For the best experience, we recommend splitting your time between the two areas. A trip up the tower will see you brave hundreds of steps to get to the top, but the panoramic view of the lush valley below is worth it. Reserve your spot on the ferry, load up the car, and head out for this incredible three-day, four-night adventure of a lifetime. Plaza Colón is the land entrance to Old San Juan and can be recognized by its monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus. The menu also has a few “Signature Avocados,” with combinations already made for those unsure of what ingredients to put together. Iâd recommend paying Your email address will not be published. The dreamy San Juan Islands are just the place for you. It’s worth noting that the hanging decor changes periodically, so you might not always see vibrant umbrellas. Castillo San CristobalâAfter you leave La Perla, head up to the nearby Castillo San Cristobal, del Morroâs sister fort. The next stop on the San Juan itinerary should be wandering around Old San Juan and stop in the artisan shops to pick up souvenirs, or heading to a tax-free factory store to freshen up your wardrobe. You can also find unique, local folk art during the museum’s Domingo de Artesanos, which is an art showcase on the first Sunday of every month. The entrance fee is cheap (around $5). The best place to learn about Puerto Rico’s history is by taking a tour through Old San Juan. The museum is actually inside what used to be the military’s barracks (Cuartel de Ballajá) during the colonial period. Plaza de Armas is one of the city’s main plazas. Address: Calle Tiburcio Reyes + Calle Lucila Silva + Calle San Miguel + Calle Bajada Matadero. San Juan is the oldest town in the United States, established in 1508 by Juan Ponce de León. A caveat: I don't live in Puerto Rico; this itinerary is written 100% by a tourist, with other first-time visitors to San Juan in mind! Visitors can easily spend entire days exploring this unique, fun-filled area. One of the best decisions I ever made was taking myself on a self-guided walking tour of Viejo San Juan. Next to Cementario Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzi and alongside the coast is La Perla, a historical shantytown. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. That way, you can be in close proximity to both the historical center and the beach for a couple nights. While it may seem strange that a cemetery is a landmark, the beautiful graveyard overlooking the Atlantic Ocean is definitely with a visit. Another popular spot in Old San Juan is the painted Puerto Rican flag door (cover photo) you can find on Callejon de la Puerta Bandera. As for accommodations, a great spot to stay if you just want to tour Old San Juan then hop on your cruise ship is the Sheraton Old San Juan. Calle San Jose. Old San Juan Historic District/Distrito Histórico del Viejo San Juan is a National Historic Landmark bounded by Calle San Miguel, Paseo de la Princesa, Calle de la Tanca, Calle del Recinto Sur, Paseo de Covadonga, and Avenida Muñoz Rivera in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Calle San Sebastian is known for being the best street for nightlife in Old San Juan and you can easily do a bar crawl. Discover the stories behind the walls of Old San Juan. One block away from Hotel El Convento is the America’s second oldest cathedral, Catedral Basílica Metropolitana de San Juan Bautista, also known in English as the Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Saint John the Baptist. Address: Calle Norzagaray & Route 25R (Avenida Luis Muñoz Rivera). Day two: Exploring Old San Juan The first day was pretty ambitious, so if there were things you didnât get to see, thereâs time to explore more of Santurce â after all, youâre calling the shots on this trip. Donât forget to be careful during your photo opts! El Morro’s presence domineers over everything in nearby site. Whoever said âawesomeâ and âfreeâ donât belong in the same sentence clearly hasnât spent enough time traveling to San Juan.Want proof? Visitors can explore the different levels of the fortification as well as get a breathtaking panoramic view of Old San Juan and the bay. This post may contain affiliate links, which Globe Guide receives compensation for with each click or purchase at no additional cost to you. El Morro and Castillo San Cristóbal only require one entrance fee for both locations, so you’ll be able to get a 2-for-1 deal as long as your receipt shows that you’ve already paid for one ticket. San Juan Itinerary, Day 3: Beach Day Start the day with a mallorca. You'll start off in Old San Juan, the historic and cultural center of the island, and home to some of its best museums, monuments, shops, restaurants, and hotels. Although there are always groups of people hanging out, the area is so spread out that