Old San Juan Free Walking Tour

Tour agency · San Juan

Old San Juan Free Walking Tour

Tour agency · San Juan

Plaza Colon, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico

Highlights

Historic walking tours of Old San Juan, learn history, see forts

Plaza Colon, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico Get directions

osjfreetour.com

@osjfreetour

@travelleisure

5 Tours to Take in Puerto Rico — From Horseback Rides and Rainforest Hikes to Food Tours

"David Rodriguez explores historic Old San Juan beginning at Fort El Morro, built to protect the island from pirates and European powers who valued Puerto Rico ('rich port') for its strategic location. Strolling along cobblestone streets, Rodriguez explains that the stones were used as ballast for arriving ships before becoming the early roads. He points out Old San Juan's colorful architecture and locations that were used in films like 'Pirates of the Caribbean.' In addition to historical locations, Rodriquez takes his guests to Calle San Sebastian for nightlife and bars, and he stops at the spot where the piña colada was invented in 1963. Along the way, the walking tour takes in stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and San Juan Bay." - Travel + Leisure Editors

https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/island-vacations/best-puerto-rico-tours

View Postcard for Old San Juan Free Walking Tour

Bliss Way

Google

National Historic Site. Absolutely stunning. Great views of the ocean/port. Old building structures. Hotels and restaurants all in walking distance. Great place for tourists. Clean. Residents here are super friendly. Feels safe here. Great place to get the feel and visual history. Security is noticeably here so great place to bring your kids. FYI lots of moving traffic here.

Caylea

Google

We enjoyed our free walking tour with Juan! He was fantastic, gave honest and important discussions about the history of PR and current issues, and kept us in the shade :) He also shared lots of local recommendations which were so helpful to us during our stay!! This tour is a great way to get your feet wet on arrival to beautiful OSJ, PR.

Michelle Fisher

Google

Must book online before arrival. Close to the cruise ship port meeting place. Nice walk through town, though I would have liked to return to the original meeting place instead. Not suitable for wheelchairs or baby strollers as the road is uneven bricks throughout the city. When it's very hot, take a bottle of water. No food stops but lots of recommendations in where to get local food.

Kedzie Hopkins

Google

We had Carmen as our tour guide and learned a lot of information about Old San Juan. It was a bigger group (30+) but Carmen still did a great job trying to connect with all of the attendees. She was very knowledgeable and always asked if we had questions. It was a great way to explore Old San Juan and learn more about the history! After the tour Carmen provided recommendations for places to get coffee, food, and information on local events. As long as you are okay with a bigger tour group, this is a great option!

Crystal Lin

Google

I really enjoyed the tour! It was heavy on the history and Juan was very informative and nice. I love hearing stories. It was about 2.5 hrs and such a fun introduction to old San Juan. Do it

Swati Patil

Google

We were a group of friends and we walked around fort and the near by locations during the day and night too. NOTE - we did not do the guided tour just did the free walking & yet we thoroughly enjoyed the visuals of this place. I highly recommend to walk in the day light and in evening. Both give us a different experience. The place is very lively and vibrant colors of the homes in narrow lanes feels beautiful. The shops are great places to get souvenirs. The umbrella street - Calle De La Fortaleza - did not have umbrellas but had Christmas lights put up. The lights stay till mid Jan. Good restaurants around to eat. Night time enjoyed the music in the bars along this street.

Travis

Google

The Old San Juan Free Walking Tour with Carmen was easily one of the highlights of our trip to Puerto Rico. Even compared to paid walking tours I've done elsewhere in the world, this one ranks highly. Carmen in particular was super nice and approachable, and even offered to finish the tour for those willing in the pouring rain. Highly recommend! I suggest doing this the day after you land, that way you get a good sense of San Juan and can then go back to places that piqued your interest.

Serena Valle

Google

This was a great tour! Our tour guide was knowledgeable and friendly. They shared a lot of the history and culture of Old San Juan. Our tour guide let us know from the beginning. They welcomed questions and could adapt the information they shared to the questions and interests of the group. With all of the questions we had, we ended up taking about 2 hours and 45 minutes for the tour. I recommend giving yourself plenty of time so as not to rush out.

