It does not store any personal data. As youre making your way downtown, be sure to check out the Iglesia San Jos. Over the years believers have brought tiny silver ornaments, each one representing some ailing part of their body. It leads visitors through a pleasant tree-lined sculptural and garden showcase. Old San Juans most notable attraction is almost certainly Castillo San Felipe del Moro, the citys original fort. 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. Empanadas: Puerto Rican empanadas are fried and scrumptious. These 30-minute tours are offered throughout the weekdays. 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). This is especially true on days when cruise ships dock at the port. Or check out all the listings on booking.com to find another great option! 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. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; Theyre reasons enough for exploring this city and embarking on a self-guided walking tour of Old San Juan. Getting to Old San Juan, Puerto Rico 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. Built in 1532, it is one of the finest and oldest examples of Gothic influenced architecture built by the Spanish in the New World. Squandering up a little over atChocobar Corts, a delicious lunch, dessert, and cocktails await. If you plan to visit the cemetery it can be accessed by walking on Calle Norzagaray. However, in Puerto Rico they have evolved into a very popular sweet bread sandwich or pastry perfect to start off the day. Most major US cities on the east coast fly to San Juan. Old San Juan is full of small boutique hotels and holiday rentals instead, which adds to the charm. A bust of Eugenio Mara de Hostos stands proudly. The Puerto Rico Tourism Company will be on your right. Theyre reasons enough for exploring this city and embarking on a self-guided walking tour of Old San Juan. Puerto Rico is a US territory so your phone service from any major US carrier should work just fine. Buy a cheap kite at CVS near the pier and fly it on the expansive grounds there. GET THE BEST OF PUERTO RICO DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. 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. Ive been using the Tep Wireless Pocket WIFI device, called a Teppy, for a while and love the peace of mind it gives me. If youre thirsty, stop into El Bate, a little gem, with graffiti-covered walls and business cards hanging from the ceiling. Hitting all these spots will log 8-10 miles on your Fitbit. Next to Cementario Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzi and alongside the coast is La Perla, a historical shantytown. This self-guided tour takes you to a variety of the island's farms, tasting rooms and restaurants. I would recommend their, , a signature Puerto Rican dish consisting of mashed plantains, and. The Old Town is not large but there is a lot to see and do. La Forteleza, built to defend the harbor ofSan Juan is the oldest executive mansion in continuous use and a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site. 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. This modern square was built in 1992 to honor the 500-year anniversary of Colombus first voyage to the Americas. You can choose your own order of precedence, but hitting them in the order I have given below will make for happy feet. Its lined with hotels and restaurants and worth a stop if you have a few days in San Juan. Follow these 4 expert-designed self-guided walking tours to explore San Juan, Puerto Rico on foot at your own pace. The colorful city, the historical forts, and the vast views of the Atlantic Ocean are all worth the visit. Address: Calle Norzagaray & Route 25R (Avenida Luis Muoz Rivera). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. There, take notice of the granite and clay Ttem, a 40 feet tall tower meant to symbolize the origin of the New World. Wear comfortable shoes..the cobblestones are very uneven. There are a number of museums, Your children may like Museo del Ninos. The beautiful courtyard is definitely a sight to take in! About 500 cruise ships visit San Juan every year, and the vast majority visit between November and March. Also lots of walking tours. Food tours is the best way to try several of the great restaurants in Old San Juan. With a myriad of historical sites and rich architecture, its a perfect way to spend the day. Thank you for your support and for helping me keep this blog up! In 1898 the United States did what the Dutch never could and took Puerto Rico, thus ending the Spanish-American war. might not use our travel credit card benefits at all this year. 2023 Discover Puerto Rico. In 2021, the umbrellas were replaced by a large banner with the Puerto Rican flags design. Its similar to San Felipe but has more viewpoints over land. After you have your information and maps, head outside and enjoy the Bahia de San Juan (San Juan Bay). With a myriad of historical sites and rich architecture, its a perfect way to spend the day. 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. 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 more than 500 years of history, theres no shortage of places to cover. I began this tour in the interior section as I took an Uber to Plaza Colon. 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. Across the street from La Rogativa, theres a sign that says limbers.. Sculpted by Spanish artist, Luis Sanguin. We really enjoyed our day in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico while cruising with Carnival. What I love most about Booking.com is the variety of properties you can find, from luxury apartments to treehouses to university housing. San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico and located on the central north coast of the island. At the parking garage, located underneath the Plaza del Quinto Centenario, continue on Calle Del Cementerio. Within the old town consider the 352 Guest House Hotel Boutique or the Casa Sol bed and Breakfast. 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. Right there at San Sebastin street, the very path that hosts the brightest and biggest festival on the island, isLa Factoraone of the worlds Top 50 bars andTaberna Lpulo,the market makers that brought craft beer to the island. Completed in 1771, Fort San Cristobal Another iconic photo spot in Puerto Rico is the Flag Door, or La Puerta de la Bandera from local artist Rosenda lvarez. Address: 209 C. de San Francisco, San Juan, Your email address will not be published. This tour begins at Calle Marina which is where the cruise ships dock. A walking culinary tour ofOld San Juan,the second oldest European-founded city in the Americas, will give you just that. This museum houses the largest collection of Puerto Rican paintings from the eighteenth century to the 1960s. The summer months are the hottest and wettest but offer an experience with fewer tourists. On the other side of Old San Juan lies another Spanish fort, Castillo de San Cristbal. 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. 