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San Juan, Puerto RicoCulture & history

Our most recommended San Juan, Puerto Rico Culture & history

San Juan: History Walking Tour with a Guide

1. San Juan: History Walking Tour with a Guide

Enjoy a guided history walking tour suitable for all ages to some of Old San Juan's most notable landmarks. Learn more about the history of Puerto Rico, its ties to the United States, and its rich Spanish, Taino Indian, and West African Heritage. Begin your exploration of Old San Juan, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a stop outside La Casa Estrecha, one of the narrowest houses in the Western hemisphere. Then, enter La Catedral de San Juan Bautista which is Puerto Rico’s grandest religious building. Discover some parts of some of the city’s impressive defensive system, namely its historic walls, the only remaining entrance door at La Puerta de San Juan, and Fortaleza. Gain a greater understanding of Puerto Rican history with your knowledgeable local guide.

San Juan: Old Town Sunset Walking Tour

2. San Juan: Old Town Sunset Walking Tour

Meet your guide at Plaza Colón in San Juan and set off into the sunset on this 2-hour walking tour. The plazas are the perfect location to learn about the colonial history of Puerto Rico from your guide. From Plaza Colón, you will walk and see the Plaza de la Barandilla and Plaza de Armas. In Old San Juan, visit one of its most spectacular historic buildings: Antiguo Palacio de la Intendencia, originally built to house the treasury of the island and now the Department of State of Puerto Rico. Witness the 18th-century chapel at Capilla del Santo Cristo de la Salud and learn all about its urban legend. Visit also La Fortaleza-Palacio de Santa Catalina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tour also takes you past San Juan Cathedral, the Ballaja Barracks, Catedral Basilica Menor, Cuartel de Ballaja, and San Juan's most valuable historic site, Castillo San Felipe del Morro, before ending at Plaza de San José.

San Juan: El Morro Fort Entry Ticket & Old Town Walking Tour

3. San Juan: El Morro Fort Entry Ticket & Old Town Walking Tour

Make the most of a short visit to San Juan with a walking tour to over 20 popular attractions. Stroll around the Old Town for a comprehensive look into Puerto Rican culture and history, guided by a local expert. Visit the inside of the ancient Fort Morro with tickets included. Join your guide on an insightful journey into the heart of the city. Dive deep into the cobblestone streets to admire the colorful traditional homes of the oldest part of San Juan, taking time to stop and learn about the rich history behind this vibrant neighborhood. Come up close to the San Juan Bautista Cathedral, La Fortaleza, and the San Juan Gate, as well as several other iconic sites. Step inside Castillo San Felipe del Morro, the most visited destination in Puerto Rico, for a trip back in time to the 16th and 18th centuries in naval history.

San Juan: Ghosts and Spooky History Walking Tour

4. San Juan: Ghosts and Spooky History Walking Tour

On this Walking tour of San Juan, discover the mystery disappearance of Jose Maldonado Torres who was lost in the infamous Bermuda Triangle, which stretches from Miami to the island of Bermuda in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, to San Juan, Puerto Rico. San Juan has much more than UFOs! From pirate ghosts to the spirits of broken-hearted Spanish soldiers to the tales of the Chupacabra and the Vampire of Moca, the Isle of Enchantment is full of amazing ghost stories and supernatural tales. Discover the unique haunted heritage of beautiful old San Juan, Puerto Rico with real ghost stories, local folklore, and recent reports of paranormal activity. As the third oldest European established city in the New World, San Juan’s deep and rich history awaits. This history, however, is not for the faint of heart! Deep in old San Juan, lay stories of greed, murder, and star-crossed lovers. Was Ponce de Leon really searching for the fountain of youth? Did he really haunt the island after his death, or was it a Taino chief wearing his armor? Does the Catedral de San Juan Bautista really have bone fragments of John the Baptist? These questions and more will be explored on this ghost tour of old San Juan! Places you will see on our walk: El Convento Hotel Castillo San Cristobal Cathedral of San Juan Bautista Colombus Plaza Teatro Tapia Puerto Rico Tourism Company Raices Fountain Capilla del Danto Cristo de la Salud La Fortaleza Casa Blanca Museo de Las Americas Castillo San Felipe del Marro Cemetario Santo Maria Magdalena de Pazzi

San Juan: Self-Guided Tour with Audio Guide

5. San Juan: Self-Guided Tour with Audio Guide

Take in the key sights of the Puerto Rican capital at your own pace on a self-guided walking tour. Listen as your audio guide shares the history of the city and its landmarks, including Castillo de San Cristóbal, Old San Juan, and La Fortaleza. Enjoy the freedom to stop when and where you want. Start your self-guided tour at Plaza Colón, where you will learn about the history of this beautiful square. Then, head off on an incredible journey through the old streets of the capital. See fantastic examples of architecture, such as the Castillo de San Cristóbal fortress and La Fortaleza. Then, take in religious landmarks, such as El Catedral de San Juan Bautista and Capilla de Cristo, as you continue your exploration of the Old San Juan Historic District of Puerto Rico. Discover the ruins of El Morro fort, San Juan's oldest residence La Casa Blanca, and La Plaza de Armas. Next, take in La Plazuela de la Rogativa. Admire the lovely views and bronze sculpture before heading to La Princesa. Keep your eyes peeled along the route for the blue cobblestones (adoquine) that pave the streets in the old part of the city. End your tour, feeling like you have gone back in time.

