Best Things to Do, Places to Visit & Top Rated Excursions for Cruise Visitors – San Juan, Puerto Rico

Walk The Historic District of Old San Juan

Walking in Old San Juan becomes an extraordinary experience.  Old San Juan is truly an open-air museum with so many things to see and do.  Some of the top attractions and activities suggested in this guide are located within the historic district of Old San Juan and nearby and we have presented them in a way to make your planning easier.  Even if you didn’t visit the major historical attractions, walking around will be a fun memorable experience. 

Should You Explore Old San Juan on Your Own or with a Tour Guide?

Our short answer is… a mix of both is just perfect.  We’ll give you recommendations on how to explore on your own, with a tour guide, or a mix of both.

Exploring Old San Juan on Your Own

You can walk the streets of Old San Juan on your own, below we have listed recommendations of sights you may want to visit as you walk around the historic district.  For the best experience without having to do much planning, consider booking a tour (see suggestions below), the stories and history bring the city to life with the addition of learning about the Puerto Rican culture.

Top Attractions & Places:  Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Castillo San Cristobal, Casa Blanca Museum, Museo de Las Americas, Iglesia San Jose, Cathedral San Juan Bautista, Paseo de La Princesa, Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery, La Rogativa

We invite you to relax at a square, and simply walk down streets to admire the architecture and take vacation photos full of color.  The most popular streets for shopping and dining are Calle Cristo and Fortaleza, but you’ll find more great shops and restaurants throughout other blocks.  This list may seem short, but there’s truly a lot to see and do in Old San Juan.  Keep reading this guide for ideas on things to do.

Cost:  Free plus entry cost to chosen attractions.  Fort visit cost: $10 per person for both fortifications

Explore Old San Juan with a Friendly Knowledgeable Tour Guide

Following are top-rated walking tours to suit cruisers, including driving tours to help those with mobility challenges and private tours for those that prefer a more personalized experience.   Most tours last two hours, so you’ll have time left over to choose other activities at your leisure.

See all Old San Juan Tours organized by categories, or see below for some recommendations. 

Go to the Beach & Snorkel with Sea Turtles

Just a 10-minute taxi ride from the cruise piers in San Juan, in a small protected cove called Bateria El Escambron, something magical happens underneath the surface… a natural aquarium with mesmerizing sea turtles and colorful tropical fish abound.  The snorkeling experience is so good, rave reviews from people like you have placed snorkeling experiences at the top of the list on the coveted award list of Tripadvisor’s Travelers Choice Award, Top Overall Experiences in the Caribbean. 

The location is great for cruisers, you can explore Old San Juan and still have time to go snorkeling at Escambron Beach, just a 10-minute taxi ride from the Cruise ports in San Juan.

Although the best and most beautiful beaches of Puerto Rico are located in other regions, this city beach has much to brag about, offering great snorkeling, an awesome spot to learn how to scuba dive, natural tidal pools for safe swimming, crystal clear waters, public facilities and surprisingly rarely crowded since visitors are spread out exploring the city.  This beach is the smallest beach inside Escambrom Beach Park.  Come to Escambron and experience the pleasures of snorkeling in the city under the Puerto Rican Sun.

Cost:  Free entry to Escambron Beach, but there is a parking fee if driving in.

Distance from Cruise Piers

• Old San Juan Piers:  Walking: about 35 minutes;  you can safely walk through Old San Juan, then walk through the scenic oceanside walkway of Paseo Puerta de Tierra. ⎮ Drive: 8 minutes.
• Pan American Pier:  Walking: about 36 minutes; a taxi is recommended due to traffic.  ⎮  Drive: 9 minutes.

Let your Inner Child Free… Fly a Kite on the Grounds of El Morro

We invite you to enjoy this simple yet exciting activity with your loved ones and friends, we are confident it will be one of the most memorable activities of your cruise adventure, it costs very little, but the memories will be truly priceless.  Flying a kite at El Morro is a must for every Puerto Rican and resident of the island, it is our hope you can come to San Juan, and even for just a few minutes, you let your inner child be free, let all your cares fly away, and dream again, like a child.