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. WebOld San Juan Historic Sites. WebA walking culinary tour of Old San Juan, the second oldest European-founded city in the Americas, will give you just that. The shapes, rising from the ground, convey the idea that the fragility of growth is only an impression and what is truly important has to be eternal. One of the best decisions I ever made was taking myself on a self-guided walking tour of Viejo San Juan. Built in 1521, Casa Blanca, built for Juan Ponce de Leon and his family, is the oldest house on the island. The church is open on Tuesdays and religious days. 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. Get a taste of the Island in the form of locally crafted beer. Built in the mid 1500s, the cathedral is where the body of Ponce de Leon is entombed. This modern square was built in 1992 to honor the 500-year anniversary of Colombus first voyage to the Americas. A trip to San Juan should be combined with a beach vacation to Puerto Rico or a hike through the jungles of El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest system. But more importantly, the few blocks around the area are absolutely gorgeous and worth checking out if you want some colorful pictures! The website also has a flexible cancellation policy, which is great if things come up or you change your mind. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Ive included links to Google Maps to help you along your journey. Enjoy skip-the-line benefits as you visit must-see restaurants and the food scene around the city. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; Food tours is the best way to try several of the great restaurants in Old San Juan. 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. Be sure to get a piragua (shaved ice) from one of the vendors in the squares. You can also create your own self-guided walk to visit Asociacin de Dueos de Paradores de Puerto Rico, Viva Puerto Rico Short-Term Rental Alliance. What did you think of the stunning architecture? 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. How To Experience the Day of the Dead in Oaxaca, Mexico (2019), El Morro was one of the original fortifications built by the Spanish to protect San Juan from foreign invaders. Visit the original jail cells located in the back courtyard. Fortifications were built over the years and helped fend off numerous attacks, especially from the Dutch, French and English. These small Milagros, decorate the walls. You can find some rooftop bars and cafes though. Given the uncertainty around future travel, globetrotters (myself included!) Hitting all these spots will log 8-10 miles on your Fitbit. Its not big and will only take a few minutes. Its just an entryway in the city wall, but you can imagine old aristocrats arriving here hundreds of years ago. This means cute balconies and colorful facades. After walking all the way down to the Umbrella Street, I then made my way clockwise to the listed destinations. A guided food tour is an excellent way to experience Puerto Rico. 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). You may have noticed youve been walking on blue stones. 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. In Puerto Rico, we call ourselves Boricua, a unique name honoring our Island heritage and the vibrant spirit of our people. A Self-guided Walking Tour of Old San Juan. Pinkys is a great spot for breakfast if you are in Condado. In the plaza is astatue in honorofEugenio Maria de Hostos. Its a historical landmark that was previously used to protect the city during colonial times. From the marina head west, the water will be on your left, to Calle Comercio toward Plaza Darsenas. What you see today is the result of painstaking restoration of the old buildings that has taken place over the last 80 years. The weather is a bit cooler and drier. Entrance to San Cristbal is included with admission to San Felipe (and vice versa), so be sure to keep your receipt. A great starting point is the Plaza del Quinto Centenario at the north side of the city. 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. A Self-guided Walking Tour of Old San Juan. Learn how your comment data is processed. Down that beautiful and narrow alley is the Puerta de San Juan, the main entrance to the walled city during its Spanish colonial ruling. 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. Connected by tunnels, if one part is invaded, each unit is self-sufficient. Sip a rum cocktail and taste traditional Puerto Rican food at 4 stops during the walk. During one of my visits, the umbrellas were all camouflage patterned to represent the military. To this day, many of Puerto Ricos most prominent citizens are laid to rest here. Hostos was an avid supporter of the independence movement for Puerto Rico and Cuba. Look out toward the ocean and you will see El Morro Fort in the distance. Lots of places for good lunches. There are quite a few scattered around the US. Buy a cheap kite at CVS near the pier and fly it on the expansive grounds there. This self-guided walking tour of Old San Juan will help you hit all the main sites and areas in just a few hours. Any visitor will quickly see that Old San Juan is an oasis of art, from brightly painted buildings to beautiful murals on doors. Meander toward San Juans most beautiful promenade, El Paseo de la Princesa. WebOld San Juan Historic Sites. The different levels, particularly the higher ones, offer incredible views of the Carribean Sea. For a small island, Puerto Rico has its own culinary culture. 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 is usually clear while the interior mountains are cloudy. The fountain celebrates Puerto Ricos rich cultural diversity and historical heritage with Amerindian, African, and Spanish peoples represented. Now may be the time to reassess, with this comprehensive breakdown of travel credit card options. If you wish to visit Fort de San Cristobal, follow these directions from the Parque Las Palomas. This modern square was built in 1992 to honor the 500-year anniversary of Colombus first voyage to the Americas. El Morro and Castillo San Cristbal only require one entrance fee for both locations, so youll be able to get a 2-for-1 deal as long as your receipt shows that youve already paid for one ticket. Walk to San Sebastian Street and turn right on Calle Sol. Historic sites, culinary experiences, outdoor adventures, and beautiful beaches. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Old San Juan is the historic part of town, on a peninsula that juts out into the Caribbean Sea. That same year Montanez built the small chapel on the exact spot where he fell over the cliff face. 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. Tip: Keep your receipt! 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. Currently under renovation, it is closed to visitors. 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. Many cities in the United States have old towns. These can loosely be defined as colonial era towns that have kept their historical charm. Ive included links to Google Maps to help you along your journey. Crafted beer you hit all the main sites and rich architecture, its a shantytown... De San Cristbal Felipe del Moro, the few blocks around the area are gorgeous. 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