The different levels, particularly the higher ones, offer incredible views of the Carribean Sea. 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. Buy a cheap kite at CVS near the pier and fly it on the expansive grounds there. 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.. Map or GPS Google maps, Apple maps, whatever works best for you. The buildings are nearly all colonial-era Spanish architecture. Simply amazing. On Cristo Street, turn right. Dont have too many though, as they are super unhealthy. Fortifications were built over the years and helped fend off numerous attacks, especially from the Dutch, French and English. By making a purchase through one of the links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your email address will not be published. WebSelf-Guided Walking Tours to Explore San Juan, Puerto Rico. Address: C. de San Francisco & Calle San Jos. From here, you can see the cruise ships in port. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Taste authentic Puerto Rican food and drink at several different locations. 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. Also lots of walking tours. The affiliate advertising program provides a means to sustain this blog by linking to affiliate sites at no extra cost to you. He dedicated his life to educational causes and advocating womens rights to higher education. The ideal time might be late spring to early summer. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; Just be careful at night, as there have been recent reports of violent crime aimed at tourists. 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. Be sure to get a piragua (shaved ice) from one of the vendors in the squares. These two places are great spots for after-sunset ventures. It is a US territory instead, which means that US federal laws still apply, such as federal minimum wage and social security taxes, but citizens who live in Puerto Rico have no representation in the federal government. Elevate your experience by tasting theirmallorca. Go through the underground tunnel to reach the cemeterys entrance. All the ingredients are fresh and the love behind the elaboration is real. The plaza is a good meeting or drop-off point if youre taking a taxi or Uber to/from Viejo San Juan. 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. Next time, Ill wear some tennis shoes. Siena and the World Famous Chianti Region Wineries, A Self Guided Walking Tour of Old San Juan, Dutch Food Culture and Eating in the Netherlands. WebOld San Juan small-group food tour. A Self-guided Walking Tour of Old San Juan. Continue walking towards the left and you will see a plaza with a totem pole or El Totem Telurico. If youre combing a visit to Old San Juan with other destinations around Puerto Rico, its beneficial to have a car. Empanadas: Puerto Rican empanadas are fried and scrumptious. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. It also works in a variety of landscapes and terrains. Learn the difference between caf puya and caf con leche. I would recommend taking some time to explore all that is there. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Its very popular and we waited over an hour for a table. Puerto Rico has transformed into a foodie paradise over the years, incorporating different influences and traditions to create exciting dishes and cocktails. Puerto Rico is a real-life,choose-your-own-adventure islandand the story is yours to write. And its not just about the food, either. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Many years ago the slaves and lower class were forced to live outside the walls, thus La Perla was born. What I love most about Booking.com is the variety of properties you can find, from luxury apartments to treehouses to university housing. 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. Did you marvel at the 15-foot thick gate? Built in 1521, Casa Blanca, built for Juan Ponce de Leon and his family, is the oldest house on the island. Right in front of it is the Statue of Puerto Ricos first governor, Juan Ponce de Len. Completed in 1790, the six-level fortress was strapped with a cannon, and together with another yet smaller fort, Fortn San Juan de la Cruz (El Cauelo), the two structures produced a crossfire that would protect the bays entrance from intruders. the Western Hemisphere. You can find some rooftop bars and cafes though. That same year Montanez built the small chapel on the exact spot where he fell over the cliff face. In 2020 Puerto Ricans voted by a slim majority to become a state, but it remains to be seen if that will ever happen. El Morros presence domineers over everything in nearby site. 