Old San Juan
Old San Juan
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
This historic area in San Juan exudes old-world charm. Walk along the cobbled streets and past colorful buildings, historic fortresses, and old city walls, some of which date back to the 16th century. You might even chance upon local musicians playing some salsa or jazz tunes. There are also several museums where you can learn more about the history, art, and culture of the area, plus cool cocktail bars and restaurants for a quintessentially Puerto Rican meal. Don't miss all the best sights (and food!) on a walking tour of Old San Juan. – Tripadvisor
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Top ways to experience Old San Juan
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
491 within 3 miles
Attractions
270 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- DozerMyrtle Beach, South Carolina1 contributionSan Juan Happy Tours book at pier!Alberto caught us when we got off our ship and did not know what we were going to do as our cruise booked excursion was cancelled. He won us over and did not disappoint. His knowledge of the area was amazing and we learned a lot of the history and about the island in general. We felt safe and enjoyed every minute. Definitely recommend!!Visited April 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten April 23, 2023
- SwansonMKSBloomfield Hills, Michigan14 contributionsGreat self-walking tourOld San Juan made for a great day trip to P.R. Have your good walking shoes on and prepare to climb some hilly streets and see some really cool buildings. If you like cats, they are taking naps all over the place, but won't bother coming up to you. We got a lot of photos and had a nice day.Visited April 2023Written April 26, 2023
- Ted_SetoLos Angeles, California27 contributionsAn amazing colonial Renaissance walled cityOld San Juan exceeded all my expectations. It is one of the largest walled cities in the world, with a large portion of its walls intact. Inside the walls are cobblestone streets, pastel houses, and fabulous restaurants. I've traveled a lot through Europe, and old San Juan beats most of the walled cities I've seen there.Visited June 2023Traveled on businessWritten June 10, 2023
- superracconChicago, Illinois6 contributions"Old San Juan: A Historical Gem Overflowing with Color, Forts, and Culinary Delights"Old San Juan exceeded my expectations with its rich history that emanated from every corner, especially the awe-inspiring forts. The vibrant colors of the old houses added a charming touch to the experience. Moreover, there was no shortage of food options, allowing me to indulge in the local culinary delights. Surprisingly, I found that hiring a tour guide wasn't necessary as planning the visit independently was easily manageable.Visited June 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten June 17, 2023
- Valuetraveler20155 contributionsGreat Day Trip. Definitely add to your itinerary for Puerto Rico.Old San Juan is beautiful. Our family (7 of us with five kids ages 17-21) spent the day walking the streets, shopping, and exploring. The shops are on the touristy side, but the architecture was amazing. Make sure to stop by the old canon battery park and visit with the 200+ pigeons that make the park their home. The kids were laughing and taking pictures with ten birds sitting on their heads/shoulders and arms. The Cathedral is beautiful, the walk around the old wall by the sea is picturesque, and the national historic site of the fort is amazing. We parked at the Dona Fela parking garage, which was a good starting location for our exploration. It was $11.50 for 6-7 hours. Anita La Mamma del Gelato had the best Gelato we had ever tasted. Definitely worth a stop. Overall, a great day trip. Not sure I would spend more than a day here. Lots of walking, so wear comfortable shoes and stay hydrated. We ate dinner at La Deavadura, which was excellent Puerto Rican food at affordable prices.Visited June 2023Traveled with familyWritten July 4, 2023
- David MPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania4 contributionsBeautiful streets, but mostly caters to cruise shipsViejo San Juan reminds me of many other old European cities we've visited in Spain and Italy. It has beautiful cobblestone streets, colorful houses, gorgeous views of the water, and delightful plazas and churches. Unfortunately, like many port cities, much of it is given over to cruise ship passengers, with tons of duty free shops, factory outlets, and mediocre food. Definitely spend a day here to learn more about the oldest city in the hemisphere, and to visit the castillos and interesting museums, but you won't need more than that.Visited July 2023Written July 4, 2023
- Ollie P4 contributionsGreat San Juan Walking TourJuan Carlos was a great tour guide with a great expanse of knowledge of San Juan’s history. It was our first day in San Juan and was well spent. We also appreciated his recommendations for places to eat afterwards.Visited July 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten July 13, 2023
