Old San Juan
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Cultural Experience,
Good Place to Drink,
Must-Do Experience,
Walking/Hiking,
Island,
Neighborhood
Old San Juan sits on a small island guarding the entrance to the Bahía de San Juan, the “rich port” which gave Puerto Rico its name. Its strategic position was backed up by fortifications include the forbidding San Felipe del Morro fort at the tip of the island, as well as San Cristóbal fort and La Fortaleza, now the Governor’s residence.
Inland, the compact grid of hilly, narrow streets, with their colorful houses and elegant wrought-iron balconies, represents one of the oldest and best-preserved town centers in the Western Hemisphere. Two historic houses of worship bookend the center: in the north, the simple white exterior of the San José Church and the comparative grandeur of the older Cathedral of San Juan Bautista, built in 1521, in the south. The latter contains the tomb of Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León.
Latest Reviews
Review by Steven B, January 2013
Doing what: Rum Distillery and Old San Juan Half-Day Tour
We really enjoyed our tour of the Rum Distillery and Old San Juan Fort. Our guide was great. He had a great personality and not only knew a lot about the particular tour but also shared general information about Purto Rico with us. We have never been to Puerto Rico before and loved the trip.
I would definitely recommend this trip and Viator to friends.
Review by Lionel H, USA, November 2012
Doing what: Rum Distillery and Old San Juan Half-Day Tour
Rum samples are always good. Great tour guide explaining history of Old San Juan.
Review by Barbara D, August 2012
Doing what: Rum Distillery and Old San Juan Half-Day Tour
The tour was most enjoyable. The tour guide was very knowledgeable as he shared the history of Puerto Rico, with special emphasis on Old San Juan. Certainly our stay was made more enjoyable and memorable because of the tour. If all of the guides are as pleasant and knowledgeable as ours was, I will certainly use this company again.
Practical Info
Old San Juan is connected to the rest of the city via a bridge. Buses stop just outside the historic center, which is best navigated on foot.
