Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a colorful, vibrant, and tasty treat. Not to mention, the weather is dreamy. There are many fun things to do in Old San Juan and no vacation to Puerto Rico is complete without visiting charming and historic Old San Juan.
Old San Juan is known for its combination of history, art, architecture, culture, flavor, and shopping. And of course, some of the best Instagrammable spots you will find on the planet.
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El Morro, the Most Fun Thing to Do in Old San Juan.
Castillo San Felipe del Morro (El Morro), designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, is a magnificent military structure guarding the entrance of San Juan Harbor, and one of the most recognized images of Puerto Rico.
El Morro was originally a tiny fort built at the entrance of the harbor for protection of the New World. The small fort needed fortification as pirate invasions became more frequent. About 150 years of enlargements and enhancements began in the 1700s. The fort now stands at six levels of defense.
And it is breathtaking.
The entry fee is $7 for adults, kids are free. Operating hours are 9 AM-6 PM. Grab a map at the entrance and begin your self guided tour of all six levels of the fort. There is a park movie every fifteen minutes that is definitely worth your time.
Climb the stairs, ramps, and tunnels. Explore the barracks, the dungeons, the kitchen. Walk into the garitas, the small enclosures where the guards stood watch. Take in the picturesque, instagrammable view. Imagine what the men saw while protecting their land. This job must have been quite lonely, but wow, what a view of the Atlantic.
Spending time exploring the outside grounds of El Morro is a must.
After exploring the inside of Castillo San Felipe del Morro, spend time on the grounds in front of the fort to relax, take a deep breath, turn into a kid again, and fly a kite.
Head over towards La Puerta de San Juan (the San Juan Gate) to begin your tour of the outside of El Morro, a hike with spectacular views and more photo-ops.
Once you walk through the gate, you will discover Paseo del Morro to the right.
Walk alongside the majestic walls of the fort toward the entrance of San Juan Bay. It will be hot and sunny. Wear sunscreen and bring some water no matter what time of year you visit.
And be on the lookout for these guys. There are lots of them.
Continue Paseo del Morro, toward San Juan Bay, around the majestic structure. The path ends in a picturesque coastal cemetery with incredible views of Old San Juan and La Perla, the site of the music video for “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi, a famous Puerto Rican singer.
Grab a Piragua from the closest Piragüero and have a seat in the Plaza del Quinto Centenario, relax for a minute, and watch the kids play in the fountain. You may wish to bring a change of clothes for them as they may not be able to resist.
Tour inside and out, capture fascinating images, get some exercise, immerse yourself in history, and spend quality time with your family. The scenery is phenomenal. It is always one of our favorite things to do in Puerto Rico.
Time for Lunch.
Grab lunch at El Patio De Sam at 102 Calle San Sebastian; typical Puerto Rican food that never disappoints. And the Mojitos are fantastic, particularly the Coconut Mojito.
The Cathedral of San Juan Bautista.
The Cathedral of San Juan Bautista is located in the heart of the city.
The cathedral, the site of the tomb of the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León, is one of the oldest buildings in San Juan, and the oldest cathedral in the United States.
The Doors of Old San Juan.
Old world architecture surrounds you as you wander the blue cobblestone streets of Old San Juan; the colors are vibrant, and the doors are unique. I could dedicate a single post to just the doors of San Juan. They all seem to scream individuality.
El Parque de Las Palomas.
A must for the kids, buy some bird feed from the vendor and watch the doves become your best friend. The kids insist on this every time we visit. If you put the feed in your hair or line up the seeds down your arm, you will have friends for life.
Enjoying a Piragua is the perfect way to cool off.
A Piragua is a cold sugary treat created with shaved ice and fruit-flavored syrup. The kids love this.
You will find an adult version of Piragua disguised as a Margarita at El Parnaso, a Mexican Restaurant with seating out on the cobblestone street.
Next on the agenda is El Paseo de la Princesa.
El Paseo de la Princesa may be one of the most picturesque walkways in the world. When you stroll through San Juan Gate from the city and towards the bay, head to the left to experience the beauty and history of El Paseo de la Princesa.
Surrounded by the wall protecting the city and the San Juan Bay, discover vendors selling authentic local flavors for you to sample, and artisans selling hand made goods for your home. A wondrous view of San Juan Bay, La Fortaleza (the Governor’s mansion), pelicans, tree cover, it is peaceful. Grab a seat on one of the benches for a snack, and take in the sights and sounds.
Raíces Fountain.
At the end of your journey, arrive at the Raíces Fountain, which honors the rich heritage of Puerto Rico with its roots in Spanish, African, and Taíno cultures. The statue is stunning with the backdrop of the San Jan Bay, add the sunset, and you will find the most romantic place on the island.
Sunset Cruise on the Amazing Grace.
Reserve a spot on Amazing Grace for a two-hour sunset tour of the San Juan Bay (you can reserve with Viator). You will have the full view of the wall protecting the city, and the Puerto Rico skyline.
Amazing Grace and the Skyline of Puerto Rico.
La Fortaleza ( The Governor’s Mansion).
Here is a bit of advice on exploring all of the fun things to do in Old San Juan.
- Old San Juan is a popular cruise ship destination, so be sure to check the cruise ship schedule, and avoid those days.
- It is hot, so dress accordingly.
- Wear sunscreen.
- AND wear comfortable shoes You will be walking, uphill and downhill, and on surfaces such as cobblestone and uneven sidewalks.
- If you go early in the morning, you will beat the crowds, and you will be able to take lots of pictures before everyone arrives. The lighting in the morning is glorious. And it can be quite peaceful at this time of the day.
- Go off the beaten path. The architecture and art of the city are fascinating. You will find hidden treasures in the sights, sounds, and scents off the beaten path.
- Take your time. As many times as we have had the opportunity to explore Old San Juan, we still find new things. Each year of life with the kids brings a new point of view of the city.
If you want to hear more about the enchanted island of Puerto Rico, you will love THIS.
Oh, and please share this with your traveling friends. They will love it.
I have been obsessing over a trip to Puerto Rico for years! Thank you for sharing your trip and I look forward to planning mine.
That mojito looks fantastic. Just looks like a beautiful place overall!
I love the architecture in Old San Juan! I can’t wait to go back!
It is really beautiful. We are going in August, and I am so excited to get back.
The architecture is amazing to me! I love the old historic feel of it all and the colors of the buildings. I would love to just walk around and experience it all. So close to Florida, too!
It is pretty amazing. I go early in the morning and meet my family later just to walk around before all of the people show up. I love it.
These are some of the most enticing pictures I’ve seen of San Juan!! I’m obsessed with old doors!!
I seriously think that I could dedicate a post to the doors of Puerto Rico. Maybe I will work on that when we visit this summer.
Old San Juan is definitely a fabulous place to spend a day. I will definitely have to try a coconut mojito next time I’m there!
It may be my favorite drink, although the local beer, Medalla is tasty and refreshing.
This looks amazing, a truly interesting place to visit. Your son is very brave, I think I would be forever scared of those birds!
Believe me, He was at first. He did not like it at all, now he’s a pro! It is such a fun island to visit. We love it.
It looks so vibrant. can’t wait to see it, one day.
Yes, one day. It is the best and you will love it.
San Juan looks like a really complete and vibrant destination. We’d like to do a road trip to cover Puerto Rico highlights. Would you say it is safe?
Puerto Rico has tons of police presence, especially in the metropolitan areas. It is safe and we have never had any issues. That being said, you have to be smart and stay away from areas that look sketchy. Take all precautions as you usually do while traveling to keep yourself safe.