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San Juan Explore Historic Sites Walking Excursion

San Juan, Puerto Rico (Excursion ID S2266)

Excursion
out of stock
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  • Duration
    3 hours
  • Activity Level
    Moderate
  • Minimum Age
    All Ages
  • Languages
    EN | ES

Description


  • Pick up from your San Juan cruise ship terminal in Puerto Rico!
  • Bilingual (English and Spanish speaking), native San Juan sightseeing shore excursion guide with more than 8 years experience on this particular Shore Excursion!
  • 3-hour guided excursion to the highlights of the Old San Juan City!
  • Entrance fee to the Fort (either San Cristobal or San Felipe del Morro)!
  • Personalized service, escape the cruise-sponsored shore excursion crowds!
  • Best stops for photo opportunities!
  • Enjoy a guided highlights visit of San Juan's best sites!

This San Juan Explore Historic Sites Walking Excursion begins by meeting with your friendly and experienced guide just outside your San Juan cruise ship terminal.

The Castillo San Felipe del Morro is a 16th-century citadel and was built to guard the entrance to the San Juan Bay. The bay was a popular docking area for all sorts of ships due to its depths. The construction began in 1539 on the orders of King Charles V of Spain, but it continued to increase in size due to additions built over the centuries to accommodate changing military technology. It is also interesting to note that the Castillo San Felipe del Morro was built strong enough to withstand several attacks by the English. In modern times, it was designated a World Heritage Site by the United Nations in conjunction with the San Juan National Historic Site.

Castillo San Cristobal Fort which is 15 minutes away from the San Juan Cruise Terminal may be visited instead due to traffic. Not to worry, both of the forts are quite impressive and both are internationally recognized historical buildings.

The Castillo San Cristobal is a fort that was also built by Spain for protection against land attacks. This fort is part of the San Juan National Historic Site and is the largest fortification built by the Spanish in the New World. When it was completed, in 1783, it covered an area of about 27 acres and wrapped around the landside of San Juan. It is interesting to note that Castillo de San Cristobal (Fort San Cristobal) contains giant cisterns that were used to transport water during the ages of the Spanish Colony. Due to their enormous size, 30 ft. tall, 60 ft. wide and 100 ft. long, they were used as bomb shelters during World War II.

Your guided walking shore excursion of San Juan Puerto Rico through the fort is approximately 45 minutes. You will then head to Old San Juan where you will visit the San Juan Cathedral. This cathedral is one of the oldest buildings in San Juan and the second oldest cathedral in the Americas. You can visit the tomb of the Spanish explorer and settlement founder Juan Ponce de León and marvel with the beautiful painting of the Virgin of the Providence.

Your next stop is the Ballaja Barracks. These were constructed by Spanish militia in 1864. The structure occupied about 83,000 sq. ft, and could accompany over 1,000 soldiers and their family members. The immense interior patio is a wonderful example of 19th-century Spanish architecture.

Your San Juan walking excursion continues for an exterior visit to observe magnificent buildings like the famous El Convento Hotel and the La Fortaleza (Governor's Mansion). Your knowledgeable and experienced Puerto Rico guide will tell you interesting facts and stories about these sights.

You will also have the chance to stop at the Quincentennial Square, San Juan Gate, and the La Rogativa monument, all great examples of the beauty of Spanish construction.

This San Juan Historic Sightseeing Shore Excursion ends at Cristo Chapel, just a block away from the cruise ship pier. You will have the choice to have the guide lead you to the San Juan cruise ship terminal or you may stay for a little longer in the shopping area and walk back at your own pace. Yyou will have a little more than an hour to look around, drink, lunch, etc.


Excursion out of stock

Important: This excursion is temporarily not available.

San Juan Explore Historic Sites Walking Excursion Experiences

This excursion is available to everybody and specially designed to accommodate passengers of the following cruise lines


San Juan Explore Historic Sites Walking Excursion Reviews

Come along with us and explore the best of Old San Juan on this downtown historic sightseeing walking excursion. You will visit a historical Fort, an impressive Cathedral, and the most important buildings and highlights on this San Juan Sightseeing shore excursion. San Juan has much more beauty than what might be expected!

4.8/5

5 Reviews

San Juan, Puerto Rico
Great Tour!
     5/5  (Visited on April 2019)
22
My family and I had the pleasure of touring with Margarita in Historic San Juan. Margarita was so informative and educated us on so many interesting details of San Juan’s history. She took us to many historic sites including a fort where entry fee was covered. Overall, it was lovely getting to know Margarita and she took us to many places we would not have known to do on our own. Great experience!
Show Management Response

Ohio
Exceptional tour!
     5/5  (Visited on January 2019)
36
We have taken many tours throughout the years and this was by far one of the very best. Our guide Margarita was wonderful! She was professional, friendly and extremely knowledgeable of the city and history of the city. She welcomed questions and was able to answer all of our questions about the city, neighborhoods, government and culture. We had a very small tour group so we were able to tour the city at our own pace. I would highly recommend this tour.
Show Management Response

Personal Tour!
     5/5  (Visited on December 2018)
64
Margarita was wonderful and we were her only tourists for the day! She was very interesting to listen to and we could adventure to the parts of the city we wanted to see since we were her only visitors. We went to the fort and saw the Carnival tour group which had about 40 people in it and we were so happy we booked with shore excursioneer.
Show Management Response

Pembroke Pines
be ready to walk but fun and educational
     5/5  (Visited on October 2018)
54
Just like my title review it’s a lot of walking! But it’s so worth it! Margarita is very professional and she knows what she’s talking about . Our guide was super fun, witty, and funny! It was worth every penny ! My boyfriend and I enjoyed it and totally recommend her tour!
Show Management Response

Illinois
good
     4/5  (Visited on April 2018)
115
Good tour.
Show Management Response
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