The clay is from different locations of the Americas, signifying the origins of the people. Taste your way through three restaurants and sip on a rum cocktail along the way. I would budget three hours to give you enough time to take in the sites, tour the historic buildings, and enjoy the food. WebSelf-Guided Walking Tours to Explore San Juan, Puerto Rico. You can also create your own self-guided walk to visit It is one of the most popular options, since there are plenty of tour companies and packages to choose from. WebOld San Juan Historic Sites. With more than 500 years of history, theres no shortage of places to cover. I check the website along with the Hopper app to determine the best time to buy tickets. The Catedral Basilica Menor de San Juan Bautista is the oldest church in the United States and the second oldest church in the Americas. After walking all the way down to the Umbrella Street, I then made my way clockwise to the listed destinations. Map or GPS Google maps, Apple maps, whatever works best for you. There arent really any major hotel brands in Old San Juan. It was built about 100 years after San Felipe and meant to protect San Juan from land attacks. The fort itself is an impressive structure. Were you able to explore one of the incredible forts? Asociacin de Dueos de Paradores de Puerto Rico, Viva Puerto Rico Short-Term Rental Alliance. Losing the opportunity of a free hotel room or flight upgrade isnt the worst problem to have right now. These two places are great spots for after-sunset ventures. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". With a myriad of historical sites and rich architecture, its a perfect way to spend the day. I even filmed a Facebook Live from a boat in the Atlantic Ocean using my Teppy. On Cristo Street, turn right. 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. While its not traditional or local eats by any means, it is the perfect option if youre looking for a healthy meal with lots of fresh ingredients and greens especially if youre visiting San Juan on a cruise! 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. Over the years believers have brought tiny silver ornaments, each one representing some ailing part of their body. Some other restaurants that were recommended to us were Cayo Caribe, Cafe El Punto, and El Patio de Sam. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. 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). At this local bakery that is filling out a need for accessible, inexpensive food available in Old San Juan be sure to try Puerto Ricos most popular baked-good: thequesito, a cream cheese, caramelized sugar-coated puff pastry thatll make you lick your fingers. WebThe Visitors Center (phone 787-722-1709) is located across from the Plaza de la Darsena and is open everyday from 9:00am until 5:30pm. Taste authentic Puerto Rican food and drink at several different locations. Lechn asado: Puerto Rican succulent pig, Pastelon: Puerto Rican lasagna, made with plantains, Paella: this Spanish staple is found nearly everywhere in Puerto Rico. A Self-guided Walking Tour of Old San Juan. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Tucked on the southwest end of Calle Beneficencia and San Sebastian Street, visitors can tour the gardens, mansion living spaces, a display of artifacts, and historic information. Completed in 1771, Fort San Cristobal A cup of garbanzada,a traditional Puerto Rican chickpea stew. Meander toward San Juans most beautiful promenade, El Paseo de la Princesa. 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. A great starting point is the Plaza del Quinto Centenario at the north side of the city. Its the largest Spanish-built fortification built in the New World, spanning roughly 27 acres. 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. WebA walking culinary tour of Old San Juan, the second oldest European-founded city in the Americas, will give you just that. Continue walking towards the left and you will see a plaza with a totem pole or El Totem Telurico. Its similar to San Felipe but has more viewpoints over land. Be sure to get a piragua (shaved ice) from one of the vendors in the squares. Puerto Rico's cocktail scene is a fuego (on fire), literally, at Gallo Negro in San Juan. A great starting point is the Plaza del Quinto Centenario at the north side of the city. The summer months are the hottest and wettest but offer an experience with fewer tourists. Head up the hill to Cristo Street or Calle de Cristo. There have been numerous sightings of ghosts in the guest rooms over the years at El Convento Hotel. 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. Address: C. de la Fortaleza & C. de ODonnell. On weekends youll see families flying kites on the lawn. There are a lot of domestic flights into San Juan and a few international flights. Visit the original jail cells located in the back courtyard. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 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. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; 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. A year later the settlement was moved to what is now San Juan and the name was officially added in 1521, which is the year the city is considered to be founded. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Around the corner from La Forteleza, youll see the Capilla del Santo Cristo. 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. Just be mindful of when cruise ships stop in the port, because if you can avoid a cruise day that would be best. , or octopus. 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. might not use our travel credit card benefits at all this year. Outside of the old town I like the Hyatt House or the Hyatt Place. Outlet shops, Puerto Rican handcrafts, unique souvenirs, high-quality jewelry, and artwork can be found here. This self-guided tour takes you to a variety of the island's farms, tasting rooms and restaurants. The Old Town is not large but there is a lot to see and do. The colorful city, the historical forts, and the vast views of the Atlantic Ocean are all worth the visit. Wear comfortable shoes..the cobblestones are very uneven. Importantly known as The Great Citizen of the Americas he was an advocate for Puerto Ricos independence. A guided food tour is an excellent way to experience Puerto Rico. Items to bring with you The menu of 1919 focuses on farm-to-table dishes prepared with the freshest organic and local ingredients. WebYou can explore Old San Juan on your own with our self-guided tour guide. Hitting all these spots will log 8-10 miles on your Fitbit. Now may be the time to reassess, with this comprehensive breakdown of travel credit card options. We hope you enjoyed wandering the blue cobblestone streets with perhaps a piragua in hand. There, you can grab your sweet and refreshing frozen treat and take a break to enjoy the view at the Bastin, a resting stop that used to be a defensive system of San Juan. WebOld San Juan Historic Sites. Wear comfortable shoes..the cobblestones are very uneven. Discover the best oceanfront resorts in Puerto Rico and enjoy some beach time. 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. self guided walking tour from cruise ship, Self guided walking tour old san juan map, BacardRum: Where to Try it in Puerto Rico, 8 Things to do in New York City for the Holidays, Ultimate Puerto Rico Travel Guide in the Time of Covid-19, Pirate Snorkelings Stand-up Paddleboard Rentals, Boulevards & Byways Travel Blog for Home Page. Built in 1532, it is one of the finest and oldest examples of Gothic influenced architecture built by the Spanish in the New World. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Wander Eat Write is a participant of the Amazon Associates Program. What you see today is the result of painstaking restoration of the old buildings that has taken place over the last 80 years. WebA walking culinary tour of Old San Juan, the second oldest European-founded city in the Americas, will give you just that. The house has some odd hours so consult the website linked above for the latest information. Next time, Ill wear some tennis shoes. 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. WebThe Visitors Center (phone 787-722-1709) is located across from the Plaza de la Darsena and is open everyday from 9:00am until 5:30pm. WebA walking culinary tour of Old San Juan, the second oldest European-founded city in the Americas, will give you just that. There is also a bar serving cheap pia coladas. WebStroll the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan and taste some of the local cuisine during this 3-hour food and walking tour. through the underground tunnel to reach the cemeterys entrance. This self-guided walking tour of Old San Juan will help you hit all the main sites and areas in just a few hours. Boulevards and Byways is a participant in the Amazon Services, LLC Associates, and Partner Viator Programs. Also lots of walking tours. Plaza de Armas is one of the citys main plazas. Now may be the time to reassess, with this comprehensive breakdown of travel credit card options. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Keep walking and make your way to the artery of the city, San Francisco street. The fountain celebrates Puerto Ricos rich cultural diversity and historical heritage with Amerindian, African, and Spanish peoples represented. Connected by tunnels, if one part is invaded, each unit is self-sufficient. 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