- Joan HKnoxville, Tennessee232 contributionsA fun and engaging tropical place to visit!An enchanting old city with many stories to tell . . . . Everything is walkable, although there are some hills. The ancient city walls provide great opportunities to take in views. And the Cathedral is truly lovely.Visited May 2023Traveled with friendsWritten July 16, 2023
- Katie NZAuckland, New Zealand275 contributionsFavourite city in the CaribbeanWe loved Old San Juan. There is a lot to see, do, and eat while there! The township is colourful and it has a good atmosphere, with lots of stalls and stores to visit. Restaurants and bars are also abundant. USD is the currency used. Prices are standard for an island and the locals are mostly welcoming. You can walk to a lot of places, including the two fortresses, cathedral and the city shops. Pro: the cobblestone streets and colourful buildings. Con: it was very hot in July! Be prepared for the heat if you visit during this time of year. You can skip off to the mountains to cool off if needed. Tip: remember your camera! You will regret not taking photos. Take away: I will definitely visit again.Visited July 2023Traveled with friendsWritten July 24, 2023
- Rachel16 contributionsDid not disappoint!Great service despite only 1 young guy working the entire front of house (dining room, patio, and carry-out) *wish I could remember his name.* Server was informative and patient. Food was wonderful. One of my favorite restaurant experiences in Puerto Rico.Visited July 2023Traveled with familyWritten August 1, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
16,744 reviews
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MARK V
Bethel Park, PA50 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
We needed a break from the holidays and work so we booked a trip to San Juan. One of our friends recommended that we stay in old San Juan and he was spot on. I can’t imagine going to PuertoRico without staying in old San Juan for a while. The forts were great to visit and the nightlife was very cool. Restaurants have authentic food and good prices. Would recommend staying in old San Juan if you are going. The Airbnb prices are reasonable and you get to stay in some great authentic older homes.
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KCLizard
State College, PA629 contributions
Jan 2020
There are plenty of sites to see here, including the castles, museums, the churches, and the governor's mansion, but it also has a great restaurant and bar scene. I would try to avoid it on the days when multiple cruise ships come to port, and it is easy to look up the schedule online. It feels far more genuine and chill when the cruise ships are not there. The trolley is certainly worth it.
Written January 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ThaiBlu
Philadelphia, PA97 contributions
Feb 2020
Old San Juan is a must see in Puerto Rico. We went there for the artist craft festival which was lively, filled with music, food and local artist. We also went several other days to shop , tour, fine dining and another day eat at food trucks. It is a beautiful old city. So many shops and beautiful buildings. The first night I wore kitten heels and was much more comfortable the other days with flats or walking shoes. The side walks are small with a good amount of people walking up and down the cobblestone streets.
On the port which is also a beautiful view. We had amazing weather and enjoyed different aspects each day.
On the port which is also a beautiful view. We had amazing weather and enjoyed different aspects each day.
Written March 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JLHGRW
Chicago, IL43 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
The architecture and infrastructure in Old San Juan made it worth a visit. The area is quaint, but there weren't as many shops as we expected. With that said, we did find a great art gallery with original works at reasonable prices. We also ate an authentic Puerto Rican meal that really hit the spot after spending so much of the day walking up and down steep streets!
Written March 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dmbia
Iowa290 contributions
Aug 2021
Old San Juan reminded me a lot of the French Quarter in New Orleans. While it is quite touristy, there's a reason the tourists come there. It's historic and also quite beautiful. It's full of restaurants, bars, and gift shops, which gives the place a lively feeling. It's definitely a place every tourist should visit.
One issue with Old San Juan is that it's not easy to get there from elsewhere in the city. I primarily relied on public transit, and the buses in San Juan just aren't very reliable. It's a short ride from Condado to the old city, but the wait for the bus to arrive can be an hour or even more. Taxis were beyond my budget, and had I rented a car I think it would have been a chore to drive to and in the old city--not to mention the difficulty and expense of parking. I walked from Condado to Old San Juan once, but it is a rather long walk (three miles or so). I wish there were reliable public transportation connecting the old city with the rest of San Juan.
