Category: San Juan (Portorico)

SAN JUAN PANORAMIC TOUR

Excursion Details

This exploration of San Juan’s old and new sides lasts approximately two and a half hours, beginning with a short, guided drive from the pier to Castillo San Cristóbal. Once arrived at this vast fortress, spend around 45 minutes learning about its storied history (construction first began back in the 17th century and lasted for around 150 years) on a guided tour.

Afterwards, a guided drive lasting approximately 20 minutes moves the excursion from Old San Juan to New San Juan, providing a visually rich transformation in architecture and scenery.

Then, after another short, guided drive, arrive at the Capitol Building. This grand, neoclassical powerhouse is the home of both Puerto Rico’s senate and house of representatives. Grab plenty of photos of its marble-drenched facade during an external photo stop, lasting around 20 minutes.

The final stop is Plaza Colón, a bustling hub of public activity, also housing a towering statue of Christopher Columbus. Enjoy approximately 30 minutes of free time here, perhaps using the time for shopping at some of the many surrounding stores, or enjoying a snack or drink from the area’s eateries. A journey of approximately 15 minutes then returns to the port.

Important Information: Wear comfortable walking shoes. Tour price includes the admission to the San Cristobal Fort. Please ask for and keep your receipt at San Cristobal Fort, as proof of purchase. Fortifications are open every day from 9:00AM to 4:30PM

EL YUNQUE RAIN FOREST TOUR

Embark on a journey through El Yunque National Forest, a relatively compact tropical region packed with natural wonders. From tumbling waterfalls to a hidden pool and a historic lookout, this approximately four-hour excursion takes you to the top spots of this area, revered as sacred by the people of Puerto Rico.

Excursion Details

Eastern Puerto Rico is home to El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest System. Famous for its flora and fauna, the forest teems with hundreds of plant and animal species, including rare orchids and the endangered Puerto Rican parrot.

During your approximately four-hour excursion, you’ll visit several of El Yunque’s most famous attractions. Your journey begins with an approximately 50-minute guided drive from the pier to the rainforest. Once arrived, another guided drive, lasting around 15 minutes takes you to Yokahú Tower, an ornate, 69-foot-high lookout. Spend about 25 minutes here, taking in views of the rainforest’s distinct ecosystems – from the densely canopied tabonuco forest in the foothills to the mist-covered cloud forest that blankets the higher peaks.

Your next stop – reached in about 20 minutes – is the historic Baño Grande, a scenic former swimming hole built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Depression in the 1930s and fed by water from a tributary of the La Mina River. Spend about 25 minutes exploring and learning about its history while enjoying the surroundings.

The journey then continues with a paused drive-through La Coca Falls, located about 20 minutes away. This impressive waterfall cascades 85 feet down a series of rocky steps, surrounded by lush greenery—an ideal opportunity to admire and photograph the scenery from the vehicle.

Following La Coca Falls, there will be a 30-minute stop at the Mameyes River, where guests can experience its natural beauty and, if they wish, touch the refreshing river water. The tour then proceeds to Puente Roto for another 30 minutes, allowing guests to further enjoy the nature and beauty of the area. Afterward, guests will begin an approximately 50-minute return drive back to the ship.

Important Information: This is primarily a bus tour and not a hiking tour; therefore, it is suitable for all ages. We recommend for guests to wear comfortable clothing with flat, comfortable shoes and bring their respective raincoat

OLD SAN JUAN HISTORICAL WALK & COFFEE TASTING

Connect with Puerto Rico’s coffee culture on this approximately three-hour walking tour of the historic Old San Juan district. Its cobblestone streets and colourful colonial buildings provide a backdrop for celebrating the island’s world-class coffee. Sample fresh brews and snap selfies at city landmarks.

Excursion Details

After a short welcome at the pier, this coffee-fuelled adventure, lasting around three hours, kicks off with an approximately 15-minute stroll to a cafe, where you’ll sample a café con leche over approximately 30 minutes.

The tour continues through the streets of Old San Juan as your guide shares captivating tales about coffee’s impact on Puerto Rico’s history, economy and culture – even its connection to the church. Along the way, pause for photos at landmarks, including an approximately 15-minute stop at Plaza Colón with its statue of Christopher Columbus, and another at San Francisco Church, again for around 15 minutes.

