San Juan Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour

San Juan Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour

By History with Action

Wonderful

Free cancellation available

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Features

Free cancellation available
2h
Mobile voucher
Instant confirmation

Overview

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/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point.

New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

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

Activity location

Triunfo de San Sebastian by ROBI
- 00901, San Juan, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Meeting/Redemption Point

Plaza Colón
- Calle de la Fortaleza
- 00901, San Juan, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Check availability

San Juan Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour in English

2h
Opening hours: Sat 09:00-18:00
English

Travellers

Language options: English

Price details

€14.48 x 1 Adult€14.48

Total

What's included, what's not

Text transcripts of audio narration & Self-paced format (start/pause/resume anytime)
Pre-recorded audio commentary (downloadable or streamable)
This is a GPS-powered, self-guided audio tour that works through an app
Lifetime access (no expiration) with Customer support (chat/email)
This tour is NOT a ticket to any attraction or site
Suggested walking/driving itinerary with stop-by-stop directions
Offline GPS-enabled route map
NO in-person guide or physical equipment (bring your own device & headphones)
Entrance fees, in-person guide, headphones, transport, parking, food,Wi-Fi or cellular data, rentals

Know before you book

Public transport options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once on-site. • 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 No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next storey, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
Savings tips: Walking tours: couples can share one tour by splitting headphones
New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
For the best experience, bring headphones/earbuds for your walking tour.
The tour requires a supported mobile device for navigation. Please use an iPhone with iOS 15 or later, an Android device with Android 9 or later, or an iPad/tablet with GPS and cellular service.
Your password can be used on the same number of devices as travellers booked. Enter the same password on each device.
In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, activities services are not subject to the right of withdrawal. Supplier cancellation policy will apply.

Activity itinerary

Triunfo de San Sebastian by ROBI

Welcome to San Juan! Are you ready to explore this historic capital? Let’s get started! Our tour begins at the colourful La Corazon Steps. You can’t miss it -- the steps have a beating red heart painted on them while the nearby tourist info centre is an eye-catching pastel pink. NOTE: The tour is over 2 miles long, with more than 30+ audio stories, and takes about 1-2 hours to complete. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

Teatro Alejandro Tapia y Rivera

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 storey is finished, the map will pop back up.

Antiguo Casino de Puerto Rico

Pause here at the crossroads. 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!

Plaza Colon

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.

San Cristóbal Castle (Pass by)

You can’t miss the huge fortress ahead. That’s Castillo San Cristobal, the largest Spanish-built fortification in the Americas. Cross using the pedestrian crossings and head towards the Castillo’s main entrance visitor centre 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!

Polvorín de Santa Elena (1783)

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!

Castillo San Felipe del Morro (Pass by)

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.

Batería Santa Elena

Keep walking as you listen. Farther ahead and to the left, do you see that grey 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!

Cuartel de Ballaja

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.

Casa Blanca Museum (Pass by)

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.

Catedral Basilica Menor de San Juan Bautista (Pass by)

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!

Puerta de San Juan

Continue walking down this shady, colourful, 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 travellers to the city and kept invaders shut out. Walk through the gate and get a great look at the water beyond.

La Fortaleza

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.

Location

Activity location

Triunfo de San Sebastian by ROBI
- 00901, San Juan, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Meeting/Redemption Point

Plaza Colón
- Calle de la Fortaleza
- 00901, San Juan, San Juan, Puerto Rico

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