James R.

Yelp

Want some history at your own pace? This walk will take you through over 400 years of island history. If you are active or retired military, you do not pay to get into the forts. We walked and walked. It ended up being about 10 miles for the day. It was well worth it. The trail tells about Spanish rule and the building of the fortification. The walls wrap around most of old town. Just remember to stay hydrated. We saw people being tended to by medical personnel because they were not hydrated

Asma S.

Yelp

I don't know where to start ! But this tour was AMAAAAAAZING! I didn't want it to finish that's how much fun I was having . The tour guide took us to all the small corners that local people go to and it was such a nice experience. She was also excellent at giving out historical facts and was nice enough to stop and take pictures of us . Of course tips are welcome so don't skimp out . This was the highlight of our trip to Puerto Rico

John Z.

Yelp

This is a pretty cool option for a laid back self-paced walking tour on old San Juan. The app uses gps to trigger about 20 or so audio descriptions as you walk along the route. You'll need a smart phone with gps and headphones. The map was 100% accurate, and sometimes the clips wouldn't trigger automatically but it was easy to manually play them. The app also was a little glitchy. It would have been nice if it was a bit more in-depth but that is a minor point. A good value for the $$.

Pamela B.

Yelp

Juan was our tour guide. He was friendly and knowledgeable and gave us so much info about the history of Puerto Rico. Unfortunately we got rained out an hour in and we tried to keep going but Mother Nature was not on our side. Highly recommend this tour and we will try again next time we're in town.

Ivan R.

Yelp

We caught an Uber from our residence in Puerto Rico, and were dropped off at the beginning of the Fort. The walk is about 1.8 miles from start to finish. My wife and I did not climb up to the top of the fort, which gave an awesome view of what it would have looked like over 500 years ago. The walk was leisurely with perfect places to stop, look, and reflect.

chellz c.

Yelp

FREE!!!! While waiting other tour guides tried to lure us to go to them and pay $25. for their tours and made comments that sometimes they don't show up. Don't be fooled! They show up everyday they said and it's totally worth paying $0.00 for the same tour. We had a tour guide Juan! He was very informative with all the details of Puerto Rico. Dress comfortable with lots of standing. Remember to bring a hat and a large water flask because it does get hot. Tour is for all ages but young kids who were on our tour 1-3 years old were bored. Learned so much of the streets and buildings and seen beautiful views. I definitely will recommend to everyone.

Marly T.

Yelp

I enjoyed this free tour guide, Sara was my guide and she was so sweet and knowledgeable. You can see the love she has for Puerto Rico. She allowed us to be in the shade as often as possible, she taught us some salsa. She even helped me get bird poop out of my hair lol. Her recommendations for places to eat were spot on. I would recommend this tour. Even though it was free I felt like I got so much information from the tour like I paid for it.

Keauni S.

Yelp

Very informative tour, and for the price of free? it's very hard to beat. We started at the Plaza de Colon, and made are way up north towards the border of La Perla, stopping at multiple different landmarks and streets along the way, then moved down towards the "Save a Gato" Landmark, which was so cool! so many beautiful cats just chillin there. we end up wrapping it up back near San Juan de Bautista. Again for free? you can't beat it.

Jimmy N.

Yelp

Old San Juan was such a beautiful spot to visit. On such a lovely day that was in the 80s. It was breezy and sunny because the water was legit right there. There were so much fascinating little shops you can walk in. A lot of spots to explore and take beautiful pictures. Just the history of the place was interesting. Everyone is super nice. A must visit place when you're in San Juan.

The C.

Yelp

Amazing tour filled with information on the rich history and current state of PR. Highly recommended- but make reservations!

Raymond S.

Yelp

Beautiful city and part of town. For mainland US it is poorer than any state but clearly wealthier than any place I have been in the Caribbean to date. Awesome weather, friendly people and a great vibe.

Miguel G.

Yelp

Sara did a great job of providing historical and cultural context that gave us a better understanding of Viejo San Juan and Puerto Rico in general. It enriched our trip and she had good recommendations. Even though the tour group that morning was exceptionally large, she handled it like a pro.