One issue with Old San Juan is that it's not easy to get there from elsewhere in the city. I primarily relied on public transit, and the buses in San Juan just aren't very reliable. It's a short ride from Condado to the old city, but the wait for the bus to arrive can be an hour or even more. Taxis were beyond my budget, and had I rented a car I think it would have been a chore to drive to and in the old city--not to mention the difficulty and expense of parking. I walked from Condado to Old San Juan once, but it is a rather long walk (three miles or so). I wish there were reliable public transportation connecting the old city with the rest of San Juan.
Written August 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura F
3 contributions
Feb 2020
Lots of tourists shops; catering mainly to cruise ships that dock nearby. Some restaurants. We enjoyed rolled ice cream at Himalaya Ice Cream - very good! Don't try to drive in Old San Juan. Easy to walk around (sidewalks are narrow though); use a pickup/dropoff car service to get you to Old San Juan (Recommend dropping off at the Tourist Information Center, right on edge of Old San Juan and easy walking distance from there to everything in Old San Juan). Friendly merchants, etc in the area. The Museum of Latin American Art is worth a visit as well. The Cathedral was lovely - and nice little park across the street.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rammyun
33 contributions
Aug 2021
I went a month ago and they are very empty. Most of people want to go to Hawaii but I would recommend come here to avoid the crowd. People are friendly, lots of great food option. Everyone follow COVID guideline. I highly hope you can come and see the beauty of it.
Written September 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dustythoughts
Manchester, CT2,150 contributions
Dec 2019
I love wandering around Old San Juan (Viejo San Juan in Spanish). The multicolored buildings, the cobblestone streets, the history, the restaurants and cafés, and most of all the people - there's so much to see here that it's well worth dedicating a few days to this part of San Juan alone (although the rest of San Juan is absolutely worth seeing as well). You're better off walking around on foot so you don't miss anything and so you can wander into a café for strong coffee or to enjoy the sunshine in a plaza. Go to the fort, watch people flying kites, and simply soak in the history and the culture of the city.
Written November 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SanRcruz
62 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
After we toured El Morro, we walked to old San Juan for lunch. There were people on the streets playing guitar, singing etc. and after lunch (a pork special)there was a man selling Piragua which we also got. We looked for the street with the umbrellas but the umbrellas were taken down and now there is a giant Puerto Rican flag. It all looks so beautiful.
Written January 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shannon H
Jacksonville, FL8 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
We were blown away by the culture seen in Old San Juan. We walked the day entire sightseeing and eating. We enjoyed the friendly conversations the entire walk.
We visited the fort and we stopped at a restaurant call the parrot of old San Juan and the food was amazing. My party of five order different entrees and everyone was pleased with the flavor of the food.
Walking around Old Juan is a must do!
We visited the fort and we stopped at a restaurant call the parrot of old San Juan and the food was amazing. My party of five order different entrees and everyone was pleased with the flavor of the food.
Walking around Old Juan is a must do!
Written March 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
how much would an uber cost coming from isla verde to old san juan
cwal
Tennessee116 contributions
It depends on the time of day. It could range anywhere from $12 to $30. Less in off rush hours and more during rush hours.
Are the sombrillas back up in the Calle de Fortaleza? There were taken down in 2019 after they ousted the governor then, we’ll be there next week!
Se necesita visa de Colombia a puerto rico?
bgerber948@gmail.com
Miami Beach, FL376 contributions
Puerto Rico es los EEUU. por eso lo mismo reglas
Nancy W
2 contributions
Hello- when we travel we like to pick up small original water colors as a remembrence of where we have been. Any suggestions in Old San Juan- street market or other areas where we may find someone who does this? Thanks in advance.
shelly p
Chesapeake, VA100 contributions
There is a market with local vendors, similar to a flea market. I can't remember everything there but if you like to pick up local art this is definitely the place to find it.
