The house has some odd hours so consult the website linked above for the latest information. Continue up Calle Cristo and on the right is the oldest church in San Juan, the San Jose Church. A group of friends enjoying lunch in Old San Juan. WebJoin a mini getaway in Old San Juan on this guided walking food tour through a 500-year old Spanish colonial city. For those arriving from the cruise ship port, it may make more sense to walk around the exterior first and then end the day perusing the downtown streets. Walk down Calle Beneficencia and pass thePlaza de la Beneficencia. And its not just about the food, either. All around the structure, youll find many. It is one of the most popular options, since there are plenty of tour companies and packages to choose from. Boulevards and Byways is a participant in the Amazon Services, LLC Associates, and Partner Viator Programs. 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. Hotel El Convento is a chic 4-star hotel with a rooftop pool thats conveniently located in the middle of the city. This sweet fruit-flavored ice is a nice treat on a hot day. Bursting with brightly painted houses and flowers, its a favorite of mine. You may have noticed youve been walking on blue stones. the Western Hemisphere. 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. The Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery is the final resting place of many of Puerto Ricos most prominent natives and residents. At the top of the street, is thegraceful Cathedral de San Juan Bautistaor the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist. Next time, Ill wear some tennis shoes. At this build-your-own-bowl eatery, patrons can choose from a wide and delicious selection of bases, protein, sauces, and toppings. Spectacular views and interesting historical items make this a fascinating place to visit. During one of my visits, the umbrellas were all camouflage patterned to represent the military. 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. The affiliate advertising program provides a means to sustain this blog by linking to affiliate sites at no extra cost to you. Its on par with smaller US cities in terms of the cost of everything. 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. Consult the Discover Puerto Rico website for more information. Puerto Rico's cocktail scene is a fuego (on fire), literally, at Gallo Negro in San Juan. Address: C. de San Francisco & Calle San Jos. Its San Juans oldest house and contains many artifacts from the colonial days of the city. At this plaza, youll find several statues, a fountain, benches, and street vendors selling local pastries and coffee. 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. Mofongo: the most Puerto Rican dish of them all. Although there are always groups of people hanging out, the area is so spread out that youll have no problem finding space for yourself away from others. Its $10 per person to enter unless you have the NPS Interagency Pass or another yearly pass. We hope that adds - pun intended - to your experience. There are a lot of domestic flights into San Juan and a few international flights. 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. Buy a cheap kite at CVS near the pier and fly it on the expansive grounds there. In fact, you won't find any! 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. WebOld San Juan small-group food tour. How to use this map: Click on the faded star next to the title to save this map, and click the square in the top left of the map before the title to view location details. You can choose your own order of precedence, but hitting them in the order I have given below will make for happy feet. Puerto Rico operates sort of like a state, but its not. We really enjoyed our day in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico while cruising with Carnival. Arroz y habichuelas: red beans and white rice, served as a side with many meals. In those months its very possible to have a day where three cruises stop at San Juan. But perhaps the most spectacular of these old towns can be found in the US territory of Puerto Rico. Its an impressive structure and was used to fend off attacks, most notably from the Dutch in 1625. Hitting all these spots will log 8-10 miles on your Fitbit. Puerta de San Juan is the citys iconic colorful gate thats found at the northern end of Paseo de la Princesa. Getting to Old San Juan, Puerto Rico Theyre reasons enough for exploring this city and embarking on a self-guided walking tour of 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. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions! Hey folks! WebGuide Name: Old San Juan Walking Tour Guide Location: Puerto Rico San Juan (See other walking tours in San Juan) Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing) # of Attractions: 10 Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s) Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles Author: leticia Sight(s) Featured in This Guide: San Juan Island Foodie Road Trip Continue walking towards Plaza de Hostos. Enjoy skip-the-line benefits as you visit must-see restaurants and the food scene around the city. The colorful city, the historical forts, and the vast views of the Atlantic Ocean are all worth the visit. The self-guided walking tour of Old San Juan has come to an end. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. 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. Continue following the pathway and view the sculpture of Queen Isabella in a courtyard shaded by a stately ficus tree. Located at 51 Calle San Jos, a mural of the Puerto Rican flag is painted on the door of an abandoned historical building. 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). WebOld San Juan Walk & Taste Tour Adults $ 129 Kids (3-12) $ 109 Non-Participant Kids (under 3) Free Quick Details Category: Food Tour When: Daily 10 a.m. AST Duration: Approximately three (3.25) hours Group Size: 12 guests maximum Meeting Point: Old San Juan near El Morro Fort (exact meeting point provided with booking confirmation) Continue to thePlaza de Ballajaand see theballajor military barracks. 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. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; And you absolutely do not want to be in town when three cruise ships are docked. 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. National Historic Landmark La Fortaleza (The Fortress) was built in the mid-1500s for military defense. Believers who come to the chapel seek miracles for physical illnesses. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. You will be expected to tip at restaurants in San Juan. Did you marvel at the 15-foot thick gate? Subsequently, the British gave up the attack, thinking the women were Spanish army reinforcements. Whether you want to play or get away, you'll find the perfect spot in Puerto Rico. Right across from the Plaza del Quinto Centenario, is the Cuartel de Ballaj, an open-concept building built from 1854 to 1864 for Spanish troops established within the walled city. In 2020 Puerto Ricans voted by a slim majority to become a state, but it remains to be seen if that will ever happen. There are tons of organized tours so its not an issue getting there. WebStroll the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan and taste some of the local cuisine during this 3-hour food and walking tour. Old San Juan is full of small boutique hotels and holiday rentals instead, which adds to the charm. The Spanish Secretary of Government, Don Mateo Pratts, cried out, Christ of Good Health, save him! The young rider, lived, miraculously saved! However, in Puerto Rico they have evolved into a very popular sweet bread sandwich or pastry perfect to start off the day. Sip a rum cocktail and taste traditional Puerto Rican food at 4 stops during the walk. Address: Calle Norzagaray & Route 25R (Avenida Luis Muoz Rivera). 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. Finish your tour of Hacienda Santa Ana with a shot of five-star Ron del Barrilito. El Morro is a great stop. The cemeterys location by the water was chosen as a way to symbolize a persons spirit crossing over to the afterlife. Connected by tunnels, if one part is invaded, each unit is self-sufficient. 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. The roast, though slightly different from an espresso, brings out all the complex flavors of the Arabica beans without burning off its fragrances. Required fields are marked *. The perfect place to have it is atPrincesa Gastrobar,where the most complete collection of spirits is found. The plaza is a good meeting or drop-off point if youre taking a taxi or Uber to/from Viejo San Juan. This walking tour takes you through Old San Juans historic buildings and architectural monuments. Squandering up a little over atChocobar Corts, a delicious lunch, dessert, and cocktails await. From here, you can see the cruise ships in port. 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. The summer months are the hottest and wettest but offer an experience with fewer tourists. 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! Its hard to beat the insanely low prices. 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