Black H.

Yelp

Very educational and entertaining. Tour guide was amazing, funny, and friendly. Definitely recommend!

Michael U.

Yelp

Consisting of colorful restored buildings from the 16th- and 17th-century Spanish colonial period, Old San Juan is a breath of fresh air from Beaches and drunk Spring Breakers. From Churches to artisan Shops and Eateries the narrow streets offer plenty of shade to go with photo ops. Plan at least a full day to fully enjoy.

Elizabeth L.

Yelp

The free walking tour is still the best way to see the city and get some exercise. The guide for the Old San Juan tour was a little green and somehow people who did not sign up joined the group. It was supposed to be an English speaking tour, but a Spanish speaking couple joined and dominated the time of the tour guide. :-/ However, the guide did a nice job being tactful and yet informative about the struggles of PR. It was not the easiest group to lead.

Richard F.

Yelp

We toured Old San Juan when we were there recently. It is a very charming old city and there are many nice sites to see. There are statues and historical places everywhere. We expected to see a lot of damage after the Hurricane hit there but, the city has done a marvelous job of cleaning up so you can not even tell. If you have time when you visit, make sure you take the walk along the waterfront. It is spectacular.

Jeffrey D.

Yelp

We had a wonderful time on this walking tour. Our tour guide, Alfredo was very friendly, patient, and knowledgeable. We really enjoyed his passion for his heritage. He also admitted when didn't know the answer to a question instead of making something up which I appreciated. He even showed us where to get a delicious frozen treat for 75cents which was much needed on a hot day. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking to learn about the history of San Juan and the island. Don't forget to tip your tour guide.

Rj M.

Yelp

We had an excellent experience on our walking tour with Sarah. She was very knowledgeable and taught everyone so much about Puerto Rico's history. A truly lovely experience with the right amount of people, good information, and great spots to take pictures. Would highly recommend to anyone in San Juan for the first time.

Lara K.

Yelp

Sarah was a wonderful tour guide. She was full of stories, history and recommendations. Definitely feel as if we experienced the best of Old San Juan. I cannot recommend this walking tour enough!!!!! Don't miss!'

Lish S.

Yelp

This is great you can go at your on paste and see some really awesome parts of old San Juan. No tour guide needed. We were able to stop for the best pina coladas and take photos at our leisure.

Lydia M.

Yelp

Booked online through their website, and hour tour got canceled the day before because not enough people had signed up for the tour. Then I booked through Civitatis thinking it was a different tour; however, it was the same company and I received an email after the confirmation was sent saying that there were not enough people. They had offered for us to join a later tour, and when I agreed, they returned and said it was in a different language than what we had signed up for. I was very disappointed.

Blanca A.

Yelp

You would have to go in the morning so you can find a free parking slot on the street other than that I loved it I can't wait until they open all the stores back again so I can go back

Nicki S.

Yelp

Don't pay for this tour me & my group paid 75c for the bus took us to old San Juan . Once you arrive you can take a free trill y'all around San Juan to view the city . We just got lucky and a tour guide took us all through the city for 10$ a person . He gave us a 2 hour tour took us to visit all the meaningful places and cites such a great experience. So many restaurants and good food options . One street has strictly Puerto Rican food so good would recommend.

Cheri D.

Yelp

Our group had a great tour with Daniela this past weekend. She was friendly, fun, and had tons of interesting information to share. Highly recommend!

Jessie L.

Yelp

Had a wonderful time touring Old San Juan. Daniela, our tour guide, was friendly, funny, very knowledgeable, and gave great recommendations. Perfect balance of strolling the beautiful streets, hearing about the history of Old San Juan, and making sure to stop for plenty of photo ops! She also answered all of our questions about Puerto Rico, politics, history, and where to get the best mofongo afterward! You can tell that this tour company loves their home and is passionate about sharing it with travelers. Definitely a highlight of our trip that we won't forget!!

Rafael S.

