There arent really any major hotel brands in Old San Juan. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". El Morros presence domineers over everything in nearby site. Its essentially mashed fried plantains served with some sort of meat. Taste authentic Puerto Rican food and drink at several different locations. Address: 209 C. de San Francisco, San Juan, Your email address will not be published. It was last used for military purposes during WW2 and since then has been solely a tourist site. A great starting point is the Plaza del Quinto Centenario at the north side of the city. Were you able to explore one of the incredible forts? Its the largest Spanish-built fortification built in the New World, spanning roughly 27 acres. 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. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "sandraruyack-20"; WebOld San Juan small-group food tour. It is one of the most popular options, since there are plenty of tour companies and packages to choose from. Be sure to get a piragua (shaved ice) from one of the vendors in the squares. This self-guided tour takes you to a variety of the island's farms, tasting rooms and restaurants. Sip a rum cocktail and taste traditional Puerto Rican food at 4 stops during the walk. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; Your email address will not be published. Ive included links to Google Maps to help you along your journey. 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. If no one is at the window, just knock loudly or call out a greeting. Parque Isla Verde contains the airport and a long stretch of beach, as well as many 4 and 5-star hotels. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Next to the chapel on Calle de Tetuan, is Parque las Palomas or Pigeon Park. WebOld San Juan Historic Sites. Now may be the time to reassess, with this comprehensive breakdown of travel credit card options. At the bottom of Calle Sol, youll seeLa Rogativastatue,made by Lindsay Daenout of bronze. I would budget three hours to give you enough time to take in the sites, tour the historic buildings, and enjoy the food. Themassive door, closed at night, was to protect the city and its resident from attacks. El Morro is a great stop. Insure your trip to San Juan with travel insurance. From here, you can see the cruise ships in port. Whether you want to play or get away, you'll find the perfect spot in Puerto Rico. 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. 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). A great starting point is the Plaza del Quinto Centenario at the north side of the city. This takes you outside the city wall and eventually to the base of Castillo San Felipe de Moro. 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. Situated outside the ancient city wall, La Perla is a former shantytown. The two fortresses worked like a charm and Spain held on to Puerto Rico until it was surrendered to the United States in 1898. 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. Old San Juan is one of the most picturesque cities in the Americas. If youre combing a visit to Old San Juan with other destinations around Puerto Rico, its beneficial to have a car. Outside of the old town I like the Hyatt House or the Hyatt Place. Ive been using Skyscanner since I studied abroad in Spain back in 2012. Get a taste of the Island in the form of locally crafted beer. For centuries it remained a small Spanish port city, never expanding beyond the original city walls. 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. Here we will cover a full days self guided walking tour of Old San Juan! Ive been using the Tep Wireless Pocket WIFI device, called a Teppy, for a while and love the peace of mind it gives me. Doa Ana was its first mother superior, and many say she never left. WebSelf-Guided Walking Tours to Explore San Juan, Puerto Rico. It does not store any personal data. 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. The Truth about Racism in Spain: Advice for Black Travelers, The 5 Friendliest Countries in Europe for Black Travelers, Spain Bucket List: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Barcelona. amzn_assoc_search_bar_position = "bottom"; 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. Visitors can explore the different levels of the fortification as well as get a breathtaking panoramic view of Old San Juan and the bay. Since youre still in the US tipping is still a thing. These days the fort is part of San Juan National Historic Site, managed by the National Park Service. Tostones and amarillos: deep fried green plantains and ripe plantains, respectively. Puerto Rico is part of the United States and uses the US dollar. Spectacular views and interesting historical items make this a fascinating place to visit. Comfortable shoes some of the streets are hilly so its a great idea to wear running shoes or something that wont kill your feet after three hours of walking and climbing fortresses. 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. This walking tour takes you through Old San Juans historic buildings and architectural monuments. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Is there really a better way to get to know a new destination than through its history andfood? Make a stop and grab a refreshing rum cocktail or a bite to eat. In fact, you won't find any! The weather is a bit cooler and drier. Buy a cheap kite at CVS near the pier and fly it on the expansive grounds there. I wore sandals and was mostly fine, except when it came to climbing steep concrete. Hostos was an avid supporter of the independence movement for Puerto Rico and Cuba. Just be careful at night, as there have been recent reports of violent crime aimed at tourists. Sip a rum cocktail and taste traditional Puerto Rican food at 4 stops during the walk. At the top of the street, is thegraceful Cathedral de San Juan Bautistaor the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist. Keep walking and make your way to the artery of the city, San Francisco street. Its not a huge area but it is an extremely popular place for American tourists. Taste authentic Puerto Rican food and drink at several different locations. The popular attraction is located at the end of Calle de la Fortaleza, just in front of La Fortaleza, where the governor resides. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions! 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. The colors and architecture of these 400-year old homes, the beautiful Moorish title, and hidden courtyards make this my favorite street. 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! From here, you can see the cruise ships in port. Puerta de San Juan is the citys iconic colorful gate thats found at the northern end of Paseo de la Princesa. This building served as theprison from 1837 to 1960. Continue to the Bacardi Factory by taxi. Enjoy skip-the-line benefits as you visit must-see restaurants and the food scene around the city. This helps keep the site running with up to date information. The colorful neighborhood known as La Perlais located along the ocean to the right of El Morro. They represent the cause of pain for the pilgrim. With a myriad of historical sites and rich architecture, its a perfect way to spend the day. In 1992, to honor the 500 year anniversary of Columbus first voyage to the Americas, artist Jaime Suarez created this totem with clay. 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. If youre into museums, or trying to beat the heat for a bit, pop into Musea de las Americas to learn a little bit about colonial life in Puerto Rico and see some artifacts from those days. On the other side of Old San Juan lies another Spanish fort, Castillo de San Cristbal. Connected by tunnels, if one part is invaded, each unit is self-sufficient. On weekends, vendors sell local art, handmade jewelry, fried treats, and piragua, a shaved-ice made with tropical fruit syrup. 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). Address: C. de San Francisco & Calle San Jos. Your email address will not be published. Also lots of walking tours. In those months its very possible to have a day where three cruises stop at San Juan. The Old Town is not large but there is a lot to see and do. The Bishop and towns-women held a procession. 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. The peak tourist season runs from December to May. Its $10 per person to enter unless you have the NPS Interagency Pass or another yearly pass. As the road bears to the left, the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture will be on the right. Get a quote from Discover Cars here. Quick tip: turn off the device when youre not using it so that the battery can last longer. 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). Ww2 and since then has been solely a tourist site Spanish fort, Castillo de Francisco. Was mostly fine, except when it came to climbing steep concrete since has. In Puerto Rico, the beautiful Moorish title, and El Patio de.. 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