You can find inexpensive kites sold near the fort of Castillo San Felipe del Morro.  For a really special kite experience, enthusiastic Puerto Rican artists offer a Kite Painting experience, a wonderful activity to do with the whole family and for getting away from the crowds, once finished then head to the grounds of El Morro and run free.  The kite will surely be a souvenir you can reuse or hang on a wall,  it will be a conversation piece with your guests and make you smile each time you see it.

Crowds on the Grounds of El Morro – The time when you’ll see crowds is when school groups visit the forts.  Surprisingly the grounds are typically relaxed since most visitors head inside the fort or wander the streets of Old San Juan.  Romantics will always find a nice spot to sit down on the grass and simply take in the beauty around them together.

Cost of Experience:  Price of kite

Distance from Cruise Piers

• Old San Juan Piers:  Walking: 20 minutes ⎮ Drive: Approx.: 13 minutes
• Pan American Pier:  Walking:  Not recommended – 1.5 hours⎮ Drive: 15 minutes

Explore a Fort in Old San Juan

If you had more time in San Juan, we would advise that you visit both forts, but with limited time, we have the following recommendations for the San Juan National Historic Site.

Can you explore the forts on your own or do you need to book a tour? 

On your own:  You may explore the forts on your own, there are interpretive signs with summaries of historic facts.  There are ranger-guided tours, please inquire when you purchase a ticket, since schedules may change, we will not post that information here.

With a tour guide:  If you prefer a tour guide, there are certainly advantages to doing so, you can get a tour of the fort combined with great stories and a history of highlights around Old San Juan in a few hours with time left to enjoy more of your day in San Juan at your leisure.

Cost of Fortifications Visit:  $10, valid for 24 hours with access to both forts.  Ages 15 and younger enter free of charge.  See fees, passes information, and discount entry information on the official website.

Tours to Forts:  There are a few tours that include a guided tour to El Morro.

Visit Casa Bacardi – The Largest Rum Distillery in the World

Puerto Rico is known as the Rum Capital of the World and it certainly lives up to its reputation.  Cocktails in San Juan are at another level… delicious concoctions made with Puerto Rican Rums.  Walk around Old San Juan and enjoy cocktails at cool bars or take a taxi to elegant lounges in the district of Condado.

The most popular experience for rum connoisseurs is visiting Casa Bacardi, the largest premium rum distillery in the world, yes, in the world…  Casa Bacardi offers an interesting tour sure to keep you engaged covering the history and rum-making process, some tours offer the addition of rum tasting and even a mixology class so you can show off to friends when you get back home.

Cost of Casa Bacardi Tours:  From $33 – $83 per person plus the cost of a taxi.

Distance from Cruise Piers:  From Pier 1 in Old San Juan – a 25-minute drive ⎮ From Pan American Pier – a 20-minute drive.   You may also take the Cataño Ferry from Old San Juan, a very inexpensive option, however, there have been times when the ferry is delayed or not running due to mechanical issues and visitors encountered frustrations.  If it is within your budget, a taxi ride or private transportation service will be the way to be sure you get Casa Bacardi for your scheduled tour.

Please Note:  It is recommended that you arrive at Casa Bacardi 30 minutes before the starting time of the tour to register, enjoy your cocktail and take photos.  Give yourself 10 minutes extra in case there’s heavy traffic.

Escape To The Enchanting El Yunque National Rainforest

Many visitors wish to visit the rainforest of El Yunque, and it is certainly doable for cruisers.  El Yunque is enchanting, one of the top natural treasures in the Caribbean.  We highly suggest you book a private tour of El Yunque so it can be personalized to your preferences.  We don’t recommend you rent a car and go on your own if you’re short on time.  If you wish to explore on your own, we encourage you to extend your stay in San Juan for at least one day.

