San Juan Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour

based on 13 reviews

Duration:2 hours to 3 hours (approx.)
Location: Puerto Rico,

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ADULT (Age : 5 to 99)

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Embark on a walking tour of San Juan, full of majestic architecture, breathtaking views, and embattled history. Behold the largest Spanish-built fortification in the Americas. Hear stories of pirate battles, greed, and power featuring figures like Sir Francis Drake. Stroll down ancient city streets rich with culture and history, then walk along this beautiful city's old walls and enjoy some gentle ocean views.

After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route.

New, extra validity — now yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!

This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1.
Welcome to San Juan! Are you ready to explore this historic capital? Let’s get started! Our tour begins at the colorful La Corazon Steps. You can’t miss it -- the steps have a beating red heart painted on them while the nearby tourist info center is an eye-catching pastel pink. NOTE: This 1.8-mile-long tour covers the essentials of San Juan in 1-1.5 hours.
2.
Pause once you round the bend. There should be bright pastel buildings on either side. Before we continue, let’s briefly review how this tour works: Stories play automatically as you follow the route. When a story is finished, the map will pop back up.
3.
Pause here at the intersection. Look at the eye-catching pastel building ahead and to the right. El Antiguo Casino is a beautiful example of the Beaux Arts style, featuring Greek columns, Roman balustrades, and Tiffany-style glass windows. It’s not a casino, if that’s what you’re thinking! It’s a wedding venue!
4.
Hello Columbus! We’re at Plaza Colon, also known as Columbus Square, looking at a towering statue of Christoper Columbus. So what is Columbus doing here? Simple: He was the first Spanish explorer to claim the island for the Spanish throne! He called the island San Juan Buatista, and although its name later changed to Puerto Rico, the name “San Juan” stayed for this city.
5.
You can’t miss the huge fortress ahead. That’s Castillo San Cristobal, the largest Spanish-built fortification in the Americas. Cross using the crosswalks and head towards the Castillo’s main entrance visitor center if you plan to visit. If not, turn left and walk up the slope towards the historic entrance to continue the tour. Keep listening as you walk!
6.
Continue walking and look left. See that clump of trees with two tall towers sticking out above? Behind those is hidden a tan stone building with a triangular roof: the Polvorín de Santa Elena, built in 1783. This building served for a long time as a gunpowder magazine. The powder to fight all those battles against the Dutch and the English had to come from somewhere! Nowadays, Polverin de Santa Elena serves as an office for the National Park Service!
7.
Directly ahead of us is the Castillo San Felipe del Morro, more often referred to as El Morro. It’s probably the most epic fortification in Puerto Rico and much of the Americas. Construction on this castle began in 1539, and it’s a good thing it did! Remember all those attacks on San Juan? They would have succeeded without a doubt if not for this fort.
8.
Keep walking as you listen. Farther ahead and to the left, do you see that gray and white structure with the black top, sticking up above the stone wall? It almost looks like a lighthouse, but it’s Bateria Santa Elena aka the Battery Guardhouse!
9.
Continue walking as you listen. Look left, at the huge yellow building with three flags flying on top. This is the Cuartel de Ballaja, an old military barracks and the very last large-scale construction project by the Spanish in the city. The second floor now houses the Museum of the Americas.
10.
Pause here. Notice the sign on the right for Casa Blanca. Before it was a home, it was actually the very first fortification in San Juan. Built in 1521, it protected the settlers against revolts by the indigenous Taino. To visit, walk through the gate on your right. Click on Learn More for admissions info.
11.
Check out the tall white cathedral ahead to the left. This is the Catedral Basilica Menor de San Juan Bautista, the oldest church in the Americas! Built in 1540, it has survived the innumerable attacks on San Juan, the fire set by the Dutch, and even the recent, and devastating, Hurricane Maria! It seems like no calamity is bad enough to shake these foundations!
12.
Continue walking down this shady, colorful, cobblestone street. At the end of the street stands a huge stone doorway. That’s none other than the Puerta de San Juan: the only remaining gate of the old city! Hundreds of years ago, this gate welcomed travelers to the city and kept invaders shut out. Walk through the gate and get a great look at the water beyond.
13.
As you walk, look up at the city walls. Soon you may be able to spot a few buildings behind the wall. Those make up La Fortaleza, Spain’s original fortress here on San Juan, tracing back to before the 1530s. Before the Castillo San Cristobal, that was the only thing standing between San Juan and other conquering nations.