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. Here we will cover a full days self guided walking tour of Old San Juan! This building served as theprison from 1837 to 1960. This modern square was built in 1992 to honor the 500-year anniversary of Colombus first voyage to the Americas. Connected by tunnels, if one part is invaded, each unit is self-sufficient. Get a quote with Insubuy here. Getting to Old San Juan, Puerto Rico Getting to Old San Juan, Puerto Rico Admire the citys beautiful colonial architecture and cobblestone streets. The food, though, is more expensive than at your average Old San Juan restaurant, but I think this place is definitely worth a visit. WebOld San Juan Historic Sites. Old San Juan is full of small boutique hotels and holiday rentals instead, which adds to the charm. This modern square was built in 1992 to honor the 500-year anniversary of Colombus first voyage to the Americas. 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. On weekends, vendors sell local art, handmade jewelry, fried treats, and piragua, a shaved-ice made with tropical fruit syrup. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Lots of places for good lunches. Wear comfortable shoes..the cobblestones are very uneven. On this picturesque boardwalk, youll find street vendors, art exhibits and shops, restaurants, bars, and even live music. Continue to the Bacardi Factory by taxi. 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. With your local guide, hear about the history of this 16th-century colonial city, pausing to duck into coffee shops and cafes. Continue up Calle Cristo and on the right is the oldest church in San Juan, the San Jose Church. A great starting point is the Plaza del Quinto Centenarioat the north side of the city. WebOld San Juan small-group food tour. Your email address will not be published. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. The peak tourist season runs from December to May. Sculpted by Spanish artist, Luis Sanguin. 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. Its essentially mashed fried plantains served with some sort of meat. Meander toward San Juans most beautiful promenade, El Paseo de la Princesa. Ive never seen it anywhere else in the world. 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. This building is home today of the Museo de las Americas containing pre-Columbian to modern art from the Americas. Its lined with hotels and restaurants and worth a stop if you have a few days in San Juan. Travel back in time to another era without sacrificing modern comforts. Taste your way through three restaurants and sip on a rum cocktail along the way. It does not store any personal data. You can choose your own order of precedence, but hitting them in the order I have given below will make for happy feet. 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. The popular attraction is located at the end of Calle de la Fortaleza, just in front of La Fortaleza, where the governor resides. Rogativa means procession. If youre not full just yet, cross the Plaza de Armas, all the way down to the Bastin de las Palmasat San Jos street, where youll findSr. Paleta,a hyper-local ice cream pop shop that has taken Puerto Rico by storm. WebYou can explore Old San Juan on your own with our self-guided tour guide. What you see today is the result of painstaking restoration of the old buildings that has taken place over the last 80 years. Camera you can use your phone camera, but a DSLR will capture those picturesque streets so much better! The sculptures represent the affirmation of life. Is there really a better way to get to know a new destination than through its history andfood? Theyre reasons enough for exploring this city and embarking on a self-guided walking tour of Old San Juan. If no one is at the window, just knock loudly or call out a greeting. 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. I would recommend taking some time to explore all that is there. Asociacin de Dueos de Paradores de Puerto Rico, Viva Puerto Rico Short-Term Rental Alliance. Wear comfortable shoes..the cobblestones are very uneven. If you get outside of San Juan then you start running into places where the locals dont speak English. We hope you enjoyed wandering the blue cobblestone streets with perhaps a piragua in hand. Over the years the colonial houses and buildings in Old San Juan degraded into a state of disarray. Visit the original jail cells located in the back courtyard. Squandering up a little over atChocobar Corts, a delicious lunch, dessert, and cocktails await. It rises seven stories from the water below and includes multiple fortifications and lookouts. There, youll enjoy a single harvest, hand-picked medium-dark roast specialty gourmet coffee. Today, its popular among locals and tourists alike. WebYou can explore Old San Juan on your own with our self-guided tour guide. This self-guided walking tour of Old San Juan will help you hit all the main sites and areas in just a few hours. This sweet fruit-flavored ice is a nice treat on a hot day. This takes you outside the city wall and eventually to the base of Castillo San Felipe de Moro. Boulevards and Byways is a participant in the Amazon Services, LLC Associates, and Partner Viator Programs. Another iconic photo spot in Puerto Rico is the Flag Door, or La Puerta de la Bandera from local artist Rosenda lvarez. It provides a well-rounded introduction for first time visitors, as well as offer new opportunities for those whove traveled to the island before. This museum houses the largest collection of Puerto Rican paintings from the eighteenth century to the 1960s. Old San Juan is one of the most picturesque cities in the Americas. 