you’ll have no problem finding space for yourself away from others. I almost fell 100ft into th⦠Your next stop is Playa Peña, the only beach in Old San Juan typically free of crowds (trolley stop #18a at Plaza San Juan Bautista â across from the Capitol Building). Being a tourist hub there are plenty of accommodations in San Juan to suit all budgets. The Salsa Club in Old San Juan (the old city) should be on your San Juan itinerary if you're looking to meet locals and other travelers on the island. Discover the perfect Puerto Rico itinerary for your first visit to the island! Old San Juan is made up of myriad historic buildings, shops, restaurants, and exciting attractions. The Plaza de Armas is located on Calle de San Francisco. Because the building is still an active government building, those interested in looking inside can only do so through official guided tours. The hotel is just steps away from the action, and close to the port. If you don’t feel like going down and walking through the cemetery, it can easily be admired from the path leading to/from El Morro. It’s important to decide if you want to be close to the port, in Old San Juan, or near the beaches since they’re all quite spread out. There’s so much to explore inside the fortress, from barracks and batteries to panoramic views of the bay. Put these 9 free things to do in San Juan at the top of your Puerto Rico itinerary and then tell us if itâs possible to take a cheap trip to Puerto Rico.. Budget a few hours to explore El Yunque on your own, or book a tour as part of a guided excursion through a tour operator or the cruise ship. Despite being blessed with white sand beaches, a huge national forest on its doorstep, tropical weather and a historic town centre, the majority of tourists only spend a day in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Answer 1 of 3: I know someone is a better searcher than I. But more importantly, the few blocks around the area are absolutely gorgeous and worth checking out if you want some colorful pictures! Some links on this page may be affiliate links. These 30-minute tours are offered throughout the weekdays. The park is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. which makes for a full day of hiking through the many trails, including a trek to La Coca Falls or climbing the Yohaku observation tower. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The next stop on the San Juan itinerary should be wandering around Old San Juan and stop in the artisan shops to pick up souvenirs, or heading to a tax-free factory store to freshen up your wardrobe. Spend your first day exploring the winding colorful streets of Old San Juan. 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. Exploring Castillo San Felipe del Morro in Old San Juan Castillo San Felipe del Morro marks Puerto Ricoâs legacy within the Caribbean. Thank you for your support and for helping me keep this blog up! Itinerary Both Condado and Isle Verde are lined by expansive beaches, along with swanky high-rise hotels and vibrant nightlife. At this plaza, you’ll find several statues, a fountain, benches, and street vendors selling local pastries and coffee. Visitors can learn about the indigenous, African, and European influences that shaped the Americas into the multi-faceted countries that they are today due to colonization and modern development. On the northern end lies San Juan City Hall, and on the west is the Department of State building. Old San Juan Walking Tour | One Day Puerto Rico Itinerary Whether youâre 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! Reserve your spot on the ferry, load up the car, and head out for this incredible three ⦠Address: C. de San Francisco & Calle San José. Address: C. de la Fortaleza & C. de O’Donnell. Those comfy walking shoes will come in handy as you explore. Itâs not very big, so one afternoon of walking around in the town and heading out to Fort San Cristobal is more than enough time to see everything Old San Juan has to offer. Old San Juan is the historic, colonial section of San Juan, and it's the oldest city under U.S. jurisdiction. Whether you've been in the heart of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico before or this is your first visit, you'll want to check out this itinerary that will walk you through one of the most amazing historic U.S. The beautiful courtyard is definitely a sight to take in! Your email address will not be published. If getting in touch with nature is more your style, book an excursion to the tropical rainforest El Yunque. Discover the treasures of old San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 2 days. 3) Enter through the Old San Juan Gate Keep going along the path and youâll reach the Puerta de San Juan. Completed in 1790, the six-level fortress was strapped with a cannon, and together with