Lunch option #2 with a local flare a visit to the El Jibarito restaurant. Or maybe it’s in one of the mojitos at El Convento! Walking through Old San Juan at the Quincentennial Square. Some people believe the magical waters are somewhere in the rugged mountains of El Yunque. It’s the burial place of Juan Ponce de León, the famous explorer who was looking for the Fountain of Youth. Enjoying lunch in the courtyard at El Convento Hotel.Īfter a snack and a drink at to El Convento, take a short detour into the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista. There are dozens of helpful uniformed police in Old San Juan ready to assist with directions. To get there, walk downhill from El Morro to 100 Cristo Street. It’s not too difficult to miss this ochre-colored building with its black and white stone steps and heavy, dark wood entrance. Stop for a cold drink and lunch in the tropical courtyard patio at El Convento Hotel, a 356-year old former convent turned into an incredible 5-star hotel. Old San Juan is a charming area where colonial ambiance is maintained with a good dose of national pride.įrom the magnificent 18 th century Spanish architecture to the cobblestone streets and well-kept doorways, a visit to this old city is like a journey back in time. Great for kite flying, too.Īfter touring El Morro, allow yourself at least a couple of hours to meander your way back through town. If you’re into history, there’s a small museum that’s run by the U.S. Outside of the fort, there’s an enormous park and gardens where kids can burn off some steam. Intrigue abounds with tales of daring pirates and sunken ships to keep their interest. There is a small entrance fee to get into the fortress complex, but it’s worth it. Or, you can simply take a taxi from the pier. It’s a much more level walk (just a few stairs) and you’ll pass some historic and scenic lookout points. The other way is to cross the street and go left and keep walking. Along the way you’ll pass small shops, quiet cafés, centuries’ old churches and interesting architecture. Go straight uphill from the port through Old San Juan. To get to El Morro, it’s about thirty minutes to walk there from the port. Click! Welcome into San Juan Harbor with Old San Juan in the distance. Built between 15 to protect its harbor and city from invasion, El Morro features a maze of secret access tunnels and dungeons. Nicknamed El Morro, the massive stone fortress sits on a rocky promontory surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the San Juan Bay. Rising majestically 140 feet above the sea, flying US, Puerto Rico and Spanish military flags, is Castillo San Felipe del Morro. You’ll sail past what is possibly the most spectacular sight in the entire Caribbean. Grab your camera and stake out your space on the port (left) side of the ship for the magnificent approach into historic San Juan harbor. Wake Up to See El Morroįirst things first. Here are my suggestions for what to do in San Juan on your own walking tour. The pier is right across from Old San Juan. There’s plenty of time to explore the old city, even if you arrive at 3pm and depart at 8pm. What to Do in San Juan on Your OwnĪs an alternative to a planned shore excursion, I always recommend a walking tour through Old San Juan. On a sunset walking tour of Old San Juan to the Fortress. This small volcanic island is lush, tropical and known for its miles of soft sandy beaches and mountainous El Yunque, the only tropical rain forest in the U.S. And good thing, too, because almost every cruise to the eastern Caribbean includes nearly eight hours in San Juan.