It the trolleys in service at this time? Taking a cruise in February.
Anthony D
Eugene, OR567 contributions
I did not need to use the trolly so I do not know if it was operating
It the trolleys in service at this time? Taking a cruise in February.
bgerber948@gmail.com
Miami Beach, FL376 contributions
there are no trolleys in Old San Juan
Tom H
Fernandina Beach, FL56 contributions
Considering a trip to Old San Juan. Don't, however, was to mobbed by cruise ship hordes. Is one part of Old San Juan better to keep as far away from that as possible?
PR Vagabond
San Juan, Puerto Rico273 contributions
Hi, as others already mentioned, cruise ships have not yet returned. However, when international return travel to the US required a negative test starting back in January (a requirement not applicable to US territories), tourism in San Juan skyrocketed. There are now lines for restaurants that have never seen a line before. Last weekend, there were enough tourists walking the streets of Old San Juan that you'd think at least 3 ships were in town, when in fact not a single ship was docked. I believe only one or two docked since Covid, and those may have been trial runs. Old San Juan is small, so whether tourists fly in or come off the ship, there really is no escaping them - unless you walk the few streets that are purely residential. Best bet is to make this your first thing you do after breakfast, which also keeps you out of the mid day sun. But avoiding tourists in any place in San Juan these days is virtually impossible. Good for the businesses, but if you are local without a tourist business, you are hoping for the good old days to return when more folks went to Mexico and the Dominican Republic rather than here.
epet
9 contributions
Travel guidelines say only tourists staying “in the area” of Old San Juan can enter the area… what does that mean? If I stay at a resort on the beach, will I be forbidden to enter the OSJ neighborhood? Are they checking your hotel key or something?
Arhanover182
Louisville, KY24 contributions
We walked right in. I’ve been there 3 different times. There’s no checkpoint or anything like that. Just wear a mask in stores and restaurants.
Grace W.
Rockford, IL7 contributions
We've never been to San Juan Puerto Rico and we are going there next month. Any suggestions on places to eat and places to see? How about transportation? Do they have uber or lyft? Is it cheaper to use the taxi going to the Marriot hotel or the take the shuttle bus?
Jurnee G
Aurora, CO17 contributions
There are activities here on trip advisor you can plan. I suggest snorkeling, LED kayaking was so much fun at night! OLD SAN JUAN IS A MUST VISIT! While out there eat and drink at Cinema Bar or something like that. But you wont miss it!! So good!! They have uber for sure they will take you anywhere you have to go. If your hotel have shuttle take that!! Other call a uber fast amd convenient!! Have a good trip!!
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Claim your listingOld San Juan - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Old San Juan
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Old San Juan:
- Old San Juan Walking Tour (From $39.00)
- Old San Juan Deluxe Walking Tour (From $71.08)
- Craft Cocktail Tour in San Juan (From $64.99)
- Old San Juan: Segway PT and Kickscooter Tours (From $97.00)
- Old San Juan Walking and Tasting Tour (From $159.00)
- Hotels near Old San Juan:
- (0.02 mi) El Palacete Luxury Hotel
- (0.02 mi) Decanter Hotel
- (0.02 mi) Modern Living In Old Town - Calle Luna OSJ
- (0.03 mi) Casa Arana 104 San José
- (0.03 mi) Beautiful 1st Floor Apartment with Private Patio
- Restaurants near Old San Juan:
- (0.03 mi) Itos Thin & Crispy
- (0.03 mi) Bar Catedral Rooftop
- (0.04 mi) Cafe 4 Estaciones
- (0.10 mi) Chocobar Cortés (Viejo San Juan)
- (0.08 mi) Tropical Taste
- Attractions near Old San Juan:
- (0.02 mi) Museum of our African Roots (Museo de Nuestra Raiz Africana)
- (0.03 mi) Coqui Island Adventures
- (0.03 mi) Adventure Mermaid
- (0.05 mi) The Spoon Experience
- (0.07 mi) The Poet's Passage