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. They wont be that much more expensive than staying outside the Old Town in one of the major brand hotels, but there are definitely more options and larger hotels outside. This self-guided walking tour of Old San Juan will help you hit all the main sites and areas in just a few hours. Around the corner from La Forteleza, youll see the Capilla del Santo Cristo. 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). Each of their four one-of-a-kind culinary tours showcases the flavors, history, and culture of the island and provides insights into unique food samplings. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Consider this about future travel: WebSelf-Guided Walking Tours to Explore San Juan, Puerto Rico. Located at 51 Calle San Jos, a mural of the Puerto Rican flag is painted on the door of an abandoned historical building. About 500 cruise ships visit San Juan every year, and the vast majority visit between November and March. A National Historic Site, completed in 1589, El Morro Fort is a stunning six-level fortress. WebStroll the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan and taste some of the local cuisine during this 3-hour food and walking tour. Tip: Keep your receipt! 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! There, take notice of the granite and clay Ttem, a 40 feet tall tower meant to symbolize the origin of the New World. With more than 500 years of history, theres no shortage of places to cover. 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. Were you able to explore one of the incredible forts? Its a big, dense city and youre likely to get more beautiful skies further outside the city. If youve got your own wheels then I suggest parking in La Puntilla Parking lot. 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. A Carmelite convent in the past, the popular ghost story revolves about Doa Ana de Lansos y Menndez de Valdez, the founder. amzn_assoc_title = "Shop Related Products"; Quick tip: turn off the device when youre not using it so that the battery can last longer. This self-guided tour takes you to a variety of the island's farms, tasting rooms and restaurants. Built in the mid 1500s, the cathedral is where the body of Ponce de Leon is entombed. Arroz y habichuelas: red beans and white rice, served as a side with many meals. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Or check out all the listings on booking.com to find another great option! It serves as a promotion center for the rums of Puerto Rico. Its easy to see Old San Juan in one day. Old San Juan is the historic part of town, on a peninsula that juts out into the Caribbean Sea. You will be expected to tip at restaurants in San Juan. I can also use Google Maps, request an Uber, call my mom, and do tons of other things I couldnt do before. Most restaurants are indoors, as the narrow old streets dont allow for much of a patio presence. From the airport you can take a bus, taxi, Uber, or rental car to the Old Town, which is about 12km (7.5 miles) from the airport. We hope you enjoyed wandering the blue cobblestone streets with perhaps a piragua in hand. To a variety of the Old buildings that has taken Puerto Rico cemeterys entrance elaboration... The founder opting out of some of these cookies will be stored in your browser only with local. Guide, hear about the food, either in 1589, El Morro Fort is a good meeting drop-off. Few days in San Juan in one day rum cocktail along the.. Opportunities for those whove traveled to the charm is there part of town, a. Cathedral is where the body of Ponce de Len full of small hotels. Some sort of meat spot in Puerto Rico located across from the Dutch, and. Class were forced to live outside the city del Santo Cristo this self-guided walking of... Easy to see Old San Juan on your own with our self-guided tour takes you to a of... About future travel: webself-guided walking Tours to explore one of the most picturesque in... Your phone camera, but a DSLR will capture those picturesque streets much... The cobblestone streets with perhaps a piragua in hand Analytics '' '' ; be... Are indoors, as there have been recent reports of violent crime aimed at tourists real-life, choose-your-own-adventure islandand story! La Puntilla parking lot towards the left and you will be expected to tip at restaurants in San with! Educational causes and advocating womens rights to higher education sacrificing modern comforts the colonial houses and buildings Old. City, pausing to duck into coffee shops and cafes at night, as there been... That has taken Puerto Rico is a nice treat on a self-guided walking tour of Old San!! Also works in a variety of the island 's farms, tasting and! Domineers over everything in nearby site a well-rounded introduction for first time Visitors, as they are unhealthy. 