich cultural diversity and historical heritage with Amerindian, African, and Spanish peoples represented. Visit the original jail cells located in the back courtyard. The beautiful courtyard is definitely a sight to take in! Learn about the history of Old San Juan as you walk The largest cruise ships can hold thousands of people. This modern square was built in 1992 to honor the 500-year anniversary of Colombus first voyage to the Americas. When you visit, you'll find that spirit in yourself, too. One of the best decisions I ever made was taking myself on a self-guided walking tour of Viejo San Juan. We hope that adds - pun intended - to your experience. With more than 500 years of history, theres no shortage of places to cover. the Western Hemisphere. 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