Old San Juan Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Old San Juan. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now: 

• El Yunque Rainforest Waterslides and Luquillo Beach w/ Transport

• Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour

• Old San Juan Walking Tour

• Historic Old San Juan Sunset Walking Tour

• Old San Juan: Segway PT and Segway Xafari Ebike Tours

While it’s free to visit Old San Juan, many travelers opt for guided tours to learn more about the city’s history, architecture, and cuisine. Walking tours of the historic center start at US$25, with sunset guided walks priced from US$40. If you prefer to explore independently, self-guided audio tours cost from US$5

Yes, Old San Juan is the historic heart of the Puerto Rican capital, chock-full of colonial buildings, cafés, and museums. To deepen your knowledge of San Juan's history and find the best photo spots, join a walking tour and explore the neighborhood with a local guide.

Per one customer who booked the Old San Juan Walking Tour, "What a fantastic tour! Our guide was simply the best! Friendly, courteous, polite, and so knowledgeable. He gave us plenty of time to take photos and shared the extensive history of Old San Juan. Would highly recommend this tour and our guide."

Old San Juan is compact, and you can walk around it in an hour without any stops. With a few stops, you can explore in two hours—many sightseeing tours last about that long. For a more in-depth and leisurely exploration, including time inside some attractions, plan on spending a day.

Choose from a wide range of Old San Juan tours. Old San Juan historical walking tours are the most popular, and they stop by many of the attractions dating from the 18th century. Other options include Segway and 4WD tours, or itineraries focused on interests like photography, food, bars, or shopping led by a tour guide. San Juan Bay cruises offer a different perspective.

Many tours of Old San Juan focus on the area's historic buildings and attractions. Highlights include San Juan Gate (Puerta de San Juan), San Juan Bautista Cathedral (Catedral de San Juan Bautista), Palacio de Santa Catalina, Castillo San Felipe del Morro (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Castillo San Cristobal, Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery, Paseo de la Princesa promenade, and Fortaleza Street, known for its colorful umbrellas.

The best time to arrive depends on your priorities. December to April is popular with international tourists, while June to July is popular with local tourists. To avoid crowds, come in late April to early June or on weekdays. Many museums are closed on Mondays and/or Sundays.

Yes, you can drive around Old San Juan, but it’s not recommended. The roads are narrow, traffic can be bad, and—aside from a few lots—parking tends to be parallel parking. There’s also not much of a need to drive, since the area is very walkable.

Yes, it’s best to book Old San Juan tickets for guided tours in advance. That way you can join your preferred tour at your preferred time, although Old San Juan tours are plentiful. Booking ahead is especially important if you have limited time in San Juan, or are visiting as part of a cruise ship stop.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Old San Juan. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in San Juan:

• Icacos Island (Cayo Icacos)

• El Yunque National Forest

• San Juan Cathedral (Catedral de San Juan Bautista)

• Castillo San Felipe del Morro

• La Fortaleza (The Fortress)

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in San Juan.