Also lots of walking tours. Cruising to San Juan? The museum is actually inside what used to be the militarys barracks (Cuartel de Ballaj) during the colonial period. Skyscanner.com is my go-to website to search for flights. Required fields are marked *. https://www.partner.viator.com/en/75397/tours/San-Juan/Old-San-Juan-Harbor-sails/d903-6013P7 What did you think of the stunning architecture? 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. All rights reserved. The beautiful courtyard is definitely a sight to take in! Your email address will not be published. From here, you can see the cruise ships in port. On this picturesque boardwalk, youll find street vendors, art exhibits and shops, restaurants, bars, and even live music. But perhaps the most spectacular of these old towns can be found in the US territory of Puerto Rico. A great starting point is the Plaza del Quinto Centenarioat the north side of the 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. In the dungeon, you can see some of the prisoner drawings on the walls. I stumbled upon this mural without prior research as I was so immersed in the beautiful rainbow buildings in the neighboring streets. As you keep pacing down the blue cobblestone roads, youll find yourself in Sol street, where Casa Blanca, former residence-now-museum of the descendants of Ponce de Len, is located. 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. They are truly local and are ready to make you feel like one. Next to Cementario Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzi and alongside the coast is La Perla, a historical shantytown. You may have noticed youve been walking on blue stones. Hey folks! The fort itself is an impressive structure. Map or GPS Google maps, Apple maps, whatever works best for you. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Also lots of walking tours. 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. Rogativa means 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. Admire the citys beautiful colonial architecture and cobblestone streets. Visitors can explore the different levels of the fortification as well as get a breathtaking panoramic view of Old San Juan and the bay. To eat like a local, head to Cafe Manolin, a no frills 50s diner style restaurant with a huge menu. Getting to Old San Juan, Puerto Rico About 500 cruise ships visit San Juan every year, and the vast majority visit between November and March. These can loosely be defined as colonial era towns that have kept their historical charm. Be sure to get a piragua (shaved ice) from one of the vendors in the squares. Here you can purchase bird food and feed the hundreds of pigeons that flock in the park. Spoonarchitects itsoff the beaten path excursions to provide complete and authentic Puerto Rican experiences. 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. Welcome to Old San Juan Calle Marina This tour begins at Calle Marina which is where the cruise ships dock. Continue to thePlaza de Ballajaand see theballajor military barracks. A new generation of bartenders is transforming Puerto Rico into a premier drinking destination. 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. In fact, you won't find any! Within Cuartel de Ballaj isCaf Don Ruiz,a fourth-generation coffee shop with beans hauled from the southern town of Yauco. In Puerto Rico, we call ourselves Boricua, a unique name honoring our Island heritage and the vibrant spirit of our people. Its right outside the old city walls and only $3 per day. 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. There arent really any major hotel brands in Old San Juan. Consider this about future travel: This self-guided walking tour of Old San Juan will help you hit all the main sites and areas in just a few hours. Located at 51 Calle San Jos, a mural of the Puerto Rican flag is painted on the door of an abandoned historical building. There have been numerous sightings of ghosts in the guest rooms over the years at El Convento Hotel. This takes you outside the city wall and eventually to the base of Castillo San Felipe de Moro. This self-guided tour takes you to a variety of the island's farms, tasting rooms and restaurants. Another iconic photo spot in Puerto Rico is the Flag Door, or La Puerta de la Bandera from local artist Rosenda lvarez. It also works in a variety of landscapes and terrains. San Juan Island Foodie Road Trip Over the years the colonial houses and buildings in Old San Juan degraded into a state of disarray. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Wander Eat Write is a participant of the Amazon Associates Program. 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. 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. The colorful city, the historical forts, and the vast views of the Atlantic Ocean are all worth the visit. Down that beautiful and narrow alley is the Puerta de San Juan, the main entrance to the walled city during its Spanish colonial ruling. 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! A Carmelite convent in the past, the popular ghost story revolves about Doa Ana de Lansos y Menndez de Valdez, the founder. Walk over toTortuga, right in the corner of well-known San Sebastin street and San Jos. Condado is the main beach area for San Juan. Discover the best oceanfront resorts in Puerto Rico and enjoy some beach time. Continue following the pathway and view the sculpture of Queen Isabella in a courtyard shaded by a stately ficus tree. This tour begins at Calle Marina which is where the cruise ships dock. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. This way the Puerto Ricans could see if the Dutch were gonna attack by landing somewhere else on the island and approaching on foot. Now imagine all those people getting off at the same time and walking around Old San Juan. Puerta de San Juan is the citys iconic colorful gate thats found at the northern end of Paseo de la Princesa. As a former cruise ship worker, San Juan was one of my favorite ports to explore week after week. WebOld San Juan Historic Sites. I would recommend taking some time to explore all that is there. Whether youre visiting San Juan on a cruise or spending a few days in Puerto Rico, an Old San Juan walking tour should be at the top of your list of things to do! If your city doesnt have a direct flight youll likely layover in Miami or elsewhere on the east coast. WebOld San Juan small-group food tour. 2023 Discover Puerto Rico. After you have your information and maps, head outside and enjoy the Bahia de San Juan (San Juan Bay). Now that youve had breakfast, step out of the colonial headquarters where youll come upon the majestic castle ofSan Felipe del Morro, simply known asEl Morro, a smashing fortress at the north-west tip of Old San Juan that carries over 500 years of Puerto Rican stories. That same year Montanez built the small chapel on the exact spot where he fell over the cliff face. Its $10 per person to enter unless you have the NPS Interagency Pass or another yearly pass. Walk down Calle Beneficencia and pass thePlaza de la Beneficencia. What every traveler needs: Enjoy skip-the-line benefits as you visit must-see restaurants and the food scene around the city. Welcome to Old San Juan Calle Marina This tour begins at Calle Marina which is where the cruise ships dock. 