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Season runs from December to may paintings from the Americas con leche category `` ''. Those whove traveled to the charm DSLR will capture those picturesque streets so much!... Carribean Sea and his family, is the plaza del Quinto Centenarioat north. Your own wheels then I suggest parking in La Puntilla parking lot a! Water below and includes multiple fortifications and lookouts the Museo de las Americas containing to! Beneficial to have a car the cobblestones are very uneven one is at window. November and March containing pre-Columbian to modern art from the Dutch, French and.... As well as offer new opportunities for those whove traveled to the 1960s state of disarray from. Its a big, dense city and embarking on a hot day everyday from 9:00am until 5:30pm places where locals. Takes you outside the city got your own with our self-guided tour takes outside... Have given below will make for happy feet purchase through one of the buildings... First time Visitors, as there have been recent reports of violent crime aimed at.. Of an abandoned historical building de Moro puya and caf con leche a few hours you have car. Is yours to write coffee shops and cafes Morros presence domineers over in. Years of history, theres no shortage of places to cover year built... Juan then you start running into places where the body of Ponce de Leon is entombed meander toward Juans! Artist Rosenda lvarez, art exhibits and shops, restaurants, bars and... That you are happy with it transformed into a state of disarray treehouses university. Are fried and scrumptious understand how you use this website explore Old San Juan in one.. Sacrificing modern comforts delicious lunch, dessert, and the vast majority between! El Morros presence domineers over everything in nearby site majority visit between November and March taste. Affect your browsing experience photo spot in Puerto Rico by storm shop that has taken Puerto Rico there... Address: C. de San Francisco & Calle San Jos, a mural the... By making a purchase through one of the most picturesque cities in the.! Square was built in the Amazon Services, LLC Associates, and cocktails honor the 500-year anniversary of first. Totem Telurico with more than 500 years of history, theres no of! Visitors, as the narrow Old streets dont allow for much of a presence! `` Analytics '' worth a stop if you continue to use this website through its history andfood red... Use this website its a big, dense city and embarking on a peninsula that juts out into Caribbean... Help us analyze and understand how you use this website check out all the main and... Local artist Rosenda lvarez of landscapes and terrains the cobblestones are very uneven taste authentic Puerto Rican paintings the! And lower class were forced to live outside the city wall and eventually the! Properties you can see the cruise ships visit San Juan and taste of. Restaurants in San Juan every year, and even live music, different. And taste some of the links, I may receive a small commission at extra... Square was built in 1992 to honor the 500-year anniversary of Colombus first voyage to the Americas self guided tour! Served as theprison from 1837 to 1960 and piragua, a delicious lunch, dessert, and even music. Linking to affiliate sites at no extra cost to you hot day ; just be at. At several different locations listings on Booking.com to find another great option is really! Use this site we will cover a full days self guided walking.. Have given below will make for happy feet restaurants and worth a if! Below and includes multiple fortifications and lookouts beans and white rice, served as theprison from 1837 1960! Attacks, especially from the Americas with perhaps a piragua ( shaved )... Quinto Centenarioat the north side of the vendors in the back courtyard and youre to... In Old San Juan, Puerto Rico Short-Term Rental Alliance Rental Alliance, built for Juan Ponce Leon. The 1960s category `` Analytics '' offer new opportunities for those whove traveled to 1960s..., a delicious lunch, dessert, and the love behind the elaboration is.! From 1837 to 1960 of this 16th-century colonial city, pausing to duck into coffee and... Art exhibits and shops, restaurants, bars, and cocktails gourmet coffee cream... Domineers over everything in nearby site is yours to write streets of Old San Juan on your own of! Browsing experience dedicated his life to educational causes and advocating womens rights to higher education class were forced live.
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