San Juan: Old San Juan Walking Tour

6. San Juan: Old San Juan Walking Tour

Step back in time and learn about Old San Juan from your guide who will cover centuries of Puerto Rican history and culture. Discover many of the highlights of one of the oldest cities in the Western Hemisphere as you make your way through Old San Juan. Start your tour at Plaza Colon and learn about the centuries-long history of this city from your guide. Discover the city's well-preserved architecture dating back to its founding and hear war stories of how a small island beat back empires. Explore city highlights, like El Morro Fort, San Juan Bautista Cathedral, Plaza de Armas, Paseo de la Princesa, San Juan Gate, and more. Enjoy photo and water breaks along the way to make sure the tour is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

San Juan: Old City and Castillo El Morro Guided Walking Tour

7. San Juan: Old City and Castillo El Morro Guided Walking Tour

Unravel several decades of history on this guided walking tour, from pirate times and dungeons to modern mid-century American Fort Brooke, with its swimming pool and movie cinema for the troops. Meet your tour guide in front of the Cathedral of Old San Juan, across from El Convento Hotel. Learn about La Catedral de San Juan Bautista – Old San Juan’s venerated cathedral, Puerto Rico’s grandest religious building.  Next, explore landmarks such as La Rogativa, the oldest square in Old San Juan, and El Convento which is a former convent. Then head up the street to talk about the history of the city's defense system. Finally, you’ll explore the defense walls and Castillo El Morro. Experience an in-depth tour of the fortification's construction, purpose, and history. Visit five levels of the castle and walk through 400 years of history. The tour ends inside the fort, where you can continue at your own pace.

San Juan: Walking Tour with Expert Guide

8. San Juan: Walking Tour with Expert Guide

Learn about its colonial influence and discover this fascinating city. See all its essential sights with your expert local guide. Begin with by entering San Felipe del Morro or San Cristobal. Hear fascinating facts as you walk along Paseo de la Princesa to the Governor's residence. Stroll through a city brimming with colors and cobble stone streets. See the San Juan Gate, built in 1520 to guard the city from the harbor. Visit the Ballaja Barracks, built by the Spanish militia for housing in 1864, as well as the San Jose Church, and Plaza del Quinto Centenario. Your tour will end at the Hotel El Convento, adjacent to all the shops and restaurants.

San Juan: Craft Cocktail Walking Tour with 3 Cocktails

9. San Juan: Craft Cocktail Walking Tour with 3 Cocktails

Join in for a night of drunken history on a craft cocktail tour through the streets of Old San Juan. Enjoy a crash course on 3 distinct eras in the drinking history of Puerto Rico, as you sip creative, rum-infused concoctions. Walk the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan as you make your way to the next watering hole. Rub elbows with fellow drink enthusiasts at historic, local spots and meet the owners, industry experts, and master mixologists at each location. Embark on a roving happy-hour adventure. By the end of the tour, know all the best watering holes in town and finish with plenty of time and insider information to continue the fun with a night on the town.

Puerto Rico: Old San Juan Guided Walking Tour

10. Puerto Rico: Old San Juan Guided Walking Tour

Embark on a historic walk into the top sights that Old San Juan has to offer. Experience San Juan from a local's perspective as your guide walks you through the most notable landmarks. Marvel at the colorful Spanish colonial architecture dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. See beautiful historical buildings such as the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista, one of the oldest buildings in San Juan. Visit the 16th century El Morro and La Fortaleza fortresses (outside) that are rising above the ocean, and then stroll along the Paseo de la Princesa, taking in the stunning views of the bay. Learn about the importance of Christopher Columbus for Puerto Rico, find out what was San Juan's original name, and hear about the Spanish-American post-war history. Then together with your local guide find out what’s inside San Juan’s San Felipe del Morro citadel.

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What people are saying about San Juan, Puerto Rico

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 71 reviews

Jorge was very accommodating, and very knowledgeable about the history of San Juan. It was an interesting tour, that left you plenty of time to check out the rest of the island.

Note was friendly, knowledgeable about the island and was an all-around excellent tour guide. Highly recommend his company!

Our guide was extremely knowledgeable of the area. It was a very fun adventure.

Antonio was fantastic!! Super knowledgeable and patient.

Was a Wonderful Learning Experience and Great Exercise!!