Then, there’s an approximately 25-minute stop at Plaza de Armas, home to the ornate ‘Four Seasons’fountain and the grand San Juan City Hall, modelled on Madrid’s old city hall. Next, spend around 25 minutes admiring the Cathedral of San Juan, one of the oldest churches in the western hemisphere, before capping your sightseeing with another cup of coffee at a cafe over approximately 25 minutes.

The approximately 35-minute return walk passes along scenic Cristo Street, known for its restaurants, art galleries and boutiques. A final highlight before arriving back at the boat is the Capilla del Cristo (Chapel of Christ), an 18th-century sanctuary built to commemorate a miraculous event.

Important Information: the tour involves approx. 1.5 mile of walking over cobblestones

SUNSET STROLL THROUGH OLD SAN JUAN – EVENING TOUR

Discover the charm of Old San Juan on a guided evening stroll through its historic streets, lasting approximately one hour and 40 minutes. Visit centuries-old landmarks, take in the sunset over San Juan Bay and uncover local secrets and legends dating back to 1493.
Excursion Details

This guided sunset walk, lasting approximately one hour and 30 minutes, passes by multiple sights and attractions around Old San Juan, pausing briefly at each site for approximately 10 minutes or so.

Begin nearby to your ship at the Paseo de la Princesa, a scenic walkway lined with trees and antique streetlamps. Pass by Raíces Fountain, a bronze tribute to Puerto Rico’s cultural heritage, and follow the waterfront towards La Fortaleza, the residence of the Governor. Perched above the bay, this historic structure, completed in 1540 as a defensive stronghold, gradually evolved into a residential palace over the centuries.

Step into the walled city through the red, 16-feet-high San Juan Gate. Nearby at La Rogativa Square, discover the poignant story behind a sculpture honouring the brave local women who helped save San Juan from a British siege in 1797.

Meander through the Old Town to the Castillo San Felipe del Morro, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the grounds of this marvel of Spanish military engineering and take in sweeping vistas of the Atlantic Ocean.

Continue through the Ballajá district before arriving at San José Square, home to San José Church, an ancient structure thought to date back to the 1530s. Look up to admire the Spanish and French architecture as you stroll down bustling Cristo Street, lined with shops and chapels, including Capilla del Cristo, the final stop before returning to the ship.

Important Information: this is a walking tour and includes walk over uneven terrain, some uphill and cobblestone streets with some stairs. Guests will walk approximately 2.8 miles

EL MORRO and MORE: WALKING TOUR

Excursion Details

This exploration of Old San Juan, lasting approximately three hours, begins with a stroll of approximately 20 minutes along Paseo de la Princesa, a tree-lined promenade offering views of San Juan Bay and the city walls. You’ll then step into the historic heart of the city through the photogenic San Juan Gate (Puerta de San Juan).

Pause at the La Rogativa monument for around 15 minutes for a photo break and to hear the story of the local women who played a pivotal role in thwarting a British invasion in 1797. While there, soak up views of San Juan Bay and La Fortaleza, the governor’s residence.

Next, spend approximately one hour exploring Castillo San Felipe del Morro. Situated in a strategic position on a rocky promontory, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a showcase of military history, complete with tunnels, towers and commanding views.

Afterwards, spend around 15 minutes wandering through the Ballajá Barracks (a former military residence turned cultural hub) and adjacent Plaza del Quinto Centenario, home to a towering totem honouring the indigenous Taíno people. Then, spend approximately 15 minutes walking to and pausing at San José Church, thought to be one of the oldest in the Americas and an early example of Spanish Gothic architecture.

A section of approximately 15 minutes takes you down Cristo Street, lined with colourful colonial buildings, to the quaint Capilla del Cristo (Chapel of Christ), for a final stop of approximately 15 minutes.

Important Information: The price of the tour includes admission to the San Felipe del Morro Fort. Guests are advised to ask for and keep the receipt at the Fort of San Felipe del Morro as proof of purchase. Daily fort opening times are between 09:00 to 16:30 hours. This is a walking tour and includes walk over uneven terrain, some uphill and cobblestone streets with some stairs. Guests will walk approximately 3.2 miles

SAVOR SAN JUAN’S CULINARY DELIGHTS

Excursion Details

Your culinary adventure, lasting approximately four hours, starts with a short walk from the pier through Old San Juan to the El Convento Hotel. At this former convent transformed into a hotel, you’ll enjoy a cocktail and a Puerto Rican fritter (a popular street food snack) over approximately one hour, served in the atmospheric courtyard.