ADDITIONAL INFO

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email with instructions. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the separate app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular.
• How to start the tour: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
• Walking Tours: couples can share one using headphones.
• Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It's perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
• Comprehensive Tour Experience: • The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
• Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
• Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
• Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
• Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app's features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : peggycX8394YW
Great food in luquillo…
Took the ferry to vieques.
Blue horizon hotel amazing
El yunque beautiful.
Old San Juan fascinating
Lovely beaches isla verde
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-17 22:39:18

Posted By : Mildred_S
Personally think this is a great way to get to know old San Juan. Super easy to follow, nice walk around the neighborhood, covers the bases and gives you a brief overview of what you’re looking at. Worth the price. Download beforehand and you’ll have no issues with connecting.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-13 22:41:52

Posted By : Aaron_C
The audio tour was amazing and the fact that it was set to gps was awesome. We could stop and talk or look longer and not be held to some arbitrary timeline from a tour group. We were in our own, free to speed up and slow down, or skip as we liked was great. The voiceover was very good and packed with so much information. We loved it. And the price was less than 1/4 of the traditional tours. Just be sure to pre-download everything in case you have service issues.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-14 13:32:10

Posted By : Melissa_W
I really enjoyed this self-guided tour. The app worked well, it was an informative and I loved being able to go at my own pace, take detours, break for lunch, etc. I highly recommend this tour!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-11 16:14:38

Posted By : Sarah_R
I like that the app starts up immediately and stays on while you're on course. We didn't have any issues with the app either.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-03-25 17:57:56

Posted By : elizabethkX6758MU
We were concerned that we wouldn't have the time or energy for a guided walking tour, so we were happy to find this one. It worked perfectly for our schedule--we ended up doing the tour on three separate days. It was a little glitchy for some of us--if I took a picture in between stops, often the app would stop showing the map or return to the beginning of the tour, so I would have to close the app and open it again. Also, it didn't remember what steps we had completed. Not a deal breaker, but a bit annoying. The tour gave us just the right amount of information and helped put everything we saw in context. We would definitely use it again, though it would be nice for the glitches to be fixed.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-03-14 18:14:12

Posted By : chelseadavee0304
It took me a couple minutes to get the hang of how the tour worked (but it was my first time with this type tour, and I'm a little slow), but after that it was wonderful. I especially liked being able to stop at any time, for as long as I wanted, and pick up right where is left it. I found I could also skip around the tour, which was also helpful. My operator's voice was very pleasant to listen to, and the information was very good. I would definitely use this app again.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-03-05 10:16:28

Posted By : 107rogerb
Good tour. Arrive to park in old San Juan EARLY. 9AM at least. The parking lot at the tour's starting point was closed as of 2/28/2024.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-03-01 13:22:30

Posted By : mariapN6173TF
It was easy to get good information about San Juan in this self-guided tour. Easy to find the different stops. Worked well without internet. I can recommend this tour because you can do it in your own pace and it gave a lot of information for a nice price.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-01-09 03:10:19

Posted By : Resort08090898373
The audio tour was presented very well. So easy to follow. Even if we detoured a block or two, we were able to pick right up where we left off without having to search for the highlights on the map. The numbered points with stories were enriching and entertaining. We especially loved that we could go at our own pace because I am in a wheelchair. We look forward to more audio presentations from this author. Oh. . . The views? Nothing short of spectacular! Keep your camera out. . . Many photo ops along the way!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-12-20 09:44:05

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San Juan Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

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ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY

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How it works

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Adventure

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Retrieving available

Tickets

San Juan Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour

WHAT'S INCLUDED ⟱

WHAT TO EXPECT ⟱

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ADDITIONAL INFO ⟱

CANCELLATION POLICY ⟱

Partner Resources

How it works

Travel

Insurance

Adventure

Contact

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY