 | San Juan Old San Juan Reviews | 1 - 10 of 50 |  |
The top of attractions of Old San Juan can easily be seen on foot for the most part. Although for anyone wishing to save the shoe leather or just get there faster, a taxi to El Morro or San Cristobal should not be too expensive. Since Old San Juan is considered to be the area within the old fort or castle walls and only 7 square blocks, you can see alot in one day on foot if you are so inclined. This area will delight you with its Spanish architecture, churches, shops, restaurants, and museums, not to mention historically significant buildings and other features. Calle Fortaleza is a street favored by many tourists because of its attractive restaurants, hotels and shops.
Since the old town is bordered by San Juan Bay, a walk along the waterfront can be a pleasant way to start or end your walking tours or enjoy a respite while taking in the great vistas it has to offer.
Guided tours of Old San Juan or excursions to other sites on Puerto Rico can be arranged from La Casita (see General Tips) or from your hotel. Leave a Comment
|
 | |  |
Visiting San Juan?
Read reviews about San Juan Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
This is an old park that locals use to bring their kids to feed the birds here. Literally, it means "Plaza of the Doves," and all you see is pigeons (for those zoologists here, you know that pigeons are a species of dove). On the ground, there are so many pigeons that you cannot see your feet, and it looks like the ground is moving. Truly a sight to see, and younger children will get a kick out of it. Be careful where you step, though, because you might squash one of the birds. Best part: it's totally FREE! Minus the price you'd pay for the bread if you decide to bring some. Leave a Comment Address: Plaza de las PalomasDirections: I believe it's on the southwestern side of the island.
|
Currently the Governor's Mansion, this is the place where the Spanish government would send their hostages and inmates back in the colonial times. You can get a tour of the place, now blue but when I was last there, it was white. The tour is highly reccomended, as the guides take you down to the tiny dungeon and through the grand rooms of the "palace." A home for the conquistadors way back when, the name and shape of the edifice definatley makes one think that it is still a fortress. Even when I was a kid, I enjoyed la Fortaleza for some reason. Leave a Comment Directions: At the western end of Calle San Francisco and Calle Fortaleza.
|
One walk around this beautiful city and you'll fall in love. It has it's own unique charm. My favorite thing here were all the colorful houses. The old fashioned cobble stone streets are very charming also. Old San Juan is loaded with shops. It's easy to find a bargain if you don't impulse buy. My favorite store hear was called The Butterfly People, it's a store that sells preserved butterflies to use as decoration. Old San Juan is loaded with historical sites to visit, including El Morro and San Cristobal. Just about every hotel will have a walking tour map of Old San Juan available, if not pick up a free copy of Que Pasa, the local tourist magazine. The best part is most of the places to see here are free, although it will cost you a small amount to tour the forts. Address: Old San JuanDirections: You can get here by cab or by public transportation.
|
This is the central square in the city, the site of the city's government, souvenir shops, fast food franchises, what must be a thousand pigeons, tourists, lovers sitting on a bench in the shade of a tree, older city residents chatting... You should start your tour of the city here, and end it here as well, sitting on one of the benches and taking in the atmosphere of the city. Leave a Comment
|
Visiting San Juan?
Read reviews about San Juan Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
Although I had walked around in Old San Juan on my own during an earlier trip to Puerto Rico, in our most recent visit Karen and I decided to cough up the $45 each for a three hour guided walking tour. Although we thought it a bit pricey, the tour did enable us to see much more than we would have on our own and to also understand more of what we saw. Our tour guide was very knowledgable, animated, and obviously proud to show us around her city. We began with a short bus ride to La Princesa Boulevard where we started our walking tour through fountains and around the old city wall. We passed the Rogativa Monument, walked to San Felipe del Morro, saw the oldest church in the western hemisphere and much more. Our tour went down famed Cristos Street and through other narrow cobblestone streets before ending up at San Juan Bautista Cathedral and Cristo's Chapel. It was a wonderful educational and cultural experience, although we were tired and sweaty after three hours walking in the tropical heat. Leave a Comment Directions: Our tour was booked through Royal Caribbean International. Several other companies offer walking tours of Old San Juan. Most are about two hours in length and run around $30 to $35. One such tour may be found by clicking the web site below.Website: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/sanjuan/0323010008.html
|
| | |
Old San Juan is the second oldest city in the Americas. Its small alley-ways are home to neat little shops and restaurants. The Spanish colonial architecture and cobble stone streets make you feel like you have taken a trip into the past. The hanging balconies and architecture remind me of Cuba, even though I have never visited Cuba. Leave a Comment
|
This is a promenade built for (and used by) the tourists who get off the cruise ships. Nonetheless, it offers great views of the city walls and the bay, and a fountain in front of which the cruiseship tourists feel compelled to photograph each other. Leave a Comment
|
I forgot what it was called, but there is a government building there that is made entirely of marble. It's beautiful. There are paintings of Ponce de Leon and Columbus on the walls. It only cost a half a million to make. Just breathtaking! Leave a Comment Address: not sureDirections: between the first catholic building in America & San Cristobel.
|
The well-preserved fortress walls encircle the old quarter and lend an unmistakable backdrop to the views of the city and the sea. Leave a Comment Directions: follow Paseo de la Princesa past the fountain
|
|
- Best Western San Juan Airport And Casino
Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, San Juan, Puerto Rico - Wyndham El San Juan Hotel & Casino
6063 Isla Verde Avenue Isla Verde, San Juan, Puerto Rico - Courtyard By Marriott
7012 Boca de Cangrejos Ave, San Juan, Puerto Rico - Tu Casa Boutique Hotel
2071 Cacique Street Ocean Park, San Juan, Puerto Rico - Diamond Palace Hotel Casino
55 Condado Ave., San Juan, Puerto Rico - El Canario Inn
1317 Ashford Ave. Condado, San Juan, Puerto Rico - Best Western San Juan Airport Hotel
Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, San Juan, Puerto Rico - Holiday Inn Express
1 Mariano Ramirez Bages Condado, San Juan, Puerto Rico - Best Western Hotel Pierre - San Juan Puerto Rico
105 Calle de Diego, San Juan, Puerto Rico - Hotel El Convento
100 Cristo St Old San Juan, San Juan, Puerto Rico - Radisson Ambassador Plaza Hotel And Casino
1369 Ashford Ave., San Juan, Puerto Rico - San Juan Beach Hotel
1045 Ashford Avenue, San Juan, Puerto Rico - Coqui Inn
36 Calle Mar Mediterraneo Villamar - Isla Verde, San Juan, Puerto Rico - Casa del Caribe
57 Caribe St. Condado, San Juan, Puerto Rico - Esj Towers
6165 Isla Verde Ave., San Juan, Puerto Rico
|
on January 16, 2005
on June 2, 2005
on August 10, 2007
on March 10, 2005
on June 10, 2007
on December 13, 2004
on November 25, 2003
