The painted streets
Painted houses line the streets above the piers. The streets climb toward Calle Norzagaray on the north side; your walk isn't flat.
Things to do in Puerto Rico › Places › Old San Juan
Old San Juan
Forts $10 per person · valid 24 hoursUpdated October 8, 2026 fees from NPS; visits from La Fortaleza; sailings from Puerto Rico Ferry
Old San Juan is the walled old city at the mouth of San Juan Bay. Cruise ships dock at its foot. You can walk uphill from the piers to San Cristóbal. The $10 pass per person covers that fort and El Morro for 24 hours. La Fortaleza offers free weekday tours of the governor's residence. Heat makes the hills harder, so start early and keep water with you.
The old city
Old San Juan: the walls and what you can visit
| The walls | walls up to 42 feet high, with three quarters still standing. The San Juan Gate is the surviving city gate. The Paseo del Morro follows the walls; parts close during cliff work. |
| The forts | the $10 pass per person covers El Morro and San Cristóbal for 24 hours; children 15 and under enter free. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; you can't pay cash. |
| La Fortaleza | the governor's home at the end of Calle Fortaleza. Free tours run on weekdays; you need photo ID from age 18. Call ahead because official business can close the residence. |
| The piers | piers 1, 3 and 4 on Calle Marina at the foot of the old city; Pier 1 is being rebuilt. The Pan American piers sit across the bay on Isla Grande. Taxis and ride-hailing cars wait outside the terminals. |
| The Cataño ferry | the crossing from Muelle 2 takes 12 minutes and costs $2 per person each way. San Juan departures run from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays. Weekend departures run from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
| Parking | public garages near the cruise piers: Doña Fela and Covadonga. You can't park at the cruise port or El Morro. |
How much time
- Three hours from a ship San Cristóbal is 10 to 15 minutes uphill from the piers. You can visit one fort and return through the streets, leaving room for your ship's boarding deadline.
- A full day The forts are 15 to 20 minutes apart on foot. A full day leaves you time for both and lunch; La Fortaleza needs a weekday tour.
- An evening After the forts close at 5 p.m., you can walk the Paseo de la Princesa. Calle Fortaleza has restaurants for dinner.
Map
Where Old San Juan is
Plaza de Armas: 18.4653° N, 66.1167° W Directions in Google Maps Apple Maps OpenStreetMap
How to get there
- On foot from the piers San Cristóbal is 10 to 15 minutes uphill from the piers, past Plaza Colón. Your walk continues along Calle Norzagaray to El Morro in 15 to 20 minutes.
- From the airport The Old San Juan piers are 12 km, or 7.5 miles, from Luis Muñoz Marín Airport. The drive takes 15 minutes when traffic allows. You can take a taxi or a ride-hailing car.
- By Uber or taxi For San Cristóbal your ride-hailing drop-off is Plaza Colón. The entrance is 4 to 5 minutes uphill at Plaza Norzagaray. At El Morro you're dropped outside the grounds; the lawn crossing takes 5 minutes.
- By car Doña Fela and Covadonga put you near the piers. Enter Doña Fela from Calle Recinto Sur. Covadonga sits by the bus terminal; you'll walk uphill from either garage.
- The Cataño ferry The Muelle 2 ferry costs $2 per person each way for the 12-minute crossing. You'll need an onward ride from Cataño to Casa Bacardí.
Inside the walls
What you find inside Old San Juan
The painted streets
Calle Fortaleza
Balconies run above shops and restaurants on Calle Fortaleza, with the governor's residence at its end. A walk here doesn't get you inside.
Paseo de la Princesa
The Paseo de la Princesa follows the bay beneath the walls to the San Juan Gate. The Paseo del Morro continues beyond, with parts closed during cliff work.
The cruise piers
Ships dock at the old city's southern edge, where you can walk into the streets. The Pan American piers need a separate ride.
With a guide
Guided visits: six ways to see Old San Juan
Six guided options, lowest starting price first. Each row shows a tour's starting price and the costs or limits that affect your visit.
| A walking tour | $30 per person | Explore Old San Juan Walking Tour 325 reviews, 4.8 · The walk takes 120 minutes. Optional fort entry costs another $10 per person; your guide and bottled water are included. · dates and prices ↗ |
| A morning or afternoon walk | $39 per person | Old San Juan Walking Tour 2,514 reviews, 4.8 · The 135-minute walk starts at 9 a.m. or 4:30 p.m. Hotel rides and tips cost extra; you see San Cristóbal from outside. · dates and prices ↗ |
| Casa Bacardí across the bay | $44.60 per person | Legacy Tour at Casa BACARDÍ in Puerto Rico 899 reviews, 4.5 · The 50-minute Legacy Tour is for ages 18 and up. Your ferry and onward ride aren't included. Arrive 30 minutes before your tour. · dates and prices ↗ |
| A rum cocktail walk | $64.99 per person | Rum Craft Cocktail Tour in San Juan 407 reviews, 4.9 · The 120-minute walk includes three rum cocktails at three bars. Your hotel ride and tips aren't included; the minimum age is 18. · dates and prices ↗ |
| A golf cart ride | $94.78 per person | Old San Juan Golf Cart Exploration 694 reviews, 4.6 · The 75-minute ride starts across from Doña Fela. Tips and fort entry aren't included; the pass costs $10 per person. · dates and prices ↗ |
| A food tour | $170 per adult | Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour 5,192 reviews, 4.9 · The 180-minute walk includes enough food for a meal and a rum cocktail. Your hotel ride and tips cost extra. Vegan and gluten-free diets can't be accommodated. · dates and prices ↗ |
The catch: You reach each meeting point yourself. The food and cocktail walks don't accept wheelchairs or walking aids. Some food allergies rule out the food tour; read its limits on the booking page.
Before you go
- Walk early or late to avoid the midday heat. Carry a card for the forts; they don't take cash. Your ferry trip to Casa Bacardí also needs an onward ride.
Tours
Tours in and around Old San Juan
Old San Juan, food and rum tours
14 tours · from $30
Walking tours cover the streets and fort exteriors. You can also compare food walks with rum tours, including Casa Bacardí across the bay.
Short tours from the San Juan piers 14 tours · from $25Short outings start at the piers and fit around a port call. Your choice still depends on the terminal and your ship's boarding deadline.
Boats, kayaks and jet skis 14 tours · from $30The boat list includes mini boat tours along Old San Juan's shore. You meet those at San Juan Bay Marina and arrange your own ride there.
Know before you go
Know before you go
Pass and free days
The $10 pass per person covers both forts for 24 hours. Keep your receipt for the second fort. U.S. citizens and residents enter free on October 27 and November 11. See the forts page for details.
La Fortaleza tours
Free weekday tours run in English and Spanish. You need photo ID or a valid passport from age 18; minors need an adult. Call 787-721-7000 extension 2358 before you go. Your reservation can change without notice.
Your cruise pier
Your terminal determines whether you can start on foot. Pan American arrivals need a ride from across the bay. Taxis and ride-hailing cars wait outside.
The Cataño ferry
The crossing costs $2 per person each way. Cataño's last boat to San Juan leaves at 9:30 p.m. weekdays or 10:30 p.m. weekends. That's earlier than the last departure from San Juan.
Parking for the forts
El Morro has no visitor parking. From the underground garage on Calle Norzagaray you need another 5 to 10 minutes on foot. Doña Fela and Covadonga suit a walk starting near the piers.
Heat and water
Heat and hills slow your walk, so carry water and wear shoes with grip. You don't need to see both forts without a break. Both have bathrooms at entrance level.
Good to know
People also ask
- How far is Old San Juan from the cruise port?
The Old San Juan cruise piers are 0.5 km, or 0.3 miles, from the city center. You can walk to San Cristóbal in 10 to 15 minutes. The Pan American piers are across the bay. From there you can take a taxi or ride-hailing car.
- Is Old San Juan walkable?
Yes, if you're comfortable with hills and uneven paving. Your route from the piers climbs toward Calle Norzagaray. The forts are 1.46 km apart by road, or 0.9 miles. That's a 15 to 20 minute walk.
- How much does it cost to visit El Morro?
El Morro costs $10 per person; children 15 and under enter free. Your receipt covers San Cristóbal for 24 hours; you need a card or contactless payment. The forts close on Thanksgiving and Christmas. They also close on New Year's Day.
- Can you visit La Fortaleza?
Yes, free guided tours run on weekdays. You need photo ID or a valid passport from age 18. Minors must come with an adult. Call ahead because government business can change your visit without notice.
- How do you get from the airport to Old San Juan?
Take a taxi or ride-hailing car from Luis Muñoz Marín Airport. It's 12 km to the Old San Juan piers. Allow 15 minutes for the drive when traffic permits.
- Where do you park in Old San Juan?
Doña Fela and Covadonga are public garages near the piers. You enter Doña Fela from Calle Recinto Sur; Covadonga sits by the bus terminal. The underground garage on Calle Norzagaray leaves a 5 to 10 minute walk to El Morro. You can't park at the fort.