You’ll then move on to Chocobar Cortés, a chocolate shop and cafe run by the Cortés family since 1929. Spend around one hour sampling their signature dark chocolate paired with cheddar cheese, and sipping Puerto Rican coffee laced with chocolate. Don’t miss the upstairs art gallery, the nonprofit Fundación Casa Cortés, which promotes Caribbean art and provided education support to children after Hurricane Maria.

Your third stop is Lounge Cultura, a culinary school set in a restored private home. Over the next 45 minutes, delve into Puerto Rico’s culinary traditions with a hands-on session. Learn to make mofongo (a local dish featuring mashed cassava), enjoy a crispy cheese pastry with guava sauce, and shake up a rum-based cocktail.

Afterwards, enjoy a 20-minute stop at Señor Paleta for artisanal gelato or sorbet before wrapping up your tour in a local bar for around 40 minutes, Here, you’ll get a primer on Puerto Rican rum and discover the secrets behind making the island’s famous piña colada cocktail. Finally, return to the pier on a 15-minute walk.

Important Information: Guests must be at least 18 years old to consume alcohol. Please wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes adept for cobblestone streets. The Fundación Casa Cortés Gallery and Lounge Cultura are on the 2nd floor, up a flight of stairs. Please advise of any food allergies. Menu and venues are subject to change.

MOFONGO AND MOJITO

Explore local history and flavors on a guided walking tour of Old San Juan, lasting about three and a half hours. Visit landmarks such as the San Juan Gate and the Cathedral of San Juan. Enjoy a culinary demonstration and tasting of mofongo and mojito, offering an authentic sample of Puerto Rico’s culture.

Excursion Details

Begin this approximately three-and-a-half-hour excursion with a journey of around 20 minutes to Plaza Dársena, a lively square near the pier, to meet your guide. From here, begin a leisurely discovery of Old San Juan’s historic highlights.

Start with an approximately 15-minute stroll along Paseo de la Princesa, a leafy seaside promenade filled with street vendors and antique streetlamps. Over the next 20 minutes or so, the path leads to the bronze Fuente Raíces (Roots Fountain), which celebrates Puerto Rico’s blend of Taíno, African and Spanish heritage.

Around 20 minutes later, enter the old city through San Juan Gate (Puerta de San Juan), a red-painted archway built in 1635, and make your way to the Cathedral of San Juan for a short viewing of its facade. For approximately 15 minutes, move on through Plaza de Armas, Old San Juan’s main square, and arrive at a local venue, Lounge Cultura, for a memorable experience: a mofongo and mojito culinary demonstration and dining experience, lasting approximately 90 minutes.

Enjoy Puerto Rican appetizers as the chef demonstrates how to prepare cassava mofongo. Your experience wraps up with a tasting of this traditional dish and a refreshing mojito. The walk back to the pier takes around 20 minutes.

Important Information: This is a walking tour, includes walk over uneven terrain, some uphill and cobblestone streets with some stairs. Order of events may vary.

CITY AND RAINFOREST EXPERIENCE

Experience Puerto Rico’s history and natural beauty on this guided excursion. Over the course of approximately four hours, you’ll explore Old San Juan and San Cristóbal Fortress before delving into the tropical El Yunque National Forest to witness firsthand the island’s biodiversity.

Excursion Details

Puerto Rico’s El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the United States National Forest System. Though relatively compact at nearly 28,000 acres, it teems with diverse plant and animal life, including the tiny coquí frog and the endangered Puerto Rican parrot, neither of which are found anywhere else in the world.

This approximately four-hour long excursion combines El Yunque’s natural wonders with some of the island’s historical highlights. Start with a short drive to San Cristóbal Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll have about 45 minutes to explore its tunnels, watchtowers and defensive walls, which offer panoramic views of the city and the Caribbean Sea.

The approximately 50-minute drive from the fortress to El Yunque passes through New San Juan, offering a glimpse of the upscale Condado District, known for its beachfront and luxury hotels.