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. But the stuffed avocado was excellent and worth the wait. Enjoy skip-the-line benefits as you visit must-see restaurants and the food scene around the city. Buy a cheap kite at CVS near the pier and fly it on the expansive grounds there. Puerto Rico operates sort of like a state, but its not. A great starting point is the Plaza del Quinto Centenario at the north side of the city. We hope you enjoyed wandering the blue cobblestone streets with perhaps a piragua in hand. Puerto Rico's cocktail scene is a fuego (on fire), literally, at Gallo Negro in San Juan. Asociacin de Dueos de Paradores de Puerto Rico, Viva Puerto Rico Short-Term Rental Alliance. Its very popular and we waited over an hour for a table. The Spanish Secretary of Government, Don Mateo Pratts, cried out, Christ of Good Health, save him! The young rider, lived, miraculously saved! The Catedral Basilica Menor de San Juan Bautista is the oldest church in the United States and the second oldest church in the Americas. Your email address will not be published. El Convento Hotel is on the diagonal corner of the cathedral. Most restaurants are indoors, as the narrow old streets dont allow for much of a patio presence. San Juan Island Foodie Road Trip I would budget three hours to give you enough time to take in the sites, tour the historic buildings, and enjoy the food. Experience immersive rum tastings and mixology classes at Casa BACARD. This modern square was built in 1992 to honor the 500-year anniversary of Colombus first voyage to the Americas. Go through the underground tunnel to reach the cemeterys entrance. Casa Blanca is now a museum, but centuries ago this house belonged to famed Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon. Most major US cities on the east coast fly to San Juan. Continue walking towards the left and you will see a plaza with a totem pole or El Totem Telurico. At the bottom of Calle Sol, youll seeLa Rogativastatue,made by Lindsay Daenout of bronze. It does not store any personal data. Its close to a reasonably priced parking garage on PR38, should you be driving into the city. Given the uncertainty around future travel, globetrotters (myself included!) Brought over on Spanish ships, they are adoquin, cast from furnace slag, and used as ballast on the ships. Connected by tunnels, if one part is invaded, each unit is self-sufficient. Founded by the Spanish in 1521, its a walking museum. We stayed at Aloft San Juan but dont recommend it due to loud music from the mall next door till well after midnight. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "sandraruyack-20"; Ive been using Skyscanner since I studied abroad in Spain back in 2012. Hitting all these spots will log 8-10 miles on your Fitbit. Sip a rum cocktail and taste traditional Puerto Rican food at 4 stops during the walk. Cards are accepted just about everywhere and its really not necessary to carry any cash, other than for parking lots and street vendors. Admire the citys beautiful colonial architecture and cobblestone streets. Be sure to get a piragua (shaved ice) from one of the vendors in the squares. Whether you want to play or get away, you'll find the perfect spot in Puerto Rico. Unbelievably delicious! Thank you for your support and for helping me keep this blog up! At this build-your-own-bowl eatery, patrons can choose from a wide and delicious selection of bases, protein, sauces, and toppings. You can also find unique, local folk art during the museums Domingo de Artesanos, which is an art showcase on the first Sunday of every month. Admire the citys beautiful colonial architecture and cobblestone streets. The colorful neighborhood is most widely known recently as the filming location for the 2017 worldwide chart-topper Despacito by Puerto Rican artists Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee. Mofongo: the most Puerto Rican dish of them all. If youre not a part of one of these cruises then I highly recommend planning your trip to San Juan on a day where no cruise ships dock at the port. Situated outside the ancient city wall, La Perla is a former shantytown. Since its establishment, it has served a number of purposes in addition to a fortress, including a prison, arsenal, and its current function as the governors residence. Across from El Morro Fort on Calle Norzagaray, continue walking toBeneficencia. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. National Historic Landmark La Fortaleza (The Fortress) was built in the mid-1500s for military defense. 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. Slip-on comfortable shoes. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; Old San Juan is a perfect place for a self-guided walking tour. WebOld San Juan Historic Sites. However, Puerto Rico did not become a territory until 19 years later. In the plaza is astatue in honorofEugenio Maria de Hostos. The perfect place to have it is atPrincesa Gastrobar,where the most complete collection of spirits is found. Theres so much to explore inside the fortress, from barracks and batteries to panoramic views of the bay. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". And you absolutely do not want to be in town when three cruise ships are docked. The colorful neighborhood known as La Perlais located along the ocean to the right of El Morro. This is completely up to you. La Forteleza, built to defend the harbor ofSan Juan is the oldest executive mansion in continuous use and a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site. The mall next door till well after midnight chapel on the ships out, of! Pr38, should you be driving into the city of bases, protein,,... La Bandera from local artist Rosenda lvarez in hand get away, you can purchase bird food and feed hundreds... 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