The Ultimate Guide for 1 Day in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Welcome to colorful Puerto Rico, one of the busiest cruise port destinations in the Caribbean. I recently spent a week on this island paradise. Now, I’m excited to share the best travel tips for you can do when you only have 1 day in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.
San Juan is very walkable, making it the perfect cruise port to explore on your own. With its blue cobblestone streets, Instagram-worthy buildings, and salty ocean breeze, you’ll fall in love with the charm of Old San Juan’s architecture and heritage, which will leave you wanting more of this Caribbean gem.
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How to Spend 1 Day in San Juan, Puerto Rico
I assume you have only 1 day in San Juan, Puerto Rico due to arriving on a cruise ship. In that case, it is highly likely you will be docking in beautiful Old San Juan, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983.
You can easily explore Old San Juan independently with many places within walking distance of the cruise ship port. I felt very safe wandering the streets, shopping, and dining.
Old San Juan is compact with something beautiful to see around every corner.
Map of Old San Juan
This is the route I suggest for 1 day in Old San Juan. It begins and ends at the Old San Juan Cruise Ship Piers (Pier 1).
Old San Juan Self-Guided Walking Tour
Here’s my list of must-see Old San Juan spots and practical advice to make your visit as enjoyable as possible. These are the places we visited and how I would do it again on my next visit.
1. Banco Popular
As you exit the cruise port, you’ll first encounter Banco Popular. Not only is it one of the most photographed structures in the city, this eleven-story building was the first skyscraper in the Caribbean.
Notice the faces of the Olympian gods on the front of the building, along with a giraffe stone art installation. El Giraffe by artist Jorge Zeno is one of three fantasy animal sculptures you’ll see throughout Old San Juan.
2. Plaza Colon
Continue on to Plaza Colón, just a four minute walk away. This plaza begins at Calle de la Fortaleza, a main street running through Old San Juan.
Named after Christopher Columbus, this lively square is lined with restaurants and street performers. There is a fun spot to snap a quick photo at the “ I love SJ” art installation here.
From this square, you’ll walk down Calle de la Fortaleza, where you will pass tons of souvenir shops and restaurants.
As you walk, you may notice the colorful buildings, all of which have balconies to take advantage of the breezes coming from the Atlantic Ocean.
The original Old San Juan buildings were initially covered in white limewash.
However, as buildings are updated, The Institute of Puerto Rican Cultural must now approve the buildings’ colors and other architectural details to help maintain Old San Juan’s historic charm.
3. Plaza de Armas
Plaza de Armas is a special spot in Old San Juan with a rich history from Spanish colonial times.
As the main town square, it’s surrounded by colorful buildings, including the town hall and the Department of State.
Enjoy a coffee and dessert on a public bench, and snap a photo with the bronze statue of famous salsa composer Tito Curet Alonso.
4. Calle de la Fortaleza
One spot you don’t want to miss in this area is the historic street called Calle de la Fortaleza, also known as Umbrella Street.
Popular for its colorful art installations, Calle de la Fortaleza is a must-see for an Instagram-worthy photo opportunity.
Because it is the street leading to the Governor’s Mansion, you may notice a strong police presence and the street may even be blocked off.
During the summer of 2019, thousands of people gathered here for nightly protests, which is why it is also called Calle de la Resistencia.
5. Cathedral of San Juan Bautista
Steps away from Calle de la Fortaleza, you will find 500 years of history at one of San Juan’s beautiful churches, Catedral San Juan Bautista.
As Puerto Rico’s oldest church and the second oldest church in America, the stunning architecture will amaze you.
Surprisingly, this beautiful cathedral is the final resting place of Ponce de León.
When visiting, church services may be in progress, but as long as you dress modestly and maintain a respectful atmosphere, you may enter.
After leaving the church, keep heading south on Calle del Cristo to Capilla del Cristo, making stops at any of the shops along the way to pick up Old San Juan souvenirs, which are surprisingly inexpensive.
6. Castillo San Felipe del Morro
You may want to pick up a drink or snack before your next stop. The iconic 16th century fortress, the Castillo San Felipe del Morro, or “El Morro” is a bit of a walk.
Managed by the National Park Service, this San Juan National Historic Site is massive and overlooks San Juan Bay. Although it’s not too close, once you get there, the breathtaking views alone are worth the visit.
You can buy your tickets at the gate and admission begins at $10 for adults. They do not take cash, so make sure you bring a credit card with you.
The admission fee is good for both El Morro and Castillo San Cristobal in Old San Juan.
We saw a ton of people using the large grassy area as a resting spot where they enjoyed the breeze and the view.
7. Old San Juan Cemetery
Before leaving this area, you may want to visit the Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery.
This beautiful cemetery is said to have amazing ocean views. While it’s often listed as one of Old San Juan’s most picturesque spots, we did not visit just because it was extremely hot and we had already done tons of walking.
8. Paseo del Morro
From El Morro, head back towards the cruise ship terminal via the Paseo del Morro pathway along the waterfront.