Once at El Yunque National Forest, guests will enjoy a guided scenic drive of approximately 15 minutes to Yokahú Observation Tower, offering panoramic views of the rainforest canopy and coastline. A 20-minute stop will be made for photos before reboarding the bus.The journey then continues with a paused drive-through at La Coca Falls, located about 20 minutes away. This impressive waterfall cascades 85 feet down a series of rocky steps, surrounded by lush greenery—an excellent opportunity to admire and photograph the scenery from the vehicle.

Following La Coca Falls, there will be a 30-minute stop at the Mameyes River, where guests can experience its natural beauty and, if they wish, touch the refreshing river water. The tour then proceeds to Puente Roto for another 30 minutes, allowing guests to further enjoy the natural surroundings of the area.

After an approximately 15-minute drive to a local souvenir shop, there’ll be an optional shopping stop of around 15 minutes – time permitting – before the ride back to the pier, lasting around 45 minutes.

Important Information: It is recommended that guests wear comfortable shoes, clothing, and bring a light raincoat. The order of stops may vary. Traffic may become congested, and re-routing may occur. Guests may be required to walk on uneven grounds at the rainforest. Commercial use of photos or videos is not permitted

A STROLL THROUGH OLD SAN JUAN

Discover Old San Juan’s sights and history on this excursion lasting approximately 90 minutes. Visit landmarks on a guided walking tour, including San Juan Gate and Castillo San Felipe del Morro, all while enjoying the distinctive colonial architecture visible in many of the buildings.

Excursion Details

Step back in time on this approximately 90-minute guided walking tour through Old San Juan, one of the oldest settlements in the Americas, founded in 1521. The tour begins with a walk of around 15 minutes along Paseo de la Princesa, a waterfront path flanked by fountains, flowers and grand buildings like La Princesa, a former prison. Enjoy bay views before entering the heart of Old San Juan through San Juan Gate (Puerta de San Juan), a huge, red stone arch that was once the primary gateway to the walled city.

From here, proceed to La Rogativa Square to spend about 15 minutes enjoying views of La Fortaleza (Governor’s Mansion) and a monument honouring the courageous local women who helped defend the city from the British in 1797. Continue to the Castille San Felipe del Morro, where you’ll have about 20 minutes to explore the grounds and enjoy views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Next, you’ll visit the Ballajá neighbourhood, known for its plazas, colonial buildings and a totem sculpture honouring the island’s indigenous Taíno people. There’s a brief pause here, and you’ll spend a short time admiring the area’s colourful architecture and historical buildings.

The excursion concludes with a stroll down Calle del Cristo, with its mix of shops and restaurants, ending at the 18th-century Capilla del Cristo before a return to the port.

Important Information: it is recommended that guests wear comfortable walking shoes and bring sunscreen. This tour consists of a considerable amount of walking. Guests may be required to walk on uneven terrain and uphill. Guests will walk approximately 2.8 miles

BACARDI LEGACY and CITY TOUR

Visit the world’s largest rum distillery during this approximately three-and-a-half-hour excursion. The return journey includes photo stops at San Juan landmarks such as the Capitol Building and the Castillo San Cristóbal fortress.

Make a pilgrimage to The Cathedral of Rum –  aka Casa Bacardí –  during this approximately three-and-a-half-hour excursion. Founded in the 1930s, when the company decided to start making its rum outside of Cuba, it is today the largest rum distillery in the world.

Following a bus journey of around 30 minutes, narrated by a guide, arrive at the distillery and take about half an hour to get settled and enjoy a complimentary welcome drink. From there, hop on a trolley for a short ride to a museum, where you’ll learn about the Bacardí family And the brand’s history during a guided tour of around 45 minutes.

Before returning to the port, you’ll embark on a guided bus tour of San Juan. The first section involves an approximately 30-minute drive to the Condado neighbourhood in the region informally known as ‘New San Juan’, before an external photo stop of around 25 minutes at the neoclassical Capitol Building, followed by another external photo stop (including historical information from your guide) of approximately 25 minutes at Castillo San Cristóbal fortress, the largest Spanish fortification in the Americas. The bus then drives around 20 minutes to return to the port.

Important Information: Guests must be at least 18 years old to participate. Order of stops may vary depending on traffic and local conditions. Traffic could get congested, and rerouting may be encountered. Guests are recommended to wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes