See Old San Juan’s Historic Sights with a Ranger
Most people when they arrive in San Juan will either head off on their own to see the various sights or arrange to see them with a tour guide. There is a third option which I stumbled upon the other day, and that is to see the sights with a National Park Ranger.
There are several tours available both in English and Spanish, unfortunately though, they are only available on certain days of the week. But, if you are here in San Juan on the days that the tours are offered, it might be worth checking them out.
Note: for most of these tours there is a maximum of 30 people.
The Fortification Walk:
This is the tour if you would like to learn more about how the fortifications helped protect the Spaniards for over 350 years. The ranger will take you on a 2-3 mile walk through Old San Juan and the tour lasts between 1.5 and 2 hours.
The English tour takes place on Saturdays at 10am from the main plaza of San Cristóbal.
The Spanish version of the tour takes place on Sundays at 10am from the main plaza of El Morro.
Lighthouse Talk:
If you want to learn more about El Morro and the famous lighthouse, then check this tour out. It takes place at the main plaza of El Morro at 3:30pm and lasts about 1 hour.
Saturdays - Spanish
Sundays - English
San Cristóbal Outworks Walk:
This tour takes you around the outer works of San Cristóbal and this is the only way that you can visit this section of the fort. The tour starts at 10:00 am at the main plaza, San Cristóbal and lasts about 1 hour
Mondays and Saturdays - Spanish
Fridays and Sundays - English
San Cristóbal Fort:
Join a ranger for an interpretive walk around Castillo San Cristóbal, the largest Spanish fortification in the New World.
Evening program starts at 5:00 pm at the main plaza, San Cristóba and lasts about 1 hour.
Tuesdays - English
Fridays - Spanish
El Morro and San Cristóbal:
At both forts there are daily Orientation Talks that last about 20mins and usually take place at 10:00, 11:00 am, 12:00, 3:00, 4:00 and 5:00pm. These talks are available seven days a week in the main plaza of El Morro and San Cristóbal.
Lelolai Festival:
Lelolai Festival is a special activity that takes place every Monday Tuesday at around 6pm at the main plaza of San Cristóbal. This is a short program highlighting local Puerto Rican culture through music, rhythm and dances that highlight the island’s Native, Spanish and African heritage. The program has been running for the past 28 years.
Opening hours of El Morro and San Cristóbal:
Both Sites are open everyday except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day, from 9:00am to 6:00 pm, (December-May) and from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. (June-November).
Admission is $3.00 for adults
Contact the NPS at 787-729-6777 for more information.
Related Posts:
Gallery Nights
Segway Around Old San Juan
Kites at El Morro
Paseo La Princesa Promenade
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[...] cost (often free) services provided by National Park Rangers. Visit The Coqui presents a list of Old San Juan tours provided by the Puerto Rican National Park [...]
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I would like to take the lighthouse tour, in English.
I might be able to decipher some of the Spanish, but I would love to hear and understand the whole thing. Getting the story from people who live and work around these sights has got to be the best way! Great idea! Thank you for sharing! 