From here, you can see the cruise ships in port. Be sure to get a piragua (shaved ice) from one of the vendors in the squares. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Plaza de Armas is one of the citys main plazas. By making a purchase through one of the links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Puerto Rico rich port was first settled in 1508 by the Spanish in a location outside San Juans city limits. Within the old town consider the 352 Guest House Hotel Boutique or the Casa Sol bed and Breakfast. The Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery is the final resting place of many of Puerto Ricos most prominent natives and residents. Address: Calle Norzagaray & Route 25R (Avenida Luis Muoz Rivera). Looking across the bay youll see a few wind turbines spinning. Self-Guided Walking Tour Suggested Routes, Museo de las Americas (Museum of the Americas), Castillo San Felipe del Morro ("El Morro), Cementerio Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzi, Catedral Basilica Menor de San Juan Bautista, La Puerta de la Bandera- Puerto Rican Flag Door, Callejon de la Puerta Bandera- Flag Door Alley, Top 50 Most Popular Japanese Food to Try in Japan, Top 15 Delicious Food Festivals Around the World, The 11 Best Walking Beaches in the Caribbean, The Best Restaurants in Playa del Carmen Locals Love, Top Restaurants in Christchurch, New Zealand, Life at the South Pole Station: Everything You Want to Know, KHL Clothing Review: Womens Hiking Shorts & Sun Protection Shirt. There are tons of great restaurants in Old San Juan. 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. If youve got your own wheels then I suggest parking in La Puntilla Parking lot. El Convento Hotel is on the diagonal corner of the cathedral. But the stuffed avocado was excellent and worth the wait. Next time, Ill wear some tennis shoes. Founded by the Spanish in 1521, its a walking museum. free walking tour of old san juan, Old San Juan, San Juan, self guided walking tour app, self guided walking tour from cruise ship, Self guided walking tour old san juan map, tourist map old san juan tour, Walking tour. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "sandraruyack-20"; With more than 500 years of history, theres no shortage of places to cover. Unbelievably delicious! Its not a huge area but it is an extremely popular place for American tourists. It is one of the most popular options, since there are plenty of tour companies and packages to choose from. Ive snagged a $24 direct flight to Milan, a $30 flight to Berlin, a $400 roundtrip ticket to Colombia, and a $500 roundtrip ticket to Japan. And you absolutely do not want to be in town when three cruise ships are docked. Given the uncertainty around future travel, globetrotters (myself included!) Items to bring with you The Bishop and towns-women held a procession. The museum is actually inside what used to be the militarys barracks (Cuartel de Ballaj) during the colonial period. They are right next to each other and Its easy to get to the old town from there. 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. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Hitting all these spots will log 8-10 miles on your Fitbit. WebA walking culinary tour of Old San Juan, the second oldest European-founded city in the Americas, will give you just that. It does not store any personal data. If youre curious what San Juan would have turned into had the Dutch taken over, then be sure to check out my complete guide to Amsterdam! Condado is the main beach area for San Juan. Its a historical landmark that was previously used to protect the city during colonial times. Continue straight to Caleta San Juan. Lechn asado: Puerto Rican succulent pig, Pastelon: Puerto Rican lasagna, made with plantains, Paella: this Spanish staple is found nearly everywhere in Puerto Rico. I would budget three hours to give you enough time to take in the sites, tour the historic buildings, and enjoy the food. Theres so much to explore inside the fortress, from barracks and batteries to panoramic views of the bay. Consider this about future travel: Slip-on comfortable shoes. Summers are a bit hotter and rainier. 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. Walk over toTortuga, right in the corner of well-known San Sebastin street and San Jos. I would recommend taking some time to explore all that is there. Sip a rum cocktail and taste traditional Puerto Rican food at 4 stops during the walk. Continue following the pathway and view the sculpture of Queen Isabella in a courtyard shaded by a stately ficus tree. Reasonably priced drinks its a welcome respite from the heat. 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. 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. Your email address will not be published. It should be noted that this fort is brilliantly constructed with a number of different units. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; Community leaders have been making efforts toward the growth and development of what has for generations been one of the most underserved and economically disadvantaged sectors of San Juan. Its not as expensive as New York or Washington DC, but expect similar prices to midwestern cities. You may have noticed youve been walking on blue stones. amzn_assoc_search_bar_position = "bottom"; Experience immersive rum tastings and mixology classes at Casa BACARD. When you visit, you'll find that spirit in yourself, too. A blessing, at the top of the gate, to all visitors as they pass through: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.. The Puerto Rico Tourism Company will be on your right. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Given the uncertainty around future travel, globetrotters (myself included!) Currently under renovation, it is closed to visitors. La Forteleza, built to defend the harbor ofSan Juan is the oldest executive mansion in continuous use and a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site. What did you think of the stunning architecture? Built in the mid 1500s, the cathedral is where the body of Ponce de Leon is entombed. 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. Learn the difference between caf puya and caf con leche. The second and third floor of the restaurant are part of the Corts Foundation, where they present a curated exhibition that features pieces from Puerto Rican and Latin-American artists. If your city doesnt have a direct flight youll likely layover in Miami or elsewhere on the east coast. San Juan Island Foodie Road Trip WebOld San Juan small-group food tour. 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. San Juan PR 00908 sanjuan@flavorsfoodtours.com Phone Number: 787-964-2447 Quick links Home About Tours Flavors of San Juan Rum Runners Craft Cocktail Tour Boozy Bites Food Tour Old San Juan El Morro Fort Tour Walking History Tour Express Old San Juan Food Tour Private Tour Gift Cards FAQ Blog Contact Join our free newsletter! Sip a rum cocktail and taste traditional Puerto Rican food at 4 stops during the walk. Built in 1521, Casa Blanca, built for Juan Ponce de Leon and his family, is the oldest house on the island. Hostos was an avid supporter of the independence movement for Puerto Rico and Cuba. I can also use Google Maps, request an Uber, call my mom, and do tons of other things I couldnt do before. The self-guided walking tour of Old San Juan has come to an end. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. 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. Whether you want to play or get away, you'll find the perfect spot in Puerto Rico. Taking part in a traditional horse race, Baltazar Montanez in 1753, lost control and plunged off the cliffs. Giethoorn, Netherlands is it Really Worth Visiting? A walking culinary tour ofOld San Juan,the second oldest European-founded city in the Americas, will give you just that. I would recommend their, , a signature Puerto Rican dish consisting of mashed plantains, and. San Juan is more expensive than youd expect. In my experience, it lasts 9 hours. I explain how to avoid cruise days in a section below. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The colorful neighborhood known as La Perlais located along the ocean to the right of El Morro. Many cities in the United States have old towns. Dont have too many though, as they are super unhealthy. Old San Juan is a perfect place for a self-guided walking tour. They are the only bean-to-bar manufacturer in the Caribbean, and they celebrate it by making chocolate the star of almost every dish. There have been numerous sightings of ghosts in the guest rooms over the years at El Convento Hotel. Just be careful at night, as there have been recent reports of violent crime aimed at tourists. We really enjoyed our day in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico while cruising with Carnival. Puerto Rico has transformed into a foodie paradise over the years, incorporating different influences and traditions to create exciting dishes and cocktails. Follow the walkway as it bears to the right. And its not just about the food, either. Admire the citys beautiful colonial architecture and cobblestone streets. Make a stop and grab a refreshing rum cocktail or a bite to eat. At their Rums of Puerto Rico bar, you can taste and learn the history of all the rums the island has to offer. San Juan Island Foodie Road Trip The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. If you dont feel like going down and walking through the cemetery, it can easily be admired from the path leading to/from El Morro. Paseo de la Princesa is a beautiful promenade lined with fountains, lamp posts, and trees all accompanied with stunning views of the San Juan Bay. It rises seven stories from the water below and includes multiple fortifications and lookouts. Go up Las Monjas Street to Cristo Street. This museum houses the largest collection of Puerto Rican paintings from the eighteenth century to the 1960s. Wear comfortable shoes..the cobblestones are very uneven. You can also create your own self-guided walk to visit Theres a reason the Island is the rum capital of the world. This is completely up to you. 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. Hitting all these spots will log 8-10 miles on your Fitbit. 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. 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. 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. amzn_assoc_title = "Shop Related Products"; , or octopus. 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). It also works in a variety of landscapes and terrains. Believers who come to the chapel seek miracles for physical illnesses. Perhaps the main draw of Old San Juan is not one particular location, but the architecture of the city itself. 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