Yelp

My Family and I toured Old San Juan while vacationing there and it was perfect ! We were able to gain the historical significance of certain words from the Taino Culture, the architecture, history of the Island and it's forts and while enjoy the beautiful views of Old San Juan. Our Tour Guide (Lucia) was excellent ! She provides the tour in English and is very Knowledgeable. She explained the "Mythical Legends" and the true story of some of the land marks, and statues. The guide is very patient and kind. At one point of the tour, we stop for "Limbers" which is flavored snow cone served in a cup. The tour lasts 2 hours and it is well worth it. It's free and you must confirm attendance in advance. The tours are sustained by tips. You'll gain more of an appreciation of the Island once you learn of its history.

Mark W.

Yelp

Old San Juan is exactly what it says, the original section of modern San Juan which surrounds the fort. Filled with shops and restaurants, it is a tourist's delight. You don't have to buy anything, the buzz is fun and the walk is pleasant.

Lauren B.

Yelp

Zara is knowledgeable and has a wonderful presence. The tour was a perfect mix of history and culture. The pacing was also excellent, leaving ample time to enjoy the views and try an iced treat on a hot day.

Shadi M.

Yelp

I learned so much about the history and culture of San Juan on this tour. The guides are locals who are extremely friendly, professional, and knowledgeable. My guide was able to answer questions, and gave great recommendations about things to do and see in San Juan (things only locals know!). This is the first (and so far, only) free walking tour available in Old San Juan; you tip the guide what you want at the end. I highly recommend this organization!!

Julie L.

Yelp

We had a wonder experience during the Old San Juan Walking Tour. Zara, our tour guide, was amazing! She was very knowledgeable about all the sights in Old San Juan. She guided the tour though the most beautiful parts of the city and never missed a step. She gave us time to explore on our own and take group photos, but also kept the tour moving so we finished on time. She gave us amazing food recommendations and was very accommodating of our large (11 person) group. I would recommend this tour to everyone visiting San Juan!

@travelleisure

5 Tours to Take in Puerto Rico — From Horseback Rides and Rainforest Hikes to Food Tours

https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/island-vacations/best-puerto-rico-tours

View Postcard for Old San Juan Free Walking Tour

Bliss Way

Google

Caylea

Google

Michelle Fisher

Google

Kedzie Hopkins

Google

Crystal Lin

Google

I really enjoyed the tour! It was heavy on the history and Juan was very informative and nice. I love hearing stories. It was about 2.5 hrs and such a fun introduction to old San Juan. Do it

Swati Patil

Google

Travis

Google

Serena Valle

Google

James R.

Yelp

Asma S.

Yelp

John Z.

Yelp

Pamela B.

Yelp

Ivan R.

Yelp

chellz c.

Yelp

Marly T.

Yelp

Keauni S.

Yelp

Jimmy N.

Yelp

The C.

Yelp

Amazing tour filled with information on the rich history and current state of PR. Highly recommended- but make reservations!

Raymond S.

Yelp

Miguel G.

Yelp

Black H.

Yelp

Very educational and entertaining. Tour guide was amazing, funny, and friendly. Definitely recommend!

Michael U.

Yelp

Elizabeth L.

Yelp

Richard F.

Yelp

Jeffrey D.

Yelp

Rj M.

Yelp

Lara K.

Yelp

Lish S.

Yelp

This is great you can go at your on paste and see some really awesome parts of old San Juan. No tour guide needed. We were able to stop for the best pina coladas and take photos at our leisure.

Lydia M.

Yelp

Blanca A.

Yelp

You would have to go in the morning so you can find a free parking slot on the street other than that I loved it I can't wait until they open all the stores back again so I can go back

Nicki S.

Yelp

Cheri D.

Yelp

Our group had a great tour with Daniela this past weekend. She was friendly, fun, and had tons of interesting information to share. Highly recommend!

Jessie L.

Yelp

Rafael S.

Yelp

Mark W.

Yelp

Lauren B.

Yelp

Shadi M.

Yelp

Julie L.

Yelp

Old San Juan Free Walking Tour

Photos

Highlights

Postcards

5 Tours to Take in Puerto Rico — From Horseback Rides and Rainforest Hikes to Food Tours

You might also like

5 Tours to Take in Puerto Rico — From Horseback Rides and Rainforest Hikes to Food Tours