Private Tour

Private Walking Tour of Old San Juan, including forts

Overview

Available languages

English

Spanish

3 hours

Mobile ticket

Experience San Juan the best possible way...through a private tour. Focus on what you are most excited about. Learn about the history and the untold secrets of this wonderful place and get to know the forts, churches, plazas, cafes, museums, and local flora/fauna. It's not like a college lecture. . . is more like hanging out with a knowledgeable local person. Feel like a local and walk at your own pace, taking breaks when you want. Have a wonderful day in San Juan, Puerto Rico!

This tour includes the entrance into the forts (El Morro and/or San Cristobal). Most of the tour companies don't have the authorization to go inside.

Most companies believe in mass-production. We don't. We'll customize the tour for you.

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Please send me your phone number, so I can get a hold of you the day of the tour.

Children must be accompanied by an adult

At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time

Dress code is smart casual. Bring comfortable shoes. Be prepared for a hot/sunny day, and possible rain.

It is recommended that you bring a hat, and sunblock. and plenty of drinking water

Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Entrance into San Cristobal Fort, and/or El Morro Fort.

Certified professional and local guide

Food and drinks

Optional

What To Expect

Old San Juan

We will tour the city

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable

Plaza Colon

On the entrance of Old San Juan. With the statue of Christopher Columbus.

Admission Not Applicable

Options

Walking Tour

Reviews

4.93

72 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

WONDERFUL tour of Old San Juan
petercX1993PT,
Nov 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Wonderful tour of the historic sites of Old San Juan. Normari is a super knowledgeable guide who makes history come alive. We could not ask for more!
Wonderful Day In Puerto Rico
paulanF6768WK,
Dec 23, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Javier was a wonderful guide, planning an interesting day for my whole family ages 12 to 52 on our first trip to Puerto Rico. He is extremely professional and exceptionally knowledgeable.
Great walking tour.
E7313ZDadamj,
Aug 4, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Fantastic waking tour of Old San Juan. Our guide Christian was super knowledgeable, but most importantly easy to get along with and really relaxed. We ended up having lunch together at the end of the tour. This is a great option if you want to go a little deeper into the history of PR in general, and especially if you want to have candid discussions about the current state of affairs in PR, and broader discussions that are not available on a cookie cutter tour. My kids were pretty engaged the whole time, which speaks volumes. Definitely recommend a private tour.
Old San Juan tour
Karen H,
Jun 22, 2021
- Review from Viator
5.00
Javier was right on time and was very knowledgeable. He kept a pace that we were all comfortable with. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour.
Great start to Puerto Rico vacation
Beachcommuter,
Apr 18, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Javier was wonderful. Very knowledgeable about a wide range of the history of Puerto Rico, architecture, religious heritage, as well as many current political and social issues. He is clearly passionate about giving a great experience. We enjoyed our walk of Old San Juan and sipping pina coladas with him at Barachina. We even got to see his home while on the tour. Highly recommend.
Amazing tour guide and person!
ects southpaw,
Feb 24, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Javier is by far the best guide in Old San Juan. We heard this from local passers by all throughout our tour. He is highly educated too. We benefitted from his amazing knowledge not just of the city and its buildings but of the historical events that shaped the city, its political framework and cultural aspects too. Javier guides with a refined yet very laid back approach. We never felt rushed and he didn't end the tour right on the clock. He has a lovely and warm demeanor and is a genuinely sweet guy. We loved him! It should also be noted that he charges per tour and not per person! He is much more affordable than his agency tour operator competitors. Highly recommend.
Wonderful tour guide
415dbrown,
Dec 29, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Javier was delightful! Very knowledgeable and professional but not boring. It was a well worth the money. Old San Juan is beautiful. We will be back!
Wonderful tour & incredible guide
109anastassial,
Mar 12, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our tour with Javier could not have been better. We loved his honesty, insight, and passion. He took us all around the old town of San Juan and explained the history of the city and people of Puerto Rico in a seamless and entertaining way. When we went to certain historical sites, Javier gave us an overview and also gave us time to explore a bit on our own. Javier was down to earth and did not make us feel stupid when we had a "stupid question", which was so refreshing. At the end of our tour, he gave us a bunch of recommendations for places to eat and local bars, and we had great experiences at the ones we went to. Everyone in our group said that they loved Javier's tour and we all would hire him again the next time we come to San Juan! 10 stars if I could give it!
Amazing day!
J9546QOandreal,
Feb 7, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I can not say enough great things about our day with Javier! We had one day in San Juan and were traveling with our 12 year old so needed a combo of history and little bit of fun to keep our son engaged. Javier couldn't have been a more amazing guide! He knew just when my son was zoning out and would loop him back in with fun facts only a 12 year old could appreciate, which we as parents appreciated! Javier is so kind and thoughtful, he wanted to make sure we were enjoying the day and not also over loading us with too much info (the man is a walking wikipedia and I am sure could talk for hours on just about any subject). He brought us to places we may not have found on our own as well as made sure we saw sights that were more touristy. I have to chuckle at the other reviewers comment about being too political, it is sort of hard to cover the history of an area with out addressing some politics! LOL we did not find Javier in anyway to be "too political", he was mindful and thoughtful of whatever came out of his mouth and was a wonderful guide! We were sad when the day was over and hope we will meet him again! He also gave us a great dinner recommendation which was a local place that had very delicious food! PS - he is also a unicycling champ, which my son was so excited to hear all about as he just started unicycling so Javier gave him lots of great tips and even a quick demo!
Active Family
TravasB1,
Jan 24, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
If you don't want to take pictures from a window then Javier Ruiz is the guide for you. During this journey you see the world through a locals eyes, the good bad and ugly. This is where history met adventure, and the diversity in locations kept the family of 5 busy the entire time!