• Cost of El Yunque National Rainforest Tour:  See tours below
• Distance from Cruise Piers: Old San Juan Pier – 1-hour drive ⎮ Pan American Pier – 50 minutes to Visitor Center

Get Away From the Crowds for a Romantic Experience 

While cruises are fantastic, they can feel a bit crowded, you stop at a destination with everyone trying to see the main attractions, making it difficult to have some quiet intimate time with your loved one.  Old San Juan can feel more crowded during cruise days, however, there are special places around the city that are rarely crowded so that you can enjoy a more intimate romantic experience.   Following are a few experiences to enjoy with your love while in San Juan sure to make your cruise vacation more memorable…  Shhh!!! Don’t tell your loved one… plan this as a surprise to make it even more special.

Photography Lovers

If you enjoy taking photographs to share with friends and family, you’ll find plenty of colorful and scenic spots around Old San Juan sure to get much attention on social media.  The most scenic spots are the grounds and Garitas of Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Parque de Las Palomas, the narrowest house in the Americas, the flag at Calle Imperial, the umbrellas / hanging artwork at Fortaleza Street, the views from Castillo San Cristobal at the corner of Calle Norgazaray and the scenic Paseo de La Princesa.

Have a Relaxed Tour of Old San Juan with Professional Photos – One suggestion we have made in our guides is to put away your phone, and go more “old school” by allowing photographers to follow you naturally or take you to great spots to take professional photos.  Imagine not worrying about taking the perfect photo, so you can focus all your energy on simply enjoying the moment with your loved ones.  For photo lovers, a walking photography tour of Old San Juan may be the perfect experience.

If you like Piña Colada… 🎶

… you’ll LOVE San Juan, after all, it was born right here, in the capital city of Puerto Rico.  In 1978, the Piña Colada was declared the official drink of Puerto Rico.  Two places still argue about where it was invented… but residents and visitors surely agree there’s no better place in the world to enjoy them.  Learn more about the birth of Piña Colada, where to have an authentic one and recipe.  

Savor the Flavors of Three Cultures 

We hope you have enjoyed your dining experience on the cruise ship, but we encourage you to try something a little different.  Eating at a destination is a way of getting to know the culture of the place.  San Juan has often been included on best lists of “foodie destinations”.  Taste the fusion of three cultures on a plate, Taino Natives, Spanish, and African flavors.  In Old San Juan, the cultural hub of Puerto Rico, you can find the best variety of food, from traditional to the best fine dining, however, the prices tend to be higher in the city.  A favorite experience for visitors is eating al fresco so you can enjoy the sights of architecture and feel the energy of the city as you eat.  Minutes from the cruise piers, head towards La Casita where you’ll find food trucks selling traditional fritters at good prices and vendors selling piraguas, tropical fruit frappes, ice cream, and more.  Foods to try in Old San Juan. 

Food Tours in Old San Juan:  To make the most of your time in San Juan, you can book a walking tour that includes food tasting, a perfect way to enjoy the best sights and taste the flavors of Puerto Rico.  See below for top-rated tours.

Shopping in Old San Juan

Be sure to save room in your luggage for some wonderful finds in San Juan.  A 5-minute walk from the piers in Old San Juan and a short taxi drive from the Pan American Pier, you’ll have many shops to visit, from local boutique shops with unique finds to recognized stores such as Pandora and Piraña Joe.

For a really special work of art, a learning experience away from the crowds, and a souvenir to take home, consider this Sip & Paint Experience.

+ Shopping in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Visit a Museum

Within the historic district of Old San Juan, you can walk from the cruise piers to interesting museums and galleries.  Various museums are free of charge or welcome visitors with low-cost entry fees.  The following are among the most popular and interesting museums in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

Museo de Las Americas

Museo de Las Americas is located in the elegant Cuartel de Ballaja, is perfect to visit right after Castillo San Felipe del Morro, where you can learn about the history of the Americas and enjoy the art exhibits, a great museum for families with children.

Casa Blanca

Casa Blanca is located just a few minutes down from Museo de Las Americas, this mansion was the first fortification in San Juan, built as a home for Juan Ponce de Leon and his family.  Tour the mansion, courtyard, and gardens.