This beautiful walkway is lined with many plants and old buildings. There are several places to stop and take pictures.
One spot is the San Juan Gate, once used as a passenger entrance to the city.
The ocean views here are outstanding.
9. Old San Juan Governor’s Mansion
A popular site to visit in Old San Juan is La Fortaleza, the Governor’s Mansion. This building is stunning with its colonial architecture and can be seen as you walk along Paseo del Morro.
You can’t wander the mansion at free will, but you can take a guided walking tour. The tours are thirty minutes and you must have a photo ID.
Cats, Everywhere
As you walk along this area, you will probably notice many feral cats. They are everywhere. It reminded me of all the cats in Kotor, Montenegro.
Don’t worry, though, these cats are very well taken care of by the non-profit organization, Save A Gato. Not only do they feed them, they also trap, neuter, and release them to control the population. And, cat lovers can even inquire about adopting them!
10. Capilla del Cristo
As you make your way along the road leading back to the Old San Juan cruise port, you are bound to encounter The Capilla del Cristo. At first glance, this charming 18th-century chapel may not look like much. But, it actually has a special story behind it.
The Spanish Baroque-style structure features a curved belfry and a stunning silver and gold altar at the end of Calle del Cristo.
The legend is told that the chapel was built to commemorate a miracle which took place in the very place.
The story claims a young rider and horse could not stop during a horse race down the street, tumbled over the very wall and survived.
11. Pigeon Park
After admiring the chapel, take the small pathway to the left of the chapel, which leads you toward Calle Tetuán, a cobblestone roadway.
On your way, you will pass Parque de las Palomas, Pigeon Park.
Pigeon Park, or Parque de las Palomas, is a small, peaceful spot in Old San Juan.
You can buy bird food for $1 and feed the friendly pigeons. Enjoy the remarkable trees, interesting wall holes, and pretty views of San Juan Bay.
12. Narrowest Home in North America
As you walk along Calle Tetuán, look for the tiny house with the yellow door along the way, La Casa Estrecha.
This is said to be the narrowest home in North America. The owners actually own the red home to its right as well.
13. Paseo de la Princesa
You’re almost back to the cruise ship port! Before going back to the ship, take some time to experience the enchanting Paseo de La Princesa, The Princess Promenade. This Old San Juan cherished promenade dates back to 1853.
You will be treated to many food and drink vendors as you walk along the city walls, with San Juan Bay on one side and the fortification wall on the other.
While walking down Paseo de la Princesa, you may also see a special statue called La Rogativa.
The statue, which shows a group of women holding torches and walking together, represents the women of San Juan who helped protect their city from an attack by the British.
With its captivating charm, Paseo de La Princesa in Old San Juan is a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
What to Eat in Old San Juan
There are some traditional foods you should try before leaving Puerto Rico, including mofongo, a mashed plantain dish, and alcapurrias, a meat filled fritter. Both are served at restaurants throughout Old San Juan.
You’ll also find many bars serving mojitos and pina coladas, a fruity rum drink served right out of a coconut. It’s said the first ever pina colada was made right here in Puerto Rico at the Caribe Hilton in San Juan.
Puerto Rico is widely known for its coffee, so it’s no wonder Old San Juan has many fabulous coffee shops. You’ll find cozy coffee shops scattered throughout.
I tried Café Lab and El Café tal de Borikén, both beloved by locals. As a coffee lover, I can say the coffee here is really good.
In addition to serving coffee, restaurants like Caficultura, Kaffe Haus, and Café Mallorca also serve a delicious brunch.
These brunch spots are all within a short distance of each other and close to Plaza Colon.
Best Snacks in Old San Juan
As we walked through Old San Juan, we found many places to stop for a quick snack.
- Señor Paleta, near the cruise ship terminal, makes all natural popsicles called paletas. There are a ton of flavors and they are perfect on a hot day!
- Drunken Cookies – Their motto, “Get chip faced in Puerto Rico,” sets the tone for what you will find at this Old San Juan dessert spot. Order a liquor shot in a glass made of cookie dough! Do you hear me? An edible shot glass!
- Chocobar Cortés – This restaurant serves breakfast and brunch, where every dish uses chocolate in some way.
Shopping in Old San Juan
If you love souvenirs, you will find tons of shops near the Old San Juan cruise ship port. Many shops sell similar items. Some items you may want to look for are Puerto Rican coffee, rum, handmade crafts and musical instruments.
Good-bye Old San Juan
One day in San Juan is just enough to fall in love with the city.
From historic sites to delicious food, this place has it all.
As your day ends, you’ll be exhausted from all the walking, but will have a greater appreciation of this American island.
I hope this itinerary helps you make the most of your time in port.
If you’re eager to explore more of Puerto Rico, including the El Yunque National Forest, check out my four-day Puerto Rico itinerary post to plan your next adventure and experience all the amazing sights this island has to offer!
