{"id":2767,"date":"2021-11-17T11:35:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-17T16:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.plateapr.com\/en\/?p=2767"},"modified":"2022-02-11T17:12:24","modified_gmt":"2022-02-11T22:12:24","slug":"old-san-juan-walking-tour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.plateapr.com\/en\/things-to-do\/old-san-juan-walking-tour\/","title":{"rendered":"Walk Through Puerto Rico\u2019s History in Old San Juan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You don\u2019t have to be a history buff to enjoy the 500-year-old walled city of Old San Juan. Its rainbow-hued Spanish colonial architecture, imposing forts that stretch above the Caribbean Sea and charming cobblestone streets beg exploration. Old San Juan is fairly compact, so you can make the most of a walking tour without rushing. You can even use your phone\u2019s GPS or Google Maps if you need to. Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, so phone service from most major U.S. carriers works here. Walk through this list from beginning to end, vice versa or just pick and choose a few of your \u201cmust see\u201d stops. You\u2019ll soon see why Old San Juan is one of the most visited cities in the Caribbean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting there:<\/strong> If you\u2019re staying in the Condado\/Isla Verde area, you can take an Uber and ask to be dropped off at Do\u00f1a Fela<\/a> (parking area). If you\u2019re driving, you can park at Do\u00f1a Fela for less than $2\/hr. Pay your ticket at the kiosks on the lobby level before you leave. <\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t \n\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCastillo San Crist\u00f3bal\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThings to Do\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n

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\"Castillo
Source: Castillo San Crist\u00f3bal \/ Discover Puerto Rico <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Fort Castillo San Crist\u00f3bal is part of the San Juan National Historic Site, which also includes Castillo San Felipe del Morro, San Juan de la Cruz (also called El Canuelo) and most of the city walls. Constructed mainly from 1765 to 1785, the fort was built to protect San Juan against land-based attacks. It\u2019s the largest fortification ever built by the Spanish in the New World. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The site spans nearly 27 acres and rises about 150 feet above sea level, providing stunning views of both the city and sea. Notable features of Castillo San Crist\u00f3bal include rooms for canons, an extensive tunnel system, a bunker, dungeon, moat, plaza and two observation posts that were added during World War II. Currently, you can explore the site yourself, as ranger-led tours are paused due to COVID-19. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost: <\/strong>$10\/pp, children under 15 admitted free. Your receipt also gets you into El Castillo San Felipe del Morro (and vice versa).<\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t \n\t

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Source: Fortaleza Street \/ Discover Puerto Rico<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Hours: <\/strong>Open daily 9:30am\u20134:30pm (except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year\u2019s Day)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strolling through the streets of Puerto Rico\u2019s capital, it\u2019s easy to find photo-worthy spots. However, this is perhaps one of the most Instagrammable locations in Old San Juan. You might spy a canopy of colorful umbrellas floating between buildings. This post-Hurricane Maria art installation, called the Umbrella Sky Project, was created to inspire hope and reflect the country\u2019s resilient spirit. Sometimes the umbrellas are replaced with kites or the Puerto Rican flag. Fortaleza Street bustles with chaotic energy in the best possible way. Take time to soak it in. It teems with perfumeries, shops, hotels, jewelry stores, restaurants and bars. Also, it\u2019s partially closed to vehicular traffic, so it\u2019s easier to navigate.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t \n\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t63 C. de la Fortaleza, San Juan\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n

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\"La
Source: La Fortaleza \/ Discover Puerto Rico<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Situated near the San Juan Gate at Recinto Street, La Fortaleza captures your eye with its stunning light blue and white facade and tiled roof. Constructed between 1533 and 1540, it was the first fortification built in the San Juan harbor and is the oldest continuously used governor\u2019s mansion in the Western hemisphere (170 governors have lived here). La Fortaleza earned a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation in 1983. It still serves as the official residence and offices of Puerto Rico\u2019s governor today, but 30-minute guided tours are offered weekdays between 8:15am and 3:30pm. The tour includes the verdant Moorish gardens, chapel and dungeon. Special holidays or government business may alter hours of operation, so you might want to call ahead to confirm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost: <\/strong>N\/A<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hours: <\/strong>Open Monday through Friday from 9am\u20135pm<\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t \n\t

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Source: Old San Juan City Hall in the Plaza de Armas in Puerto Rico during the Christmas Holiday, Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

If you need to take a rest from sightseeing, Plaza de Armas (Arms Square) is the place to do it. Let the bubbling waters from the marble fountain soothe you as you people watch in what was once the city\u2019s main town square. Grab a snack or a refreshing iced coffee from one of the nearby food kiosks.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t \n\t

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Source: San Juan Bautista Cathedral \/ Discover Puerto Rico <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dating back to 1521, this historic landmark is located in the heart of Old San Juan. The Gothic-style Catedral de San Juan Bautista is one of the oldest buildings in San Juan and is still an operational church. Inside you\u2019ll find beautiful frescoes and stained glass windows. The cathedral also contains the tomb of Spanish explorer and Puerto Rico\u2019s first governor Juan Ponce de Le\u00f3n, as well as the glass-encased mummified remains of St. Pio, a Roman martyr killed for his faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost: <\/strong>There\u2019s no charge to enter, but consider a donation to help with ongoing restoration work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hours: <\/strong>Open Monday through Friday 9am\u20134pm; Sunday from 8am\u20131pm; closed Saturday<\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t \n\t

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Source: Ballaj\u00e1 Barracks \/ Discover Puerto Rico<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Museo de las Am\u00e9ricas is located on the second floor of the historic Cuartel de Ballaj\u00e1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the 1800s, Cuartel de Ballaj\u00e1 served as military barracks, housing more than 1,000 soldiers at a time. Four permanent exhibitions provide an extensive look into the history of the Caribbean and the Americas. Peruse archaeological artifacts, pre-Columbian to modern day artwork and other items. The museum also hosts exhibits by local artists, as well as creative workshops and community events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost: <\/strong>General admission is $6; Children 12 and under, students and visitors over 65 pay $4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hours: <\/strong>Open <\/strong>Wednesday through Friday 9am\u201312pm and 1\u20134pm; Saturday and Sunday 11am\u20134pm; Closed Monday and Tuesday. Holidays may affect hours of operation. <\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t \n\t

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Source: Family enjoying a day out at El Morro \/ Discover Puerto Rico<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This towering 16th-century citadel was built after La Fortaleza\u2014construction began in 1539 and was completed in 1790. Enhancements to El Castillo San Felipe del Morro continued over the next four centuries, including expanding the thickness of the walls from 6 feet to 18 feet (25 feet in some sections). El Morro was used for several years as a military installation. It became part of the National Park Service in 1961. El Morro and the walled city of Old San Juan were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1983. The spectacular views from the top level overlooking the San Juan Bay are worth the price of admission. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost:<\/strong> $10\/pp, children under 15 admitted free. Your receipt also gets you into Castillo San Crist\u00f3bal (and vice versa).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hours: <\/strong>Open daily from 9am\u20136pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you explore all these Old San Juan gems, pick two or three or add some of your own to your tour, time in Old San Juan is always well spent.<\/p>\n\n\n

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