another yet smaller fort, Fortín San Juan de la Cruz (“El Cañuelo”), the two structures produced a crossfire that would protect the bay’s entrance from intruders. The colorful and stunning architecture reflects the early days of San Juan shortly after the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors, and some of the earliest buildings dating back to 1508. Required fields are marked *. El Morro is the most popular of the two forts, as it affords some incredible views and photo-ops. The vast green lawn that leads up to the fort’s entrance is the perfect location for a picnic, sunbathing session, or just a short break during your walking tour. It’s a great way to see a different side of Puerto Rico, and can be a welcome break from the city grindâplus you’re sure to get some great pictures. Indulge in the fresh juices and tropical fruits and by all means eat the rice and beans! Because itâs all about the cruise ships. 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). I began this tour in the interior section as I took an Uber to Plaza Colon. From cauliflower rice and baby greens to pulled pork and mango tuna, the Stuffed Avocado is both tasty and healthy. La Perla is a place in Old San Juan where you still see the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria. There are many areas around the centuries-old World Heritage Site to explore, including Fort San Felipe del Morro (El Morro) and Fort San Cristobal which are considered among the top Puerto Rico attractions. The cemetery’s location by the water was chosen as a way to symbolize a person’s spirit crossing over to the afterlife. Young couples, newlyweds, families of all sizes, retired, or cruisers that frequent Old San Jua You will find authentic restaurants, shops, colorful buildings, and town squares to soak in the culture. Have a taxi drop you off at Castillo de San Cristobal, a historical fort built to protect against land based attacks on San Juan. 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. Opt for the free orientation, or explore the site yourself with the map included in the entrance fee. Finish the evening at the trendy San Juan Water and Beach Club Hotel, which has a rooftop pool and comfy loungers making it a great spot to enjoy the sunset. La Factoria â (148 Calle San Sebastián) The coolest bar/club in Puerto Rico. But if ⦠Our A Day In Old San Juan Itinerary: MORNING The first thing on our agenda was coffee at Cafe Cuatro Sombras, recommended by my friend Julie who used to live in San Juan. Most visitors come as part of an excursion, but it is possible to do as a day trip on your own as long as you have transportation there. For this itinerary, I actually recommend splitting your time between two hotels, one in Old San Juan and one in Condado. Just outside El Morro you’ll find the Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery. If you are staying on Condado Beach, where all of the beach front hotels are, there is a great four mile walk that you can do to get to Old San Juan. In 2021, the umbrellas were replaced by a large banner with the Puerto Rican flag’s design. If you’re looking to bronze your bod and feel the soft sand between your toes, then San Juan is your place. Insider Tip â Couples: When you get hungry, head to a quaint little cafe called Casa Cortes Chocobar. In just 3-4 hours, I was able to hit all of the major historical landmarks and popular photo-ops/ Instagram hotspots– and so can you! Walk down the steps through Plaza San Juan Bautista to Peña Beach â a rugged beach along the Atlantic, next to the city walls with waves crashing into rocks creating a romantic melody as you walk holding hands. A favorite restaurant among us cruise ship crew members is the Stuffed Avocado Shop. To this day, many of Puerto Rico’s most prominent citizens are laid to rest here. Day 1: City Sightseeing Kick off your trip to Puerto Rico with some sightseeing in Old San Juan. After walking all the way down to the Umbrella Street, I then made my way clockwise to the listed destinations. On this picturesque boardwalk, you’ll find street vendors, art exhibits and shops, restaurants, bars, and even live music. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Where to go, what to do, where to stay in San Juan, Ponce, and Rincon. The Museo de las Americas promotes the history and culture of the Americas through permanent and seasonal exhibits. She knows Iâm a big fan of great coffee, and this Admission is $3 for people aged 15 and up, and combo tickets granting entrance to both forts costs $5. Guided tours are available of Fort San Cristobal, including an hour-long one of the tunnels, and another that takes visitors around the outside of the property. Visitors can easily spend entire days exploring this unique, fun-filled area.
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